Explore 1,000+ articles designed to guide you through every stage of your home improvement project.
Outdoor
Conservation Gardening: 7 Ways to Lower Your Water Footprint
Modern environmental concerns mean today’s gardeners need to consider their water footprint in the backyard. As you’re enjoying your outdoor space, watering container plants, or maintaining your landscaping, here are seven conservation gardening tips to keep in mind. Water-wise gardening isn’t about simply reducing the amount of water you use—it’s a whole garden-initiative. The quality…
Windows
The Best Low-Cost Ways to Insulate Windows for Winter
We’ve all heard that time-honored bit of advice: if you’re cold, put on a sweater. But sometimes chilly homes aren’t a matter of personal preference, but a reflection of poor window insulation. The best way to improve your window insulation is to buy new windows. Energy-efficient windows with gas-filled insulation can prevent drafts while also keeping the…
HVAC
The sun is one of the most reliable sources of warmth on Earth, so why not use it for your home heating? Solar-powered heaters take the comfort and convenience of conventional heating and combine it with energy-efficient solar energy for an interior heat source that’s as great for your energy bills as it is for…
Windows
Weatherize Your Windows: Tips to Keep Your Home Warm This Winter
Winter is coming! Read on to explore how to stay warm and save money by weatherizing windows with caulk and foam tape. This prevents drafts that can lower your home’s temperature, forcing you to crank up the heat and driving your energy bills up. Here’s how you can get better heating performance — all with…
HVAC
What is an HVAC Zoning System?
Ever notice how the second story of your home is always stifling, while the first floor is practically Arctic all year round? That’s not a coincidence. Homes often have hot and cold spots — places where the angle of the sun, the physics of heat, and the home design all sync up to cause temperature…
Solar
Are Your Neighbors Getting in the Way of Your Solar Power?
Do you have a right to solar power? The short answer is: it depends. The long answer has to do with your state legislation, local permitting boards and zoning commissions, and the governing rules of your homeowners’ association. In many states, the government protects your right to install solar on your roof. However, where these…
Other Home Projects
Screened Porch Heaters and Cooling Solutions
A screened porch is the best of both worlds — all the comfort of the indoors with the fresh air and exterior views of the world beyond the windows. But extreme temperatures can make it difficult to use your porch year-round. After all, sweating or shivering is no way to enjoy the outdoors! Enter: screened…
Solar
Can you Install Solar Panels on a Tile Roof?
Whether you’re purchasing a home with a tile roof, or you’re about to have one installed, you’ve already made a sound investment in your home. Tile roofing is a beautiful way to enhance the appearance of your home while providing long-lasting protection against harsh weather and fire. While the cost of installation can be expensive,…