Home Maintenance

Most infrared heat gain involves sunshine coming through windows. This is advantageous in cold temperatures, but during summer heat, the extra warmth forces cooling systems to work harder and...

This is a continuation of my previous article. Following these steps will lower your heating bill even more.

Everyone likes to save money on energy bills. For many people, that's the main reason they are using a fireplace to begin with. Although a fireplace can produce a lot of heat for a home, there can...

Loctite is a brand of adhesives and threadlockers that are designed to hold bolts and screws in place. These prevent jarring and loosening during rigorous activity or under stress. Due to the...

Save energy and keep the heat in your house this winter. Toasty warm homes don't have to cost a fortune. Take a heat check on your home; then make changes to keep your house energy-efficient and...

Wood heat is more intense than the heat produced by gas, electricity or fuel oil. It's a radiant heat comparable to that from the sun, according to woodheat.org. Wood heat has other advantages:...

Living in well-insulated homes, with high R-factor insulation, sealed windows and central heat, we seldom give frozen pipes a second thought. However, there are places where pipes are less...

Heating your home during the winter months can get very costly, especially when winters are unusually cold. Most people end up with high energy bills because they are forced to increase the heat...

Most old homes have at least a fireplace or two. However, these fireplaces are often considered "non-working" because they do not meet current fire codes. Using a non-working fireplace...

Insulation of any type will help improve the efficiency of your home's heating and cooling system. Some home insulators include items that are inexpensive, such as window treatments and hot water...

The damper in a woodburning stove or fireplace is a control used to regulate a fire's intensity, restricting the heat escaping from the woodburner through a chimney or stovepipe by narrowing the...

When temperatures dip lower, thermostats get adjusted higher. Here are tips for saving money on your energy bill this year.

There are certain steps you can take in your home to help reduce heating cost.

Home heating and cooling costs are rising every day. As the prices of electricity and natural gas go up, homeowners are feeling the pinch on their wallets. The good news is that you can save up...

Many people go straight to the air conditioner when they want to cool down their house. While air conditioners do serve a purpose, there are other things you can do to bring down the temperature...

Heat tape consists of a pair of electrical wires that are placed in thick rubber insulation. These wires have a high resistance. The high resistance impedes the flow of the electrical power. When...

Efficient home heating saves valuable natural resources, creates cleaner living and saves money soon after it has been installed. Of course, the best time to install a energy efficient alternative...

The heat is here and you don't have any air conditioning. Some locations just don't make it practical to put out hard earned money for a big A.C. unit. But as I sit here sweltering in the 106...

Installing heat tape on your pipes during the winter can save you hundreds of dollars. This simple step will help protect your exposed pipes during winter and help prevent a pipe from bursting.

Paying your monthly energy bill can seriously drain your pocketbook. Its time to start lowering your energy bills and keep your money where it belongs; in your pocket.

Thank You Mr. Carrier In 1902 Willis Haviland Carrier invented air conditioning for which I, for one, am quite grateful. As a tribute to WHC, please consider the following strategies for helping...

The amount of insulation needed in your ceiling depends on the climate where you live. In areas that require significant heating during the winter, more attic insulation is recommended. If you...

Fireplace heat reflectors will maximize gas and wood use, and protect your firebox from heat damage. Brick and mortar fireplaces are susceptible to the constant heating and cooling from fires....

Keeping a home cool in extreme heat can be a challenging task. According to the United States Energy Information Administration, the average energy consumption from air conditioning in the year...

Winter comes and the store shelves are full of resource after resource to help you keep your house warm. Where are all of those products when summer gets here? Besides the fans and air...

You have probably heard of winterizing your home in order to save money when the temperatures plummet. But did you know that you can also "summerize" your home to save on sky-rocketing...

I could be talking about controlling your temper, but I'm not. (Though, come to think of it, 100+ degree weather does make people a little cranky at times.) I live in the desert, so I know a...

Thermocouples are used in a variety of applications in the fields of science and industry; they are generally very inexpensive, have interchangeable connectors, and are made of a variety of metals...

High gas and electricity costs have raised the price of heating a home substantially. Reducing the amount of heat loss in the home will save money and is better for the environment. Here is how to...

The rays of the sun provide an exceptional heating value and opportunity. Using a solar cover to aid in heating your swimming pool can extend the swimming season and cost nothing but the purchase...

Saving money on your heating bill and becoming a little greener while you are doing it is easier than you think. What it takes is a mindful mind. Many of us are so busy in our day to day lives...

Alternative wood fuels are an environmentally friendly energy source. With no chemical additives, lower moisture content and double the heat output of traditional firewood, they are...

Removing or stripping paint from your home, whether it is inside or out is not as difficult as it seems. Removing old paint can greatly improve the appearance of your home and ensure successful...

The cold chills of winter are here, and so are those cold rooms and high energy bills. With a few simple solutions, you can obtain a warm house and a lower electricity bill in just a few steps.

You can reduce your heating costs significantly by following these money saving ideas.

If you live in a region that is prone to wintry weather, you know how difficult it can be to keep your rain gutters free from an accumulation of ice and snow. Snow and ice can weigh down your...

4140 steel is a high-strength alloy that is made up of iron, chromium, silicon and molybdenum. This material has excellent strength for lower weights. Heat treatment is a process of using high...

Using heat tape on exposed water pipes can make the difference during cold snaps and prevent your pipes from freezing. Heat tape requires electricity, but can be used just on days and nights when...

After a long, hot summer, who isn't ready for a pretty, white winter? Glistening snow provides a blanket to cover the browning landscape. There's a crisp chill in the air. But can you keep that...

However inefficient and impractical a fireplace is as a heating device, it is such an important symbol of home and comfort, even though some people have no fireplace. The fireplace works by...

Cold weather and water pipes definitely do not mix. The possibility of the pipes freezing if they are not properly insulated is always there. Using heat tape is one way to make sure that you don't...

Insulation can refer to fire insulation (to prevent fires), acoustic insulation (to deaden noise) or thermal insulation (to cool or warm a building). Just as its purposes can be varied, insulation...

It's getting cold if you live where the seasons change. What should we do to keep our money from going out the window, or under the door. Here are a few ideas and choices to winterize your home.

It's that time of year when temperatures plummet. And with the soaring cost of heating, now's a good time to review some of the inexpensive ways to keep your house warmer in the cold months.

If you think about it, keeping your house cool shouldn’t have to cost too much money. With some simple changes, you can enjoy a comfortable temperature inside your home when the weather...

As the environmental costs and limited supply of power sources such as fossil fuels are realized, solar power is rapidly becoming a much more viable alternative. It is an excellent alternative for...

Keep your home green by following some basic environment-saving tips. You can enjoy the benefits because this greening effort will help you cut energy costs. You will also help in the effort to...

As the price of heating fuel continues to rise, home owners can take the following steps to lower heating bills. While a few suggestions are more costly and will structurally improve your home,...

Doesn't the idea of a nice, long, warm bath or shower sound great—particularly on a cold winter morning? However, if your next thought is how awful it will feel to step out of that hot water into...

With record high oil prices and winter looming, everyone wants to save money on heating their home. Here are some tips for even the least handyman or woman.