AC & COOLING

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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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The Best Oscillating Fans of 2023
Unlike stationary fans that blow air in one direction, oscillating fans sweep back and forth, distributing air over a...
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The Best Fans of 2023
When the mercury climbs, staying cool is a priority. While an air conditioner is typically best, sometimes a quality ...
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The Best Neck Fans of 2023
Unlike conventional fans, a neck fan can keep you cool when you're on the go—when a more conventional room fan simply...
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The Best Smart Ceiling Fans of 2023
While any ceiling fan can help cool things off when the indoor temperature rises, a smart ceiling fan takes that comf...
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It Pays to Make These 5 Energy-Efficient Home Upgrades in 2023
This is the first installment of Bob Vila’s Most Valuable Projects of 2023, a month-long series featuring high-ROI ho...
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What Size Mini-Split Do I Need?
Q: I put an addition on my house and am wondering the best way to heat and cool that area. I have heard that a mini-s...
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The Best Fans for White Noise of 2023
Some folks need a little extra help when it comes to catching those ever-precious Z's. While many people don’t have a...
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The Best Air Conditioner Covers of 2023
Air conditioners have a tough life. Outdoor units are constantly exposed to the elements, while window and wall units...
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How Much Does a Home AC Recharge Cost?
Highlights A home AC unit recharge has a typical cost range of $200 to $500, with a national average cost of $300. ...
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20 Most Expensive Things Bob Vila Readers Bought in 2022
Bob Vila readers were busy in 2022, tackling DIY projects and finding ways to make their life simpler and their home ...
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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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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! Why Your AC Smells Musty—And What To Do About It
Q: I recently noticed my AC smells musty when it turns on, and I’ve never noticed this before. Why does my air condit...
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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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How Much Does AC Repair Cost?
Typical Range: $100 to $610 National Average: $369Air conditioning circulates, filters, and cools a home’s air. If...
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The Best Online HVAC Certification Programs of 2023
HVAC professionals are always in demand. To establish oneself as an HVAC technician and stand out from the competitio...
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How Much Does an AC Capacitor Cost to Replace?
Typical Range: $60 to $300 National Average: $170An air conditioning (AC) unit has multiple functioning parts. Whe...
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The Best AC Installation Companies of 2023
Whether a homeowner lives in an area that is warm all year long or they only have to deal with beating the heat for a...
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The Best HVAC Companies of 2023
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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The Best Window Air Conditioners of 2023
A window air conditioner is the only way to beat the heat for those who lack the comforts of central air conditioning...
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How Much Does Mini-Split Installation Cost?
Highlights A mini-split air conditioner typically costs between $2,000 and $14,500 to install, with a national avera...
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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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10 Ways to Warm Up a Cold Basement
A finished basement adds significant square footage to a home, providing an additional living space that can be used ...
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The Best Air Filter Subscription Services of 2023
Your air filter is an essential part of your home’s HVAC system, but replacing air filters regularly can be a nuisanc...
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7 Things to Know About Rockwool Insulation Before Installing It in Your Home
Fiberglass insulation has long been a popular option for slowing the transmission of heat through the walls and ceili...
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The Best Air Conditioners of 2023
In many regions, an air conditioner is a must-have for surviving hot and muggy summers, but a good air conditioner ca...
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The Best Personal Air Conditioners of 2023
Air conditioners can be bulky energy hogs, with even the smallest versions weighing upward of 50 pounds. Taking them ...
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Solved! Why Is My Outside AC Unit Not Turning On?
Q: We’ve been in a heatwave, so we’ve had the AC on. When I went outside earlier, I noticed that the outside AC unit ...
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Having Trouble Finding an Air Conditioner This Summer? These Retailers Still Have Them
Even the most ardent climate change deniers can’t deny that this feels like one of the hottest summers in recent memo...
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5 Windbreak Ideas That Can Help Conserve Energy at Home
Less Wind, Less EnergyWindbreaks protect a home from wind and provide shade, both of which can help conserve energy. ...
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The 14 Best Air Conditioner Brands of 2023
A failing air conditioner in the blistering summer heat isn’t something one can wait to replace. While there are plen...
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The Best HVAC Brands of 2023
Whether it's an air conditioner, furnace, air handler, or all three, replacing a home HVAC system is a major investme...
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How Much Does a Central AC Unit Cost?
Highlights A central AC unit typically costs between $3,882 and $7,903 to install, with many homeowners across the c...
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Solved! Why Is My Central AC Not Blowing Cold Air?
Q: Help! We’ve just had our first heatwave, so we want to cool the house, but our central AC is not blowing cold air....
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The Best Whole House Fans for Ultimate Air Circulation
Central air, window air conditioners, and split AC units aren’t the only ways to keep your home comfortable during ho...
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The Best Evaporative Air Coolers of 2023
Anyone hoping for an economical way to beat the heat may wish to consider buying an evaporative air cooler. These dev...
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Solved! Why Is My House so Humid?
Q: My family recently relocated to a new home, and it feels incredibly muggy indoors. Our air conditioner seems to be...
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The Best Quiet Fans of 2023
Strategically placed fans help reduce home energy costs as they circulate air to assist overworked air conditioning s...
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The Best 10,000-BTU Window Air Conditioners of 2023
While a small window air-conditioning unit is suitable for a small bedroom, it simply can’t do the job in a larger li...
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The Best Bladeless Fans for Quiet Cooling
Bladeless fans are becoming increasingly popular due to their streamlined design, powerful performance, and whisper-q...
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The Best Small Window Air Conditioners Tested in 2023
Those who live in older homes without the comfort and convenience of central air conditioning understand just how har...
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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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The Best Ductless Air Conditioners of 2023
Suffering through a hot summer may seem inevitable to those with basements or garage workshops not serviced by a cent...
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The Best Outdoor Misting Fans of 2023
When temperatures start to rise, one cost-effective way to keep cool is with an electric fan. Floor fans and box fans...
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The Best Pedestal Fans of 2023
Air conditioning can cool down a space, but a good pedestal fan can be a more cost-effective way to ease the heat, ma...
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The Best HVAC Multimeter to Check Your System Anytime
Whether you’re repairing your own HVAC system or you’re a professional technician, an HVAC multimeter can be your ace...
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The Best Box Fans to Keep Cool in the Home
Whether you use it to circulate and cool the air in your home or just enjoy its white noise to help you sleep at nigh...
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The Best Portable Fan for Cool Air on the Go
Heat may disturb your ability to sleep, focus, and stay comfortable, but a portable fan can make high temperatures mo...
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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 Bedroom Fan to Stay Cool and Comfortable
A bedroom fan is a must-have for hot sleepers and anyone living in a warm climate. Fans recirculate air and help regu...
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The Best Smart Thermostats of 2023
Smart thermostats, which connect with home automation systems, go beyond their programmable predecessors to offer a w...
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The Best Garage Fans of 2023
Garage workshops, while often well designed for the types of household jobs you need to tackle, don’t always deliver ...
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15 Easy Ways to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint at Home
Want to do your part to help slow the impact of climate change? Check out these small and simple changes you and your family can make in your home and everyday ac...
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The Best Floor Fans Tested in 2023
The best floor fans are portable and versatile, designed to keep folks cool in areas throughout the home. Powerful ye...
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The Best Ceiling Fans of 2023
Ceiling fans are a beloved feature of many homes, as they provide an affordable and often stylish way to make living ...
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The Best Desk Fans of 2023
Having a desk fan in your office is a great way to increase the air circulation in a limited space, ensuring that you...
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8 Ways to Stay Cool When Your Car’s AC Gives Up
When your car's AC dies, there's still hope for a comfortable ride. We’ve put together some helpful tricks for keeping the summer heat from ruining your commute w...
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The Best Programmable Thermostats for the Home
Saving money has never been more important for most Americans, yet many forget how much they inadvertently waste thro...
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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 Attic Fans of 2023
Many consider attic insulation safe and effective, but direct sun on a roof can radiate heat into the attic space, wh...
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The Best Tower Fans of 2023
Many people use a fan to assist in circulating indoor air and increasing comfort. Of all the different types of fans ...
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The Best Outdoor Ceiling Fans of 2023
Quiet, unobtrusive, and energy efficient, ceiling fans can be a wonderful addition to practically any room in the hom...
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15 Ways Landscaping Can Save You Money
Don't assume a nice landscape has to break the bank. In fact, a smart landscape design plan can offset other home maintenance costs. See the best landscaping idea...
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The Best Window Fans Tested in 2023
When it comes to keeping your home cool and your utility bills low, you can’t beat a window fan. These devices mount ...
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Solved! This Is Your Home’s Ideal Indoor Humidity Level
Q: My husband and I just moved from Reno, Nevada, to Baytown, Texas, and the humidity here is high, even indoors. We’...
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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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8 Easy Tasks That Make Less Work for Your AC
Sparing your air conditioner a little work could save you a significant amount on your energy bill over the summer months, so what are you waiting for? Start with...
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Can a Whole-House Fan Keep Your Whole Family Cool?
 Summer tests your ability to keep your cool—both literally as you cope with the heat and figuratively as you fume ov...
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The Speediest Way to Cut Your Summer Energy Bills
When you're trying to maintain a comfortably cool indoor temperature in the summer, your energy bills tend to rise wi...
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These Are the 12 Best Things You Can Do for Your AC
Aah—that’s your sigh of contentment when you retreat from the hot summer sun and enter the sweet relief of your air-conditioned home. But if you want your AC to c...
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16 Problems a Power Outage Can Cause at Home
When the electricity goes out, a host of things can happen around your place ranging from mere inconveniences to life-threatening situations. These are the what-i...
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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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Choose the Right AC for Your Home with This Cheat Sheet
Dependable air conditioning is essential for keeping comfortable during the sweltering days of summer, so homeowners ...
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The Dos and Don’ts of Installing a Window Air Conditioning Unit
If sweltering days and nights without central air conditioning threaten your summertime comfort, consider putting a u...
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6 Things to Know Before Switching to a Smart Thermostat
In a era where convenience is king, it's no wonder that smart thermostats have been integrated into so many homes. Th...
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5 Things to Know Before Cleaning Your Home's Air Ducts
If your goal is indoor air that’s as fresh and healthy as possible, you may think about hiring a firm to clean your h...
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3 Reasons Now Is the Time to Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat
Back in the 9-to-5 world, when people got up, went to work, and returned home at the same time every weekday, nobody ...
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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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7 HVAC Mistakes That Drive Up Summer Cooling Costs
If you’re interested in getting your air-conditioning costs under control, keep reading. You may be surprised to learn that a few of your bad habits may be sabota...
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Solved! What to Do About Mold in the Air Conditioner
Q: There’s been a mysterious, slightly moldy smell in my home all summer, and this morning, when our window air condi...
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3 Smart Ways to Keep Cool When You're Working Outside
In summertime, the backyard becomes a major destination. There’s gardening and barbecues, to be sure, but the possibi...
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Now You See It, Now You Don’t: Designing Around Your HVAC
Comfort and convenience don't have to compromise your home's design aesthetic. Innovative and viable alternatives to ...
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5 Ways Purchasing a Zoned Comfort Solution Pays You Back
Is your existing heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning system due for an upgrade, or even approaching the end of...
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500,000 Older Homes Can't Be Wrong: Get the Lowdown on High-Velocity HVAC
Gone are the days when those fortunate enough to live in a meticulously preserved historic home have to jam window ai...
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Give Peace a Chance: A Solution to Thermostat Wars at Last
It seems like every time you look at the thermostat, it's set to a different temperature. There are two possible expl...
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5 Reasons Homeowners Switch to High-Velocity HVAC
Whether your heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning system is due for an upgrade or you’re looking to retrofit one into an older home, there are many options ...
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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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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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The Best Way to Control Indoor Humidity—and Your Energy Bills
When you turn on the air conditioning to beat the heat, the typical system might lower the temperature enough to sati...
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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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All You Need to Know About Ceiling Fan Direction
Most people rely on their ceiling fan to bring a welcome breeze when temperatures heat up, as the devices make folks ...
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Give Your Home the Gift of Year-Round Climate Control
Comfort and joy: That's what the holidays are all about. If, however, your home fails to provide refuge from the wick...
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How To: Choose a High-Efficiency Mini-Split System
If you live in a mild climate, consider yourself lucky. Everyone else? You know that whenever the temperature soars o...
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7 Advantages of a Zoned Climate-Control System
When it comes to cooling and heating their homes, homeowners often face a difficult choice: They can either keep their home at a comfortable temperature, or cut c...
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3 Ways to Save with Zoned Comfort Solutions
You don’t need to be told that energy doesn’t come cheap. With the arrival of each utility bill, you get another remi...
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How to Clean Air Conditioner Coils
During the hottest days of the year, it’s likely that you rely heavily on an air conditioning unit—be it targeting yo...
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So, You Want to... Install a Zoned Comfort Solution
It’s strange: We hold our dishwashers, ovens and other household appliances to an extremely high standard, but not ou...
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Meet the Cost-Effective and Customizable Alternative to Central AC
Summer never fails to usher in higher temperatures. And, unfortunately for the typical homeowner, the season also ten...
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How the Historic Hemingway Home Beats the Florida Heat and Humidity
Fans of Ernest Hemingway remember him not only for his classic books, but also for his larger-than-life persona and h...
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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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A Smarter Way to Keep Your Home Comfortable
In any neighborhood, in any state, homes built post-World War II typically share at least one thing in common—a tradi...
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So, You Want to… Install a Mini-Split
In all but the mildest climates, whenever the temperature soars or plummets, the typical homeowner faces a tough choi...
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15 Clever Hacks to Help You Beat the Summer Heat
Brutal seasonal weather can make life miserable. Strike back with these tricks that tame torrid temps.
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Yes, It’s the Humidity: How to Control It and Lower Your AC Bills
One of the great, game-changing inventions of the 20th century, air conditioning has become so firmly entrenched in o...
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The New Cool: 3 Ways Air Conditioning Has Changed for the Better
How did we live before air conditioning? In some regions, it's not even a nice-to-have amenity, but a virtual necessi...
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20 Summer Life Hacks Everyone Needs
As the mercury rises, so does the cost and effort of staying cool and comfortable indoors and out. This summer, escape the heat—and the high energy bills—with the...
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The Cooling and Heating Option You Haven’t Considered—Yet
It’s astonishing: Technology has revolutionized so many aspects of day-to-day life over the past 50 years, yet home a...
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The Window AC Alternative You Need to Know About
It's the time of year when, if you listen carefully, you can practically hear the sighs of homeowners again facing th...
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The 6 Biggest Myths About Central AC
It's a common refrain: How in the world did people survive before air conditioning? In the modern era, homeowners around the country depend on—and thank the heave...
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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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A Premier HVAC Option Even Your Designer Can Love
You've deliberated over every detail, large and small, from the flooring underfoot to the lighting overhead. But if y...
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6 Things to Know If You Hate Your Home Heating System
This time of year, it’s easy to imagine the conditions that await you upon leaving the house—a blast of bitterly cold air and a slippery path to your frost-covere...
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This Winter, Stay Snug in EVERY Part of Your Home
The Unico iSeries pairs an efficient outdoor unit with at least one indoor wall split. Ideal for providing heating an...
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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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Tour the First Home in Cleveland Built Without a Furnace
You are reading one installment in a 10-part series devoted to exploring Mitsubishi Electric ductless heating and coo...
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Create Your Best-Ever Holiday Home with Customizable Climate Control
You are reading one installment in a 10-part series devoted to exploring Mitsubishi Electric ductless heating and coo...
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Complete Control: Set the Temperature at Home No Matter Where You Are
You are reading one installment in a 10-part series devoted to exploring Mitsubishi Electric ductless cooling and hea...
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7 Reasons to Choose Zoned Cooling and Heating
For decades, forced-air systems have dominated the cooling and heating market in the United States. Americans have learned to live with it, in part because of the...
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Streamline Cooling and Heating with One System for Year-Round Comfort
You are reading one installment in a 10-part series devoted to exploring Mitsubishi Electric ductless heating and coo...
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Bob Vila Radio: TLC for Your Window AC
Window air conditioners: We turn to them in the dog days of summer, turn them off when the weather cools down, and fo...
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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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Save Money and Live Better with Multizone HVAC
You are reading one installment in a 10-part series devoted to exploring Mitsubishi Electric ductless heating and coo...
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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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Prevent Runaway Mold in Your Vacation Home with Innovative HVAC
If you are fortunate enough to own a vacation home, you know what a treat it can be to spend time away from the stres...
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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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Next-Generation Ductless HVAC Brings Home Total Comfort
You are reading one installment in a ten-part series devoted to exploring Mitsubishi Electric ductless heating and co...
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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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Add Central AC to Your Old House—Without Erasing Its Charm
If your home was built before the advent of air conditioning, you've likely bemoaned the fact that, for all its histo...
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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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Small-Duct, "Invisible" AC Cools Any Home, New or Old
Whether you own an old house or would like to build a new one, you've likely asked yourself a hard-to-answer question...
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Bob Vila Radio: Level Out a Wobbly Ceiling Fan
Ceiling fans are great—until they get wobbly. What causes that to happen, and how can you go about fixing a wobbly ce...
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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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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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Bob Vila Radio: Wisdom for Window Fans
After spending a warm summer day picnicking or at the beach, who doesn't love to come home to a comfortably cool home...
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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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How To: Choose the Right Size Air Conditioner
Temperatures are climbing. With the dog days of summer just around the corner, the perfect time to shop for a new air...
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Bob Vila Radio: Ceiling Fan Care
The soothing whir of a ceiling fan is one of the sweet sounds of summer. But summer’s not over yet. To keep your fan ...
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Bob Vila Radio: Mini-Split Air Conditioners
Heat gettin’ you down? If you’re in a house where installing central air would also mean installing ductwork, maybe y...
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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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Beat the Heat: 16 DIY Outdoor Showers to Cool You Down
Nothing feels better on a hot summer day after hitting it hard outdoors than showering outdoors. Outdoor shower kits are readily available at most big-box home im...
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Beat the Heat with These 10 Cool Outdoor Umbrellas
No need to rush off to Kokomo—you'll get there fast and then you'll take it slow with these stylish umbrellas that can create a paradise right in your own backyard.
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The Mini-Split Air Conditioner: Today's Smart Cooling Option
Now that summer has arrived, it's definitely time to focus on home cooling. If your house does not have central air c...
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These Simple Steps Make Cleaning Ceiling Fans a Breeze
Ceiling fans are useful additions to any room. They provide a cool breeze when it's warm, circulate stale air, and co...
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Blades of Glory: 10 Ceiling Fans with Sharp Style
Take a spin through our roundup of ceiling fans to suit every design sensibility.
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Top Tips for Choosing an Air Conditioner
All air conditioners are designed to cool—that is, to remove heat and humidity from interior spaces. If you are in th...
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Bob Vila Radio: Whole-House Fans
Warm weather is just around the corner, with its humming air conditioners and skyrocketing electric bills. You may be...
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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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Bob Vila Radio: Fall AC Care
Now that the summer scorchers are over, it’s time to bring in your window air conditioning units. Listen to BOB VILA ...
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Outdoor Showers: The New Accessible Luxury
Whether they are freestanding, store-bought, or built-in, today's outdoor showers are accessible luxuries for many. Here are some of our favorites.
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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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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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Bob Vila Radio: Window AC Checklist
Before you pull your window air conditioner out of storage, consider its age. Efficiencies have improved so much that...
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Cool Your House with Smart Landscaping
Smart landscaping is more than a pretty yard—it’s a smart and efficient way to cool your home in summer. Trees shade ...
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Quick Tip: Alternatives to Air Conditioning Your Home
Try Old-School Cooling Before you crank up the A/C this summer to keep cool, try a little old-fashioned ventilation f...
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Quick Tip: Buy and Install a Room Air Conditioner
What to Look for Room air conditioners are rated by the number of BTUs, or British thermal units, of heat that they c...
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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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Fans vs. Air Conditioners
Last week, the New York Times featured a Home Section article on fans and/or air conditioning--depending on where you...
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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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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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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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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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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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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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Oven Hood and Shelving Installation
A restaurant-quality oven hood vent is installed, in addition to Metrowire shelves.
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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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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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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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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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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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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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Creating Ducts
Bob goes over the ducting process with carpentry contractor Bob Ryley at the Cape Cod project house.
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