Explore 1,000+ articles designed to guide you through every stage of your home improvement project.
Solar
What Kind of Solar Hot Water Heater Is Best for My Climate?
By now, you probably know that hot water heating eats up a big part of your energy budget. In fact, the Department of Energy pegs that number at around 17 percent of a home’s energy expenses—that’s a huge chunk of your utility spending. So how can you get a unit that won’t bulk up your…
HVAC
What Is an ENERGY STAR Verified HVAC Installation?
Whether you realize it or not, there’s a lot going on beneath the hood of your air conditioner — and HVAC systems get even more complicated when you add in your home’s duct system, registers, heating units, and filters. With that much going on in your system, true efficiency is about more than just purchasing…
Solar
Calculating Return on Investment for Solar Panels
Did the quote for your solar energy system just make your heart skip a beat? It’s no wonder—in some cases, the price for new PV unit can cost as much as a brand-new luxury car! But unlike a fancy new sports car, solar panels return your initial investment over time. The energy you offset with…
Siding
Do you really need new siding, or do you just need bright, refreshed siding? If you are on a tight budget this year, a new siding project can feel like a lot to swallow — particularly if your update is purely for aesthetic purposes. Often, siding that’s perfectly functional gets tossed due to its outward…
Roofing
What You Need to Know About Flat Roof Houses and Snow
Flat roofs—known for being stylish, modern, and efficient—hit a lot of items on your home bucket list. But they also come with a reputation for leaks, cracks, and collapse. While not frequent, per se, the low slope of a flat roof does make it more prone to certain problems, particularly when it interacts with the elements.…
Windows
In the intricate world of home construction and maintenance, the integrity of your windows stands paramount. But while we often focus on the type, style, or energy efficiency of a window, there’s a critical component that can’t be overlooked: flashing. Flashing, typically a thin strip of material, acts as a shield, preventing water from seeping…
Roofing
Sealing a Roof with a Roof Coating
Whether you have just installed a new roof or are trying to extend the life of your existing one, roof coatings are a hot topic in the home improvement market these days. The growing trend is largely attributed to an increasing desire among homeowners to be more environmentally conscious while also reducing energy costs. Typically,…
HVAC
How to Use Your HVAC System During a Fire Advisory
Are wildfires a threat to your home? A majority of scientists believe that climate change has increased the prevalence — and intensity — of forest fires, meaning we could see more of these hazards to come in the future, particularly in the western United States. Their reasoning? Droughts have contributed to drier than usual conditions…