Did you know that as of 2000, all newly constructed buildings in California must install earthquake shut-off valves? Local law enforcement agencies enforce them as a standard when issuing building permits. Despite the fact that earthquake shut-off valves could save your life, however, many Californians don’t know what … [Read more...]
Thanksgiving has a reputation for being a great lazy holiday. You eat your body weight in food and then spend the day “watching” football (read: napping). Sounds great, right? Well, if you’ve ever hosted Thanksgiving, however, you know that this reputation couldn’t be further from the truth. Thanksgiving is a lot of … [Read more...]
Changing your kitchen sink sprayer probably feels like an intimidating project to take on. After all, it's… a sprayer. There are buttons involved. And pressure. You're probably not even all that sure how it works. You could always call a trusty plumber to take care of things for you. If you feel like taking on this … [Read more...]
For some reason, people don't usually prioritize bathrooms when it comes to upgrades or renovations. Instead, they focus on the size of closets, updating appliances, or improving light in the master bathroom. We think this is a shame, because bathroom renovations can make a huge difference to your life, too. Think … [Read more...]
It’s Halloween season, and we write about plumbing. That can only mean one thing: it’s time for some plumbing horror stories. If you’re fan of these kinds of “it came from below” plumbing horror stories, however, you may be inured to their chilling effects. That’s why we’re doing something a little different this … [Read more...]
California’s municipally-sourced tap water is generally very safe to drink, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t trust yourself. There are a couple reasons why even the most meticulously processed and filtered water may seem unclean to you. Water may even become contaminated after it’s processed, while it’s moving … [Read more...]
Did you know that 18% of your average energy bill comes from heating up your water? Heating water requires more energy than any other household task except heating and cooling your whole home. With costs that high, you really feel it if your water heater isn’t as efficient as it should be. Inefficient water heaters … [Read more...]
Two weeks ago, we started telling the story of LA’s electricity. First, we covered who makes your electricity and where it comes from. Then, we figured out how all that electricity actually gets from where it’s generated all the way to you. Now, we’ve reached the final chapter in the ongoing story of your home’s … [Read more...]
Last week, we figured out where LA’s power comes from and who’s supplying it to us. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the process is pretty complex. LA doesn’t draw all its power from anyone or even ten sources. The city generates power from different sources all over. Some of the sources are even thousands of miles away. How … [Read more...]
Have you ever wondered where your home’s electricity comes from? It’s a bigger question than you might realize! Every one of LA’s electricity-using structures connects to our gigantic, state-spanning, literally billion dollar power system. Your humble home is one end of a story spanning hundreds of miles and involving … [Read more...]
