Explore 1,000+ articles designed to guide you through every stage of your home improvement project.
HVAC
How to Save on Your Electric Bill
When the temperature rises, utility bills tend to do the same. Fortunately, there are plenty of simple changes you can make that will reduce your monthly bills without sacrificing comfort. Here are our top energy-efficient tips for how to save on your electric bill and other utility bills this summer. 1. Use a Programmable Thermostat…
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
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…
Roofing
Is a Flat Roof More Energy Efficient than a Pitched Roof?
Flip through the pages of an architectural design magazine, and you’re bound to see flat-roofed homes by the dozens. Flat or low-sloped roofs may garner designer accolades due to their edgy, modern feel, but there’s a lesser-known reason they’re gaining popularity: according to some building professionals, they’re more energy efficient, too. Flat roofs often get a…
Other Home Projects
Insulation Types: Pros and Cons
When it comes to insulating your home, you’ve probably heard about plenty of different methods. But it can be overwhelming to know which type is the best for your home, so we’ve broken it down into your 5 available options, with pros and cons for each. Before You Begin: Choose the Right R-Value Before you…
HVAC
The Most Energy-Efficient Radiator Heater Covers
Your home’s big, old-fashioned radiators may have seem quaint when you moved in, but they can seriously clash with modern decor updates. But where there’s a decorating challenge, there are always solutions, and radiator heater covers have them in spades. If you’ve considered covering your radiator, you may be asking yourself if that will limit your…
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
Want to know where you can save energy in your home but don’t want to hire an energy auditing company? You can save money and a simple home energy audit yourself. Start by pinpointing these five most common ways homes lose energy. Locate air leaks Where in your home is cold air seeping in or warm…