Breaker Keeps TrippingWe had this problem recently. A circuit breaker would trip as soon as we reset it. So, I set out to find the problem. I checked each outlet in turn through the dining room, down the stairs into the basement, and realized I was standing in six inches of water.
Light Bulb Wattage NoteI purchased a new home that was (sort of) a model. As expected, the builder and contractors used medium-priced light fixtures and low-wattage bulbs. I replaced all the curly CFIs with a yellowish-cast with bright white LEDs. The enclosed ceiling fixtures were somewhat of a challenge; new bulbs had to fit inside as well as not create too much heat.
Comparing CFL And LED LightbulbsI have three 48 inch double fluorescent lamp fixtures mounted under an upper kitchen cabinet. I use them to start seedlings during late winter. Over time, all the 40 watt lamps have dimmed. Even when new, these 6 lamps did not produce near the light my plants needed. At a cost of $30.00 to replace all lamps. I decided to go a different route.
Protect Your Electrical Cord from RainHere is a way to protect your electrical cord from the rain when you need it outside. Get a container with a lid. Slit each side of bowl. Slide both cords through each slit and secure the lid. Then it is protected from rain.
Motion Detector Lights for Home SecurityExterior motion detecting lights do not cost a great deal more than other types of outside lighting. I particularly like them for the back of the house as well as the alley.
Troubleshooting A Beeping Smoke AlarmMy detector beeped loudly once a minute; and another one beeped once a minute, so beeps were heard every 30 seconds from 2 detectors. I vacuumed the units, turned off circuit breaker, disconnected wire unit from detectors, replaced batteries, held test button with battery out and then with battery in.
Switching to LED LightbulbsWe already use compact fluorescent bulbs in our house, which to be really honest, I haven't been very happy with. They burn out much faster than the packaging claims. It seems like I am always saying, "I just replaced that light!"
Foam Pipe Insulation for Organizing WiresFoam pipe insulators are excellent for organizing loose wires. They come already slit, so the wires can be slipped right into them.
Solar Night LightsI bought solar lights at WalMart for $.97 each and decided to use only the top portion, or solar panel part, to make my own night lights for inside the house.
Unplug Appliances To Save EnergySaving money from your electrical bills by simply unplugging your appliances or turning off your surgers, especially if you have a digital TV. Turning off your surger that the digital TV is plugged into will save your TV life too.
Caution Using Three Way AdaptersI have a beautiful infrared heater, which we love. I had it plugged into these two adapters. I did not know it was wrong to use these together.
Rope Lights Show the WayMy husband and I just got a new bed and it is slightly bigger, just enough for me to run into it during my middle of the night bathroom trip. A night light in the bedroom keeps my husband awake. So, my solution was to get a string of the LED rope lights in a soft white color.
Add Lighting To Save MoneyYou can actually save money on your power bill by adding more lighting options to a room. One overhead light is often more light than you need while in a room.
LED Bulbs Will Replace CFLThe CFLs are already outdated by new technology, that will eventually replace CFL's, as CFL's are replacing incandescent bulbs, now. The LEDs use a lot less power, are cooler than CFL's and incandescents, and last even longer than incandescents or CFLs.
The End of the Incandescent BulbYou may or may not have heard on the news about the end of the light bulb as we know it. Normal bulbs are being phased out. The production of incandescent bulbs will end, and they will be replaced with fluorescent bulbs which are supposed to be more energy efficient and environmentally safe.
Doily to Brighten Up Drab LampshadeI recently set myself up a little table for just paperwork, radio and desk calendar. The only shade I could find to fit my lamp was a bit drab. I was unpacking crafts when I ran across a Michael's doily that I only paid $1.00 for.
Keep Light Bulbs From StickingAn electrician recommended that I smear a little vaseline/petroleum jelly on the screw-in base of a new bulb when I put it in.
Easy Light Bulb RemovalTo prevent outdoor light bulbs from sticking in the socket, rub a thin coat of Vaseline Petroleum Jelly on the threads before inserting the bulbs. They will unscrew very easily.
Install Dimmer Switch in BedroomWhen my daughter was a baby, I always had trouble with the light when I would get her in the middle of the night. Turning the overhead light on was far too bright. All the outlets were behind furniture, so a nightlight was out.
Use LED Clock as Night LightIf you need a night light and don't have one, you can use an old LED clock. They use very little energy and are pretty bright. Also, you will always know what time it is.
Reuse Milk Jugs for Plastic Replacement PartsMy husband came up with a "bright" idea. We have electric garden lights in our backyard. The plastic shades shattered over time from the sun. The lights and posts are fine so he placed a plastic milk carton over the tops.
Keeping Ice Off Flood LightsWith all the snow we've been getting, the flood lights on the back garage for the dog's pen were covered with ice, and had started to pull away from the garage! Turning them on didn't melt the ice.
Tiny Christmas Lights on the DeckI have a deck on the back of my house and at night it's pitch dark out there. So I came up with a great idea. I took the tiny Christmas lights, and strung them under the railing all the way around.
Mark Locations on Fuse for Breaker BoxThis summer while having electrical work done outside, we had to find out which fuse was the correct one to turn off. We put a post-it note on the door of the fuse box so we would not forget in the course of several days to complete the job.
Buy 130 Volt Incandescent Bulbs To Last LongerMy electrician just gave me a tip. He said to check the voltage on the light bulbs you buy. If you are buying regular incandescent bulbs, be sure they are 130 volts and not 120. They last longer and burn cooler protecting your fixtures and wiring.
Add Rope Lights To Top Of CabinetsUse rope lighting on top of your kitchen cabinets or on top of your dining room hutch. It's a very nice and subtle way to show off your creativity
Using Solar Lights in the GardenNow that the weather is getting cooler we spend less time outside. If you have solar lights, the ones that have a central solar panel and hook together with wires, put your central panel where it will get sun during the day.
Attach Solar Lights to Your FenceHere's a unique way to use your solar lights. They aren't just for the ground! We took 2x4 and cut them into squares to fit the original existing posts.
Changing a Hot Light BulbIf you don't want to wait a few minutes for the light bulb to cool down, just use an oven mitt to untwist the hot bulb.
A Fluorescent Bulb for your Garage Door OpenerIf you have to constantly replace the light bulbs in your garage door opener, use a fluorescent bulb(s) instead of an incandescent bulb(s). The vibration from the garage door opening and closing often causes the filament of incandescent bulbs to break.
Changing a Fuse In The DarkIf your house use fuses, keep some fuses near your fuse box so you can easily find them if the lights are out. Always keep a flashlight in the same place so that it is easy to find when the lights are out.
Maintaining Your Candles & Candle HoldersHere are some tips for getting the most out of your candles and candle holders without a lot of fuss:
Rewiring a Fluorescent FixtureA 4 tube fluorescent fixture was previously wired for operation from two switches in different locations via 4 wire cable, blk , wht, red with bare ground wire. The fixture uses two ballasts with 8 wires each Two red, two blue, two yellow, one black and one white.
Install a Dimmer SwitchTo save money and help save the environment, install a dimmer switch. Installing a dimmer switch can save energy and extend bulb life. Plus, it's as easy as replacing a light switch.
By Kathy
Foam Meat Trays For Stopping DraftsUse those foam trays from meat packaging to make draft stoppers for behind your outlets. It is quite simple to do. Remove one outlet cover and trace around the outlet cover. Using a sharp blade cut out the pattern.
Make A Lamp Out Of a Wok LidGot an old Wok that doesn't work anymore? Don't throw away the lid, make a hanging lamp shade out of it.
Use Fluorescent Light Bulbs in Hard to Reach PlacesWe finally replaced them all with fluorescent light bulbs and haven't replaced a burnt out bulb in over a year.
