Explore 1,000+ articles designed to guide you through every stage of your home improvement project.
Solar
Installing solar panels is a big investment, even with tax incentives to ease the financial strain. Because of the investment— and their constant exposure to the elements— solar panels need to be able to withstand extreme temperatures, from the blistering hot summers of Arizona, to the bitter cold winters of upstate New York. But how…
Solar
Best Roof Pitch for Solar Panels vs Solar Panel Tilt
There is now enough solar panel capacity to power 18 million American homes, according to the Department of Energy. As solar panel prices have gone down, demand has gone up. There’s a lot to research before installing solar panels — including the solar incentives and rebates out there. So how do you know if solar…
Solar
What is a Solar Farm? A solar farm is an uninterrupted expanse of land with a large number of solar panels installed to generate electricity for your city’s power grid. These farms make money by selling sun-generated energy to the power company. Solar farms can be as small as one acre or as large as…
Solar
What are Solar Panels Made of?
Solar panels, once something from the future, are now a common sight on homes across the country. They can help lower your home’s energy bill, or can help you get off the grid completely. In the most basic terms, solar panels generate electricity when particles of light, or photons, knock electrons free from atoms. This…
Roofing
Green Roofs: Examples of Unique Eco-Friendly Roofs
Covering roofs with small plants is becoming increasingly popular, for energy, environmental and aesthetic reasons alike. Here’s an overview of the many benefits creating a green roof confers, along with some suggestions on how to make your own roof greener and more eco-friendly. Benefits of a Green Roof Beyond the aesthetic appeal, there are several benefits…
HVAC
Your Guide to Solar-Powered Attic Fans and Roof Vents
When summer temperatures crawl into the triple digits, the last place you want to be is in a hot, stuffy attic. Having a closed-off hot box in your home can’t be good for your heating and cooling, can it? Wouldn’t it be great if you could vent that air and remove it from your home…
HVAC
Heat Pump vs. AC: Which Is Best for You?
When it’s time to install or replace a new HVAC system, you may face the difficult decision of choosing between a heat pump vs. a central air conditioning (AC) unit. While these systems generally work the same when cooling your home, there are some major differences on the heating side. This post will cover the…
HVAC
Understanding HVAC SEER Ratings: What Homeowners Need to Know
What Is SEER Rating? SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) ratings are crucial when choosing the right HVAC system for your home. Understanding them will help you with two things: In this guide, we’ll break down what SEER ratings mean, why they matter, and how to select the best HVAC system to suit your needs and…