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In our new HVAC system, it is now time to spec the outdoor units. The contractor is pushing the Rheem units in either 13 SEER or 15 SEER ($500 additional). The air handlers are already installed, and they have the A coils installed from the factory. My questions are: 1) What are the better...

I am moving at a snail's pace, trying to finish up the remodel that was started last fall. I was originally going to have radiant heat plates mounted under the sub floor, however, after speaking to the plumber, and his assessing the entire job, he told me that it will cost about 2 1/2 times as...

The plumber finally finished installing the 3/4" copper pipes to the upstairs air handlers this past week. The pipes run up the inside garage wall, and along the ceiling, and they are not insulated. I was looking for a good insulation, and the only thing that I can find is "Frost King"...

I picked up this cover at Lowes today, and it has these tabs that can be broken off. This is the first time that I have experienced this. What are they for?

looking for a snap on ball joint press. What do you have????

I would like to replace all the 35 year old toggle switches in the home with the newer paddle type of switches. My question concerns the wiring of the switches. Can I assume that the terminal locations on the old switches is going to be the same as the terminal locations on the new switches...

I am in need of a stand along humidifier that will keep the home at 50% humidity year round. I live in CT on the MA line, so winter will be here shortly, and the hot air heat will dry the house out quickly. We are having hardwood floors installed sometime in December, and were told that we...

Thinning out the herd, and this is the first one to go. I have no idea of its age, since I got it with some tools a while ago. It is in good condition, with some scratches from normal use. It isn't banged up, but it does have a small dent at the bottom edge. There is a dime sized spot of...

I am offering to any Garage Journal member with 10 posts or more, the air conditioning unit that was removed from my home. It has worked flawlessly over the past 10 years, and the only reason that it was removed, is that we are installing a completely new heating system with new air handlers...

I am moving ahead with the radiant heat, and I am now researching the type of heat exchange plates to use. Most of what I have found are just aluminum stamping with a channel for the PEX tubing to be place in. I did find one that is an extruded plate, and it looks a lot better than most that I...

I am going to discontinue use of my metal chimney, and was wondering if I can take the clean out plug out of the bottom of the chimney, and use it for plugging up the tee part of the chimney that goes into the cellar. This would leave the chimney open from top to bottom, but sealed where it...

I was talking to the ductwork installer today, and he said that they no longer wrap the ductwork, since wrapping it doesn't give much insulation. From memory, I think that he said the wrap was a R-6, and that the cost of the material and labor made it prohibitive cost wise. He suggested that...

I was speaking with the boiler manufacturer factory rep, and he suggested using Viega FostaPEX instead of the standard pex piping, since it keeps its shape, and is resistant to abrasion. I have no idea of the cost of either product, and was wondering if anyone on the website has any experience...

I am converting the home to propane fired boiler, and will be installing radiant heat under the 1st floor, by placing the radiant between the 12" OC joists. I have gotten 2 quotes, and one said that they run copper from the manifolds to the ceiling, so it looks neat. The other said that they...

I am doing some modernization to the home, and was wondering about the requirement for tamper resistant receptacles. We have no children or grandchildren in the home, and the home was built in the early 1980's. Should I be installing the tamper resistant receptacles throughout the home, for...

I need to install a couple of electrical boxes in the floor, along side of a brick wall. When the home was built, the mason forgot to put the electrical boxes into the brickwork, and for 30 plus years, we never had anything on that wall that required electricity. Times are changing, so I have...

I need to remove a metal box in a finished wall, and was wondering if there is any magical tricks that will make the job easier. The box is attached to a stud with a metal strap that is welded to one side of the box. I don't want to damage the wall, and there is only one wire in the box. This...

I have been doing some wiring in my home, using up the last of my roll of 14 gauge wire, and purchased another box today. The one that I had used up, was probably 10 years old, and when I started using the new wire, it is much smaller in diameter than the old wire. What has changed, I always...

I know that Snap On warranties most of the tools, but I have never seen a list of the items that Snap On considers consumables vs. a warranty replacement item. Are files warrantied or are they consumables? What about the tips that come with the ratcheting screwdrivers etc.?

I will be upgrading the AC in the home, and was wondering who makes the best AC Compressor / Condenser Unit. I will need two 3 ton units, so cost is going to be a factor, however, I would rather pay more to get a unit that is going to last. This will be done in the spring of 2017, since we are...