Bob meets with Tim Woods in the 3rd floor office. Tim shows us the Panasonic PBX phone system which is ideal for a home business with conference call, paging, and intercom capabilities from anywhere in the house. The Web-based cam is another useful feature that allows the homeowner to monitor a room through a Web site accessible from anywhere in the world. Tim also explains that the homeowner's laptop has a wireless networking card from Cisco Systems, allowing wireless in-home internet access. The laptop also has a 64MB Secure Digital (SD) card reader that downloads music onto a card, which can then be played in the homeowner's car. Finally, Tim shows Bob the Panasonic Iris scanner. The Iris scanner interfaces with the homeowner's computer system allowing secure access to computer files.

Damon Markowski from Leviton shows Bob the dimmers that have been installed to control light levels and save power. Leviton has also provided a built-in surge pression module that protects all of the electronic components of the home, including the cable television and phone, from damaging power surges.

Here's another great tip from BobVila.com. Even if you re diligent about cleaning year-round, when winter s over there s always another reason to roll up your sleeves. But you can make spring cleaning less of an onerous chore if you use the right tools. Here are some suggestions. Get a year s worth of grime and mildew off your deck and your home s exterior in a few hours by using a pressure washer and an oxygen-based bleach solution or natural cleanser. For windows, a solution of white vinegar and water is as good a cleaner as any, and old newspapers make great lint-free window wipes. Finish the outside with some rain protectant made for car windshields and lengthen the time between cleanings. There s nothing better than a long-handled ostrich feather duster for getting rid of cobwebs and dusting those trim details up high that you never think about. A damp cloth with a little vegetable oil will work on wood surfaces. Microfiber dustcloths work on any surface, especially electronics. For cleaning lampshades and popcorn ceilings, use a lint roller. Rubber gloves will rub pet hair off the upholstery. And white cotton gloves, one wet and one dry, can help you clean the chandelier. Mop hard floors with a good self-wringing string head mop; save the sponge mop or disposable cleaning pad type for lighter everyday jobs or laminate floors. If you have wall-to-wall carpet, a steam cleaner s a great tool to have. While it might not seem like a cleaning tool, using a timer will keep you from burning out or getting sidetracked as you work. And a rolling cart to store and haul your tools will lighten your load during spring cleaning and beyond. Find out more at BobVila.com: The ultimate home improvement web site! BobVila.com 2008

Barry Driscoll is in the basement installing a state-of-the-art surge protector from Square D. Barry hooks up a main surge protector for the whole house that will take care of all the appliances, electronics, and anything else that could be damaged. It also protects the telephones and cable TV that run throughout the house. This eliminates the need for individual surge protectors on separate appliances. This can be installed in a retrofit as well as in new construction. Barry is also installing an arc fault detector. These units that are now required by the new national electrical code for branch circuits in bedrooms protect against fires from arcing caused by damaged wires (if you hit a wire while hanging a picture), deteriorating electrical insulation, stressed electrical cords, or misapplied or damaged appliance use. The arc detector was designed to detect overloads, short circuits and arc faults and open the circuit and stop the arc fault and its high intensity heat before a fire is likely to ignite.

…homeowner to power up the generator and manually switch the load…
…Dlugopolski. Determining Generator Size Permanent generators…
…electric output, measured in kilowatts. Generators with higher the…
…down. Determining what size generator is appropriate for the home…

…in diameter and supplies 10 kilowatts of energy, enough to power…
…in diameter and supplies 10 kilowatts of energy, enough to power…
…with two or three blades, a generator mounted on a frame and a tail…
…generating mechanical energy. A generator attached to the turbine then…

…water in a conventional steam generator to produce electricity…
…power is then used to run a generator or alternator to produce electricity…
…systems as small as a few kilowatts (kW) up to grid-connected…
…to a shaft, which powers a generator to make electricity. However…