Monthly Archives: December 2013

This setting lets your Ecobee run the humidifier during heat, cool, or with the fan only. — In my original review of my very first Ecobee Smart Thermostat, I described how I had wired my Ecobee’s equipment interface to my whole-house evaporative humidifier at the Utah house. Because my furnace’s control board had a 24V HUM connector, I used that connector to help activate the humidifier. The […]

How to Wire a Humidifier to an Ecobee Smart Thermostat

This entry was posted in DIY Home Theater & Automation Reference Technology and tagged DIY ecobee how to how to wire humidifier to ecobee humidifier plumbing wiring on December 31, 2013 by Steve Jenkins (updated 3960 days ago)

I really wanted to like this product. I really did. I bought it on impulse from Home Depot after reading this description on the box: Spotter keeps you updated on what’s going on at home—from anywhere. Monitor motion, sound, light, temperature, and humidity all from your mobile device. Use Spotter […]

Review: Quirky Spotter

This entry was posted in Product Reviews and tagged GE light sensor motion sensor product review Quirky quirky spotter review Spotter temperature sensor on December 30, 2013 by Steve Jenkins (updated 3795 days ago)

As a follow-up to my previous post on home maintenance parts every homeowner should have in their house right now, I’ve put together this list of basic tools and supplies for any homeowner that wishes to attempt of basic home maintenance on their own. You may not believe me, but […]

Basic DIY Tools & Supplies Every Homeowner Needs

This entry was posted in DIY Reference and tagged DIY DIY tools homeowner project tools on December 29, 2013 by Steve Jenkins (updated 3978 days ago)

Buy replacement furnace filters in bulk to save money — As I’ve taught myself a number of DIY home maintenance tasks over the years, I’ve noticed a trend: things tend to break at the worst possible time. When did my water heater’s TPR valve fail and start to spray water in the basement? At 10PM… when it was too late for […]

Home Maintenance Parts You Should Have In Your House Right ...

This entry was posted in DIY Reference and tagged anode DIY filter fuse parts pieces replacement parts thermocouple valve water heater on December 29, 2013 by Steve Jenkins (updated 3975 days ago)

Small opening at the top of the faucet's trim — Some of my previous posts might make it sound like I’m bagging on plumbers. I’m not. I love plumbers! They bring drinking water and hot showers to my house, and take the poop away. But I will bag on plumbers (or any other “professionals”) when they do stuff wrong — […]

Is Your Shower’s Trim Ring Draining Properly?

This entry was posted in DIY and tagged DIY drain hole faucet Kohler plumbing shower trim on December 13, 2013 by Steve Jenkins (updated 3960 days ago)

No pressure from hot water expansion tank — I’ve been on a plumbing DIY kick lately, and after recently replacing a hot water recirculating pump that had been installed incorrectly (upside-down!) by a professional plumber, I’ve been reminded that it’s never a bad idea to periodically test things inside your own house — even if they were installed […]

Testing and Replacing a Hot Water Expansion Tank

This entry was posted in DIY and tagged Amtrol DIY hot water expansion tank plumbing Therm X Trol thermal expansion water hammer water heater Watts on December 11, 2013 by Steve Jenkins (updated 3997 days ago)