Read the latest articles from Bob Vila (Page 181)

Attic Fan Installation Cost
Cooling

What You Need to Know About Attic Fan Installation Cost

An attic fan can increase ventilation, reduce moisture buildup, and decrease the home’s interior temperature. Attic fan installation costs between $369 and $913, with a national average of $624.

how to kill fleas in carpet
Pests

How to Kill Fleas in Carpets and Area Rugs

Pets can bring more than joy into your home—they also can carry in fleas. Learn how to eradicate the disease-carrying insects underfoot before they become a major problem.

How Much Does Pellet Stove Installation Cost: Close-up view of a pellet stove installation in a modern living room
Fireplaces & Chimneys

Pellet Stove Installation: Cost Considerations and Factors

Homeowners looking to install a cost-effective alternative to a gas or electric furnace might want to consider a pellet stove. Pellet stove installation cost ranges from $1,036 to $3,550, with many homeowners spending $2,293.

Thermostatic mixing valve regulating temperature for home's hot water to a safe level
Water Heaters

Can a Water Heater Explode? Yes—and Learn the 6 Biggest Warning Signs

Although it’s rare for a water heater to explode, it can happen. It’s better to be safe than sorry by paying attention to possible triggers and bringing in a pro for maintenance each year.

A Bob Vila Writer Testing Products (like a Stihl Chainsaw) for Best of the Test 2023 Awards
Reviews

We Tested 300+ Products in 2023, and These Were Our Favorites

We understand better than most that the right tools make any task easier to accomplish, so we've thoroughly tested hundreds to develop this set of reliable recommendations. See the winners from the past year.

December BV Readers' Projects
DIY

These Were the Most Popular Home Improvement Projects of 2023, According to BobVila.com Readers

We combed through almost 30,000 projects to find the biggest trends in home improvement this year—and figure out what’s in store for 2024.

Pros and Cons of Heating with a Wood Stove
Fireplaces & Chimneys

So, You Want to… Heat Your House With a Wood Stove

There's no denying the rustic appeal of cuddling up on the couch and basking in the heat of a wood stove. Before you commit to a new way to heat your home, though, learn more about what you are getting yourself into.

The Best Fire Starters Option
Outdoor Furniture

Tested: The Best Fire Starters for the Firepit, Fireplace, and Beyond

A fire starter can help ignite a fire quickly—find out which ones excelled in our hands-on testing.

Air purifier set up in a room next to a house plant
Reviews

The Best Appliances—Large and Small—Tested in 2023

We tried dozens of new appliances in our kitchens, offices, and workshops. From cooking to cleaning, heating to cooling, and more, these products make life better.

Luxury Brooklyn House with Christmas Decorations, New York. Blue sky.
Holidays & Celebrations

5 Things to Know Before Buying a Holiday Inflatable

Before you pick up a giant snowman, Santa Claus, pumpkin, or ghost for your front yard, take some time to think about layout, energy consumption, care, maintenance, and more.

Many lit canldes on a table in a dim room, casting a golden glow.
Cleaning & Organizing

How to Remove Candle Wax From Just About Any Surface

Cozying up in cold weather usually means candles—and lots of wax to clean up. Whether the mess is on your wall or your sweater, this guide will help you get the wax out.

The Ember Mug 2 in sage green on a kitchen counter on its plugged-in charging coaster.The Ember Mug 2 in sage green on a kitchen counter on its plugged-in charging coaster.The Ember Mug 2 in sage green on a kitchen counter on its plugged-in charging coaster.The Ember Mug 2 in sage green on a kitchen counter on its plugged-in charging coaster.The Ember Mug 2 in sage green on a kitchen counter on its plugged-in charging coaster.The Ember Mug 2 in sage green on a kitchen counter on its plugged-in charging coaster.The Ember Mug 2 in sage green on a kitchen counter on its plugged-in charging coaster.
Reviews

Ember Mug Review: A Mug That Keeps Your Coffee Hot for Hours

Dial in your ideal drink temperature, and this smart mug will keep your drink warm to the last drop all morning long.

A close up of a hand fixing a breaker box.
Repair & Maintenance

Why Is My Circuit Breaker Tripping? 4 Potential Problems and Solutions

Learn the proper way to figure out reasons for a circuit breaker tripping in a home—as well as when to let an electrician do the sleuthing.

Visual 1 - HomeAdvisor - Gas Fireplace Insert Cost - Cost Range + Average - November 2023
Fireplaces & Chimneys

Gas Fireplace Insert Cost: Here’s What to Expect You’ll Pay

A gas fireplace insert can keep a home warm and cozy without the hassle and expense of burning wood. Gas fireplace insert costs range from $700 to $6,500 with a national average cost of $3,600.

Bob Vila in a plaid shirt uses a screwdriver to work on a wooden bench.
DIY

11 Home Improvement Things That Have Changed Since Bob Vila’s First Episode of This Old House

New houses might look similar to old ones, but advances like biophilia, smart home technology, 60V power tools, and building science have changed the way DIYers and pros approach home improvement.  

The Best Outdoor Living Products Options
Outdoor Furniture

11 Outdoor Living Products That We Tested and Loved in 2023

We've used more than 100 products outside this year, whether in our backyards or out in nature, and these are the 11 that really wowed us.

The Best Lawn and Garden Products
Reviews

The 12 Best Lawn & Garden Products of 2023, According to Our Tests

We mowed, trimmed, scrubbed, and watered using over 130 products before choosing just 12 for this end-of-year list.

The Best Power Tools and DIY Products Options
Power Tools

The Best Power Tools & DIY Products Tested in 2023

After a full year spent testing hundreds of tools, we found 12 of the best for your next DIY project.

Couple painting wall.
DIY

DIY Project Planner: The Best Home Tasks to Conquer Each Month

Do you have a long list of around-the-house to-dos you want to get through in 2024? Here are the tasks to prioritize—and when you should do them.

A person hand-washing a pink sweater in a white basin full of soapy water.
DIY

How to Strip Laundry the Right Way

When your washing machine can only do so much, laundry stripping deep cleans and removes built-up oils, deposits, and gunk from your fabrics.