It makes sense that temperatures might affect outdoor appliances, but did you know that extreme temperatures can affect appliances inside your basement, garage or house as well? Here’s what you need to know about temperature’s effect on appliances and what you can do to prevent damage. Refrigerators and freezers A refrigerator can shut down in… Read more »
Since your bathroom is where you prepare to meet the day, good bathroom lighting is essential to looking your best. Here’s how to illuminate this important part of your home. Areas to be lit Three areas in your bathroom need appropriate lighting. The most important is the vanity. Good lighting is crucial here, since the… Read more »
If you live in a home built before 1980, you may be able to slash your energy costs by increasing your home’s insulation. Here’s what you need to know. How to know if you have enough insulation Energy awareness began rising in the 1970s. By 1980, homebuilders began increasing the amount of insulation in houses,… Read more »
The bathroom exhaust fan gets little attention, but it serves an important role in maintaining air quality in your bathroom and home. If your bathroom doesn’t have a fan, consider installing one, and set up a regular cleaning schedule to maintain your fan. Here’s what you need to know. Moisture and odor elimination The purpose… Read more »
Radiant floors are a home heating method that doesn’t use traditional HVAC air ducts. Instead of warm air blowing through vents, heat from a source beneath the floors warms the home from wall to wall. Here’s what you need to know about radiant floors. Bottoms-up heating With traditional heating, the warmed air is blown through… Read more »
Relaxing in a sauna at a fitness center may make you wonder about owning one at home. Here are the pros and cons of adding a home sauna. Benefits of a home sauna Perhaps the biggest benefit of a home sauna is stress relief. Whether you install a dry heat sauna or one with steam,… Read more »
Wouldn’t it be great to relax on your own deck, or gaze at a gorgeous new tree in your front yard? Before you pull out the shovel and start digging, take steps to avoid hitting utility lines, which could turn a dream project into a nightmare. Utility line just below the surface Millions of miles… Read more »
You’re happily settled in your first home but have come to realize how much you don’t know. Let’s answer some of the most frequently asked questions from first-time homeowners. Q: Which home improvements add the most value? Although your house is an investment, first and foremost it is your home. Don’t view renovations solely with… Read more »
Sitting beside a cozy, crackling fireplace can be one of life’s most satisfying experiences. You may not have given much thought to your firewood, but the type you choose makes a difference in the quality of your fire. Let’s shed some light on the subject. The type of wood matters The best fires burn slowly… Read more »
Energy efficient landscaping can play a vital role in both saving energy and slashing the price you pay for it. Planting the right plants in the right places can save up to 25 percent of the energy a home would typically use. Read on to learn how to save big. Know your zone The climate… Read more »
Many commercial buildings and retail stores have an entry vestibule, where visitors enter through an exterior door into a small space that has a second door for entrance into the building’s interior. Homes can also have a vestibule and its accompanying benefits. Here’s why you should consider adding a vestibule entry. What is an entry… Read more »
Modern design has made fireplaces a focal point with tile and minimalist surrounds growing in popularity. So what’s a homeowner to do with an old-fashioned brick fireplace. Here are several ideas, including the budget-friendly option of painting. Painting a brick fireplace Old red brick is so 20th century, and it can clash with your décor…. Read more »
A central air-conditioner unit makes summer tolerable in our homes, but the outside condenser and compressor are ugly ducklings in your landscape. What are the best ways to mask that big, noisy machine sitting beside your house? Aesthetics and protection of air-conditioner unit The outside part of an air-conditioning system consists of an intricate grid… Read more »
LED lights have revolutionized lighting, replacing old incandescent and fluorescent bulbs and saving energy. Understanding the various LED light colors, however, can be confusing. Let’s illuminate the differences. LED savings Lighting is measured by two metrics: lumens and watts. Lumens measure a bulb’s light output, and watts are the measure of electricity needed to generate… Read more »
Owners of two-story homes know the dilemma well: The upstairs tends to be hotter and the downstairs cooler. This makes managing the thermostat challenging. Why does your home have these temperature differences, and what can you do to make things more comfortable throughout the house? Baby, it’s cold downstairs The problem is one of thermodynamics…. Read more »
A home energy audit can help you save money while you help save the planet. But how do you find a certified home energy professional, and what do they do? What is a home energy audit? A home energy audit or assessment done by a certified professional from the Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET) will… Read more »
Heating and air-conditioning units that are too large or small can raise your energy bill and cause other problems. Here’s a guide to help the average consumer purchase a system that’s just the right size. Determining heating and air-conditioning unit sizes Home air-conditioning units come in a variety of sizes. The size is expressed in… Read more »
Cheaper than ever before, LED light bulbs are surging in popularity in American households. Not only do they save money on energy, but they also last far longer than traditional and CFL bulbs. Is it time for you to switch to LEDs? Incandescent Versus LED Versus CFL The old-fashioned incandescent light bulb historically has been… Read more »
If you live in a humid region of the country, you know the discomfort of high humidity. That moist air is as bad for your home as it is miserable for you because mold, dust mites and allergens thrive in damp household environments. A dehumidifier might be the best way to keep your home dry,… Read more »
High humidity in a home is uncomfortable and can pose health risks. Would using a dehumidifier in your house make sense? Let’s wring out the facts. Reasons to use a dehumidifier Besides being uncomfortable, high humidity fosters the growth of mold, bacteria and dust mites. A dehumidifier reduces the air’s moisture content, helping prevent these… Read more »
