Mike Goodrich from Tranquility Plumbing is in Punta Gorda for the installation of the Whirlpool dishwasher. Goodrich explains that he has cut holes through the cabinet for the drain line up top and the water line down low. The dishwasher itself is encased in insulation to keep it quiet during operation. Once the drain line has been fed through the hole and the water line attached, Goodrich slides the dishwasher into place. He adjusts the feet to get it level and checks for even spacing along the sides and top. Goodrich will use short screws to attach the clips on the dishwasher to the wood countertop substrate. This will prevent the dishwasher from moving or rocking forward when the door is open.

Plumbing and heating contractor Doug Buchanan is ready to install the Kenmore Elite dishwasher. The dishwasher has a very clean design with the electronics panel on the top of the lid where it's hidden from view under the counter. The interior of the dishwasher has been configured so that it can accommodate large 13-inch plates and the slide-out shelf for glassware can be lowered a notch to fit champagne flutes and other tall glassware. The dishwasher has a standard plug-in for 110 current and a drain line that is already pre-drilled in the cabinet. While old-style dishwashers have a drain solenoid, the new styles like this Kenmore Elite have a pump. The water feed is made of stainless steel flexible line which also goes through the cabinet into a main shutoff for the dishwasher only. With wheels on the back like a shopping cart, the dishwasher can be rolled right into place.

Here s another great tip from BobVila.com. Before you crank up the A/C this summer to keep cool, try a little old-fashioned ventilation first. Just keeping air moving can make your home feel much cooler. But it goes beyond opening a window. There s a little science to it. If you live where the nights are cool, keep your house sealed during the heat of the day. If it s well-insulated, it should only heat up about a degree an hour. Open windows and circulate cool air in the evening and early morning. Get some cross-ventilation going by opening windows on opposite sides of the house. Homes designed with cupolas, clerestory windows, vented skylights or even attic vents have the ability to create what s called a thermosiphon. Hot air escaping from the top of the house pulls warm air with it from the rest of the house and cooler air through lower windows, creating a constant cooling flow. Take advantage of those features or install an attic fan to create the same effect. It helps to minimize the heat you generate inside the house by using the oven, dishwasher and dryer in the evening or early morning hours. Even light bulbs can heat things up, so making the most of the daylight is both cheaper and cooler. If you still can t get the air moving, there s always the underappreciated window fan. For much less than it costs to run your air conditioner, a fan can give you the summer breeze you re looking for. Find out more at BobVila.com: the ultimate home improvement web site! 2008 BobVila.com