How Your House Works

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