James Dulley
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Air conditioner tips to reduce electric billsJun 09, 2013 5:38 am - Q. I am trying to run my central air conditioner less to save electricity. Would using a portable air conditioner use less electricity? Does one have to be vented outdoo...
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Is a net zero energy home worth the cost?Apr 07, 2013 4:19 am - Q. We are planning our energy-efficient dream home. We have heard about “net zero energy” designs. Are they as livable as regular efficient houses, do they look strange ...
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Water-saving toilets will eventually pay for themselvesMar 03, 2013 4:21 am - Q. Our old master bathroom toilet does not flush well and we are thinking about adding a first-floor half bath. What are the best types of toilets to get for each room a...
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How to insulate your attic access openingFeb 03, 2013 4:01 am - Q. I just moved into a new house and I went up into the attic to store some holiday decorations. There was no insulation on the access cover or seals around it. Shouldn’...
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How to make a build-it-yourself solar heaterJan 06, 2013 4:43 am - Q. I would like to use some free solar heating in a south-facing kitchen. I cannot afford to have a system installed professionally. What type of simple solar heater can...
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Zone control systems adjust ducts, room temperaturesDec 02, 2012 4:18 am - Q. Some rooms in our house are too hot or too cold and someone is always complaining. What can we do to even out the room temperatures to keep everyone happy. Will doing...
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What to do about a noisy bathroom vent fanNov 04, 2012 5:52 am - Q. Our bathroom vent fan has been getting noisier for years, so I want to install a new quiet one. How can I tell which are most quiet? Is it more energy efficient to ru...
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A do-it-yourself energy auditOct 07, 2012 4:43 am - Q. I don’t have a huge budget to work with, but I would like to make my house more energy efficient. Instead of spending some of it on a professional energy audit, how c...
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It often makes sense to use smaller, countertop cooking appliancesSep 02, 2012 4:59 am - Q. I prefer to use the kitchen range and oven for cooking, but heard using small countertop appliances is more efficient. Is this true and is there a simple way to deter...
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Mini-split systems will cool second-floor roomsAug 05, 2012 5:07 am - Q. We added a room, but our central air conditioner doesn’t cool it well. Our second floor master bedroom also does not stay cool. Does it make sense to install a window...