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If you are still usi ng an older model toilet you could be throwing money down your toilet with each flush. Toilets account for about 45% of all indoor water use and any toilet that was manufactured before 1994 is most likely wasting water and more importantly, wasting your money. Older toilets use 3.5 gallons of water per flush. Newer low-flow toilets, which are just as powerful, are made to use only 1.6 (and 1.2 in some cases) gallons per flush. Upgrading to a modern water closet could save more than 16,000 gallons per year which means a lot more dollars that stay in your wallet instead of going down the toilet.
Now if the best time to upgrade to a new high-efficiency toilet. If you live in the City of Olympia, Lacey or Tumwater and have a toilet in your home that was installed prior to 1994 or uses more than 3 gallons per flush you can get a new free high-efficiency toilet through the City of Olympia LOTT program. These toilets are being offered free of charge because the installation reduces wastewater flow to the cities treatment facility, and can help delay the need to build new treatment capacity. All that you need to pay for is the professional installation of your new toilet, which we would love to help you with.
This program is being offered until December 31, 2012 & you can find the application & more details at http://olympiawa.gov/city-utilities/drinking-water/conservation/conservation-indoor/high-efficiency-toilets.
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This is a picture of a Cadet heater (wall type fan forced electric) that is not operating properly and is overheating (see the orange element at the top of the picture with the cover removed). These can be very dangerous and have started fires.
Cadet, King, Inter-therm and other fan forced type wall heaters need to be cleaned out at least once a year per the manufacturers instructions. If you have a dusty environment, or other issues (like pet hair) that can clog the heaters then you need to clean them before the heating season (like now) and also one more time about January.
To clean the heaters, turn off the circuit breakers, they are normally a two pole (double type breaker that is tied together) circuit breaker(s) in your main panel (should be marked heat). Turn on the heater thermostat to confirm the heater is off first and then remove the cover. You can use a vacuum with a soft brush type end on the hose or even an better idea is to use a compressed air can (like for your computer keyboard) to blow out the dust bunnies and then you can vacuum them up. Clean the heater out well then put the cover back on. Turn on the circuit breakers and test the heater for proper operation. You may have a short time where the heater will smell hot, this is normal and should subside quickly.
If you are not comfortable working inside a 240 volt heater then call a licensed electrician such as Mr. Electric to service and clean the heaters for you. It just may save you from having a fire.
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Yes- absolutely. I used to wonder if pruning every year, or pruning correctly really did matter- aside from the fact that the shrub or tree looked nice when finished.
Proper pruning is critical to maintain the health and strength of the plant during times of real stress- like a severe storm.
You can remember the scences from last winter- fallen power lines and trees, broken branches and debris everywhere. My yard was no exception- except for the trees and shrubs that we regularly maintained- not so much as a broken twig. It was amazing! But the large tree in front, that we were only able to do minimal pruning too- we lost the top, and had to remove it.
Lesson learned, no matter what the size of the plant- good, regular pruning is beneficial for the look and shape of the plant, the health of the plant, and in some cases, it might just save the plant.
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