Have you noticed the advertising these days? I have noticed that they are showing how to save money. I have never noticed that before. I even noticed on my local TV news, that they are taking news time to show how to save money, by saving energy. But they didn’t quite take it far enough. So last week on the radio show, Trudy and I talked about saving money, by saving energy, and we took it a step further, and I want to share that with you. Set you AC to 78 or 80, and the only way to do that is to have a good ceiling fan. Make sure your fans have at least a 12 degree pitch on the blade, it will put out a lot more air, and that’s what makes you feel cooler. But when you have a 12 degree pitch on that blade, you have to make sure that the motor can handle that. So that’s why I tell people to buy Regency. They have larger motors, with triple capacitors (keeps it quiet) and at least 12 degree pitch on the blade. Some have more. And they make a fan that can go outside. Look at their website, they have beautiful fans. Remember to change out your regular light bulbs for the new fluorescents. I even use them for the outside lights. How many of you have fire place? Most people do. Do you remember to close the flue? Even at that you probably have cool air escaping out the flue- so cover it up. I put a cardboard cover inside the fireplace and duct tape it up- so there are no leaks. Your windows and doors should be sealed with V tape weather-strip from M.D. No nails needed and you can cut it with scissors. Now the last thing, but I can’t tell you the stories I have about this- check your duct work in the attic in the cool of the morning. A baseball size hole can make a difference. My friend Carl replaced all his windows because of his utility bill thinking that would make a difference. It didn’t. But when he went in his attic, he said he felt a cool breeze, found the hole, duct taped it up. Bingo- instant lower bill. Now one more thing, new windows are great- but if the budget doesn’t allow- try the film that I like to call ClingView. It’s made by Gila and they have a website, so check it out. Why I like it? It goes on with water, and in the winter, you just pick up an edge and roll it up. So easy. I gave you a bunch of ideas, try one. See if you don’t save money on the utility bill- I bet you do.

Now to the e-mail…..

Question: What is the best solution for a bathroom wall when the dry wall has no plaster? The walls have 2 layers of paper which are just about impossible to remove even with Z……,D… and the drywall itself is tearing? What product should I use to remove the paper and what preparation should I apply in order to either paper again or paint? I assume papering is the easier way out rather that try and smooth the wall surface again. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and your time.
Answer: Nothing takes paper off easier than the Paper Tiger and M1 wallpaper remover. Fill any torn sheetrock paper with Dap Spackling. Get the one that goes on pink and dries white and paint the surface with 2 coats of Grip and Seal and then one coat of Tough Walls all made by Coronado Paint. You have a Coronado dealer in Houston, Paintco.

Question: What would you recommend to remove water/mildew stain on the exterior brick of our home? Preferable something that would not harm the plants.
Answer: JoMax and a stiff brush – both won’t harm the plants. Put 1 pt of JoMax, 3 pts of Clorox, in a 2 gal pump up sprayer, fill with water. I have cleaned many a roof with this product also.

Got a question for Johnnie? Tune in to Johnnie's radio show Saturday mornings on KKYX from 11-12 or call (21) 341-1573. Reach him on the web at www.AcmeLumber.com.