Here's another great tip from BobVila.com. It s important to make your home energy-efficient by sealing all gaps and insulating thoroughly. But don t overlook ventilation. Vent fans in the kitchen and bathrooms are required by code in most states, and they re a good idea everywhere. They help protect indoor air quality and get rid of excess moisture from cooking and bathing that can lead to mold problems and structural damage. In the kitchen, range hoods now come in all shapes and sizes to go with your cooking surface and d cor. They can be ducted through a ceiling or exterior wall. This often requires tearing out plaster or drywall and it s best done during a remodel. If you don t want a large hood, consider a cooktop with a downdraft vent ducted through the floor. Either way, ventilation fans should always be ducted to the outside, never into an attic or crawlspace. Bathroom ventilation fans have come a long way, too. Energy Star-certified models with built-in ceiling lights can do double-duty and save you money, especially since these are so often accidentally left on. And they re much quieter, too. Some installers recommend the roof-mount type of fan. The fan and motor are installed on the roof and ducted to the interior space. In some homes, this can make installation and service easier since the unit s out in the open instead of built into the ceiling. Find out more at BobVila.com: The ultimate home improvement web site! BobVila.com 2008

The ceiling fan is being installed in the Punta Gorda home. Its workbox must be firmly mounted to hold the ceiling fan in place. This house is Energy Star qualified, which means that, in addition to the insulation, windows, and building materials, the appliances are also Energy Star rated. Fluorescent bulbs are used in the fixtures to reduce energy use throughout the year. The burnished brass-look fixtures are from Sea Gull Lighting and are all Energy Star certified.

Bob meets with Mark, a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning mechanic. Bob and Mark have an in-depth discussion on why a homeowner had to add an air-conditioning unit to an existing air-conditioning unit. The new space added onto the residence was too large for the old unit to cool, so a new 1-1/2 ton unit had to be added. They also describe how the particular unit cools the home and the major components of the unit.

Here s another great tip from BobVila.com. Get a jump on the hot weather by making sure your room air conditioner s up to the challenge. Before you pull it out of storage, consider the age of your air conditioner. Efficiencies have improved so much that replacing an old clunker from the 70s with a new 10-seer unit could cut your cooling costs in half. Regardless of age, all units need maintenance every season and about once a month during the season. First, unplug the unit and see your manual for instructions on discharging the capacitors to avoid a shock. Dirt is your air conditioner s worst enemy. Clean out the drain ports with a length of wire. Vacuum the evaporator and condenser coils and gently straighten any bent fins with a fin comb, which you can get at most hardware or plumbing supply stores. Remove the filter and wash and dry it thoroughly or replace it with a new one if it s the disposable kind. Run the unit for a few minutes to see how it performs. If the fan s making noise, try tightening the blade s set screw as well as the bolts that hold the fan unit to its housing. If the power cord, switch or thermostat is worn or faulty, you can replace it without having to buy a new unit. The coils, compressor and motor are all sealed and should be repaired by a professional. On the bright side, if you do this check early, you won t be put on someone s waiting list in 90-degree heat! Find out more at BobVila.com: the ultimate home improvement web site! 2008 BobVila.com

Enhance the beauty of your home while increasing its value by replacing those dated fixtures with stylish new designer lighting. Lighting is a cost effective way to change the overall look and feel of both your indoor and outdoor living space. From Chandeliers to Ceiling Fans, Pendants to Sconces,

…7 per inch and a tight air seal, your home is now healthier, more comfortable, and less expensive to heat and cool. Ceiling Spray You can do attics, crawlspaces, walls, rim joists, basements, pipe insulation and much more with Foam it Green…

…to the circuit. At the circuit breaker, shut off power to the ceiling light circuit. Flip the…
…directions that came with your ceiling fan. Pass the electrical wires through the center of the ceiling mounting plate and screw the…

…circuit. Go to the circuit breaker and locate the circuit supplying power to the ceiling fixture. Turn off that…
…circuit. Turn off the circuit breaker. Step 2: Remove…
…glass parts from the old ceiling light. Unscrew and…

…skylight to be located on the ceiling, making certain the area above is free of electrical wires, ductwork or other obstructions…
…locate an area between ceiling joists. Using either a…
…the hole in the interior ceiling. Drill a second hole through…