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zeroturbulence

Senior Member
Aug 2, 2009
24,644
4,305
113
#21
OK so no softener, but I'll do some reading on filtration..I was going to get a brita or something similar just on the faucets bc the tap tastes VILE in this city.
I used to use a brita filter. They work good but the one I had really slowed down the flow of water. That was like 20 years ago so maybe the new ones don't do that. Now my fridge filters the water. (through its water dispenser)

 
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Galatea

Guest
#22
Depends on the area when it comes to municipal. Even then, some still have masses amounts of water. Midland, TX, as I remember from a kid, left rings around the tub, usually the with in one setting.
There's an island near where I live and the people on the island say that they have to wash clothes twice. It's a minor drawback to living an island life. Our city water is very soft.
 

violakat

Senior Member
Apr 23, 2014
1,236
21
38
#23
Brita's good. So is pur and Zero water. As for the charcoal nuggets, as long as you freeze them, I'm sure the water wouldn't taste burnt. :D

But seriously though, charcoal, and I forgot the rest of it, is part of the filtration system. (Not to be confused with coal. Yes, my mind goes there cause of my students who would confuse coal and charcoal.)
 
H

Hellooo

Guest
#24
So I've been evaluating my lighting and electronic switches situation.

I'm leaning towards switching most of my lights to dimmer switches, with the exception of the kitchen, laundry room, and my office, and also switching all the lights to LED.

Any thoughts on pros and cons of dimming vs straight on/off? Do you have a preference for either? Any issues come up that you didn't anticipate?

I have a long weekend coming up soon, so I'm looking forward to tackling some serious painting and window sealing projects.
 
H

Hellooo

Guest
#25
also an update (ty violakat)

I 100% understand charcoal things now
 

17Bees

Senior Member
Oct 14, 2016
1,380
813
113
#26
So I've been evaluating my lighting and electronic switches situation.

I'm leaning towards switching most of my lights to dimmer switches, with the exception of the kitchen, laundry room, and my office, and also switching all the lights to LED.

Any thoughts on pros and cons of dimming vs straight on/off? Do you have a preference for either? Any issues come up that you didn't anticipate?

I have a long weekend coming up soon, so I'm looking forward to tackling some serious painting and window sealing projects.
Make sure your dimmer switches are compatible with your LED bulb. Most are not. A dimmer really does nothing more than switch current on and off at really fast speeds. So fast you don't see it flickering. Since an incandescent bulb heats the filament to produce light, the faster the current is switched on and off the less time the bulb filament has to "warm up" so the light looks dimmer even though it's flickering. Most dimmers work like this. There are new dimmers that will work with CFL and LED bulbs but they're a little more expensive.
 
H

Hellooo

Guest
#27
Make sure your dimmer switches are compatible with your LED bulb. Most are not. A dimmer really does nothing more than switch current on and off at really fast speeds. So fast you don't see it flickering. Since an incandescent bulb heats the filament to produce light, the faster the current is switched on and off the less time the bulb filament has to "warm up" so the light looks dimmer even though it's flickering. Most dimmers work like this. There are new dimmers that will work with CFL and LED bulbs but they're a little more expensive.

Thanks!! Interesting... are you using more energy with a constantly flickering current by using a dimmer?
 
H

Hellooo

Guest
#28
To further clarify my question, that's in comparison to just turning a light on without a dimmer.
 

17Bees

Senior Member
Oct 14, 2016
1,380
813
113
#30
Thanks!! Interesting... are you using more energy with a constantly flickering current by using a dimmer?
Not measurably, but it does reduce the life of an incandescent bulb. See, the dimmers, like in your home, are rated for much higher wattage than what you'll need for an LED or a CFL. The tungsten steel type dimmer rates at 250 or even 400 watts. That's a lot more wattage than the light emitting diodes need. Incandescent lights pull an average 100w with can lights or floods pulling as much as 400. If your goal is saving energy you'll need the CFLs or LEDs but just bear in mind that dimming them doesn't save appreciable energy. It's more for aesthetics. Really entirely for aesthetics.
 
H

Hellooo

Guest
#31
Thanks, zero and 17! You've given me a lot to review
 
H

Hellooo

Guest
#32
I saw a local show called "Flip My Florida Yard" today, and it provided me with SO much inspiration and insight on how to approach landscaping and gardening my yard.

If anyone is interested... Flip My Florida Yard (TV Series) - Home

the only thing I've done to the yard since I moved is trim some weeds away from the house, had everything mowed once, and cleared away brush and debris (found a wheelbarrow at a yard sale for a steal that came in handy!) My focus has mainly been indoor projects so far. My house is still quite empty, actually, but I'm really enjoying the process of pulling everything together, for the most part.

Ideally what id like
- no (or minimal) grass
- nothing toxic to dogs (my dog is too curious, sticks her nose and tongue in everything)
- Florida native and Florida-friendly plants
- an edibles container garden
- a wooden beehive










My front and backyards are just an empty slate for the time being with the exception of an orange tree, oak tree, and a weird mixture of weeds and grass. Realistically, its probably going to be a multiple year project, but I think I'm going to draw up a plan and work out a budget anyway. Maybe compare my notes with a professional landscaping consultation and run everything by the historic preservation board (I can't imagine not getting a greenlight because anything would be an improvement to the current state, let's be real)

On another note, Im going to go with the phillips hue dimmable led lighting but ill wait until my current bulbs die off...i can integrate it with devices I'm already using so it works out great

I've taped off everything to start painting my dining room after church tomorrow. My dog sleeps in there when she's not under my bed (since the room is empty it was the perfect place for her crate) so hopefully she's not too disgruntled by the change

Anyway, anyone have landscaping tips or words of wisdom to share?
Projects that you're working on?

Zero, I may eventually need to pick your brain on that ceiling fan installation if it's a simple process. It's starting to get hot at night!
 

Lynx

Folksy yet erudite
Aug 13, 2014
27,278
9,330
113
#33
Too much mulch in those pictures. I'd rather mow a yard than maintain all that stuff.

But then I'm a guy. I gravitate to simple, easy stuff.
 
W

wwjd_kilden

Guest
#34
Helloo:
I know little of landscaping / gardening, but here's a tip based on experience:
If you use loose gravel (like in that picture), make sure you have something underneath to stop weeds and grass from growing!

........

Question: My washing machine says Water inlet fault
Google says it is most likely to be either the tap (I checked, it is working) or the filter
If it is the filter, I have to remove the tube that supplies the water to get to it....
so question is: Is this tube (and the area behind it inside the machine) emptied after a wash cycle ... ooooor should I have a bucket and a heap of towels ready before attempting this ? :p
 
H

Hellooo

Guest
#35
Helloo:
I know little of landscaping / gardening, but here's a tip based on experience:
If you use loose gravel (like in that picture), make sure you have something underneath to stop weeds and grass from growing!

........

Question: My washing machine says Water inlet fault
Google says it is most likely to be either the tap (I checked, it is working) or the filter
If it is the filter, I have to remove the tube that supplies the water to get to it....
so question is: Is this tube (and the area behind it inside the machine) emptied after a wash cycle ... ooooor should I have a bucket and a heap of towels ready before attempting this ? :p
I would recommend turning your water off, just in case.
Also, is there any chance that your washer is still under warranty? If so, maybe you can have someone look at it for free. Mine was covered by the manufacturer for a year from the purchase date
 
W

wwjd_kilden

Guest
#36
Yup. Strongly doubt it has a warranty, it belongs to the landlord so it is probably age- old :p
 

Lynx

Folksy yet erudite
Aug 13, 2014
27,278
9,330
113
#37
Must not be too old... our washing machine doesn't even HAVE error messages. Until just now I never knew a washing machine COULD have error messages.