book reference
#1
03-08-05, 08:35 PM
book reference
Hi,
Could anybody recommend a book or website where we could learn almost about anything with nowadays' home : electrical,gas,plumbing,structure?
thx,
Adream
Could anybody recommend a book or website where we could learn almost about anything with nowadays' home : electrical,gas,plumbing,structure?
thx,
Adream
#2
03-09-05, 01:25 AM
i can recommend (wiring simplified),this book is availible at homedepot.if you cant find it at home depot ,amzon.com has it availible on the web.in home depot it is in the electrical aisle,not on the regular shelves where they place all there other type home improvement books.its a green colored book in a plastic bag hanging up on a hook,usually where you find wire nuts and wire ties...i couldnt find it in my home depot so i ordered it from amazon,then about a week later,while looking for electrical supplies,there is was sitting on the hook in home depot...look good they have it and its only 6.99 there....good luck..
#3
03-09-05, 06:36 AM
Member
I would recommend the Reader's Digest "New Complete Do-It-Yourself Manual" and their "New Fix-It-Yourself Manual". Black and Decker makes a similar book (The Complete Photo Guide to Home Repair). Visit your local bookstore or Amazon and browse. Read a few pages of these and others and find one that seems to speak to your skill level and interest.
#4
03-09-05, 08:10 AM
John's recommendation of the Reader's Digest books (both) are great ones, I just bought these new as a package from Amazon, they have been the great home reference for a couple decades now. Nice hardcovers, pictures, handy to pick up and read about a topic.
********Edit: I screwed up the below was on electrical only, sorry********
If you run across "Wiring a House (For Pros By Pros)" by Rex Cauldwell it may be worth the $17 (amazon) for it also. I found it to have good hints on how to actually do things correctly and above code. Hints that us DIY'rs may not pick up quickly, but things that professionals do on a daily basis. It reads like an electrician friend trying to look out for you as you do the job.
The "wiring simplified" at home depot is the bargain. Very helpful for us newbies.
Sunset's "Complete Home Wiring " (I bought at Lowe's) was (in my opinion) too simple, and is totally eclipsed by the two above. I could not recommend this one.
"Practical Electrical Wiring: Residential, Farm, Commercial & Industrial : Based on the 2005 National Electrical Code
" is much more in depth by the authors of wiring simplified. This is a bit of a difficult read for me, but still an excellent reference for a specific topic.
Regards,
Beeek
********Edit: I screwed up the below was on electrical only, sorry********
If you run across "Wiring a House (For Pros By Pros)" by Rex Cauldwell it may be worth the $17 (amazon) for it also. I found it to have good hints on how to actually do things correctly and above code. Hints that us DIY'rs may not pick up quickly, but things that professionals do on a daily basis. It reads like an electrician friend trying to look out for you as you do the job.
The "wiring simplified" at home depot is the bargain. Very helpful for us newbies.
Sunset's "Complete Home Wiring " (I bought at Lowe's) was (in my opinion) too simple, and is totally eclipsed by the two above. I could not recommend this one.
"Practical Electrical Wiring: Residential, Farm, Commercial & Industrial : Based on the 2005 National Electrical Code
" is much more in depth by the authors of wiring simplified. This is a bit of a difficult read for me, but still an excellent reference for a specific topic.
Regards,
Beeek
#5
03-09-05, 12:44 PM
thanks for the tips.
The reason why I am trying to get this kinda of books is because I have posted a question with water heater and gas furnace control settings but I have not gotten any advices back yet .So I am trying to do some readings myself to get the answer .However if one of you could answer this , I will appreciate it:
I will be away from home for several months .So I won't be using gas for a while .
I noticed that the water heater has a vacation settings and and the heater temperature control inside the house has an "off" position .
The house is in Seattle so the weather is still around 45F up here.
It is about 7 year old.
The house has vents and timer to suck fresh air in and drain old air out.
question1:
Would it be a good idea to keep those settings for both water heater and gas furnace to lower the bills ? I am concerned about the moisture and condensation in the house might have undesirable effects on the house as a consequence of not having the proper ambient temperature settings(71F) but if the house has vents and automatic timer to circulate air in/out , maybe then it should n't be a concern?
question2:
What if I turn off the valve conmpletely to prevent it from getting to the gas furnace and water heater?
question3:
What is the potential issue of having just gas supply still on from the utility company and electricity completely disconnected? Doesn't the gas furnace needs to generate a spark to turn on the heat?
thx,
Adream
The reason why I am trying to get this kinda of books is because I have posted a question with water heater and gas furnace control settings but I have not gotten any advices back yet .So I am trying to do some readings myself to get the answer .However if one of you could answer this , I will appreciate it:
I will be away from home for several months .So I won't be using gas for a while .
I noticed that the water heater has a vacation settings and and the heater temperature control inside the house has an "off" position .
The house is in Seattle so the weather is still around 45F up here.
It is about 7 year old.
The house has vents and timer to suck fresh air in and drain old air out.
question1:
Would it be a good idea to keep those settings for both water heater and gas furnace to lower the bills ? I am concerned about the moisture and condensation in the house might have undesirable effects on the house as a consequence of not having the proper ambient temperature settings(71F) but if the house has vents and automatic timer to circulate air in/out , maybe then it should n't be a concern?
question2:
What if I turn off the valve conmpletely to prevent it from getting to the gas furnace and water heater?
question3:
What is the potential issue of having just gas supply still on from the utility company and electricity completely disconnected? Doesn't the gas furnace needs to generate a spark to turn on the heat?
thx,
Adream
#6
03-09-05, 01:33 PM
I would turn off the water heater entirely and leave the furnace on, but set its thermostat to the lowest setting (~55 degrees). Also turn off the built-in humidifier if you have one. It would be a good idea to clean out, defrost and unplug fridges/freezers also if you haven't thought of that yet.
Yes, the furnace needs electricity to run -- mostly for the blower motor that pushes air through the ducts. Typically the burner is lit from a gas pilot light, but some furnaces have electric ignition as well.
Beware if you have the gas or electricity disconnected (which I don't recommend), the utility company may charge a large fee to hook those services back up -- probably a lot more than you would save by disconnecting them for a few months.
Yes, the furnace needs electricity to run -- mostly for the blower motor that pushes air through the ducts. Typically the burner is lit from a gas pilot light, but some furnaces have electric ignition as well.
Beware if you have the gas or electricity disconnected (which I don't recommend), the utility company may charge a large fee to hook those services back up -- probably a lot more than you would save by disconnecting them for a few months.
#7
03-09-05, 05:27 PM
IPOOKS,
Since electricity is needed so the furnace can run ,is there any risk if gas supply is still on but electricity is off ?
I mean the furnace will be getting gas from the gas supply pipe at one point to try to maintain whatever the temperature the thermostat is set to.
But since this gas is not burnt because electricity is off, gas eventually accumulates somewhere in the house :So I am thinking this could be a potential hazard with explosion or fire, right ?
In this case , I will only have those remaining combinations :
a. keep gas and electricity connection but minimizing their usage.
b. request gas disconnection, keep electricity connection but minimize usage.
c. request gas and elecricity disconnection but reconnection fee is expensive unless the number of months I stayed away from home is prolonged
You are correct about the utility co. charging lots of $ to reconnect :$37 for gas reconnection.
thx,
Adream
Since electricity is needed so the furnace can run ,is there any risk if gas supply is still on but electricity is off ?
I mean the furnace will be getting gas from the gas supply pipe at one point to try to maintain whatever the temperature the thermostat is set to.
But since this gas is not burnt because electricity is off, gas eventually accumulates somewhere in the house :So I am thinking this could be a potential hazard with explosion or fire, right ?
In this case , I will only have those remaining combinations :
a. keep gas and electricity connection but minimizing their usage.
b. request gas disconnection, keep electricity connection but minimize usage.
c. request gas and elecricity disconnection but reconnection fee is expensive unless the number of months I stayed away from home is prolonged
You are correct about the utility co. charging lots of $ to reconnect :$37 for gas reconnection.
thx,
Adream
#8
03-10-05, 08:03 AM
No, the furnace will not release gas if you don't have electricity. There are several safety mechanisms in place to prevent that from happening. However if you plan on turning off the electricity it would be a good idea to also turn off the main gas valve to your house. This is usually located just inside the house from the gas meter.
