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New Construction Soundproofing Step 1 Have all the electrical wiring and plumbing in place in the walls to be soundproofed. Step 2 Hang drywall on one side of all the stud walls of the room to be soundproofed, so that the room is closed in but you still have access to the interiors of the walls. (The side you choose to leave open will vary--you want to leave open the side that will offer the easiest access to apply the soundproofing material.) Step 3 Apply fiberglass insulation batting to the walls. The batts can be packed in fairly tightly--the denser the material, the more sound you stop. But remember that for actual insulation purposes, the insulation loses value if it's too tightly packed. Hang the drywall as usual. Step 4 Alternatively, call in a professional insulation company and have it blow in foam or cellulose insulation that provide great sound deadening and a high insulation value. Hang the drywall as usual once the soundproofing is applied. Step 5 As another alternative, hang manufactured soundproofing wall coverings--such as Pyrotek or Super Soundproofing products--which are sold as rigid panels or in rolls. You can purchase these at home improvement centers, lumberyards, insulation contractors or drywall supply houses. Hang the covering according to the manufacturer's directions, then hang the drywall as usual. After-Construction Soundproofing Step 1 Remove the drywall from one side of the walls to be soundproofed. (Strip the side of the wall that strikes a balance between offering the most work space and causing the least amount of damage.) Then choose one of the options listed in Section 1. Step 2 Alternatively, cut small holes in the drywall near the ceiling, between the studs. Fill the space between the drywall with cellulose or expandable foam insulation. You can rent the machine for applying blow-in insulation at most lumberyards or rental centers, or where you purchase your materials. Expandable foam can be purchased in small spray cans or large containers that resemble propane tanks for your barbecue grill. Patch and refinish the drywall. Step 3 As another alternative, hang manufactured wall covering materials (described in step 5 above) over the existing walls (as opposed to behind the drywall). Many come in a variety of colors or are paintable (you'll pay more for the "finished" products than you will for the kind that go on behind the drywall). These products take up very little space and work well. Choose from panels, acoustic matting and vibration barriers.

Things You'll Need: Caulking gun and waterproof caulk Measuring tape and pencil Air conditioner, mounting hardware, foam insulation (usually provided by manufacturer) Screwdriver and screws Step 1 Measure the area you want to cool and calculate the size of the air conditioner you will need. Step 2 Determine where you want to install the air conditioner and measure the window opening. The air conditioner you buy needs to fit into the opening and all air conditioners aren't the same size. Step 3 Install the mounting brackets that came with the air conditioner unit (be sure to follow the manufacturer's directions). Step 4 Slide the air conditioner into the window opening and attach it to the mounting brackets (again as per manufacturer's instructions). Step 5 Lower the window down onto the top of the unit. Step 6 Pull out the extensions on each side of the air conditioner and attach them to the window frame. Step 7 Use a piece of foam (may be provided by the manufacturer), seal between the top of the air conditioner unit and the window. Step 8 Attach the drainage hose (if supplied) to the outside of the air conditioner. Step 9 Caulk around the outside of the unit to help keep the warm air outside. Step 10 Plug in your air conditioner, turn it on and enjoy that cool air.

Home theater lighting is an important topic to consider when building your new theater. Though you'll primarily be watching your movies with the lights out, you still want to have good lighting coverage to set just the right mood. The right atmosphere can really enhance your enjoyment of a movie. Uncontrolled ambient light can wash out colors on front projector systems. Insufficient ambient light can make viewing a movie in total darkness result in eyestrain. Properly placed accent lights can help draw the eye to certain features of your new home theater. You can take advantage of new control systems to control your lighting system from your chair. When its movie time, hit a single button to have the system kill the lights over the audience while dimming the wall sconces. This is sure to impress your friends.

When a single light doesn't work, the problem is almost always either the bulb, the circuit breaker (or fuse), or the switch. The first and most obvious solution is to replace the bulb with a good one and, if that doesn't work, track down the problem through a process of elimination... 1) Test the bulb and, if necessary, change it. Be sure the bulb is screwed into the socket all the way. If you put a new bulb in the socket and it still doesn't work, test the new bulb in a working socket. 2) Remove the bulb. Turn the light switch on, and check to see if the socket is receiving power by touching the two leads of a voltage tester so that one touches the brass contact at the center of the socket and the other touches the threaded metal bulb housing. If you get a reading of current, try another bulb. If you don't, go on to the next step. 3) Be sure that the circuit breaker (or fuse) for the non-working fixture has not tripped. If it has, reset the breaker or replace the fuse, and try the light again. 4) If it still doesn't work, turn off the circuit breaker that serves the non-working fixture, unscrew the cover plate from the light switch, and use a voltage tester to be sure none of the wires in the electrical box are still "hot." Then be sure the wires are securely fastened to the switch's terminals. 5) Put the cover plate back on, turn the circuit back on, and try the switch again. If it doesn't work, go on to the next step. 6) Turn the circuit back off, remove the cover plate, remove the switch and, using a multi-meter or a continuity tester, check the switch. 7) If the switch is defective, replace it with one that has the same amperage and voltage ratings. (Because switches are quite inexpensive, it isn't worth the effort to attempt repair.) 8) If the switch tests fine, remove the cover plate from the light fixture, use a voltage tester to be sure there are no hot (charged) wires in the electrical box, and then repair or replace the light fixture. Hope it works

Household LED light bulbs can outlast regular bulbs more than 30 to 1. Imagine not having to drag out a ladder to change that hard-to-reach bulb for 10 years! The efficiency of LED home lighting can't be beat. An LED bulb can light your porch or driveway, staircase or hallway all night and use less energy than your old light bulbs did in just one or two hours! With energy efficient LED lights you save money, you will make your home safer and more secure and you do something good for the environment -- all at the same time! Residential LED lighting is the way of the future.