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Entry bubble When a Good Water Heater Goes Bad

By: Joanne | March 31, 2009 | Category: Home and Family

water coming out of a shower headI think there’s something wrong with our water heater. Over the last few weeks I’ve noticed a change in the amount of hot water in the house…especially in the evening when it’s bath time for the kids.

I hate it when things break, because I still have so much to learn about home repair. Of course I’ll have the plumber come out and take a look, but I expect to hear that I need a new water heater. I’m not exactly sure how old this one is, but I know that the warranty has expired and what do I know about buying a water heater? Nothing.

I’ve learned that buying a major appliance requires a lot of homework. You really have to think about the features that you need before going to the showroom, because all those shiny new appliances can distract you from thinking about getting the appliance that has all the features you need without paying for things you don’t need.

I always shop for appliances that are EnergyStar rated, that’s always the first thing on my list. Sometimes you can even find tax rebates in your area when you buy EnergyStar appliances. Too bad there are no water heater rebates available for me. It’s not free, but I like the unbiased appliance advice from Consumer Reports.

All I know is that I’m going to do the research and figure out what water heater is right for my family before the old one breaks completely and we’re dirty and there isn’t a clean dish in the house. Who needs that kind of pressure?

| View Comments [10] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: appliance   energy   heater   joanne   water  

 

Entry bubble Heading for the Beach? How's the Water?

By: Joanne | May 27, 2008 | Category: Travel

ocean waves breaking on the shoreMemorial Day weekend is behind us and hurray, it's beach season! Soon school will be out; we'll be taking the kids to swimming lessons and it's time to make plans for summer vacation if you haven't already done it.

My family likes to do many things, but we really love a week at the beach. So now my thoughts keep drifting to the sand and the surf. As the summer days pass and the weather warms, I'll fantasize about lazing in the sun and relaxing in that quaint cottage in Avalon, New Jersey.

Before we hit the road I'll check out the beach temperatures and I'll check our route for summer traffic and road closures. Then I'll toss the sunscreen, the kids, and the beach ball in the car and we'll be off!

| View Comments [3] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: beach   joanne   ocean   temperature   vacation   water  

 

Entry bubble Be Safe for Memorial Day Weekend

By: Nicole | May 23, 2008 | Category: General

When I was in college, my parents lived aboard a 41’ sailboat. I must confess that this arrangement made for fabulous spring break visits to the Florida Keys. I fondly remember the marina restaurants dotted along Boot Key Harbor, where my parents anchored their floating home. Still, the Keys can be a treacherous place to live. I can’t begin to describe the storms my parents weathered while there. Listening to their stories has given me a new appreciation for the importance of boat safety, which brings me to my topic.

For many people, Memorial Day Weekend marks the beginning of summer. Here in the Chesapeake Bay area, we are sure to see folks heading in droves to the water, which is one reason that National Safe Boating Week (May 17-23) always begins the Saturday before Memorial Day Weekend. In recognition of the week, the United States Coast Guard offers important boat safety tips, such as:

    Boat
  • Ensure life jackets are within reach and are worn at all times by children and weaker swimmers.
  • Complete a safe boating course.
  • Properly equip and inspect your vessel; get a free vessel safety inspection.
  • Maintain a prudent speed and respect others on the water.
  • Help fellow boaters in distress.
  • Avoid alcohol while boating.
  • File a float plan to tell others where you will be boating.

The National Library of Medicine offers some additional water safety tips. And the Federal Citizen Information Center offers more information and resources about water safety for swimmers, especially children.

I hope you have a wonderful and safe weekend. I’ll be soaking up the sun, with the appropriate precautions of course!

| View Comments [3] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: boat   boating   memorial   ocean   safety   sports   water   weekend  

 

Entry bubble Is Your Drinking Water Safe?

By: Nancy | March 13, 2008 | Category: Health

water faucetWere you as surprised as I was earlier this week when the Associated Press reported that traces of over-the-counter and prescription drugs are showing up in drinking water around the country?

Caffeine was just about everywhere. But pharmaceutical testing found drugs that treat everything from infections to epilepsy to anxiety in the water of 24 major metropolitan across the country, from North Jersey to Southern California. 

The levels of these medications in the water are very low--just trace amounts. But there haven't been any studies about the long term effects of drinking water containing these medications at these levels.

Because of this news, and because I just found out this is also National Ground Water Awareness Week, I wanted to take a closer look at my local water report. I get it in the mail every year, glance at it and toss it in the recycling bin. Now I wish I'd held onto it.

I checked USA.gov and found my water supply report online. You might be able to find yours here too.  If yours is not listed, check your latest water bill for your water supplier's contact info or search USA.gov for your city, town or municipality's website.

If you have a complaint or concern about the quality of your drinking water --from the faucet or bottled --you can contact the Environmental Protection Agency's Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791 weekdays, 10am to 4pm eastern time.

This all won't keep me from trying to get in my eight glasses a day, but it'll make me think a little more about the water I'm drinking.

| Post a Comment | View Comments [3] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: epa   nancy   water  

 

Entry bubble Go Green: Tips for Conserving Water

By: Sam | January 09, 2008 | Category: Home and Family

While many of you were dreaming of a white Christmas, I think most folks in the Southeast were hoping for a rainy one.  With many states facing one of the most severe droughts in history, any amount of precipitation would be a welcome change to the sunny, blue skies.

Since the drought affects many of my loved ones, I have stayed up-to-date on the conditions thanks to USA.gov.  I can check the local drought forecasts, get weekly drought monitor maps, and calculate how much precipitation it would take to end the current drought conditions in the next three months.  For much of the Southeast and parts of California, it would take 18 to 21 inches of rain! 

At drought.gov, I can get recent news related to the drought as well as impact reports from media, observers, and other sources.  These reports are searchable by state and county, category of impact (environment, agriculture, social, etc.), and time period.  They are also a real eye-opening read on how the drought is affecting individuals and communities from job loss to wildfires to sparse crop growth. 

One positive that has resulted from the drought is the need to be more conscious about conserving water.  While I was home for the holidays, my Mom had to gently remind me to take shorter showers and to turn the water off while brushing my teeth.  To help encourage folks, the state of Georgia has put together a great website, ConserveWaterGerogia.net, which is full of useful tips on conserving water at home, school, and work.

Here’s a few to help get you started:

  • Wash only full loads of laundry and dishes.
  • Fix leaking faucets and toilets.
  • Turn off lights when you’re not in the room since energy is produced using large volumes of water.
  • Don’t overwater your lawn.  Lawns only need to be watered every 10 to 14 days in the winter.
  • Avoid over fertilizing your lawn.

You can also find creative ideas for saving water such as collecting rainwater with rain barrels and test your WaterSense with the EPA’s new interactive online quiz.  And for more helpful advice and resources checkout thedailygreen.com.

| View Comments [3] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: conservation   drought   green   usa.gov   water  

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