What this site is about

Each of the topics below will be explored in detail. I will include full descriptions, graphics and engineering calculations when appropriate.

1. Cool down your favorite beverage
   • Compares the methods for cooling down your favorite beverage. Is freezer always faster? Does salt have an impact?
2. The fastest way to boil water
   • Selecting the right cook ware. Raised burners or glass top electric vs gas, size of flame, covers, hot tap water, and turn on burner first, microwave or no microwave, volume of water. Does it matter when salt is added?
3. Are you paying too much to cool your home
   • How to calculate the amount of electricity to cool your home and  compares energy usage to average and above average homes  along with tips to reduce your consumption
4. Are you paying too much to heat your home
   • How to calculate the amount gas to heat your home and  compares energy usage to average and above average homes along with tips to reduce your consumption
5. Are you using too much electricity
   • How to normalize your electricity usage and compares electricity usage to average and above average homes along with tips to reduce your consumption
6. Formulas
   • How to make your own products at a fraction of the cost
7. Coke vs Pepsi – other uses
   • Colas have many uses from cleaning rust to dissolving stubborn stains. Does it matter which product is used. Coke, Pepsi, Diet or Regular, Caffeine or caffeine free?
8. Water Heaters
   • All about water heaters, how to extend the life of your water heater. What do the warranties really mean? Differences in electric vs gas water heaters. Blowing down water heater to reduce sediment. Is this always a good idea?
9. Alternative Water Heaters
   • On Demand or instantaneous water heaters have become increasing popular. When are they most appropriate
10. Cooking secrets
    • All about the chemistry of cooking.
11. Adding Central Air Condition to your home
    a. Points to consider
12. Keep your home warm
    a. Cold vs Drafts what to control. What is the importance of humidity.
13. Pool Care
    a. What are the most important chemicals to track and why. When can you get away with of not covering the pool at night? Evaporative cooling
14. How to cool your home without air-conditioning
    a. Air flow vs cooling, humidity
15. Your cellphone, cable, Internet and phone bill
    a. Next to a mortgage and car payments, communication costs can easily be the highest household cost.  Find out tips for reducing your highest discretionary bill.
16. Getting better gas mileage
    a. 20 tips on  getting better gas mileage
17. Utilizing your cars computer port
    a. Cars built after 1995 have a computer port that allows repair technicians diagnose car trouble. This will explore the other uses of this port.
18. Math Secrets
    a. Easy calculations and mathematical shortcuts
19. Clearing snow & Ice
    a. When is the best time to shovel snow? Using the sun to melt the snow
20. Task Lists
    a. A lot of times some projects don’t get started because it is unclear where or how to begin. This will explore generic task lists that can be modified to many projects.
21. Tips and tricks for microwave ovens
    a. Other than cooking food what are some other safe uses of a microwave oven.  What not to put in the microwave
22. Battery life tips
    a. How to extend battery life from cell phones to alkaline batteries.
    b. Does putting batteries in the freezer extend the life?
    c. Should you completely drain batteries before charging
23. Material reuse
    a. Discover the many reuse of materials such as containers, old clothes, plastic bags,
24. My favorite Engineering Apps
    a. Both Android and Apple Apps that will make your home or work life life a bit easier
25. My Favorite Engineering Websites
    a. Reference websites that have information at your fingertips
26. My favorite Engineering references
    a. Handbooks and reference materials
27. My favorite “Science tricks”
    a. Amaze your kids and astound your friends with these magic tricks.
28. Oils  Part 1
    a. All about edible oils
    b. Formulas
    c. Smoke Points
29. Oils Part 2
    a. All about lubricating oils
    b. Formulas
    c. Effective temperature range
30. Oils Part 3
    • All about body oils & Shampoos
31. Oils Part 4
    • All about furniture oils
32. Making your own soaps and shampoos