Other Home Projects
What Is the HERS Index and Why Does It Matter for My Home?
Want to reduce your home’s energy use? Well, then you’re probably going to want to make some improvements around your home. But which ones? And what should you focus on first? That’s where an energy evaluation can help. The first step in many residential energy overhauls is to have an energy audit performed. Professionally trained…
Other Home Projects
Does No-VOC Exterior Paint Matter?
Did you know that most home improvement paint includes VOCs—volatile organic compounds? Think about the strong fumes you smell in a newly painted room, which are often so harsh you have to air out the room for a few days while avoiding it entirely. Those are VOCs—chemicals like formaldehyde and benzene—and they leach into your…
Bathroom
How to Deep Clean Your Bathroom
Having a clean bathroom is a strangely satisfying feeling. It’s not just having the towels hung up and the sink wiped free of toothpaste globs, but when you can see that sparkle on your countertops and in the tub and toilet that comes from a deep and thorough scrub. If you feel the instant gratification from…
Bathroom
What You Need to Know About Eco-Friendly Toilets
Eco-friendly toilets, or green toilets, are becoming a priority in many homes because they offer an easy and immediate way to save water. This is particularly true in regions of the U.S. that have been stricken by drought and face water shortages so serious they’ve led to rationing. At the very least, using an eco-friendly…
Other Home Projects
Efficiency Improvements to Pair with Your Solar Installation
There’s a whole lot to love about solar. For less than the price of a new car, you can enjoy reduced energy bills that will pay for your unit many times over in just a few years—and give your home some coveted green cred, too. But a solar energy system is only as efficient as the home…
Other Home Projects
Passive Solar Heating Techniques You Can Use in Your Own Home
Want to heat your home without spending a dime on electricity or fuel? It’s definitely possible. We hear a lot about high performance homes that are built with passive solar designs — building structures that capture heat from the sun and use it to keep homes more comfortable naturally, without burning up fuel. In fact,…
Other Home Projects
Installing a Widow’s Walk on Your Roof
If you hail from the New England area—or have just visited Cape Cod—you’re well versed in the distinct charm and quaint appeal that is the rooftop widow’s walk. These features call to mind the deep regional history of the coastal northeast, and they add a unique touch to modern homes in other parts of the…
Other Home Projects
Green Your Fireplace with Gas or Woodburning Inserts
According to Punxsutawney Phil, we’re in for a lot more winter weather this year. Luckily for you, that means all the more time you can spend warming yourself by the fireplace. And your time in front of the hearth will be all the more enjoyable when you install a gas or woodburning insert in place…
Other Home Projects
Homeowner 101: How to Patch a Drywall Hole
Patching a drywall hole is a skill that intimidates a lot of people—I know because I used to be one of them. But don’t worry, because patching a hole in your drywall seems tougher than it actually is. No matter what your experience level is with home repair, this is something almost everyone can do.…