Explore 1,000+ articles designed to guide you through every stage of your home improvement project.
Solar
Do Certain Roof Surfaces Increase Solar Potential?
Ready to hit the button on solar? You might want to think about replacing your roof, too. A lot of homeowners find themselves contemplating a roof replacement when they go solar. After all, it only makes sense to get your roof in great shape before you slap panels over it. And that way, you won’t…
Windows
Triple-Pane Windows: Do They Really Make a Noticeable Difference?
When it comes to insulating and soundproofing your home, the type of windows you choose will have a major effect on both your comfort level and your electricity bills. Triple-pane windows are known for keeping a home temperature comfortable and also protecting it from the elements. But are they significantly better than their double-pane counterparts? Let’s…
Windows
Do Energy Efficient Windows Really Make a Difference?
One thing’s for sure: leaky, aging windows on your home aren’t doing your utility bills any favors. Single pane windows just can’t beat the energy performance of a quality double pane window. In fact, the Department of Energy estimates that you can save $125 to $465 dollars a year just by replacing those windows with…
HVAC
Want to take control of your HVAC system’s performance and energy use? A smart thermostat is a good start — but it doesn’t tell you everything. It can adjust temperatures and track usage, but it won’t alert you when a component is close to failing or when your system is losing efficiency. That’s where smart…
Solar
If you’ve looked into installing solar, you may have realized that your installation won’t be easy on your roof. The majority of solar mounts are attached directly to a home’s rafters, which means cutting into the roof. While installers generally take care to seal and flash holes to prevent leaks and water damage, those incisions…
Other Home Projects
Energy-Efficient Outdoor Holiday Lights
Aren’t holiday lights the best? The way they can transform your home into a festive winter wonderland—nothing beats it when you’re looking for seasonal cheer. Still, it can be quite a challenge to hang them; plus, they use a lot of energy, and they’re expensive to keep lit. Here are some tips for outdoor holiday…
Other Home Projects
How to Use Leaves to Start a Home Composting System
If you’re still raking all your leaves to the curb or packing them into plastic bags, you’re missing an opportunity to create gold. Of course, in this case we mean the kind made from compost—decomposed organic material that can make the soil in your garden or landscape so rich and crumbly that almost anything can grow…
Solar
What Are the Best Solar Panels for Colder Climates?
Live in a climate with cold winters? Then you might think that solar is out of your reach—after all, it works best in the sun right? Well, not necessarily. Research shows that solar panels actually harvest energy more efficiently in chillier weather. Furthermore, when there’s snow on the ground, your solar output may even improve.…