HVAC

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  • How To (29)
  • Maintenance (24)
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  • Air Quality (21)
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10 Home Heating Mistakes That Spike Your Utility Bills
Despite our best efforts to economize and lead more eco-friendly lives, few of us are are paying less for our utiliti...
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The Google Nest Learning Thermostat Provided Energy-Saving Automation In Our Tests
The Google Nest Learning thermostat was one of the first smart-home thermostats on the market, having launched its fi...
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Generac Generators and Frigidaire Cooktops: 30 Recalls You Need to Know for Fall 2023
Staying on top of product recalls is essential for consumers to ensure that our families stay safe. The Consumer Prod...
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Solved! 5 Reasons for a Mini-Split Leaking Water (and How to Address Them)
Q: My mini-split air conditioning unit usually works great, but the other day I noticed water dripping down the wall ...
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Renters: How to Improve Energy Efficiency and Ask Your Landlord for Improvements
While renters may not have the same options for improving energy efficiency as those who own their homes, there are m...
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The Best U-Shaped Air Conditioners of 2023
U-shaped air conditioners are becoming more and more popular these days. That’s for good reason, as these units are e...
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How Much Does AC Evaporator Coil Replacement Cost?
Highlights The typical cost to replace an evaporator coil in an AC system falls between $600 and $2,000, with a nati...
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Your Home by the Numbers: The Temperatures, Ratios, and Levels That Every Homeowner Should Know
Whether you own your own home or are renting from a landlord, you have a lot to stay on top of. Among other things, y...
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8 Myths About Indoor Air Quality and the Facts You Need to Breathe Easy
Indoor air quality. We’ve all heard the term, and most of us think we know what it means. However, much of the inform...
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How to Beat the Heat When Your Central Air Doesn’t Reach Upstairs
We all know that heat rises and cool air sinks, but physics may not be the only reason your central air isn’t reachin...
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10 Tricks for Keeping Cool Without Air Conditioning
Although many modern homes are equipped with air conditioning, and it may be your go-to solution for keeping the hous...
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How Much Does a Whole-House Fan Cost?
Highlights The typical cost range to install a whole-house fan is between $900 and $2,500, with a national average c...
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How Much Does a Whole-House Dehumidifier Cost?
Highlights The typical cost range to install a whole-house dehumidifier is from $1,300 to $2,800, with a national av...
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The Best HVAC Software for Small Businesses of 2023
Home heating, venting, and air conditioning is essential for dealing with temperature changes throughout the year. Pr...
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Top Trends for HVAC Installation in 2023
New tax credits for energy-efficient heat pumps, affordable smart thermostats, and a demand for filters that can figh...
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How Much Does an HVAC Inspection Cost?
Typical Range: $250 to $400 National Average: $300An HVAC system (heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning) keep...
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How Much Does It Cost to Run a Space Heater?
Q: One of my upstairs bedrooms is always significantly colder than the rest of the house. I don’t use that bedroom mu...
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How Much Does a Furnace Tune-Up Cost?
Typical Range: $100 to $200Furnaces produce heat to keep a house warm even on the coldest of nights. Just as a furn...
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The Best Home Warranties for HVAC Coverage of 2024
A broken-down heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system can be a major headache for homeowners. Repair...
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Evaporative Cooler vs. Air Conditioner: What’s the Difference?
During hot summer months, staying cool and keeping your home comfortable is a top priority. However, choosing the bes...
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Solved! What Is a Swamp Cooler?
Q: I’m getting ready to move across the country to Arizona. A few of the house listings I’ve looked at mention a swam...
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50 Things Every Homeowner Should Know How to Do
While certain home repairs require a professional, many maintenance tasks can be handled on your own. Learning these basic skills will help you become a more self...
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The Best HVAC Companies
Homeowners need to have their HVAC systems ready to go year-round, as temperatures rise in the spring and summer and ...
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How Much Does HVAC Service Cost?
Typical Range:$75 to $200 National Average: $100A home's heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system ...
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How Much Does an AC Compressor Cost to Replace?
Highlights The typical range for AC compressor cost is $800 to $2,800, with a national average of $1,200. Some of t...
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The Best Home Services of 2024
Investing in high-quality home services is an important way for customers to take care of their properties. There are...
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The Best Energy-Efficient Air Conditioners of 2023
Air conditioners are essential on those hot and humid summer days, but that relief can come at a price. An AC can qui...
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Solved! How Long Do HVAC Systems Last?
Q: We thought we would have more time before our HVAC system needed to be replaced. On a recent annual service call, ...
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How Much Does HVAC Unit Replacement Cost?
Highlights The typical cost range to replace an HVAC system is between $5,000 and $12,500, with a national average c...
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The Best Electric Fireplace Heaters for Added Warmth in Your Home, Tested
Gas and wood-burning fireplaces require a vent or a full chimney, making retrofitting one into an existing home costl...
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What Is HVAC And What Does HVAC Stand For?
Q: ​​As a new homeowner, I realize I don’t know much about the inner workings of my home, such as the HVAC system. Wh...
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The Best Humidifiers for Adding Moisture to Large Rooms
A humidifier adds moisture to a home’s dry air. While a small humidifier is ideal for bedrooms and nurseries, big roo...
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The Best Through-the-Wall Air Conditioners of 2023
While window air-conditioning units are a fine option for cooling a room in the summertime, they require sacrificing ...
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MERV Ratings: What Do They Mean?
When we set out to build a new construction home, we had a lot of research to do. Having lived in city apartments for...
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I Installed the New Ecobee Smart Thermostat in My Old House—Here’s What Happened
When it comes time to replace the manual thermostat in your home, the ecobee SmartThermostat is a great option that c...
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The Best Smart Thermostats
Smart thermostats, which connect with home automation systems, go beyond their programmable predecessors to offer a w...
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20 Cheap Home Repairs That Could Save You Thousands
If your house could talk, it would tell you that spending a little money now on small repairs could save you big bucks down the road. We’ve put together 20 of the...
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The Best Non-Electric Heaters for All Your Needs, Tested
A midwinter ice storm has knocked out the power on your block, and the temperature on the thermostat is plummeting. W...
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Slash Your Electric Bill with 11 Savvy Hacks
How much do you pay for electricity each month? Whatever the answer, you probably wouldn't mind having a lower electric bill. The good news is, there are many sim...
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The Best Portable Air Conditioners Tested in 2023
True to their name, portable air conditioning units are, well, portable—especially when compared to virtually all oth...
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The Best Room Humidifiers to Up the Moisture in Your Home
Heating and air conditioning strip a home’s indoor air of its natural humidity. The result of uncomfortable dryness l...
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The Best Air Purifiers for Allergies of 2023
Our homes are loaded with dust mites, pet dander, pollen, and other indoor air pollutants. Poor ventilation and the u...
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15 Spring Home Maintenance Musts
To do a thorough job of spring home maintenance and cleaning, follow these easy and smart routines.
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The Best Best Furnace Filters to Keep Your Equipment Running Smoothly
Changing a furnace’s air filter every 3 months can keep it from malfunctioning while contributing to better indoor ai...
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10 Problems That Are Caused by Dry Indoor Air
The potential negative effects of dry indoor air extend far beyond itchy, flaky skin. Left unchecked, dry air can also cause structural harm to your home and coul...
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13 Decisions Homeowners Never Regret
These home improvement projects will make you happier at home and will increase the value of your house when you’re ready to put it on the market.
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10 Energy-Saving Myths You Shouldn't Believe
Don’t believe all the tips and tricks that promise to reduce your energy consumption.
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9 Furnace Troubleshooting Tips from the Pros
Now that winter's nearly here, it's time for a pop quiz: You wake up in the morning and there's ice on the dog's wate...
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Change Filters Frequently to Optimize Furnace Efficiency
Dust bunnies are multiplying, dog hair is piling up, and allergies are worsening—oh my, it must be the furnace filter...
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5 Fireplace Maintenance Tasks to Complete Every Fall
As days get shorter and the weather gets colder, we retreat indoors to the warmth of our homes and hearths. If you ha...
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How to Clean a Humidifier
A hardworking room humidifier is a lifesaver during the dry, cold months of winter. Its dedicated function—adding moi...
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6 Ways High-Velocity HVAC Is Built to Help Save You Money
Ahead, learn how a climate-control system can deliver not only uniform comfort throughout the home but also real savings over time.</p> This content is paid...
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7 Places That Could Use More Insulation—And Why
Take insulation into your own hands to seal up sneaky air leaks around the house—and save big money. This content is paid advertising created in partnership ...
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12 Tips to Follow When a Heat Advisory Is in Effect
Summer is here, and in many parts of the country that can mean dangerous heat waves. As the National Weather Service notes, “Heat is one of the leading weather-re...
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The 25 Easiest Ways to Save Energy (and Dollars) This Summer
Staying comfortable through the summer often comes at a price (after all, air conditioning ain't cheap). If your energy bills have your blood pressure rising fast...
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11 Ways to Winterize Your Home on a Budget
Keep the cold out, the heat in, and your energy bill down with these cost-effective tips for winterizing your home.
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14 Mistakes Homeowners Make Every Fall
As the days grow shorter and your thoughts turn to tailgating and football games, it’s easy to forget that your home needs a little TLC before Old Man Winter come...
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9 Ways to Lower Cooling Costs in Rising Heat
Check out these energy-saving tips that will help your air conditioner do its job without breaking a sweat—or the bank.
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5 Signs Your Home Needs a Dehumidifier—and How to Select the Right One
This article has been brought to you by SupplyHouse. com. Its facts and opinions are those of BobVila. com. Does your...
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Solved! What Is a SEER Rating?
Q: My 15-year-old air conditioning unit finally gave up, so I’m in the process of shopping for a new one. I’ve heard ...
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14 Surprising Places Where Mold Hides in the Home
One of the most common living organisms in the world may have taken up residence in your home, and you may not even know it. Mold—the common name for thousands of...
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How to Test for Mold in Your Home in 6 Steps
Damp rooms, such as a bathroom, are prime breeding grounds for mold and mildew. Some of the most common signs of a mo...
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The Worst Money Mistakes Homeowners Ever Make
While homeownership undeniably comes with plenty of expenses, there’s no reason to spend more than you have to. If your home seems more like a money pit than an a...
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How To: Use a Fireplace
During the colder months, nothing beats warming the house with a crackling fire. But while wood-burning fireplaces sh...
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7 Important Reasons Never to Skip Your HVAC’s Yearly Checkup
Out of sight, out of mind: If your heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning system has recently been operating well...
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Why HVAC Professionals Want You to Go Both Ductless AND Ducted
Homeowners looking to upgrade or modify an existing heating and cooling system are often confronted with a dizzying a...
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4 Considerations for Choosing and Installing a High-Velocity HVAC System
As the temperatures rise, homeowners across most of the country face the same dilemma: whether to turn on the noisy a...
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7 Signs Your HVAC System Is Wasting Energy—And What to Do About It
As far as your HVAC system (cooling and heating system) goes, what's out of sight is out of mind. But don't always assume your system is running at peak performan...
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How To: Clean a Fan
Oscillating fans are a smart choice for cool comfort thanks to a side-to-side rotating mechanism that evenly distribu...
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How To: Upgrade Your HVAC—Without Giving Up Your Ducts
This post has been brought to you by Mitsubishi Electric. Its facts and opinions are those of BobVila. com. Have your...
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11 Air Conditioning Mistakes That Spike Your Bills
Nowadays, more than 90 percent of homes and virtually all businesses in America use air conditioning to beat the summertime heat. In fact, according to the U.S. D...
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How to Clean an Air Conditioner Filter in 4 Easy Steps
Though often overlooked, air conditioner filters are responsible for a mighty important job: keeping dust, dirt, and ...
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Need a New AC? 5 Top Factors for Sizing Up Your Needs
Do you find yourself raising your eyebrows at higher-than-normal energy bills? If your old air-conditioning system se...
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Old House, New HVAC: Your Best Bet for a Seamless Retrofit
Having once lived in a charming and historically significant Victorian home, I'm quite familiar with the compromises ...
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Solved! What to Do if Your Air Conditioner Is Not Cooling Your Space
Q: I’ve just turned on the air conditioner for the summer, but I just can't get get comfortable. The appliance circul...
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5 Things to Know About Adding Central Air
In most parts of the country, air conditioning is a necessity of modern life. Even so, many consumers hesitate to inv...
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So, You Want to... Reface Your Fireplace
You can repaint the walls, re-carpet the floor, and replace all outdated furniture, but leaving that eyesore of an ol...
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How to Get Rid of Black Mold in Your Home
Knowing how to get rid of a black mold is a skill set every DIYer and homeowner should have in their know-how arsenal...
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14 Secrets of People with Low Energy Bills
Keeping up with the Joneses can be a frustrating and fruitless pursuit…but what if those enviable neighbors are saving money, supporting a cleaner environment, an...
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Too Hot Upstairs, Too Cold Downstairs? Here’s What to Do
It's the 21st century! It shouldn't be such a struggle for owners to heat their homes evenly enough to enjoy total co...
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How to Clean a Fireplace
Curling up in front of a fire is a thoroughly delightful aspect of fall and winter. But a fire can be a messy busines...
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Genius! Chop Down Heating Bills with This Fireplace Hack
As temperatures dip, nothing feels better than thick fleece socks and a seat next to the fire. But, between uses, an ...
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6 Signs You Need a New Furnace
During heating season, there's never a convenient time for the furnace to give out, especially considering the discomfort—and the genuine hazards—of a home withou...
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How To: Choose a Baseboard Heater
This post has been brought to you by SupplyHouse. com. Its facts and opinions are those of BobVila. com. In this day ...
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The Best Way to Heat a Home with High Ceilings
As summer heat gives way to fall’s cooler temperatures, daily activities—from dinners to DIY projects—migrate back in...
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How To: Choose a Radiant Floor Heating System
This article has been brought to you by Warmboard. Its facts and opinions are those of BobVila. com. Whether it's a n...
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9 Energy-Saving Home Upgrades That Pay for Themselves
You want to save money on utility costs and do your part to conserve energy, but some energy upgrades are so expensive that you may never see a payback in this li...
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How Long Does an Air Conditioner Last?
This article has been brought to you by Sears Home Services. Its facts and opinions are those of BobVila. com. Many w...
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The Pros and Cons of Radiant Heat
It's no surprise if home heating doesn't rank high on your list of priorities right now, but let's face it: If you we...
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Solved! What to Do When Your Air Conditioner Is Leaking Water
Q: My central air conditioning system is leaking water. Any way I can DIY the repair and avoid an expensive repair bi...
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What Type of In-Floor Heating Is Right for You?
This article has been brought to you by Warmboard. Its facts and opinions are those of BobVila. com. Spring has arriv...
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Don't Run Your Boiler Without This One Key Component
The average homeowner rarely gives the boiler a second thought—until there's a problem. Fortunately, as the engine th...
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Is Your AC Safe from Brownouts and Power Surges?
It's almost impossible to overstate the importance of electronics and appliances in our lives today. We are sounded b...
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Is Your Air Conditioner Going to Survive the Summer?
With the winter finally passed, savvy homeowners around the country are preparing for another summer of sizzling, swe...
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Green Your HVAC: A Small-Duct System Can Bring Big Savings
For homeowners who have witnessed their energy bills rise ever higher over the years, heating and cooling represents ...
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6 Overlooked Ways to Warm Up a Chilly Room
As temperatures drop and the weather gets dicey, we relocate ourselves—as well as our daily activities—indoors for warmth, shelter, and comfort. But as most homeo...
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9 Worth-Every-Penny Upgrades for the Hardworking Parts of Your Home
Cost-conscious, savvy homeowners know that doing the grunt work of home improvement projects cuts spending. It also results in a more beautiful and functional hou...
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Bob Vila Radio: For a Warmer Winter, Run Your Ceiling Fans in Reverse
Everyone knows that ceiling fans provide low-cost cooling in summer. But did you know you can also use ceiling fans t...
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7 Smart Tips for Saving Big Money on Major Appliances
If your New Year’s resolutions include remodeling a room or two, while you're at it you should consider replacing any...
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4 Reasons to Ditch Your Furnace for Radiant Heat
Visit any assortment of American homes built in recent years and, though you'll probably see a range of architectural...
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Kickspace Heaters 101
Every home has one—a room that never feels quite comfortable in the winter, no matter the set temperature. To supply ...
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Time's Up: 9 Things to Repair in Your Home Before It's Too Late
Time never seems to be on our side, and it can especially work against us in the case of certain home repairs. A suspicious water spot on the ceiling, a slight cr...
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How To: Paint a Brick Fireplace
Sometimes, even despite attentive maintenance and care, brick masonry fireplaces amass a fair amount soot, mildew, an...
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Achieve Lower Bills and Cleaner Air with One Simple Replacement
Believe it or not, in one fell swoop you can lower your energy bills and improve the air quality in your home. The se...
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7 Myths About Radiant Heat, Debunked
For once, industry experts agree on something: To keep your home warm through the winter months, there's no method more comfortable than radiant heating. Although...
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Building Your Dream House? Choose Unobtrusive and Efficient HVAC
When you step into a beautiful custom-built home, nothing ruins the effect quite like the sights and sounds of a trad...
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The Best Alternative to a Window Air Conditioner
This post has been brought to you by Mitsubishi Electric. Its facts and opinions are those of BobVila. com. In the ma...
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5 Overlooked Ways to Cool Down a Hot Room
There's one in every home. Whether it's a finished basement or a converted attic, a west-facing sunroom or a live-in garage, there always seems to be a particular...
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How to Clean a Window Air Conditioner
Air conditioners are our saving grace during sticky summers—there’s nothing quite like the relief of walking into a r...
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Home Zoning: The End to All Your Thermostat Wars
When you stop and think about it, doesn’t it seem strange that, in the typical residence, a single thermostat control...
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Ditch the Ducts: Choose Ductless HVAC for Savings and Comfort
You are reading one installment in a ten-part series devoted to exploring Mitsubishi Electric ductless heating and co...
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Control the Temperature of Your Home—From Anywhere
Smart-home technology has been developing for years now, with forward-looking manufacturers pioneering ever more inge...
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Genius! Cool Off on the Cheap with a DIY Air Conditioner
We owe a lot to the humble air conditioner. Like most inventions, the idea came from a very real need: relief from ex...
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7 House Sounds You Never Want to Ignore
Homes make strange noises on a regular basis, from groaning and creaking to popping and scratching. As a homeowner, you should be able to tell whether that noise ...
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So, You Want to… Heat Your House With a Wood Stove
Recently, you were visiting friends, and as the night grew colder outside, you were snug indoors, mesmerized by the w...
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How to Choose a Dehumidifier That’s Right for Your Home
Air quality can suffer in myriad ways. Excess humidity ranks among the least desirable effects. Left unchecked, moist...
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9 Reasons to Bring Back the Wood Stove
Costs for heating your home with oil, natural gas, propane, and electricity seem to go in only one direction: up! Steadily increasing prices for fossil fuels are ...
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Genius! DIY Radiator Cover
If your heat comes from radiators, you know the predicament: In the winter, you're glad to have the heat. But no matt...
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How To: Get Rid of Mildew Odor
Among household odors, mildew undoubtedly ranks among the worst. And unfortunately, it's all too common, lurking in t...
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Noisy Radiator? Here's How to Shush It
There's a simple reason why builders relied on steam radiators for decades and decades—they work! But every technolog...
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The 1-Hour Home Energy Audit That Can Save You Money Every Month
Winter's right around the corner, and with those falling temperatures come rising energy costs. But don’t despair—a few quick and easy solutions to common househo...
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4 Crucial Furnace Cleaning and Maintenance Tasks to Complete Before Winter
Don’t wait until temperatures plummet: Now is the absolute best time to perform basic furnace cleaning and maintenanc...
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This Fall, Tune Up the Engine That Drives Your Hydronic Heating
Colder temperatures mean one thing: Winter looms on the horizon, so the time has come to make sure that your heating ...
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The Do's and Don'ts of Window Fans
Air conditioning is responsible for as much as one third of the electricity consumed in summer. These are energy-thir...
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To Breathe Easy at Home, Install an Air Cleaner
The air in your home may not be as fresh as you think it is. If you're not careful, indoor air can harbor not only be...
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Art Cool Mini-Splits for Comfort—and Decor
Summer has arrived, and with the inexorable heat comes the inevitable hunt—for the perfect air conditioner, that is. ...
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How to Install a Window Air Conditioner
For homeowners and renters who don’t want the bother (or expense) of installing a central air conditioning system, wi...
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Expansion Tanks: What Are They and Why Are They Important?
This post has been brought to you by SupplyHouse. com. Its facts and opinions are those of BobVila. com. Homeowners l...
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What Would Bob Do? Cleaning Air Ducts
I am moving into a new home. The previous owners had a dog. I am wondering if cleaning the air ducts is worthwhile. A...
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Control Temperatures and Save Energy with Zoned Heating Systems
Homeowners seeking a better way to control temperatures throughout the home should examine the benefits of a zoned he...
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11 Stylish Ways to Enhance—or Hide—Your Radiators
With much of the nation experiencing the bitterest temperatures on record, many of us are appreciating our radiators like never before. Why not show that love by ...
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Breathe Deep: 5 Ways to Improve Your Home's Air Quality for Better Health
Deep breathing has been shown to reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and even improve digestion. But if the air you’...
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Baseboard Heating 101
Baseboard heating can be an effective and affordable solution, either for the whole house or as a supplement in rooms...
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7 Seriously Surprising Spots for a Fireplace
They're not just for living rooms anymore! With a well-situated fireplace, any room in the house can become warm and cozy.
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Which Is Better, Forced-Air or Radiant Heat?
In the radiant floor vs. forced-air heating debate, radiant floor always wins because it provides a quiet, even heat ...
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Planning Guide: Fireplaces
Is there anything better than sitting beside the fireplace on a chilly winter eve? Not only does a fireplace provide ...
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Chase Away Winter’s Chill with Radiant Heat
Drafts got you down? If your goal is to achieve even, comfortable heat and warm floors, then you may want to look int...
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Creaks, Groans, and Squeaks: 11 Spooky House Sounds That Could Spell Trouble for Homeowners
  Homes often make strange noises. They’re built of many different materials—glass, concrete, wood—that expand and co...
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Chimneys 101
Why would Kris Kringle choose to squeeze his considerable girth through one of the narrowest and most soot-covered pa...
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All About Radiant Wall Heating
This article has been brought to you by Warmboard. Its facts and opinions are those of BobVila. com. Think “radiant h...
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How To: Make Fire Logs from Newspaper
As winter approaches, many homeowners are eagerly anticipating the opportunity to use their fireplaces and wood-burni...
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How To: Choose a New Boiler
This content has been brought to you by SupplyHouse. com. Its facts and opinions are those of BobVila. com. Feel that...
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Spruce Up Old Baseboard Heaters with Stylish DIY Replacement Covers
Baseboard heaters have been an extremely popular choice for many homes since the mid-1950s—and unfortunately, many of...
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How to Install a Thermostat
According to the U. S. Department of Energy, using a programmable thermostat can help you save about 10 percent on yo...
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Should You Make the Switch From Propane to Natural Gas?
As energy prices continue to rise, it's important to become even more conscious of the efficiency and cost-effectiven...
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Stay Cool with These Best-Rated Window Air Conditioners
If you're searching for the best window air conditioner, check out these 9 highly rated models for small, medium, and large rooms.
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Use Awnings to Reduce Energy Costs in Summer
Homeowners looking to reduce air conditioning costs and shield interior furnishings from the sun’s harsh glare may wa...
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Keep Your Home Cool, Dry, and Energy-Efficient With a Dehumidifier
Hot and muggy summer weather outside can mean excess moisture inside. Mold and mildew, musty odors, condensation, war...
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Heating Systems 101
So you’re in the market for a new furnace, maybe because the old one is hopelessly inefficient, or because Hurricane ...
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All You Need to Know About Geothermal Heating Systems
Geothermal heat represents about two percent of the total heating market in the U. S. , with more than 1. 3 million s...
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Choosing an HVAC System
If you’re considering a new system for your home, talk first to your architect or designer. Conversations with HVAC c...
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How To: Choose a Programmable Thermostat
Looking for a small home improvement that yields big results? A programmable thermostat, properly installed and confi...
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How To: Choose a Ceiling Fan
Choosing a ceiling fan is enough to make any homeowner’s head hurt. Here are my suggestions for simplifying this seem...
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Is It Time to Replace Your Furnace?
Baby, its cold outside—and the last thing you want to do is return home to a frosty house. The smart time to examine ...
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Gas vs. Oil: Which Furnace Is Better?
With temperatures dipping into the single digits here in the Northeast—and below 0° F in many other places—shivering ...
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Go Ductless with a Mini-Split Heat Pump
Before we built a new home, I’d never heard of mini splits. What could they be, some kind of tiny frozen dessert or s...
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12 New Designs to Change Your Mind About Radiators
New radiators mean that keeping warm the old fashioned way no longer forces you to leave your style sense out in the cold.
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Save on Monthly Utility Costs with a Hybrid HVAC System
We had to make so many decisions when we built our new construction home. I didn’t realize it at the time (having nev...
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Hot Fireplace Inserts
Fireplace inserts are a great way to update an existing masonry fireplace. A traditional open-front wood-burning fire...
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All You Need to Know About Whole House Humidifiers
As the days are getting colder, the air is getting drier. While lotion coupons are at the forefront of the Sunday pap...
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Firewood: What Type Should You Use?
'Tis the season for hot chocolate and snuggles by the fire. Many newer homes have gone to gas fireplaces. They’re che...
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The Pellet Stove: An Eco-Friendly Heating Option
The warmth of a wood stove appeals to many homeowners as much for its practicality (it can cut down on heating costs)...
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What You Might Not Know About HVAC Filters
Everyone agrees that you should change your HVAC filter on a regular basis, but not everyone agrees on the type of fi...
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Quick Tip: Make Your Fireplace More Efficient
Burning MoneyA fire in an open hearth is only 10 percent efficient at best, which means that 90 percent of the heat e...
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Replacing Air Conditioner Pipe Insulation for Maximum Energy Efficiency
An imperative “rite of spring” in our house is checking our two central air conditioning systems to make sure they ar...
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Gas Fireplaces 101
Fireplaces have always been among the top amenities for homeowners looking to buy a new house. In fact, they rank jus...
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Gas Fireplaces: A Showcase of Design and Innovation
Consider these gas fireplaces for warmth and energy savings, certainly, but also for their red-hot style.
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Radiant Floor Heating 101
Radiant floor heating is arguably the ideal home heating system. It’s comfortable, efficient, unobtrusive, quiet, and...
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Fall Home Maintenance Checklist
Fall is just around the corner: time to get your house in shape for the cooler months ahead. Although autumn can be o...
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How To: Stack Firewood
Nothing celebrates the colder weather like the distinct scent and sound of a crackling log in the wood burning firepl...
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New Air Conditioning for Old Houses
High noon will turn many a classic home into a summertime sweatbox. And while noisy window-mounted air conditioners c...
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Putting in a New Fireplace, Painting the Interior, and Installing Doors and Floors
The walls in the new addition are just about ready for paint. The new fireplace, trimmed with fieldstone, will make this new in-law suite very cozy. Interior door...
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Constructing the Porch and Reviewing the Mechanical Systems
A big farmer's porch will run the whole width of the house. Bob discusses the boiler, which will heat the domestic hot water, radiant floor heating, and hydro-air...
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Installing the New Garage Doors
Bob talks with Robert Rainey of PJ Overhead Door as the new and improved garage door panels and tracks are installed on the Norwell home.
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Pouring the Upper-Story Walls and Saving Energy with Concrete Construction
As the upper-story walls are poured, Bob talks with the builder and contractor about the significant savings in time, energy, and cost that come with concrete and...
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Building a First-Floor Slab and Walls with Concrete
The home's concrete-slab floor is constructed with foam decking and connected to PEX tubing that will heat the home. The ReddiForm foam blocks enable a single con...
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Installing Insulated Windows in the Baby's Nursery
The new windows in the baby’s nursery are highly insulated for cold and sound and have health and safety features for young children. They can be installed by do-...
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Evaluating the HVAC and Plumbing System
Bob meets with HVAC and plumbing contractor Frank Iadarola to review the HVAC and plumbing systems and discuss how to begin the remodeling process.
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Reviewing the Boiler Pipes and Bathroom In-Floor Radiant Heat
Bob and plumbing and heating contractor Frank Iadarola review the air handler and bathroom in-floor radiant heat.
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Reviewing the High-Efficiency HVAC System
Bob reviews the heating and air conditioning equipment that will bring the Shingle Style house into its second century.
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Brick Chimney Repair
Bob meets with Ed and Lisa Zywusko, a husband-and-wife masonry team, and sees how they are going to refurbish the old brick chimney.
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Revising the Landscaping Plan
Bob talks with landscape architect Rick Lamb about revisions to the plan. Bob points out the redesigned parking area and the plan for magically melting the snow.
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Restoring Old Double-Hung Windows using Spring-Loaded Balances
Bob meets with architect Gregory Rochlin and expert carpenter Danny Ruffini to restore old double-hung windows and replace lead sash weights with new spring-loade...
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Placing Windows on a Home's Facade
A double window is installed in the kitchen, which will let in a lot of sunlight and give a view of the back yard.
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Moving an Existing Oil Tank
The oil tank is moved into the new basement utility room to make room for the basement playroom.
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Installing and Explaining a Basement HVAC System
Bob meets with the installer of the new HVAC system to discuss how it filters air and reduces energy costs.
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Repairing the Chimneys, Installing a Gas Fireplace Insert and Completed Cabinets in the Basement Family Room
The house's two chimneys are repaired, allowing the installation of a gas fireplace insert, and basement family-room cabinets are completed.
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Installing a Basement Half-Bathroom
Bob discusses the installation of a basement half-bathroom, including wiring, plumbing, and radiant heating.
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Installing a Water-Cooled HVAC System
Bob and Jeff Akers of The Air Authority review the water-cooled HVAC system, granting focus to its ingenious mechanical design and up-to-code energy efficiency.
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Direct-Vent Fireplace Installation
Jack Murdock from RMI and Craig Ryans from Vermont Castings demonstrate how simple it is to have gas appliances and heat in a rural location.
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Multi-Zone HVAC System
Bob meets with Mark Gallivan from Sears HVAC, and Brent Morin from Morin Mechanical Services, to review the heating system installation in the modular home.
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Running HVAC Ductwork, Part 1
Bob meets with Peter Merianos and the crew from Coastal Heating and Air Conditioning, who are fabricating the AC ductwork on site.
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Running HVAC Ductwork, Part 2
To add a new line off the main trunk, the crew cuts a hole into the the trunk with a special tool. A starting collar from which the new line will extend is then i...
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Touring the Heat-N-Glo Showroom
Bob learns about Heat-N-Glo gas fireplace technology.
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Gas Fireplace Installation
The crew from The Ironhouse hooks up with Dan DeMagistris of Heat-N-Glo to install the fireplace.
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Air Conditioning Condenser Install
Kevin Callahan from Sears joins Bob to talk about the new Kenmore air conditioning condensers that will be installed.
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Tour the Tappahannock Room at Winterthur
Bob returns to Winterthur, the historic du Pont estate, to tour the Tappahannock Room.
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Touring the Blackwell Parlor at Winterthur
Bob tours one of Winterthur's most ornate rooms, the Blackwell Parlor.
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Installing the Chimney Liner
Bob and Chris Vila join Andy Grover of Hallsted Welles Associates for the installation of a new, flexible, stainless-steel chimney liner.
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Individual Zone Heating and Cooling
Bob meets with Meredith Schelp from Mitsubishi Electric HVAC to learn about the City-Multi HVAC system that will heat and cool the Manhattan Brownstone floor-thro...
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Building the Fireplace
Bob talks with general contractor Ted Riley about the fireplace construction.
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Efficient Burnham Boiler for Heat and Hot Water
Bob visits with Mark Lundquist of Burnham Hydronics to check out the boiler for the hot-water heating system being installed in the Mashpee, Massachusetts, afford...
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HVAC System Installation
Bob discusses the SpacePak HVAC system that's being installed to provide heating and cooling in the house and barn. The SpacePak system is well-suited to projects...
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Discussing the Air Conditioning System & Breezeway Design
Bob talks with Mike Donaghey (from American Standard) to learn more about the barn's air conditioning system. Also, Bob and general contractor Charlie Tomaszewski...
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Master Bathroom Tour, Sauna Installation, and Window Blinds
Bob tours the master bathroom, noticing the finishing touches and pointing out the features. Also, Bob checks out the Finlandia sauna, before reviewing te Crysta...
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High-Efficiency Water Heater Installation and Buderus Factory Tour
Chris Hoff (from Buderus) demonstrates the features of the boiler and hot water heater installed in the basement, while Bob takes a tour of the Buderus factory in...
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Blower Door Test
Janet MacIlvaine and George James (from the Department of Energy) show Bob how they conduct a blower door test.
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Building a Rumford Fireplace
Masons are building the Rumford fireplace, as Bob talks over the herringbone construction process being used.
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Installing the Fireplace Throat and Flue
Masons install the throat and flue for the Rumford fireplace in the Lifespan House.
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Lamp Making and Landscaping
Bob explores the practice of custom lamp making and learns more about the outdoor fireplace.
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Restoring the Mantel
Carpenter Bob Ryley and Greg Cowan (from Tidewater Restoration) discuss the process of restoring the antique mantelpiece.
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Installing the Restored Mantelpiece
Bob returns to the Virginia governor's mansion to see the restored mantelpiece reinstalled in the ballroom.
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Technology Systems in the Governor's Mansion
Bob inspects the remote device, controlling the PA system, HVAC, lighting, and entertainment systems. In the basement, Bob Ryley is exploring the wires and cables...
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Reviewing the Plumbing and Heating
The developer and the plumber guide Bob through the equipment-laden boiler room.
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Oven Hood and Shelving Installation
A restaurant-quality oven hood vent is installed, in addition to Metrowire shelves.
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House One: Tour of a Gothic Carpenter-Style Home
The first Elmwood project concerns remodeling a Gothic Carpenter-style home, built in 1871.
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Installing a Gas Fireplace and Refinishing the Hardwood Floor
Joe Murphy installs a direct vent gas-driven fireplace, and Howard Brickman refinishes the hardwood floor.
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Bathroom Remodel
Pat and Roger Simons, the owners of the second house in the Elmwood project, review the goals of their bathroom remodel.
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Installing High-Velocity, Flexible-Duct Air Conditioning in an Older Home
The air conditioning system for the third floor exercise area, with its unique features and ductwork, is installed.
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Installing a Granite Tub Surround, In-Floor Heat, and Fiber-Optic Lighting
A granite tub surround is installed, as well as an in-floor heating system and unique fiber optic lighting.
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Tour of The Barnacle
Bob tours of The Barnacle, one of the first homes built in Dade County, FL, to see how early settlers built in order to deal with the heat.
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HVAC System for the Home Addition
Bob meets with Mark, a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning mechanic, who is installing an HVAC system to moderate the temperature in the addition.
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Stripping Paint From an Antique Cabinet
Bob works with the homeowners, who are stripping old paint off an antique cabinet. On top of the chemicals used to loosen the paint, they discuss the several safe...
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Architects Tour the Newton, MA Project
Bob meets with the architects, Mark and Geoffrey, who visit the project site every two weeks in order to check on progress, and to make sure their plans are being...
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Installing a Window Seat
Bob joins carpenter Bob Ryley, who is installing a two-section window seat with a built-in reveal for baseboard heating. With a few measurements and a bit of scri...
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Installing an Oil-Fired Boiler for the New Home Addition
Bob meets Jack O'Leary, the plumbing and heating contractor for the Newton, MA project. Since the house has doubled in size with the neaddition, the old heating u...
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Salvaged Brick Hearth
Bob watches as the mason lays a new hearth in the old fireplace using salvaged Charleston brick.
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Mantelpiece Work
Bob joins restoration contractor Richard Marks in the library of the Federal-Style home to review the restoration of the mantel.
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HVAC System for the Greenhouse
Bob meets with HVAC contractor Dave Talbot to discuss the heating and cooling of the greenhouse. A system of thermostats, blowers, vented windows, and boiler has ...
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Installing the Greenhouse Windows
Contractor Bob Ryley shows off the greenhouse's motorized windows. At the touch of a button, or via a thermostat, the windows open and close. Bob helps Ryley asse...
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Count Rumford Fireplace Construction
As the mason builds a Count Rumford fireplace, he describes the foundation built to support the hearth and the variety of bricks used throughout the fireplace.
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Installing a Gas Furnace
Bob meets with Alex Alexander to check out the new gas furnace, before taking a trip to Alex's shop to see how a computerized plasma cutter is used to cut out the...
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Discussing the In-Floor Radiant Heating System
Bob meets with mechanical contractor Frank Iadarola to watch the installation of the Heatway hydronic radiant heating system in the slab on the automotive side of...
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Discussing the Radiant Heat and Boiler
John Marran (from Energy Kinetics) and heating expert Frank Iadarola review the energy efficient boiler system that will supply heat to the hydronic floors and to...
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The Search Ends for a Home on Martha's Vineyard
The search for Bob's next project house ends, when he finds a small 19th-century home on a large plot of land in East Chop, a laid-back, picturesque part of the i...
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Concrete Chimney
Bob and contractor John Clancy discuss creating the new concrete chimney at the Victorian-style project house in Martha's Vineyard.
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Tour of Vermont Castings
Bob tours the Vermont Castings factory in Randolph, VT in order to learn about the manufacturing process for the type of wood-burning stove being used in the Mart...
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Constructing a Clapboard Sunburst Fan
Bob joins siding contractor Brian Quinn, who is constructing a beautiful gable-end sunburst fan from clapboard siding. Quinn explains how to lay out the center mo...
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Wiring a Thermostat
Bob observes as electrician Steve Bradley snakes a thermostat wire along a wall in service of the new air conditioning system.
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Redressing the Fireplace
Carpenter-contractor Bob Ryley dresses up the fireplace to give it a Colonial look.
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Installing the Air-Conditioning System
Bob and the HVAC installer review plans to install air conditioning in the Naples project house.
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Installing an Attic Fan
If air conditioning is out of reach, the next best way to beat the Florida heat is by putting a ceiling fan in the attic of the house.
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Screen Porch and Ceiling Fan
Bob reviews the plans to create a new screen porch with a ceiling fan at the Naples project house.
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Discussing Heating Systems
Bob discusses heating systems for the rental units with HVAC contractor Kirk Rustman.
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Creating Ducts
Bob goes over the ducting process with carpentry contractor Bob Ryley at the Cape Cod project house.
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Installing a Zero-Clearance Fireplace
Fireplace dealer Kris Renier installs a new zero-clearance fireplace and explains how it operates.
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Progress Report on the Coach House
Bob tours the completed living room and dining room of the coach house, then heads down into the basement to see the work that's been done on the heating system.
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Radiant Floor Heating System Installed
John Martin (from WarmZone) is on-hand to show Bob how the medium density fiberboard (MDF) faced with reflective aluminum shielding, and precut channels for the h...
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White Oak Hardwood Flooring Installation
General contractor Tim Berky installs the white oak, tongue-and-groove floor. Since the flooring will be nailed over the hyrdronic heat system, it is critical to ...
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