Introduction xiii

About the Author xv

A Note from the Author xvii

Chapter 1 Plumbing 1

The Supply System 2

The Waste System 4

The Vent System 6

Private Septic System 8

Lavatory Pop-up Drain 10

Plunger-Type Tub Drain 12

Pop-up Tub Drain 13

Older Gravity Flow Toilet 14

Water-Saving Toilet 16

Composting Toilet 18

Traps & Vents 19

Ball-Type Faucet 20

Cartridge-Type Faucet 21

Disk-Type Faucet 22

Compression-Type Faucet 23

Tempering Valve 24

Tub/Shower Control 25

Hose Bibbs 26

Pitcher (Hand) Pump 27

Jet Pump 28

Submersible Pump 30

Sump Pump 32

Pressure Tank 33

Gas Water Heater 34

Gas Tankless Heater 35

Electric Water Heater 36

Electric Tankless Heater 37

BoilerMate™ Water Heater 38

Heat Pump Water Heater 39

Water Softener 40

Charcoal Cartridge Filter 42

Tank Filter 43

Reverse Osmosis Filter 44

UV Purifier 45

Fire Sprinkler 46

Chapter 2 Wiring 47

Electrical Circuit 48

Ohm’s Law 49

Using a Multimeter 50

Testing DC Circuits 52

Testing AC Circuits 53

120 & 240 Vac 54

Circuit Breakers & Fuses 55

Service Drop 56

Electromechanical Meter 57

Smart Meter 58

Circuit Grounding 59

Electrical Panels 60

Receptacle 62

Gfci 64

Afci 65

Required GFCIs/AFCIs 66

Single-Pole Switch 68

3- & 4-Way Switches 70

Ceiling Fan/Light Switch 72

Dimmer Switch 74

Motion-Activated Switch 76

Flush-Mount Light Fixture 78

Hanging Ceiling Fixture 79

Floor & Table Lamps 80

Fluorescent Lamps 81

LED Lamp 82

CO Detector 84

Battery Smoke Detector 85

Wired Smoke Detectors 86

The Smart Home 88

Chapter 3 Heating 91

Gas Warm Air Furnace 92

Gas Hot Water Boiler 93

Oil Warm Air Furnace 94

Oil Hot Water Boiler 95

Oil Burner 96

Fuel Oil Filter 97

Air-Source Heat Pump 98

Ground-Source Heat Pump 100

Mini-Split Heat Pump 102

Ventless Gas Heater 104

Direct-Vent Gas Heater 106

Direct-Vent Gas Fireplace 107

Pellet Stove 108

Air-Tight Wood Stove 110

Traditional Fireplace 111

Wood Stove in Fireplace 112

Electric Baseboard 113

Hydronic Distribution 114

Warm Air Distribution 115

Hot Water Radiant Heat 116

Digital Clock Thermostat 118

Bimetallic Thermostat 119

Chapter 4 Cooling 121

Natural Ventilation 122

Ceiling Fan 123

Whole-House Fan 124

Window Air Conditioner 125

Central Air Conditioner 126

Heat Pump Cooling 127

Evaporative Cooler 128

Chapter 5 Air Quality 129

Moisture & Mold 130

Humidifier 132

Dehumidifier 133

Furnace Filter 134

Electronic Air Cleaner 135

Air-to-Air Heat Exchanger 136

Chapter 6 Appliances 137

Dishwasher 138

Front-Loading Washer 140

Top-Loading Washer 142

Electric Dryer 144

Gas Dryer 145

Electric Range/Oven 146

Induction Stove 148

Gas Range/Oven 150

Coffee Makers 152

Microwave Oven 154

Garbage Disposer 155

Refrigerator/Freezer 156

Icemaker 158

Trash Compactor 159

Vacuum Cleaners 160

Chapter 7 Windows & Doors 163

Double-Hung Window 164

Low-E Windows 166

DIY Window Insulation 168

Cylinder Lock 170

Deadbolt & Keyed Knob 171

Garage Door Opener 172

Chapter 8 Foundation & Frame 175

Footing 176

Drainage 177

Radon Abatement 178

Slab Foundation 179

Crawl Space Foundation 180

Grade Beam Foundation 181

Full Foundation 182

Pier Foundation 183

Forces on the Frame 184

Beams in Bending 186

Framing Members 188

Post & Beam Frame 190

Plank & Beam Frame 191

Balloon Frame 192

Platform Frame 193

Advanced (OVE) Frame 194

Chapter 9 The Solar Home 195

Passive Solar Heating 196

Solar Pool Heater 198

Solar Water Heater 199

Photovoltaic Power 200

Chapter 10 Outdoor Equipment 207

4-Cycle Gasoline Engine 208

2-Cycle Gasoline Engine 210

Gasoline Chain Saw 212

Gasoline Lawn Mower 214

Gasoline String Trimmer 216

Gasoline Leaf Blower 217

Cordless Equipment 218

Portable Backup Power 220

Lawn Sprinkler System 222

Pool Pump & Filter 223

Appendix A Batteries 225

Lead-Acid 226

Alkaline 228

Lithium-ion 230

Button Cells 232

Appendix B Fasteners 233

Screws 234

Bolts 235

Nuts 236

Drives and Washers 237

Special Fasteners 238

Appendix C Adhesives 239

All About Adhesives 240

Choosing the Adhesive 242

Appendix D A Home Tool Bag 243

Gripping & Tightening 244

Drilling & Cutting 245

Fastening & Smoothing 246

Measuring & Electrical 247

Miscellaneous Tools 248

Index 249