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Steps: The International Space Station uses an interconnected system to preserve resources on board, called the Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS). Part of ECLSS is the Water Processor Assembly (WPA). That system is responsible for scavenging water from different resources (breath, urine, etc.) and distilling it until it is potable again. Another part of ECLSS involves oxygen generation. They have a tank that collects some of the water from the WPA and electrolyzes it, which can split it into hydrogen and oxygen....

The fall months bring all sorts of fun—colorful foliage, festive holidays, the first cozy snowfall. But one feature that’s not so fun? Increased energy bills as the temps cool down and the thermostat gets cranked up. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, 49% of a home’s energy bill is spent on heating and cooling. One of the main reasons your energy bills might spike during the winter months (and summer, too, when the AC’s on) is because your home isn’t properly insulated....

To make the patches in strip flooring blend in, you’ll need to pull them up and weave in new strips between the old ones. The goal is to cut out some of the old strips so that the joints in adjacent courses are staggered, matching the existing joint pattern. But first, you’ll need to obtain new tongue-and-groove strips of the same width and thickness as the rest of the floor and some subflooring of the same thickness to support the unstable areas....

Previous episode: S20 E26 | Next episode: S20 E28 In this episode: Carpenter Nathan Gilbert shows host Kevin O’Connor the proper way to hang a TV on a wall. After explaining the different types of wall mounts available, Nathan shows Kevin some helpful tips for locating studs. Then, the two discuss the hardware necessary for hanging a TV, highlighting the importance of matching the mount’s capacity to the TV’s size....

Previous episode: S20 E2 | Next episode: S20 E4 In this episode: Jenn Nawada teaches us all about groundcover plants, offering a creative alternative to mulch and rocks. Jenn points out that many different plants can grow in places where mowing or erosion are issues and can add some interest throughout the yard. She teaches about juniper, microbiota, pachysandra, sedum John Creech, lilyturf, and other ground-covering plants. Jenn explains how she likes to use each of these plants, highlighting where and how they perform best....

Top 5 Wallpapers Best For Kids: RoomMates Star Wars: Galactic Battles White and Blue Peel and Stick Wallpaper Best Animal Print Wallpaper: Graham & Brown Superfresco Easy Crocodile Black Wallpaper Best Rustic Wallpaper: Abyssaly Vintage Wood Panel Interior Film Wood Wallpaper Best Geometric Wallpaper: Wenmer Hexagon Peel and Stick Wallpaper Best Marble Wallpaper: practicalWs Marble Wallpaper Granite Paper Best For Kids: RoomMates Star Wars: Galactic Battles White and Blue Peel and Stick Wallpaper This themed wallpaper is available in multiple Star Wars designs ranging from R2-D2 to Darth Vader....

One-Dimensional Cookspace A remodeled kitchen in good shape may seem like a bonus when buying a house, but if the layout is clunky and the look an affront to the architecture, you still might need to start over. Caroline Schnieders and Yvette Soignier decided to do just that after buying the 1908 foursquare in St. Paul, MN, they share with their two sons. A peninsula impeded flow to the fridge, range, and sink, making it a tight squeeze for two cooks....

Top 5 Over-Toilet Bathroom Organizers Best Hidden Storage: Spirich Home Bathroom Shelf Best Four-Tier Organizer: Honey-Can-Do Four-Tier Space-Saving Shelf Best Floating Shelves: SODUKU Floating Wall-Mounted Shelves Best Ladder Organizer: UTEX Three-Shelf Bathroom Organizer Best Hidden Storage: Spirich Home Bathroom Shelf This storage organizer has two shelves hidden behind cabinet doors as well as an open adjustable shelf, providing ample storage for your bathroom items. This product also comes with detailed instructions, making assembly easy....

This article appeared in the Nov/Dec 2020 issue of This Old House Magazine. Click here to learn how to subscribe. Stains and scratches can make marble countertops a challenge in the kitchen. You can still opt for marble in your home without the worry of maintaining it by including it as an accent. Read on for some ideas and inspiration for marble accents. Add just a splash Shown above, left: As a vertical surface, a marble backsplash sustains fewer spills and less wear and tear than a horizontal work top—like this showstopping mosaic set in a field of ceramic subway tile....

Given all the attention being paid to solar power these days, you might be surprised to learn that one of the most promising solutions to high energy costs isn’t up in the sky but buried deep under your lawn. Read on to understand how geothermal heat pumps work, how much they cost and if they’re a smart investment. Are Geothermal Heat Pumps Worth the Money? Super efficient geothermal heat pumps provide clean, quiet heating and cooling while cutting utility bills by up to 70 percent....

After turning my basement storage room into a modern home gym, we needed a pop of color for the walls. To match the room’s sleek design, I opted to build a DIY wood plank wall planter with a faux snake plant. Project details Skill Cost Estimated Time Watch the video and read the steps below to learn how to build this easy wood plank wall planter using vinyl plank flooring and plywood....

Assuming that cabinets are installed plumb and level, you’ll want to hang the crown molding in a way that makes the ceiling’s unevenness as unobtrusive as possible. To do that, the crown’s bottom edge has to be level and evenly spaced above the cabinet doors, and it has to remain intact. Any cuts in the crown will be immediately noticeable. Project details Skill Cost Estimated Time Before You Get Started First, select a crown molding with a vertical height about the same as the narrowest gap between ceiling and cabinet....

Steps for prehanging a salvaged door: Use a four-foot level to check if the existing floor is level. Make the bubble level and then measure the distance from the floor to the underside of the level. This will determine the long side of the jamb. Measure the height to the jamb header of any existing doors to ensure the new door matches. Use a miter saw to cut the jambs to length....

Steps for replacing a broken windowpane Remove the window from the frame. Use a utility knife to cut the glazing around the broken windowpane. Wear gloves, safety glasses, and a mask to protect yourself from the glass and the potential for lead in the window. Hold a HEPA vacuum up to the window while you scrape out the glazing to keep the dust down. Once the glazing has been cut, carefully pry the old glass pane from the frame....

Top 4 Portable Power Stations Most Powerful: Jackery Portable Power Station Most Lightweight: AIMTOM Power Station Most Ports: GOLABS Portable Power Station Fasted Recharge: FF FLASHFISH Portable Power Station Most Powerful: Jackery Portable Power Station Pros and Cons ✔ Has a specially designed motor to limit noise when it’s in use Compare Top Portable Power Stations Jackery Portable Power Station $1,099 Prices taken at time of publishing. This Jackery Explorer portable power station comes with a variety of fast charging ports....

Pests are an unfortunate part of owning a home. No matter how tidy and well-maintained your residence is, it’s likely that in the long run, you will have to face an invasion of enterprising mice, ants, or any other kind of pest. Memphis homeowners might encounter many different types of pests in their humid, subtropical climate. The nearby Gulf of Mexico leads to a lot of moisture that draws insects in....

Top 4 Above-Ground Pools Best Capacity: Intex Ultra XTR Rectangular Pool Best Large Round Pool: Intex Ultra XTR Round Pool Best Small Round Pool: Summer Waves Above-Ground Swimming Pool Best Oval Pool: Bestway Above-Ground Swimming Pool Best Capacity: Intex Ultra XTR Rectangular Pool Best Large Round Pool: Intex Ultra XTR Round Pool Best Small Round Pool: Summer Waves Above-Ground Swimming Pool Best Oval Pool: Bestway Above-Ground Swimming Pool Buying Guide for Above-Ground Pools Each above-ground pool varies in terms of size, shape, depth, included accessories, and more....

Listed below you’ll find tactics to tackle paint according to the type of surface it’s stuck on. Metal Dried paint can be removed from metal by one of three processes: chemical, heat, or sanding. Sanding is a quick and easy solution, but if you’re working with a piece that’s small or delicate, try the next options. When using chemical strippers on metal, paint remover is available in various forms: liquid, aerosol, or paste....

In this video, This Old House general contractor Tom Silva explains how to install a tub grab bar. Project details Skill Cost Estimated Time Steps for installing a tub grab bar 1 Mark mounting holes on tub wall using a level; choose a location 33 to 36 inches above floor. 2 Drill pilot holes through wall with 3/16-inch-diameter carbide-tipped masonry bit. 3 Bore holes for hollow-wall fasteners with 1 ¼-inch-diameter carbide-tipped hole saw....

The entire AskTOH team was on hand recently for a special Live Q&A marking the final day of filming for the current season of Ask—creating a great opportunity for Insiders to pose questions about any problematic part of the house or yard. One Insider asked painting contractor Mauro Henrique whether painting a brick fireplace can ever be undone (it’s very difficult to remove the paint, so be sure it’s what you want); another Insider asked Ross and Richard Trethewey about water line shutoff sensors (one new product has sensors for flow, pressure, and temperature, and will shut off the line and send an alert to your phone); and a curious Insider asked Tom Silva for more info about installing crown molding in corners above kitchen cabinets (for corner returns, Tom’s tips include using a small grinder)....