“ My dimmer switch is warm to the touch… is that normal?”

The technical explanation - During normal operation, solid-state dimmers generate heat. A solid-state dimmer is roughly 98% efficient-2% of the power it dissipates as heat, causing the dimmer to feel warm to the touch. The closer a dimmer is run to full output and the higher the load (watts) on the dimmer, the warmer it will feel
This is perfectly normal and safe. Lutron dimmers are designed to the strictest UL safety standard, and can handle their full rated load (a 600 Watt dimmer can handle a full 600W of power*. Without overheating.
http://Lutron.com/CMS400/Techinfopage.aspx?id=24371

“I just purchased some compact fluorescent bulbs… can I use them everywhere?” Do’s & Don’ts for proper use of your new bulbs.

Recessed lighting. You can only use spiral CFLs in recessed lighting if the labeling states that you can use a Type “A” bulb (the standard shape of a common household bulb) in the fixture. However, you will want to use caution, as unless they are the reflector style bulbs, (flood bulb type) spiral style CFLs should only be used where they can be installed and removed by grasping the plastic portion of the base. If you cannot grasp the ballast housing (the plastic portion of the base) to install the bulb, you should not use the spiral CFL in the fixture.
You will also want to consider that if the bulb is not a reflector type bulb, which directs the light OUT of the fixture, then the light and more heat from the bulb is reflecting off the inside of the recessed housing, causing even more heat to stay inside the housing, which may affect the electronic ballast of the bulb. The higher the CFLs wattage the more heat you will have and the more rapid these bulbs will fail.
While they can be used in enclosed OR recessed fixtures, they should not be used in fixtures that are BOTH enclosed AND recessed. You will get longer life out of an enclosed CFL if they are 20 Watts or below.

Other things to consider…
CFL bulbs work best if they are left on for over 15 minutes each time they are turned on. Areas such as closets, stairwells, pantry, bathroom, laundry room, etc., are not optimal for CFL bulbs. Halogen and incandescent bulbs prove to be more efficient for these environments.

They should not be used with dimmer switches unless the specific bulb is labeled on the package as a “dimming CFL”.

They should not be used with most electronic timers, photocells, motion sensing devices, and wall switches with “guide” lights on them. Some of these devices contain parts that are incompatible with compact fluorescent light bulbs; using these bulbs in incompatible products will result in a shorter light bulb life. To find out if an electronic timer, photocell, etc, is compatible with compact fluorescent bulbs, check with the manufacturer of the device in question before installing the bulb.

If a CFL is used outdoors, you must make sure it is approved for outdoor use. You should verify the lowest operating temperature for the area where the bulb is being used. If the lamp package does not state it can be used outdoors, then it is not approved for outdoor use, even in an enclosed fixture.

For more information on CFL bulb use, try the following link …
http://www.gelighting.com/na/home_lighting/ask_us/faq_compact.htm

Are your 120VAC and 9VDC battery connected smoke detectors starting to go off without cause?

Age may be a factor. You should replace your alarm if it is 8 - 10 years old. The date code can be found on the back of the alarm.

“Unless otherwise recommended by the manufacturer’s published instructions, single- and multiple-station smoke alarms installed in one- and two-family dwellings shall be replaced when they fail to respond to operability tests, but shall not remain in service longer than 10 years from the date of manufacture” (Section 10.4.7 of NFPA 72, 2007).

The alarm may be installed in a location prone to nuisance alarms.  Such areas are:
- near kitchens where they may be exposed to smoke from cooking.
- near bathrooms or areas where they may be exposed to steam.
- areas that are very dusty, such as attics or garages.
- areas that are in direct airflow such as near a heating vent or return.

There may be dust or insects in the alarm chamber. Even in clean environments dust will collect in the sample chamber. This will cause the alarm to be overly sensitive and cause it to go into alarm. Insects can have the same effect and the movement of the insects in and out of the chamber will cause the alarm to go into alarm. If the unit seems to go into alarm mostly at night, it is probably due to insects.

To clean the alarm:
Remove it from the wall or ceiling and hold the unit on its side. There is a gap between the front cover and the back plate. Use a vacuum cleaner with a crevice tool or a can of compressed air and clean all around the gap area. Pay most attention to the sensor. The sensor looks like a small tin can with slots in it. This needs to be thoroughly cleaned since dust or insects may be caught in the sensor.

Cleaning solvents (particularly ammonia), Latex paints, and high dust conditions associated with construction can cause the unit to go into alarm. Eliminate the condition and clean the alarm.

Reset the unit. Disconnect the alarm from the electrical power (if applicable) and remove the battery. Hold in the test button for approximately 10-15 seconds. This will reset your alarm. Re-install your alarm after this procedure.

For more information, try the following link …
http://www.firexsafety.com/homedir/en/ProductsServices/Firex/OnlineServices/FAQ/frequently+asked+questions.htm

Combination Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors.

We recently installed (2) Kidde combination units and the instructions asked that you write the replacement due date on the supplied label on the unit. This was found under the heading of …

Features & General information

*Seven (7) years after initial power up, this unit will “chirp” every 30 seconds. This is an “operational end of life” feature which will indicate that it is time to replace the alarm.

For more information, try the following link …
http://www.kidde.com

For the latest in going green… check out the following links…

http://eere.energy.gov/

http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=ssl.pr_residential_apps