Ep 15. Water Heat, Panels, Astronaut

In Ask This Old House season 15 episode 15, entitled "Water Heat, Panels, Astronaut," the show's experts venture out to help homeowners with three very different projects. The first project involves upgrading an aging water heater in Seattle, Washington. Host Kevin O'Connor explains how water heaters lose efficiency with age and can ultimately cost homeowners money in energy costs. Plumber Richard Trethewey installs a new, energy-efficient water heater that will save the homeowners money and provide reliable hot water for years to come.

Next up, general contractor Tom Silva heads to Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin, to help a couple install solar panels on their roof. The couple wants to reduce their dependence on traditional energy sources and have decided to invest in a solar panel system. Silva walks viewers through the installation process, from setting up the panels to wiring them to the home's electrical system. The final result is a rooftop solar panel array that will significantly reduce the homeowner's energy bills.

Finally, in an unusual twist, the Ask This Old House team travels to the Kennedy Space Center in Florida to lend a hand with a unique project. Retired astronaut Clayton Anderson, who is now a professor at Iowa State University, has enlisted the help of the show's experts to build a "space toilet" for his spaceflight simulation class. Carpenter Nathan Gilbert and host Kevin O'Connor work with Anderson to design and construct a toilet that will mimic the conditions of a spaceflight. The toilet will provide essential training for students who want to be astronauts, as it will help them understand how to use the bathroom in zero-gravity conditions.

Throughout the episode, viewers will learn valuable DIY tips and tricks from the experts at Ask This Old House. They will also see how various home improvement projects can improve energy efficiency, save money on utility bills, and even inspire the next generation of astronauts. Whether you're a homeowner looking to upgrade your water heater, interested in installing solar panels on your roof, or just curious about how astronauts use the bathroom in space, this episode of Ask This Old House is sure to be informative and entertaining.