Greg In The Desert

I was surpised to see LED lighting at Lowes, a brand called PerformanceLED.

I’ve been watching LED lighting become more popular over the years but haven’t been impressed with the light output. The PAR30 PerformanceLEDs from Lowes claimed a 75 watt incandescent equivalent light at 16 watts. Since they were nearly $70 and were not dimmable, I didn’t buy any. However sitting next to them were florescent PAR30 lamps.

The florescent lights claimed 75 watt incandescent equivalent light at 18 watts for $12. Other than claimed longer life, I can’t see what the advantage of LED lights over florescent. Also, the LED lights had giant aluminum heat sinks on them. I would have expected LEDs to covert even more energy to light than florescent instead of outputting heat. Isnt’ that the reason incandescents are so inefficient?

Smarthome has upgraded the Insteon Thermostat to version 2.0. The thermostat adapter requires the use of a Totaline / Venstar thermostat, it plugs into the bottom and communicates with the Insteon network with a INSTEON Access Point (& Wireless Phase Coupler) using a RF protocol.

The new features include:

• Reports changes in temp, temp setpoints, mode, and fan mode
• Controller functionality on heat call, cool call, and fan call (auto & manual ON)
• Supports +1, -1 degree on incremental bright/dim commands
• Off Button functionality – If you want a link to respond to an Off command instead of an On command, send an Off command from the INSTEON controller within 30 seconds of linking and before any other INSTEON commands are sent.

This previous version of adapter had to be asked what the current temperature is, the 2.0 adapter will now broadcast those changes. The 2.0 adapter will also indicate when a heat call has been made which makes it easy to calculate how long the current filter has been in use. I’m happy to see Smarthome making improvements in these products and they even provided an upgrade path for those with older versions.

My home automation software, Indigo, does not support these new features yet. The developers have promised to add them to a future version.

When I moved into this house several years ago, I had to buy new kitchen appliances. I allowed the salesman at Ballios to talk me into Frigidaire appliances. A mistake I now regret as one of the more problematic appliances has been the refrigerator. Among it’s many problems, a few months ago the ice maker would not stop making ice once the bin was full and a few weeks ago it failed to make ice at all.

The ice maker is a pretty common and simple in design. It consists of metal ice tray, a rotating arm to push ice out, an arm to sense when the ice bin is full and the various gears and motors to run these items.

I went online and read various resources on how to troubleshoot the ice maker. I needed to remove the front panel of the ice maker and I should be able to turn the main gear with a screwdriver. I wasn’t able to do that in fact it was nearly impossible to turn the gear at all using a wrench and pliers. It became clear that the main motor that runs the whole assembly had become seized or failed in some way and it would be easier to replace the whole ice maker than mess with the motor.

Based on various readings on the world wide web, I purchased a Frigidaire 5303918277 icemaker from Amazon for about $50.00, which was the cheapest I could find it. I don’t think it’s an OEM product and it doesn’t look exactly the same, but functionally it’s the same.

I was very concerned that replacing this thing was going to be a big ordeal. As it turned out, it was almost a plug and play install. The old ice maker had two bolds holding it in and a wiring harness. The water supply isn’t attached to the ice maker, its sort of a funnel that pours water into the ice maker (makes sense otherwise the water supply would probably freeze). The most difficult part was removing the screws. Since I couldn’t see them I had to use two hands, one to feel around for the screw and guide the socket and the other to operate the socket. I bolted the new ice maker in, leveled it and attached the wiring harness. I was making ice again within 30 minutes.

Have a Dish Network DVR? Have it connected to the Internet? They you should have this free iPhone app that allows remote control and scheduling of TV shows.

DISH Remote Access is free on the iPhone App Store.

Introducing DISH Remote Access – a whole new way to manage your DVR and record your favorite shows – anytime, anywhere with your iPhone or iTouch. With the touch of a fingertip you can easily browse the program guide, schedule DVR recordings and manage your DVR library as if you were at home. You’ll never miss your favorite shows or sporting events with this must-have application.

FEATURES

Schedule DVR Recordings
-Schedule DVR recordings from anywhere
-One-touch recording – simply chose to record one event, all events or only new events

Browse and Search the Program Guide
-Search the program guide up to 9 days in advance
-Search for shows by title, genre, network, keyword or actor
-View graphics and posters of your favorite shows and movies

Manage your DVR Library*
-Set recording priorities
-Manage recording conflicts
-Delete shows you’ve already watched
-View and adjust your recording schedule

DISH Remote Access is compatible with the following DISH Network receivers: 522, 625, ViP® 612, ViP® 622, ViP® 722, ViP® 722k and requires an online DISH account. You must first access DISH Remote Access at least once from your PC, prior to using your iPhone – login to your online DISH account and click on DISH Remote Access to get started.

*Requires high-speed internet connection to one the following compatible receivers: ViP 612, ViP 622, ViP 722, ViP 722k

If you don’t have one of these compatible receivers, upgrade today by calling 1-800-333-DISH (3474)

I considered not writing about HGTV’s 2010 Dream Home giveaway because I don’t want it to get any attention. The home is located in San Pedro Overlook, New Mexico near Sandia Park. It’s on the other side of the Sandia Mountains from Albuquerque. I really want to win this house so I don’t want anyone knowing about it. I came to the realization that I’m unlikely to have any impact on it’s promotion.

The custom-designed 3,900-square-foot HGTV Dream Home 2010 will mix southwestern architecture with modern design. Created with the bold, innovative ideas, architecture, art and design that make HGTV Dream Homes so exciting and unique, it includes three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a home office, gourmet kitchen, home theater and a guest casita. The amazing home site is nestled in the gaze of the majestic San Pedro Mountains with breathtaking scenery and a plethora of outdoor activities. Nearby, the historic towns of Santa Fe and Albuquerque offer an international art scene, amazing cuisine and a rich, multicultural heritage.

I could totally dump nearly everything I own and move into the house as it is. I would be happy to commute to Albuquerque. The only thing I would need to do wire it for my home automation system. And figure out how to pay for the taxes.

Please do not enter the contest.

One Project Closer has a run down on the 2010 energy tax credits that were extended by the US Congress.

I’m glad to see that doors are still on the list as I intended to have them replaced at my house, but ran out of money. Another project on my list for next year is a new metal roof.

For all qualified upgrades, the credit is 30% of the covered cost up to a $1500 total credit. For instance, if you pay $3000 for insulation (excluding installation costs), your credit would be $900. The house must be your principal residence and the credits don’t apply to new construction. Other, upgrade-specific restrictions apply, so see the site for details.

• Energy Efficient Windows and Doors, including many Storm Doors and Skylights. Cost eligible for the tax credit does not include installation costs. Certain other restrictions (like U-value and IECC qualifications apply).
• Water Heaters. Credit includes installation costs; some restrictions for energy efficiency apply.
• Metal and Asphalt Roofs. Credit does NOT include installation costs. The roof must be highly energy efficient (asphalt roofs must have cooling granules, for instance).
• Insulation, whether spray foam, fiberglass, or blow-in cellulose, they’re all covered so long as they meet IECC requirements. Installation cost is NOT covered.
• HVAC Components, including certain Advanced Air Handlers, Air Force Heat Pumps, Central A/C Units, Boilers, Propane, and Gas Furnaces. Tax credits include installation costs.
• Biomass Stoves.

Greater Greater Washington has an interesting summary of changes to the US National Mall in Washington DC. They summarize the National Coalition to Save Our Mall PDF file which suggest implementing ideas from the 1901 McMillan Commission. Interesting ideas that I’m sure will cost a fortune.

As a result, the Mall always seems incomplete and haphazard. As the report points out, shady, tree-lined paths west of suddenly turn into a sun-baked expanse around the Washington Monument. Memorials large and small lack overall coherence. There are few food and restroom amenities for visitors, little to appeal to children, and poor transportation. And, they say, the National Park Service’s Mall plan is more of a “grounds keeping and maintenance plan” and the patchwork of federal agencies’ overlapping plans “embrace the status quo.”

Sunset Magazine’s Fresh Dirt blog has and article about a couple in San Diego who replaced their pool with a Bocce Ball court. I found this interesting because the people I know who play Bocce Ball usually play on any surface they can find.

The Bocce Standards Association website has information on the international standards of a Bocce court. At 76 x 13 feet, it’s something I could fit in my back yard. I may have to try building one.

My house was built in the late 1970’s or early 1980’s. I don’t know because it was a foreclosure and the bank didn’t really give a shit, they just wanted to sell it. It is easy to tell the era due to the rest of the houses in the neighborhood and the style of the house.

The fireplace is one of those dated artifacts that is not to my liking. It consists of a false brick veneer with a brick hearth that sticks out from the wall about a foot.

If the original designer of the house had put in some storage under the hearth or made it somewhat more useful, it might have been worth keeping. Otherwise the hearth just takes up too much space and I wanted to take it out before I re-did the floors in the living room.

I surrounded the area around the fireplace with sheet plastic that I attached to the ceiling with tape and push pins. I smashed the hearth brickwork with a sledge hammer and a pry bar. Under the brick veneer I found dirt and brick fill, no hidden treasure of gold and rubies.

There is still a layer of brick attached to the block fireplace that I was not able to remove. Like many of the projects at my house this is a mult-stage project. When I get ready to hire someone to do the drywall throughout the house, I will remove the remainder of the bricks and have drywall installed where the brick is now.

I was somewhat worried about completing this project as it was not undoable, but I am happy with the extra space I have in the living room and the fireplace is still functional.

Also see the Toolmonger post.

Smarthome is having a black friday sale. Typically they have a percentage off sale before the end of the year, I don’t know if this will replace it or not.

Smarthome has a number of Insteon products for sale and using the checkout code EKITS will get you free shipping.

I am interested in the 2412U Insteon PowerLinc USB Modem to replace my 2412U. Is supposed to work faster with Indigo (19.8k baud rate on the 2414 vs. 4.8k on the 2412).

The sale ends 30 November 2009.