By Derek Carson

dcarson@ benningtonbanner.com @DerekCarsonBB on Twitter

Efficiency Vermont director Jim Merriam fields questions from Bennington county residents

BENNINGTON>> Efficiency Vermont hosted the fourth in its series of forums across the state in Bennington on Wednesday, hoping to learn from the community what they are doing well, and what they could do better.

The program's director, Jim Merriam, was on hand to answer questions and take comments from about 30 area residents. Efficiency Vermont is hosting these forums to hear opinions from the community regarding how they could improve their organization before the start of their next budget cycle, which runs from 2015 through 2017.

Efficiency Vermont is an organization, funded by the state of Vermont through a surcharge in customers energy bills, that has been charged by the legislature with reducing the cost of energy for all Vermonters. The organization, which is operated by the private non-profit Vermont Energy Investment Corporation, goes about achieving this goal in a variety of ways, including giving advice to homeowners and small businesses, educating students, weatherizing homes, and

Attendees expressed numerous concerns to Merriam and his team, and after the forum's conclusion, Merriam said two of the biggest takeaways he had from Bennington had been that Efficiency Vermont needs to ensure that there are sufficient contractors in the area who are able to understand and install more efficient ways of heating and providing electricity for homes, and that the general public needs to be better educated on energy efficiency. He said each town so far had had its own unique concerns and observations. In St. Albans, for example, most of the residents involved in the forum had been for generating savings for small businesses, while in Barre, much of the concern was focused on supporting agencies that provide weatherization for low-income families.

"A lot of people might not understand," said Merriam, "we're a regulated public utility, just like Green Mountain Power." Efficiency Vermont is regulated by the Vermont Public Service Board, who gives them goals that they must achieve by the end of their budget cycle, or they will lose funding next time. Merriam said that among the goals that had been handed down to them for this current cycle, Efficiency Vermont must generate $336.3 million in economic benefits for the state, generate 321,800 megawatt hour savings, "deliver high quality services for low income Vermonters," and show "increased focus on reducing heating costs for small businesses." Merriam said the organization would reach all of these goals easily, and pointed out, "For every dollar in, we have to generate almost $2 back in value to Vermonters. You won't see a credit on your bill, but you will see a lesser increase, or hopefully no increase at all."

As Merriam noted, one of the biggest complaints Bennington residents had was how few area contractors are trained or willing to do the work that Efficiency Vermont recommends. "You guys were really great," said one man to Merriam, who had been seeking advice on installing a heat pump water heater in his home, "but I'm very frustrated that it took me over a year to get this all together," noting that many area contractors tried to talk him out of the more energy efficient method in favor of more traditional methods, and some refused to install the heater all together. The products themselves were also hard to come by, he said, as many local distributors didn't carry the most efficient brands.

"That gentleman's point really rings true, about the contractors," said another woman, who said that she as well had done her research on what the most energy efficient option was for her home, only to have a local plumber try to talk her out of it.

Excerpt from:
Efficiency Vermont forum visits Bennington

A few years back at the International Hardware Show, we found a product that will take oil out of concrete - at least thats what they said.

All the cleaners up until then really didnt do a very good job. So I told the show rep to send us a gallon and we would try it out. He also said that the cleaner would work on asphalt, and that it comes in 55 gallons drums for convenience store parking lots.

I gave that gallon to Trudy to use in her garage. She had bought a house that was 20 years old and had existing oil stains in the garage and if the product would clean her stains, it would clean any oil stain.

She used Drive Up in a small hand sprayer and sprayed the stain. She sprayed the stain every 15 minutes for a hour. Then the last time she sprayed the stain, Trudy gave it a quick scrub with a broom and rinsed with water and it worked! Not only did it work, it worked great.

We have had great success with Drive Up and you can too. The nice part about Drive Up is that it is non-caustic and you dont have to worry about damage to surrounding landscaping. It made Trudys garage smell like an orange grove. So you dont have to worry about wearing a mask.

Now while we are on the subject of cleaning, there is another product that we have had for a while that is called Rust Remover. Its made by Goo Off. But why we like it is that it removes lime deposits without scrubbing. No other product can say that. So if you have white stains on brick from the sprinkler, this is the product to use. Once all your stains are gone from the concrete, then clean all the surface with 30 Second Outdoor Cleaner. Now with the surface clean, protect it Drylock Wetlook. It will give you a surface that will resist staining and you be able to clean easier. You can do this in a weekend. You will have the cleanest garage floor in the neighborhood. And who wouldnt want that?

Now to the email

Question: I bought an older home at a great price. The only thing wrong is the sliding glass door is really heavy and jumps when you try to open and close it. I dont want to install a new door because the opening is not standard and besides being difficult to open and close, it is just fine. So do you have any ideas on how to make this a better door?

Answer: I had the same thing happen to me at a lake house I bought. The door opening was bigger than any door opening I have ever seen. It jumped and dragged and made using the door a big ordeal. So we cleaned the track (it was real dirty) and sprayed a lubricant like no other. Its called Tri Flow. Its very different than other lubricants because it doesnt attract dirt and dust. Its the dirt and dust that will keep the track from rolling smoothly. Tri Flow is PTFE Teflon based and we like to call it liquid ball bearing. You can use it on mirror doors, sliding glass doors, drawer slides, hinges and anything else that is giving you problems. Now if the track is bent, you can install a new cap over the track. Just straighten out the old track with a pair of pliers and snap the new stainless steel track right on top.

Question: Johnnie, a while back you talked on the radio about an alarm for detecting leaks. I am trying to remember what the name is so I can get one for my attic hot water heater. The same thing happened to me that happened to you. But, I am not letting it happen again. A $5,000 leak was a little expensive. I am putting these alarms on every sink and toilet upstairs.

Read more:
HAPPY HANDYMAN: Drive Up will give you the cleanest garage floor in the neighborhood

By Johnnie Chuoke

A few years back at the International Hardware Show, we found a product that will take oil out of concrete at least thats what they said.

All the cleaners up until then really didnt do a very good job. So I told the show rep to send us a gallon and we would try it out. He also said that the cleaner would work on asphalt, and that it comes in 55 gallons drums for convenience store parking lots.

I gave that gallon to Trudy to use in her garage. She had bought a house that was 20 years old and had existing oil stains in the garage and if the product would clean her stains, it would clean any oil stain.

She used Drive Up in a small hand sprayer and sprayed the stain. She sprayed the stain every 15 minutes for a hour. Then the last time she sprayed the stain, Trudy gave it a quick scrub with a broom and rinsed with water and it worked! Not only did it work, it worked great.

We have had great success with Drive Up and you can too. The nice part about Drive Up is that it is non-caustic and you dont have to worry about damage to surrounding landscaping. It made Trudys garage smell like an orange grove. So you dont have to worry about wearing a mask.

Now while we are on the subject of cleaning, there is another product that we have had for a while that is called Rust Remover. Its made by Goo Off. But why we like it is that it removes lime deposits without scrubbing. No other product can say that. So if you have white stains on brick from the sprinkler, this is the product to use.

Once all your stains are gone from the concrete, then clean all the surface with 30 Second Outdoor Cleaner. Now with the surface clean, protect it Drylock Wetlook. It will give you a surface that will resist staining and you be able to clean easier. You can do this in a weekend. You will have the cleanest garage floor in the neighborhood. And who wouldnt want that?

Question: I bought an older home at a great price. The only thing wrong is the sliding glass door is really heavy and jumps when you try to open and close it. I dont want to install a new door because the opening is not standard and besides being difficult to open and close, it is just fine. So do you have any ideas on how to make this a better door?

Answer: I had the same thing happen to me at a lake house I bought. The door opening was bigger than any door opening I have ever seen. It jumped and dragged and made using the door a big ordeal. So we cleaned the track (it was real dirty) and sprayed a lubricant like no other. Its called Tri Flow. Its very different than other lubricants because it doesnt attract dirt and dust. Its the dirt and dust that will keep the track from rolling smoothly. Tri Flow is PTFE Teflon based and we like to call it liquid ball bearing. You can use it on mirror doors, sliding glass doors, drawer slides, hinges and anything else that is giving you problems. Now if the track is bent, you can install a new cap over the track. Just straighten out the old track with a pair of pliers and snap the new stainless steel track right on top.

Link:
Drive Up will give you the cleanest garage floor in the neighborhood

A few years back at the International Hardware Show, we found a product that will take oil out of concrete at least thats what they said.

All the cleaners up until then really didnt do a very good job. So I told the show rep to send us a gallon and we would try it out. He also said that the cleaner would work on asphalt, and that it comes in 55 gallons drums for convenience store parking lots.

I gave that gallon to Trudy to use in her garage. She had bought a house that was 20 years old and had existing oil stains in the garage and if the product would clean her stains, it would clean any oil stain.

She used Drive Up in a small hand sprayer and sprayed the stain. She sprayed the stain every 15 minutes for a hour. Then the last time she sprayed the stain, Trudy gave it a quick scrub with a broom and rinsed with water and it worked! Not only did it work, it worked great.

We have had great success with Drive Up and you can too. The nice part about Drive Up is that it is non-caustic and you dont have to worry about damage to surrounding landscaping. It made Trudys garage smell like an orange grove. So you dont have to worry about wearing a mask.

Now while we are on the subject of cleaning, there is another product that we have had for a while that is called Rust Remover. Its made by Goo Off. But why we like it is that it removes lime deposits without scrubbing. No other product can say that. So if you have white stains on brick from the sprinkler, this is the product to use.

Once all your stains are gone from the concrete, then clean all the surface with 30 Second Outdoor Cleaner. Now with the surface clean, protect it Drylock Wetlook. It will give you a surface that will resist staining and you be able to clean easier. You can do this in a weekend. You will have the cleanest garage floor in the neighborhood. And who wouldnt want that?

Question: I bought an older home at a great price. The only thing wrong is the sliding glass door is really heavy and jumps when you try to open and close it. I dont want to install a new door because the opening is not standard and besides being difficult to open and close, it is just fine. So do you have any ideas on how to make this a better door?

Answer: I had the same thing happen to me at a lake house I bought. The door opening was bigger than any door opening I have ever seen. It jumped and dragged and made using the door a big ordeal. So we cleaned the track (it was real dirty) and sprayed a lubricant like no other. Its called Tri Flow. Its very different than other lubricants because it doesnt attract dirt and dust. Its the dirt and dust that will keep the track from rolling smoothly. Tri Flow is PTFE Teflon based and we like to call it liquid ball bearing. You can use it on mirror doors, sliding glass doors, drawer slides, hinges and anything else that is giving you problems. Now if the track is bent, you can install a new cap over the track. Just straighten out the old track with a pair of pliers and snap the new stainless steel track right on top.

Question: Johnnie, a while back you talked on the radio about an alarm for detecting leaks. I am trying to remember what the name is so I can get one for my attic hot water heater. The same thing happened to me that happened to you. But, I am not letting it happen again. A $5,000 leak was a little expensive. I am putting these alarms on every sink and toilet upstairs.

Original post:
HAPPY HANDYMAN: Drive Up gives you the cleanest garage floor in the neighborhood

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There are a number of common installation mistakes when it comes to a hot water heater that you're going to want to do your best to avoid. Find out about common mistakes in hot water heater installation with help from an area manager for Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Drain Service's Independent Contractors Division in this free video clip.

Expert: Dave Jones Bio: Dave Jones is currently an Area Manager for Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Drain Service's Independent Contractors Division. He oversees 17 Roto-Rooter locations for the company. Filmmaker: Dave Jones

Series Description: Hot water heaters are one of the most important appliances in your home, but they can also become one of your biggest nightmares if you aren't careful. Get tips on managing and maintaining your hot water heater with help from an area manager for Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Drain Service's Independent Contractors Division in this free video series.

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Common Mistakes in Hot Water Heater Installation : Hot ...

Genae Valecia Hinesman

Genae Valecia Hinesman is a former finance/banking executive who has been writing professionally since 2002. Her business and finance articles appear online and in print, drawing on more than two decades of corporate and entrepreneurial experience. Hinesman is also a fashion model and fitness enthusiast who has studied exercise physiology.

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Installing a water heater disconnect (or shut-off valve) may require a basic competency with plumbing tools (like the use of a soldering rod), but it is still a project that most DIY-ers find that they are able to successfully complete. If you have never attempted the installation of a water heater disconnect before, you will be pleased to see just how simple it can be.

When a water heater has ceased to work and must be replaced, a homeowner or maintenance professional must remove it before installing...

There comes a time when repairs to an old water heater are too expensive and the best solution is to replace the...

Whirlpool sells a number of electric water heaters that differ in type and capacity, from the Energy Smart, self-cleaning models to their...

Like all plumbing components, a water heater is subject to corrosion and mineral deposit build-up, and there comes a time when it...

Certain Rheem water gas water heater models feature electronic controls with a flammable vapor sensor installed on the bottom portion of the...

The hot water heater is one of the most neglected appliances in a home. People often do not think about it until...

Read more:
How to Install a Disconnect On a Water Heater | eHow

Imagine you want to use 20 percent less energy in your home.

It's a noble goal, but it can be tough. You might have to change your insulation, install energy-efficient windows, put on a new roof, maybe get a different furnace or water heater. You have to get your kids to turn off the lights when they leave a room, and learn to take a quicker shower in the morning.

Now imagine that you have almost 100,000 kids, spread out in 24 cities, with 289 houses in one town alone.

Welcome to saving energy at Penn State.

The university joined the U.S. Department of Energy's Better Buildings Challenge this month, committing to cutting the energy use in its buildings by 20 percent over the next 10 years. More than 200 businesses, organizations and government agencies have signed onto the challenge, including Macy's and Kohl's department stores, the states of Massachusetts and Maryland and cities such as Denver and Atlanta.

Penn State is the largest educational institution to pledge participation, as well as being a leader in the state. The university is one of First Energy's five largest customers in Pennsylvania.

According to Rob Cooper, director of energy and engineering for the Office of Physical Plant, the challenge is the continuation of something Penn State has been working toward for more than a decade. Since 2003, the university has invested $75 million in energy-saving projects.

That might seem like a lot of money, but the University Park campus alone has a $14 million electric bill every year. Heating the buildings over the winter takes another $12 million. Cooper said the projects have actually made it possible to get energy costs down to levels from 10 years ago while simultaneously adding 4 million square feet of facilities to the campus.

Some projects are being tackled purely for energy reasons, such as converting the West Campus Steam Plant from using coal for production to cleaner-burning natural gas. Other projects are being tackled as they arise.

There are building projects happening all over campus, and as they are planned, OPP is evaluating them for efficient energy improvements.

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PSU attempts to cut energy use

TEMPLE - Firefighters are crediting a carbon monoxide alarm with saving a Temple family's life Wednesday.

Temple Fire & Rescue were called to a home in South Temple Wednesday, October 29, shortly after 7:30 p.m., after a carbon monoxide alarm went off. Responding units found the family of five safely outside their home.

Fire officials say the family had used their gas range earlier in the day to prepare dinner. About an hour later, the alarm activated, and the family immediately went outside and called 911.

Firefighters noticed increased levels of carbon monoxide while monitoring the area, and found the source of the gas was the faulty natural gas range in the kitchen.

After turning the range off and ventilating the house, fire crews later detected zero levels of the gas.

Temple Fire & Rescue, along with other safety organizations, offer the following tips to keep your family safe:

Have your heating system, water heater and any other gas, oil, or coal burning appliances serviced by a qualified technician every year.

Do not use portable flameless chemical heaters (catalytic) indoors. Although these heaters don't have a flame, they burn gas and can cause CO to build up inside your home, cabin, or camper.

Install a battery-operated or battery back-up CO detector in your home and check or replace the battery when you change the time on your clocks each spring and fall.

Excerpt from:
Carbon monoxide alarm credited with saving family's life

Water Heater Install Keizer Oregon
http://upacreekplumbingllc.com (503) 999-1847 Up A Creek Plumbing L.L.C. is a residential plumber that offers water heaters repair, and strives to satisfy al...

By: Up A Creek PLumbing LLC

Link:
Water Heater Install Keizer Oregon - Video

Hot Water Heater Install Keizer Oregon
http://upacreekplumbingllc.com/ (503) 999-1847 Up A Creek Plumbing L.L.C. is a residential plumber that offers water heaters repair, and strives to satisfy a...

By: Up A Creek PLumbing LLC

See the original post:
Hot Water Heater Install Keizer Oregon - Video