By Monte Leeper
Q. This is desperate again. I wrote to you last year about my squeaky floors, and you helped me. I need your help again. My house is 30 years old. It had a very simple thermostat on the wall, and I decided to change it to a digital, programmable thermostat. Ever since I changed it, my house does not seem to be getting enough heat (we have oil heat), even though I put the thermostat up to 75 degrees (we're always cold). My question is -- can it be the new thermostat or can it be the old baseboard heating system we have? This baseboard system makes a lot of weird noises. Does it have to be
cleaned, or maybe I need a new heating system. Please advise me as soon as possible. Thank you for your help.
A. Changing the thermostat should not affect the performance of the heat output of your boiler, unless the calibration of the thermostat is not reading true. Since it is digital, the electronics are probably not your problem, but since you say this only started after you changed the thermostat, have it checked for continuity with the circuit and then press different temperature settings to see how long the response is from the boiler unit. If your heating system utilizes a hot-water heater or pre-heat unit, have this checked by your plumber. The setting on your system may have
been lowered during any kind of maintenance or changing of parts. Then there is the issue of the type of baseboard you have. There are two basic kinds, namely standard and high output. Except for vacuuming the baseboard, making sure there is adequate space underneath, and the louver on the face is open so that air will circulate, the baseboard does not suddenly become defective.
If it were leaking hot water, you would see that, although the pipes can leak for years into a hidden or crawl space where cold air can cause a pipe to burst. Listen for leaks and have the plumber check the pressure in the pipe. The strange noises may be the typical expansion and contraction of the aluminum fins. If you are hearing a banging sound or rushing water, your system requires "bleeding" to remove air trapped in the loop of circulation.
The plumber can do all of these things for you at the same time, since checking pressure, running the system from the thermostat, reading changes and bleeding the circulation loop all have to be done together anyway. Since there are more technical problems that may cause your problem, from lack of expansion tank, to pipe hangers being installed too tightly in a wall or floor, it is best to start with the simple things. Have a warm winter/spring!
Q. I read your article about cats and how to discourage them. (Oct. 5, 2000). I tried all the products you mentioned. Also moth products, perfume and Jerry Baker's Product,which you have to use a lot of and often, which makes it costly, as cats in my neighborhood use my lawn besides my shrubs. I have two choices -- either use traps or send for a battery-operated repeller, which I would like to use. Would you be able to research this item before I invest any money in it, as it is expensive but well worth it if it works?
A. I have used the plug-in repeller system, from an outlet in a central location in my own home, to research what effect it had on mice, dogs, and cats. The dog was not affected, the cat ran away, and the mice stopped paying rent. Actually, the electronic system does work, and I use an electronic repellent system, but I am limited in my ability to try different products.
Many companies I recommend have been kind enough to allow me use of their product so that I can report. Puppy Park Pet Store in East Rockaway, for instance, gave me a product called "Reppers," which is made in Holland. It has toadstool-shaped units that you insert pellets into and insert into your flower beds, creating a barrier that dogs and cats will apparently not go near. Unfortunately, I will not be able to test the product until the weather warms, since the snow and cold already deter animals from my unplanted lanscape beds. Later this spring I will answer the question regarding its success. In the meantime, I do suggest that you contact Consumer Reports magazine to see if it has any background in this area. It is an excellent resource for product quality.
Another reader commented: It's simple. Catch the cats with a squirrel trap. Took five cats to Hempstead Animal Shelter. They took care of it.
