Donald Brazie from D & B Plumbing demonstrates how to hook up a washer and dryer in a utility room that was formerly a bathroom on the Elm Court's second floor. Bob also reviews the high-efficiency Energy Star washer and dryer from Whirlpool. The washer uses one-third the amount of water necessary for a standard wash cycle. It also removes more water than standard washers during the spin cycle. As a result, the dryer runs for a shorter amount of time, using a reduced amount of energy compared to typical models.

Jeff Akers of The Air Authority explains how heat is recovered from the water that flows to each of the units in the high-rise apartment to fuel the heat pump in this Miami condo. The water is received, the heat is rejected from the water and into the pump, then the water is sent back to the water tower for cooling and redistribution. The unit is housed in a utility closet that will be concealed by a louver door to provide the only air return for the HVAC system. The ductwork in the building must be fiberglass or metal, rather than flex, and is covered with mastic at all seams to prevent leakage as mandated by Florida energy policy. Akers then shows Bob the Energy Star thermostat that operates without wires or mercury, plugging right into the system at the wall. The thermostat features a five-minute delay to prevent short-cycling and resulting damage to the system. It also has a fan-only setting for cooler days. All settings can also be locked to avoid tampering, a feature that is critical for a vacation getaway that is frequently unoccupied.

The huge space that is the kitchen of the Manhattan Brownstone has received its finishing details. Basaltina stone covers the counters, island, desk area, and built-in bar. There is a large double-door utility closet that houses the washer and dryer, as well as brooms and cleaning supplies. The custom cabinetry has a classic wainscoting profile and an off-white catalyzed finish. There is floor-to-ceiling storage that will need to be accessed, perhaps with a library ladder to traverse the space. Project manager Chris Vila shows Bob the built-in bar space that is designed to look like a butler's pantry, complete with glass-front cupboards and restoration-glass inserts from Bendheim. The Sub Zero 42-bottle capacity wine fridge is compatible with the home's security system to safeguard precious wine collections and block access.

Bob works with the crew from Thorough Construction as they prepare the Woodport door for hanging on site. The door is stabilized by a horse that holds it steady while the work is done. A jig serves as a guide as they router the mortise for each brass ball-bearing hinge. The router creates uniform, flat cuts for the hinges on both the door and the jamb piece. The jambs and header are made from poplar. They are glued and then screwed in place, checked for square, then braced with temporary strapping before being transported to the rough opening. A single screw is set in the header to hold it in place while the installers shim it and check to be sure it is plumb and level. The door jambs and header are then screwed into place. They must trim the door along the bottom edge, which is taped to protect the finish from damage during cutting. Once in place, temporary drywall screws hold the door until the brass screws are inserted as a finish detail when all adjustments have been made.

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…Qualified Energy Star washing machines use at least 41 percent less energy than the federal minimum standard for energy consumption and save households more than $30 a year in utility costs. (See Energy-Saving Home Appliances for more information…

…energy-saving ideas. 1. Modify energy-wasting behavior. Monitoring devices provide real-time data on energy consumption and give homeowners the opportunity to adjust it. Scott Pigg, senior project manager with the Energy Center of…