Details

<p>Introduction xi</p> <p>About the Author xiii</p> <p>A Note from the Author xv</p> <p><b>Chapter 1. Plumbing 1</b></p> <p>The Supply System 2</p> <p>The Waste System 4</p> <p>The Vent System 6</p> <p>Private Septic System 8</p> <p>Lavatory Pop-up Drain 10</p> <p>Sink Drain 11</p> <p>Plunger-Type Tub Drain 12</p> <p>Pop-up Tub Drain 13</p> <p>Older Gravity Flow Toilet 14</p> <p>Water-Saving Toilet 16</p> <p>Traps & Vents 18</p> <p>Ball-Type Faucet 20</p> <p>Cartridge-Type Faucet 21</p> <p>Disk-Type Faucet 22</p> <p>Compression-Type Faucet 23</p> <p>Tempering Valve 24</p> <p>Tub/Shower Control 25</p> <p>Hose Bibbs 26</p> <p>Pitcher (Hand) Pump 27</p> <p>Jet Pump 28</p> <p>Submersible Pump 30</p> <p>Sump Pump 32</p> <p>Pressure Tank 33</p> <p>Electric Water Heater 34</p> <p>Gas Water Heater 35</p> <p>Electric Tankless Heater 36</p> <p>Gas Tankless Heater 37</p> <p>BoilerMate™ Water Heater 38</p> <p>Charcoal Cartridge Filter 39</p> <p>Tank Filter 40</p> <p>Reverse Osmosis Filter 41</p> <p>Water Softener 42</p> <p>UV Purifier 44</p> <p>Fire Sprinkler 45</p> <p><b>Chapter 2. Wiring 47</b></p> <p>Electrical Circuit 48</p> <p>Ohm’s Law 49</p> <p>Using a Test Meter 50</p> <p>120 & 240 VAC 52</p> <p>Circuit Breakers & Fuses 53</p> <p>Service Drop 54</p> <p>Electromechanical Meter 55</p> <p>Smart Meter 56</p> <p>Circuit Grounding 57</p> <p>Electrical Panels 58</p> <p>Receptacle 60</p> <p>GFCI 62</p> <p>AFCI 63</p> <p>Single-Pole Switch 64</p> <p>3- & 4-Way Switches 66</p> <p>Ceiling Fan/Light Switch 68</p> <p>Dimmer Switch 70</p> <p>Motion-Activated Switch 72</p> <p>Flush-Mount Light Fixture 74</p> <p>Hanging Ceiling Fixture 75</p> <p>Floor & Table Lamps 76</p> <p>Fluorescent Lamps 77</p> <p>Compact Fluorescent Lamp 78</p> <p>LED Lamp 79</p> <p>CO Detector 80</p> <p>Battery Smoke Detector 81</p> <p>Wired Smoke Detectors 82</p> <p>The Smart Home 84</p> <p><b>Chapter 3. Heating 87</b></p> <p>Gas Warm Air Furnace 88</p> <p>Gas Hot Water Boiler 89</p> <p>Oil Warm Air Furnace 90</p> <p>Oil Hot Water Boiler 91</p> <p>Oil Burner 92</p> <p>Fuel Oil Filter 93</p> <p>Air-Source Heat Pump 94</p> <p>Ground-Source Heat Pump 96</p> <p>Ventless Gas Heater 98</p> <p>Direct-Vent Gas Heater 100</p> <p>Direct-Vent Gas Fireplace 101</p> <p>Pellet Stove 102</p> <p>Air-Tight Wood Stove 104</p> <p>Electric Baseboard 105</p> <p>Hydronic Distribution 106</p> <p>Warm Air Distribution 107</p> <p>Hot Water Radiant Heat 108</p> <p>Bimetallic Thermostat 109</p> <p>Digital Clock Thermostat 110</p> <p><b>Chapter 4. Cooling 111</b></p> <p>Natural Ventilation 112</p> <p>Ceiling Fan 113</p> <p>Whole-House Fan 114</p> <p>Window Air Conditioner 115</p> <p>Central Air Conditioner 116</p> <p>Ductless Air Conditioner 117</p> <p>Evaporative Cooler 118</p> <p><b>Chapter 5. Air Quality 119</b></p> <p>Moisture & Mold 120</p> <p>Humidifier 122</p> <p>Dehumidifier 123</p> <p>Furnace Filter 124</p> <p>Electronic Air Cleaner 125</p> <p>Air-to-Air Heat Exchanger 126</p> <p><b>Chapter 6. Appliances 127</b></p> <p>Dishwasher 128</p> <p>Front-Loading Washer 130</p> <p>Top-Loading Washer 132</p> <p>Electric Dryer 134</p> <p>Gas Dryer 135</p> <p>Electric Range/Oven 136</p> <p>Gas Range/Oven 138</p> <p>Coffee Makers 140</p> <p>Microwave Oven 142</p> <p>Garbage Disposer 143</p> <p>Refrigerator/Freezer 144</p> <p>Icemaker 146</p> <p>Trash Compactor 147</p> <p>Vacuum Cleaners 148</p> <p><b>Chapter 7. Windows & Doors 151</b></p> <p>Double-Hung Window 152</p> <p>Low-E Windows 154</p> <p>Window Insulating Panel 156</p> <p>Cylinder Lock 158</p> <p>Deadbolt & Keyed Knob 159</p> <p>Garage Door Opener 160</p> <p><b>Chapter 8. Foundation & Frame 161</b></p> <p>Footing 162</p> <p>Drainage 163</p> <p>Radon Abatement 164</p> <p>Slab Foundation 165</p> <p>Crawl Space Foundation 166</p> <p>Grade Beam Foundation 167</p> <p>Full Foundation 168</p> <p>Pier Foundation 169</p> <p>Forces on the Frame 170</p> <p>Beams in Bending 172</p> <p>Framing Members 174</p> <p>Post & Beam Frame 176</p> <p>Plank & Beam Frame 177</p> <p>Balloon Frame 178</p> <p>Platform Frame 179</p> <p>Advanced (OVE) Frame 180</p> <p><b>Chapter 9. Outdoor Equipment 181</b></p> <p>4-Cycle Gasoline Engine 182</p> <p>2-Cycle Gasoline Engine 184</p> <p>Gasoline Chain Saw 186</p> <p>Gasoline Lawn Mower 188</p> <p>Gasoline String Trimmer 190</p> <p>Gasoline Leaf Blower 191</p> <p>Cordless Equipment 192</p> <p>Lithium-ion Batteries 194</p> <p>Pool Pump & Filter 195</p> <p>Lawn Sprinkler System 196</p> <p><b>Chapter 10. The Solar Home 199</b></p> <p>Passive Solar Heating 200</p> <p>Solar Pool Heater 202</p> <p>Solar Water Heater 203</p> <p>Photovoltaic (PV) Power 204</p> <p>A Homeowner’s Tool Bag 209</p> <p>Index 215</p>

<p><b>CHARLIE WING, P<small>H</small>D,</b> is a nationally recognized authority on home building and remodeling, home repair, energy conservation and boating. He specializes in translating and illustrating technical information into easily understood layman's terms. He cofounded the nation's first two owner-builder schools, developed the first DOE-approved computerized home energy audit, and wrote and hosted the national PBS TV series, <i>Housewarming with Charlie Wing.</i>

<p><b>THE UPDATED AND HIGHLY ILLUSTRATED GUIDE TO UNDERSTANDING HOW JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING IN YOUR HOUSE WORKS!</b> <p>The revised and updated third edition of <i>How Your House Works</i> is a hands-on guide that gives you the low-down on why your faucet is leaking, your dishwasher is overflowing, or your furnace is on the fritz. This comprehensive book is your reference to virtually everything in your house with richly illustrated explanations of smart home technologies, electrical systems, heating and air conditioning, plumbing, major household appliances, foundation, framing, doors, and windows. This must-have book answers most questions homeowners face when repairs are needed or when a new house or addition is in your future. <p><i>How Your House Works</i> is filled with easy-to-understand illustrations that show how things should be put together and how they function. The book also highlights issues outside the house as well as clock thermostats, ventless gas heaters, moisture and mold, and passive solar heating. Using the illustrations and the author's clear explanations might save you the expense of calling a professional. This invaluable guide: <ul> <li>Offers a colorful resource to home electrical systems, HVAC, plumbing, major household appliances, foundation, framing, doors and windows, sustainability, and much more</li> <li>Includes easy-to-follow information for troubleshooting problems</li> <li>Contains dozens of new full-color illustrations</li> <li>Presents new material on solar power and smart home technologies</li> <li>Helps homeowners save money on many common household repairs</li> </ul> <p>Written for homeowners with little or no knowledge of home maintenance or repair, <i>How Your House Works</i> is your illustrated and updated guide to understanding how appliances, electrical, plumbing, heating, air conditioning, and more work!

US