Decision to go solar will eventually prove worthwhile

Q. We are thinking of installing solar energy because it's cheaper than PSEG for electricity. Overall, do you think solar is cheaper? What do you think, and do you know companies in Edison, N.J., that do the solar?

Via e-mail

A. Passive solar energy provided by the proper installation of large glazing that faces south does not cost anything, once installed. The heat loss suffered at night can be greatly minimized with the installation of insulated shades. Condensation is likely to form on the interior face of the glass on cold mornings as warm, moist air is trapped between the insulated shades and the glazing. As this air cools, the dew point is reached, since cooler air cannot hold as much moisture as warm.

Installing active solar panels is expensive, and there is maintenance involved, but if there are enough sunny days where you live, you'll benefit from it.

You will still need to use gas on sunless days and at night. If you plan on staying in the house long enough to amortize the cost of the initial installation and you consider the cost of periodic maintenance, it may be a worthwhile investment. Sorry, I do not know of anyone who does solar installations in your area. Consult your Yellow Pages to get several opinions.

Q. We cut out but managed to lose your Burlington Free Press article referencing Nok-Out and Knock Out. I ordered, received and used the Knock Out; however, my wife couldn't tolerate its smell. Is the Nok-Out really odorless? Is it available in the Burlington area?

Via e-mail

A. I am surprised that your wife is able to smell Knock Out. We use it and find it odorless, as we have found Nok-Out to be as well. Both these odor eliminators are sold through distributors: Knock Out is distributed by PTB Enterprises of Southfield, Mich. PTB's Web site is www.ptbent.com. The product is completely biodegradable and all-natural, harmless to people, pets, fabrics, etc. You can order Knock Out on their Web site or by calling PTB Enterprises at (866) 478-2368. Nok-Out, which works differently and seems to have a chlorine-base, is manufactured by Amazing Concepts, LLC is distributed by Neo Products, P.O. Box 190, Holly, MI 48442. Their toll-free number is (888) 977-4848. You can also order it online at www.nokout.com. In Canada, the distributor is OdorTech, located in Midhurst, Ontario. OdorTech's toll-free number is (877) 466-5688.

Q. We are ready to do a complete and thorough side-by-side comparison of gas heat and oil heat, relating to all necessary equipment, costs, installation, testing, modifications, energy efficiency, advantages and disadvantages.

We currently reside in northern New Jersey and have oil heat (thermal-system heated water pipes beneath floor), and the existing furnace is 15 years old with approximately 80 percent to 85 percent heat efficiency. The furnace is strictly for heating and does a good job keeping the house (ranch-style, no basement) warm in winter. The oil tank is in the ground and is approximately 50 years old. No leaks and/or traces of water/moisture problems.

Should we consider an above-ground tank system? Please advise a step-by-step process regarding the subject matter via e-mail and/or your column, so that we may proceed carefully and wisely in gathering all necessary information in making a sound decision -- stay with oil or switch to gas heat. Thank you very much for your time and valuable advice.

New Jersey

A. With an 80-percent to 85-percent efficiency for your 15-year-old oil-fired boiler, it does not seem to make much sense to spend the money to replace it. Although some gas-fired boilers can reach more than 95 percent efficiency, I question whether the math works out to your advantage. When it's time to get rid of the in-ground oil tank, that's a different matter, and it's surprising that a 50-year-old tank is not leaking. (I assume that you have had it checked.)

Natural gas, which I assume is available to you, is a cleaner fuel, and there is no need for regular refills of the tank. But gas furnaces and boilers still need safety checks yearly, although this does not mean cleaning to remove soot residues that considerably reduce the efficiency of oil-fired appliances. Ask your fuel providers to give you comparatives; they are usually quite helpful and honest about it.

Q. We attached our BBQ grill to a gas line via our house. Sometime this summer, squirrel(s) chewed on it, and now we need to replace the line. Is there a way to keep the squirrels from chewing on it? We were told that it may have been done as the squirrels were starting to set up their nests. I have seen stories about squirrels chewing on gas lines in cars and was wondering how to prevent any further occurrences.

Scotch Plains, N.J.

A. The people I contacted in the gas industry told me that there is a flexible armored-steel tubing, which comes in several diameters, into which the grill's gas line can be fed. I have been told that it should be available at Home Depot or that your gas supplier should be able to order it. It's called ArmorFlex.

Q. What can I use to get permanent marker off my stone fireplace? My son wrote on a very visible stone (front of the fireplace) with a green Sharpie, fine-point marker. The marks were made about four years ago.

Another question: We have a pipe in our basement that leads out to our septic tank. There is some sort of alarm box on it. We get some water leakage around where the pipes/box connect to the concrete wall. We have regraded the soil outside, and now it is much better, but in very heavy rains we still get water dripping in. The drips come off the bottom of the box, and it appears that the water may be finding its way into the box and leaking out, since we don't feel any moisture around the pipe. Should I call an electrician or a plumber for this? Would it help to add to the grading outside? We have gutters, and that water does not come near this area.

Via e-mail

A. Assuming that your fireplace is built with unsealed fieldstones, it will be very difficult to remove the permanent marker ink, especially a stain that old. These stones are often porous, and the green ink has penetrated that particular stone. You may want to try rubbing the stain with coarse emery cloth, followed by a water wash to remove the residue left by the emery cloth. Don't get your hopes up: It's not likely to be too successful. If someone has been successful in removing permanent magic marker ink from stone, please let me know, and I'll pass it on.

As for the small leak, I would try checking the grade again. It may need to be raised a bit more, and perhaps some distance away from where the sewer pipe exits the house. Water can travel some distance until it finds a weak spot. I remember once solving a basement leak for a dentist whose large dog had dug itself a nice, cool hollow bed under a bush on the opposite side of the house from where the leak showed up. There are interesting surprises in life. If that does not solve the leak, call an electrician, since water is coming out of a box containing electrical connections. He or she may try to seal the point of entry with Water Plug.

© 2007, United Feature Syndicate, Inc.