The flame sensor was an ingenious solution to a serious safety problem. On a gas furnace, they provide an incredible safety feature when they are working right. When they aren't they become a menace and cause silly service calls. For some reason there … [Read more...] about Gas Furnace Flame Sensor Fix
Failing Exhaust Duct work
A client called to report a hot exhaust wall in their bathroom. Naturally fire and Carbon monoxide poison come to mind. The gas water heater exhaust and the 80% furnace exhausts commingle and go up and out of the home in a double walled oval exhaust flu. … [Read more...] about Failing Exhaust Duct work
Is My House Toxic?
I have always enjoyed understanding building science and have dabbled in the realm of an amateur of sorts trying to discover what is causing a home to make a resident feel ill when they are inside of it. Being a former Paramedic, I blend my knowledge … [Read more...] about Is My House Toxic?
Figuring Out a Three Way Switch
Three way switches used to frighten me, they seemed so complicated. I found a great residential electrical book and redrew the diagram several times until I thought I had it figured out. Inevitably, I ended up not trusting myself and randomly switching … [Read more...] about Figuring Out a Three Way Switch
Hey, Is That A Contractor In Your Pocket?
Technology is becoming so important. I have seen the future and it dared me to think big. It begs the question, "Is that a contractor in your pocket? Or are you just happy to see me?". My daughter Athena lives in the Bay Area 800 miles away but she is … [Read more...] about Hey, Is That A Contractor In Your Pocket?
French Door Repair
I have a Peach tree French door that has been troublesome for awhile. Having them out of business has been a pain in the butt. They has some proprietary weatherstripping that is no longer available and the parts are getting harder to find. I had to replace … [Read more...] about French Door Repair