Last Wednesday I was assaulted by a foul smell in my front (guest) bathroom. I have been trying to pinpoint the cause for several days. I'm about to go out of town and need advice on what to do, especially since I'm extremely broke and have tried all the usual methods of attack. Details inside...
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posted by Unicorn on the cob
on Oct 27, 2008 -
13 answers
What would it take of an alternative energy to make a serious impact in current global energy consumption? What cost/benefits would it need to demonstrate over and above existing sources? Who would need to seriously start using it? Anybody have some good sources of information or discussion on this topic?
posted by zaebiz
on Oct 22, 2008 -
19 answers
If we lowered the speed limit nationally to 55mph, how much fuel would we save?
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posted by mikeyk
on Oct 13, 2008 -
31 answers
Why should energy supply companies bother making people houses greener when they are essentially reducing demand for their good? (quite a UK based question)
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posted by henry.oswald
on Sep 8, 2008 -
11 answers
What does it take to convert a house from natural gas to electricity for the stove, dryer, hot water tank, etc.?
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posted by AllieTessKipp
on Sep 5, 2008 -
18 answers
Is it safe to keep my radio on while I refill my car's gas?
posted by alitorbati
on Sep 1, 2008 -
11 answers
I am lactose intolerant. Dairy, especially yogurt, ice cream and milk give me horrendous gas, and sometimes diarrhea. Cheese usually isn't as bad. But why, oh why can't I drink the Lactaid 100% lactose free milk? What else could the problem be, other than the lactose in dairy?
posted by linuxgrl
on Aug 10, 2008 -
13 answers
I've got a publication I'd like convenience stores and others to sell. How do i get them to do that, and what kind of financial arrangements are involved?
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posted by unclejeffy
on Aug 5, 2008 -
3 answers
Car help: why can't i fill up my tank? (hint: it has nothing to do with the economy)
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posted by speef
on Jul 31, 2008 -
13 answers
Just started heating a newish stainless steel Alclad pan and noticed a weird smell as I was throwing onions into them (I've used it a few times before, and have never noted any strange odor). The best description I can think of for the smell is a charcoal grill, or lighter fluid. There was a whitish residue on the pan before I started cooking, which I thought was just hard water markings, but it could have been dish soap, too. Can soap smell like this when heated in a dry pan?
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posted by stance
on Jul 28, 2008 -
8 answers
A question for chemists - I am doing a calculation about the energy requirements of taking CO2 at atmospheric pressure and temperature and compressing it to 2 MPa (2000 kPa, about 300 psi) and cooling it to -31ÂșC and am a bit uncertain about handling the phase change from gas to liquid.
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posted by gspm
on Jul 24, 2008 -
7 answers
Is anyone familiar with
Elmira stoves, especially the Northstar? My mother wants to know if they are anything special besides the obvious retro-charm appeal. My instinct is to tell her if she is going to spend this much to buy a
Wolf, which is a fraction of the price. I think if the Elmiras are as well-performing as Wolfs or Vikings she might want one regardless of the cost. (I found
this, but it's not quite what I'm looking for.)
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posted by fiercecupcake
on Jul 8, 2008 -
2 answers
By using Google maps, I can figure out not just how to get from point A to point B, but also the number of miles and approximate time it would take to get from A to B. Is there a map that will also let me approximate gallons of gas?
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posted by jujube
on Jul 2, 2008 -
9 answers
I'm going on a road trip this summer. I have weird fears about being in the middle of nowhere. What can I expect in terms of frequency of rest stops, etc.?
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posted by pluckemin
on Jul 1, 2008 -
17 answers
I'm considering moving to a nice house twenty miles away from the big city I'm currently in, but the new home uses a water well--I don't know exactly what type at the moment, but let us assume I won't need a bucket--and propane for heating. What should I expect from these in regards to water quality, water pressure, cost of propane versus gas provided by public utilities, and anything else those experienced with these systems can think of.
posted by mithiirym
on Jun 24, 2008 -
14 answers
What's the fairest way to split gasoline and other costs between riders on a roadtrip?
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posted by biwa-shu
on Jun 23, 2008 -
12 answers
Would it be absolutely ludicrous to look into buying a car that takes premium fuel in this day and age?
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posted by decrescendo
on Jun 15, 2008 -
55 answers
My own private gas crisis. Looking for a couple of simple stretches I can do.
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posted by loiseau
on Jun 12, 2008 -
6 answers
The SO and I are shacking up. We have a very good relationship and we love each other. However, there is a problem in the bedroom. No, not
that kind of problem. See, my girlfriend has really bad, eye-watering, stomach-turning gas.
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posted by anonymous
on Jun 11, 2008 -
28 answers
Help us pick a car! We're looking for a good used family car. We have two daughters, a 2 1/2 year old and a newborn and need a car that can accommodate an infant car carrier without putting the front passenger's knees in the glovebox.
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posted by Reverend John
on Jun 5, 2008 -
23 answers
Other than the cost of switching, is it pretty reasonable to convert from oil to natural gas? I own my home, and am unlikely to move.
posted by portabella
on May 26, 2008 -
3 answers
Should I dump my SUV? I have a 2006 Expedition, I've only put 12,000 miles on it since I purchased it new. My commute is 12 miles round trip and I only drive it in the winter and when it rains in the spring and summer, I bike on all other days. My concern is two fold. First, I am currently under water on my loan and will have to come up with around $5,000 on a trade or private sale. Second, if I keep the vehicle am I effectively throwing good money after bad, will this vehicle be unsellable / undriveable in a few years. I know that my question requires some prognostication, but I would appreciate some opinions.
posted by revan
on May 23, 2008 -
27 answers
When I push the gas pedal on my manual car down beyond where it accelerates, am I wasting gas?
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posted by yellowbkpk
on May 14, 2008 -
11 answers
From Thursday-Saturday, I'll be moving from Eau Claire, WI to Mesa, AZ. I have to drive. Money-saving tips?
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posted by charmston
on May 11, 2008 -
13 answers
Why are "NASCAR", "peak oil", "global warming" and "gas prices" never mentioned in the same sentence? Are there statistics on how much gas / oil / petroleum products that are used for a typical race? What about practice races?
posted by yoga
on May 8, 2008 -
12 answers
My new gas range is breaking my heart. WTF is wrong with it? And if it is a goner, should I bother trying to replace it with another gas range, or give up and switch to electric?
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posted by Enroute
on May 6, 2008 -
17 answers
Simple tricks to improve MPG?
For instance, I've thought about removing the rear seats/internal molding to lighten my car. I've also thought about aero-improvements, such as moon-disc wheel covers, or even somehow making a cover over my rear wheel wells. I'll be removing my rear wing this weekend, but what other tweaks could I do?
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posted by raikkohamilonso
on Apr 29, 2008 -
39 answers
My car, which is rarely driven, is unexpectedly acting like it's full of gas and will not accept more. I have no recollection of filling it with gas, though I do recall that the last time I drove it, it was hope-i-make-it-home almost empty. Am I just super forgetful? Or is there another explanation?
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posted by FortyT-wo
on Mar 15, 2008 -
42 answers
I drive a 97 Cavalier that is otherwise in good condition, but I am having a terrible time with the injectors leaking gas.
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posted by blue shadows
on Feb 7, 2008 -
6 answers
I've noticed that nearly all of the gas stations in my new domicile (upstate NY) have removed the hold-open levers, forcing motorists to squeeze the handle for the duration of the fill. Why do they do this?
posted by qxntpqbbbqxl
on Feb 5, 2008 -
43 answers
Given that, say, 100kg of fossil fuel is used in the making of a certain consumer product, I am interested in knowing - roughly - how much greenhouse gas emissions this might produce. Anyone know off-hand?
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posted by PercussivePaul
on Jan 21, 2008 -
6 answers
I was going to post this as myself, but I bottled out. I can be contacted on cabbagebreath68 @ googlemail.com.
What can I do to limit the amount of gas produced by eating foods such as beans, cauliflower, radishes, etc?
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posted by anonymous
on Jan 14, 2008 -
16 answers
Is it true that it is good for a car to fill it up with higher grade gas once in a while?
I usually fill up at Shell, and there is 87, 89 and 91 kinds of gas, with 87 being the cheapeast and 91 being the most expensive. I usually get 87. However, I heard that if you own a car and want it to last longer, it is beneficial to fill it up with the most expensive gas, to "clean the engine". Is that true? If so, what is the explanation behind it? I drive a 2002 Kia Rio, if that makes any difference.
posted by esolo
on Dec 22, 2007 -
22 answers
My friend says the fuel injection in my 2002 Jetta wagon (non-diesel) suffers if I let the tank get less than 1/4 full. She also believes that "el cheapo" gasoline, from locally-owned non-chain stations, isn't as good, or is actively bad, for the car. Is there any truth to either of these claims?
posted by luriete
on Dec 7, 2007 -
29 answers