Removing Gutter Ice

To prevent ice from jamming up your gutters and forming on you roof, try using Easy Heat's Roof & Gutter De-icing Cables. The weight of snow and ice on a roof can cause significant damage to a home, and the accumulating of ice can block storm drains and gutters. Install these de-icing products to melt stubborn snow and ice and maintain the quality of your home.


Easy Heat's Roof & Gutter De-Icing Products can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

What Is A Squirrel Cage?

For all of you animal lovers out there, fear not-- A squirrel cage is not actually a device in which to entrap your furry little friends. The name describes the cage-like shape of a squirrel cage rotor (the rotating part often used in an AC induction motor). The motor is equipped with rings at either end of the rotor and has bars connecting the rings that run the length of the rotor, thus resembling the shape of a hamster or squirrel wheel. When the squirrel cage becomes bent out of shape, it can interfere with the functioning of the motor. If you are looking to replace a worn-out squirrel cage on your squirrel cage rotor, Carrier manufactures a replacement squirrel cage. Don't wait until your motor burns out to get a new one!

Carrier's Replacement Squirrel Cage can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

Rain Shower Heads

If you are looking for a trendy and luxurious way to shower, try showering with a rain shower head. Kohler manufactures a line of high quality and durable rain shower heads that can be found in a wide variety of finishes and designs to suit your bathroom. With a rain shower head, you will feel as if you are immersed in a warm rain shower or waterfall- an experience that will make you never want to return to the traditional shower head.

Kohler's Rain Shower Heads can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

Let Your Baseboards Breathe

To get the most out of your electric baseboard heater, it is important to allow for sufficient airflow. Electric baseboard heaters convert cool air pulled in from the bottom into heated air released out of the top of the heater. Anything blocking the flow of air into the heater will impede the heating process and decrease energy efficiency. Therefore, furniture should not be positioned up against the heaters and thick carpet or rugs should be kept clear of the heater space. Also, heater coils should be dusted regularly, as accumulation will reduce both heat production and the lifespan of the heater.

Electric Baseboard Heaters can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

Wallet-Friendly Heating

As the temperature outside dips, you may be tempted to raise your thermostat settings to keep out the winter chill, but there are ways to stay warm without raising your heating costs. Using furnaces and heaters wisely can cut on heating expenses during the winter. For example, each degree you lower your thermostat can lower your heating bill between one and three percent. Setting your thermostat at 68 degrees is warm enough for comfort, yet low enough to save substantially on costs. In addition to lower settings, consider installing a programmable thermostat. A programmable thermostat such as a Honeywell Programmable Thermostat adjusts temperature settings while you sleep or when no one is home. Equipped with an easy-to-read display, Honeywell's Programmable Thermostat offers the simplicity and convenience of a basic thermostat with energy savings that your wallet will truly appreciate.

Honeywell Programmable Thermostats, as well as a large selection of other programmable thermostats, are available at www.supplyhouse.com

Garbage Disposal Leaks

A garbage disposal makes food preparation and clean-up a breeze: it breaks up food pieces to prevent them from clogging the sink drain, while reducing odors from decaying food. However, if your garbage disposal is leaking, it may be time for a tune-up. First, to avoid electric shock, it is important to make sure that the power is off (not just the switch that operates the garbage disposal). Next, inspect the screws on the drainage pipe. If they are loose, tighten them, then turn on the water to see if the garbage disposal is still leaking. In the area where the garbage disposal meets the sink, make sure that the bolts are tight. Check the plumber's putty. If water still leaks, you may need to apply more plumbers putty to the sink's flange. Wait until the putty is dry before you turn the water back on- and don't forget to turn the power back on as well!

Garbage disposals can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

How To Clean A Sink Sprayer

A kitchen sink with a pull-out sink sprayer comes in handy when doing the dishes or cleaning the sink. If the sprayer suddenly stops working, it could be due to a build up of mineral deposits and debris. To clean it, you must first dismantle the sprayer from the sink by using a wrench to unscrew the base of the hose from where it joins the sink. Remove the spray head to access the aerator. Next, remove the diverter from its sink recess and soak it in a cleaning solvent, such as white vinegar or lemon juice. Use a stiff bristle brush to scrub away the accumulated deposits. When you are confident the sink sprayer is clean, rinse the components in water and dry with a paper towel. Reassemble the components and enjoy the convenience of your kitchen sink sprayer once again.

A variety of kitchen faucets equipped with pull-out sprayers can be found at www.supplyhouse.com.

Unconventional PEX Uses

PEX (or cross-linked polyethylene) is most commonly used in the form of tubing for hydronic radiant heating systems and PEX plumbing. Its flexibility and durability makes it an easy and convenient alternative to more traditional copper piping. However, did you know that PEX has other uses, too? PEX has been used as a composite filling material in dental restoration and can be found in the hulls of some canoes and kayaks! Although we strongly do not recommend taking your PEX Tube for a ride in the ocean, it is nice to know that PEX is a trusted material in important applications, no matter what form it is in.

PEX Tubing, along with everything else you need for Radiant Heating and PEX Plumbing, can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

Plumbing With Bread

Soldering paste and a quality soldering torch are necessary to have on hand when soldering a copper joint, but did you know that the answer to a common plumbing nuisance can be found in your kitchen pantry? A small drip from the existing water in the line can get in the way while you are soldering. To stop this, take a slice of white bread, remove the crust, roll it into a firm ball, and insert it into the pipe. The bread will absorb the trickle of water and stop the drip so that you can continue soldering. Turn on the water supply after you are finished to flush the bread away and into the drain system.

Soldering Paste, Soldering Torches, and everything else you need for your plumbing jobs can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

The Tankless Alternative

A tankless water heater is a great alternative to a traditional water heater. Instead of storing hot water in a tank, it heats water by circulating the incoming water through a series of electric coils or gas burners that heat up when a tap or appliance is turned on. Hot water is not sitting in a tank waiting to be used, but is instead heated only when needed. With a tankless water heater, the energy used to heat the hot water in your home is always efficiently used and never wasted.

A large selection of Tankless Water Heaters can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

Save Your Sink, Save Your Food

For the busy cook who never thought twice before tossing a pot into the sink or the clumsy cook cursed with dropping food, a bottom sink grid is an especially useful kitchen accessory. Not only does it protect the sink from dents and scratches, but it also salvages food dropped during food preparation. Most bottom sink grids, such as Elkay's Bottom Sink Grids, are fitted with feet to further avoid contact with the sink's bottom and are available in a variety of shapes and sizes to suit your kitchen sink. A bottom sink grid made from stainless steel, such as Elkay's 17-1/8" x 19-1/8" Bottom Sink Grid, neither corrodes nor rusts, so you can feel free to pour boiling water into the sink without damaging the sink grid.

Elkay Bottom Sink Grids, along with a large selection of other Elkay kitchen accessories, can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

Dirty Showerhead? Try Vinegar!

If your showerhead is clogged with the build-up of mineral deposits, it may be time to clean it. A safe and eco-friendly way to clean a showerhead involves something that many of us already have in our homes: vinegar. First, fill a saucepan with distilled white vinegar. Unscrew the showerhead and place it in the saucepan so that it is completely submerged by the vinegar. Next, place the saucepan on the stove, allowing the showerhead to simmer for a few minutes- how long depends on the amount of build-up that has accumulated. It is important to make sure that the showerhead is not sitting on the bottom of the saucepan, but rather floating in the vinegar. Also, avoid boiling or turning the heat up too high as the showerhead could melt. After you are confident that the showerhead is clean, remove it from the vinegar and rinse it with water. Screw it back on and turn on the water to ensure that it is clear of all deposits and is ready to use again.

A large selection of showerheads can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

Punctured Pipe? Not A Problem!

A simple and easy way to repair a punctured PEX water pipe without disturbing the surrounding pipes is to cut out the section of tubing with the puncture in it and replace it with a coupling to join the two sides. This process secures the pipe and ensures that a leak will not happen again. For a worry-free and reliable coupling, try the SharkBite Coupling. The fitting doesn't require any tools or soldering and can be pushed into place quickly and easily.

SharkBite Couplings, as well as a large selection of other SharkBite Push-Fit Fittings, can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

Therma-cel Pipe Insulation

Insulation in hot water pipes cuts down on heat loss and can raise water temperature 2ºF–4ºF warmer than in uninsulated pipes. A quality pipe insulation, such as Nomaco K-Flex's Therma-cel Pipe Insulation, works to slow heat loss. This lessens the wait for hot water, which conserves water usage, and allows you to lower your water temperature setting, which saves energy. Therma-cel Pipe Insulation also prevents condensation and frost formation when used with cold water plumbing or air-conditioning lines.

Therma-cel Pipe Insulation can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

Humidifiers in the Winter

Humid air feels warmer than dry air. The addition of a humidifier is an alternative and simple way to be comfortable and keep warm during the cold winter months. A Honeywell Whole House Humidifier works to control humidity throughout your house, and as a bonus, moisturizes dry air to prevent damage to wood floors and finishings. It will bring a sense of warmth to, and retain the quality of, your home.

Honeywell Whole House Humidifiers, as well as a large selection of other humidifiers, can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

'UV-Aire' Cleans Your Air

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the air in homes can be up to 100 times more polluted than the air outdoors. For an innovative way to purify the air you breathe, try the Field Controls UV-12, UV-Aire Purification System. The UV-Aire uses the energy from a high-intensity UV-C lamp to sanitize or kill microorganisms as they cycle through the HVAC system in your home. The unit is inexpensive to operate and requires little maintenance, thus making it both a heath-conscious and budget-conscious decision.

The Field Controls UV-12, UV-Aire Purification System as well as other UV Parts and Accessories can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

Pressure-Balancing Valves

A sudden change in water pressure (such as someone flushing a toilet or starting up a load of laundry) can cause your shower to go from warm to scalding hot in seconds. To prevent this, you will need to install a pressure-balancing valve in your shower. Kohler's Rite-Temp Pressure-Balancing Valve features a high-temperature limit stop and an optimal comfort zone, allowing you to set a maximum high and then find and maintain your desired water temperature. The unit also works to prevent water temperature from suddenly dipping during instances when hot water is diverted.

Kohler's Rite-Temp Pressure-Balancing Valve can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

Stainless Steel Sinks

A stainless steel sink is a sleek and contemporary addition to your kitchen. To maintain the sink's look and cleanliness, it is important to clean it both regularly and properly. Dirt and materials such as lime, salt, and calcium that accumulate from washing pots and pans can damage the sink over time. You should rinse a stainless steel sink with mild soap water after every use and then dry it with a soft towel. Dish washing detergent, glass cleaner, or a solution of ammonia can also be used, but stay away from cleaning agents that are abrasive or solutions that contain chlorine. Steel wool pads and cleaning tools such as brushes should be avoided as well.

A large selection of stainless steel sinks for your kitchen can be found at www.supplyhouse.com.

Faucet Aerators Save Both Water & Money

To cut down on water usage in your home, consider replacing your old faucet aerators. An aerator, which is the screw-on tip of the faucet, ultimately determines the maximum flow rate of a faucet. If your faucets are more than ten years old, they are most likely in need of new aerators. Normally, new kitchen faucets come installed with aerators that restrict flow rates to 2 gpm (gallons per minute), while new bathroom faucets have ones that restrict flow rates from 1.5 to 0.5 gpm. A faucet aerator such as Wal-rich's 55/64" Chrome Plated Female Faucet Aerator has a flow rate of 2 gpm. Replacing an old aerator is inexpensive and is considered to be one of the most cost-effective ways to conserve water.

Faucet aerators, such as Wal-rich's 55/64" Chrome Plated Female Faucet Aerator, as well as a large selection of kitchen faucets and bathroom faucets, can be found at www.supplyhouse.com.