AIR QUALITY

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How Much Does a Whole-House Air Purifier Cost?
Highlights A whole-house air purifier typically costs between $456 and $4,557, with a national average cost of $2,44...
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Ducted vs. Ductless Range Hood: Which Is Best for Your Kitchen?
Gas stoves’ negative effects on health and indoor air quality has come to the forefront in the U. S. , with a Consume...
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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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Longer Allergy Season: How to Manage the Extended Exposure
 About 81 million Americans suffer from seasonal allergies each year, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation ...
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I Tried the Dyson Purifier Humidify+Cool PH04: Is This Machine Worth Its Hefty Price?
Starting as a floor-care brand in 1991, Dyson made a name for itself with its patented cyclone air technology. Since ...
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The Best Whole-House Dehumidifiers of 2023
Whole-house dehumidifiers remove humidity from indoor air, reducing uncomfortable stickiness and mitigating the likel...
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Levoit Air Purifier Review: DoesThis Budget-Friendly Air Purifier Perform? We Tested It To Find Out!
Breathing fresh air in the home shouldn’t cost a fortune, yet some of the most popular air purifiers on the market to...
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The Best Air Purifiers Tested in 2023
As consumers become more aware of the airborne pollutants that lurk in their homes, the demand for quality air purifi...
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Dyson Air Purifier Review: We Tested This Popular Air Purifier to See if It's Worth the Money
Offensive odors, fumes, dust, and pollen are common pollutants in many homes, but we don't have to accept dirty air. ...
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The Best Air Humidifiers and Purifiers of 2023
Combination air humidifiers and purifiers add moisture to the air and filter out pollutants at the same time. For hom...
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The Best Ionic Air Purifiers of 2023
Ionic air purifiers use ionizers to clean the air. These ionizers charge airborne particles, which causes them to be ...
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Shark Air Purifier Review: Is This the Best Air Purifier on the Market? We Tested it to Find out!
Heightened awareness of allergens and toxins in the air we breathe has boosted the popularity of air purifiers for ho...
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The Best Air Purifiers for Dust of 2023
Household dust is unavoidable, but it’s easier to keep on top of banishing these dirty fine particles with an air pur...
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How to Test for Radon in Your Home
Do you know if radon gas is present in your home? Radon is a colorless and odorless radioactive gas that is naturally...
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Bob Vila's 10 "Must Do" Projects for December
December is all about friends, family, and food (there, we said it!), which is why this month's tasks focus on keepin...
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Breathe a Little Easier With the hOmeLabs x Popular Science Air Purifier
Everyone’s heard of Popular Science. The esteemed and iconic brand—owned by Recurrent Ventures—recently partnered wit...
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Air Purifiers Are Up to 50% Off for Amazon Prime Early Access Sale
Amazon’s Prime Early Access Sale is in full swing, with plenty of home deals to be found. For great savings on practi...
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How Much Does a Whole-House Humidifier Cost to Install?
Typical Range: $395 to $753 National Average: $575A whole-house humidifier can dramatically improve the level of m...
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I've Tried Dozens of Dyson Products—And These 5 Are Worth Every Dollar
As someone who prioritizes a clean home, I value the importance of utilizing products that keep my house looking and ...
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How Much Does Professional Cigarette Smoke Removal Cost for a House?
Typical Range: $200 to $1,000Smelling cigarette smoke upon entering a home is not only unpleasant, it can have adve...
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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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How to Keep Wildfire Smoke Out of Your Home: 9 Ways to Improve Indoor Air Quality
Wildfire smoke can lead to dangerous air quality both outdoors and indoors, as millions of Americans are learning thi...
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The Best Portable Air Purifiers of 2023
Portable air purifiers filter out pollutants and allergens like their larger counterparts. However, they’re so small ...
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Climate Change Is Pumping More Pollen Into Allergy Season
The spring allergy season may kick off earlier and last several weeks longer by the end of the century thanks to clim...
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The 8 Worst Houseplants for People with Allergies
Although some houseplants reportedly help clean the air, others can trigger allergy symptoms by adding extra baggage—...
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Here’s Why You Should Crack a Window in Your House Year-Round
Warm weather days are not the only ones that call for an open window. There are plenty of good reasons to crack open ...
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The 10 Coolest Things We Saw at the 2022 International Builders’ Show
Back in action after a 1-year hiatus, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) welcomed enthusiastic exhibito...
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The Best Air Duct Cleaning Services of 2023
Since most of the dust in your home’s ducts tends to stay in the ductwork, air duct cleaning isn’t required regular m...
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How to Test Air Quality in Your Home
Household pollutants can come from a variety of sources including the materials used in your home's construction, and...
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Ultrasonic vs. Evaporative Humidifier: Which is Best for Your Home?
Humidifiers help increase the moisture content in a room. For many people, using a humidifier is a terrific way to to...
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Solved! What Is a CADR Rating?
Q: I’m shopping for a new air purifier for my home and have noticed that many models list a CADR rating. What is CADR...
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7 Types of Fans You Might Need in Your House
When most people think of a fan, the first thing that comes to mind might be a window fan or the old style with butto...
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The Best Dust Collectors of 2023
Wood and metalworking projects can range from entertaining hobbies to necessary professions, like carpentry and auto ...
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Here's How Often To Replace Air Filters In Your Home
Q: How often should I replace the air filters in my home, and what factors would require me to replace them in betwee...
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How Much Does Air Duct Cleaning Cost?
Highlights Homeowners will typically pay between $268 and $490 for air duct cleaning; the national average cost is $...
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The Best Car Air Fresheners in 2023
Dusty vents, fast food remnants, spilled coffee, pet dander—all give cars a funky smell, making that commute to and f...
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The Best Crawl Space Dehumidifiers of 2023
Crawl spaces are dark and dusty, and air quality isn’t always at its finest. If the humidity level climbs (which it o...
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The Best Whole House Humidifiers of 2023
Single room humidifiers are designed to replace lost moisture in small spaces, but they aren’t able to affect the ent...
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Solved! Why is My Dehumidifier Not Working?
Q: We live in an area where humidity is high, so we regularly run a dehumidifier to keep the air in our home from fee...
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The Best Air Purifiers for Pets of 2023
According to a recent industry survey, 67 percent of American households have a pet. That's 85 million families who h...
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The Best Filterless Humidifiers of 2023
It can be frustrating and uncomfortable when your living space experiences a decrease in the humidity level. But, a f...
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The Best Air Purifiers for Wildfire Smoke in 2023
Wildfire smoke consists of harmful gases and fine particles from burning plants and other materials. These extremely ...
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The Best Air Purifiers for Mold in 2023
Mold isn’t only unsightly; it can make a home smell unpleasant and, at worst, trigger health issues. Only air purifie...
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The Best Bamboo Charcoal Air Purifier Bags for Clean Air
Stinky gym clothes, beloved pets, and home cooking can all contribute to household odors. Products like air freshener...
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16 Must-Have Home Products for People with Allergies
Don’t suffer in silence; use these items to keep allergens at bay in your home.
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The Best Dust Masks for Woodworking and Other DIY Projects
Creating something with your hands, whether it’s woodworking, painting, renovating, or any other creative pursuit, ca...
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9 Ways Your Home Energy Use Can Combat Climate Change
Your personal battle against climate change takes place one day at a time. The way you use electricity, water, and fossil fuel can lower your carbon footprint and...
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The Best Humidifiers for Plants of 2023
Indoor plants offer an aesthetic appeal, plus they can remove allergens from the air and oxygenate the space. The key...
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The Best Soy Candles for the Home
Candles are a home decor staple. They’re attractive, smell lovely, and bring a warm ambiance into the space. The shee...
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The Best Dehumidifiers of 2023
Not only does excess humidity make you feel sticky and uncomfortable, but it also increases the risk of mold growth i...
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The Best Air Quality Monitors Tested in 2023
Breathing easy at home should be simple enough. Unfortunately, some gases, such as radon and carbon monoxide, are col...
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The Best Ozone Generators of 2023
When standard household cleaners won’t improve air quality, it’s time to bring in the big guns with the power of an o...
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The Best Dyson Black Friday Deals 2020: The Best Deals and Sales on Vacuums, Humidifiers, Hair Dryers, and More
Black Friday, which is just a couple of days away, traditionally marks the kickoff to the holiday shopping season, bu...
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The Best Air Purifiers for Smoke in 2023
Sources of smoke—from wood-burning fireplaces to cooking accidents—can irritate the eyes, sinuses, and throat. This m...
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10 Low-Maintenance Houseplants to Keep Indoor Air Fresh
Can houseplants clean the air inside your home? Learn about the research behind this health benefit and see the low-maintenance plants that will give your home a ...
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The Best Respirators for Safety in the Workshop
Some DIY activities can send irritating particles or vapors into the air. Having to work around airborne particulates...
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The Best Room Humidifiers for Your Home
Heating and air conditioning strip your home’s air of its natural humidity. The result of uncomfortable dryness leave...
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20 Remarkably Easy Ways to Create a Dust-Free Home
Stop the sneezing! With these smart tips and tricks you can maintain a dust-free house.
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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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Solved! Do Air Purifiers Really Work?
Q: I suffer from seasonal allergies, and a friend suggested I buy an air purifier for my home. What does an air purif...
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Solved! How to Increase Humidity in a Dry House
Q: During the winter, the central heating in our home makes the air super dry. Not only do my nasal passages get infl...
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If Your Home Smells Funny, Check These 12 Problem Areas
Here's how to tell whether a strange odor inside your home is hazardous to your health, or an easy fix.
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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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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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10 Things You Might Not Realize Have VOCs
What you don’t know can hurt you—the air inside your home may contain concentrations of potentially hazardous volatile organic compounds (VOCs) up to 10 times gre...
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The One Tool You’re Probably Not Bringing to a Paint Job—But Should
Nothing refreshes a room and improves its ambience quite like a new coat of paint. If you’re like most DIYers, you ha...
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The Cleanest (and Dirtiest) Cities in America
If you're looking for a new city to call home—or even just choosing a holiday destination—you’ll want to read this list first! Our collection of the cleanest and ...
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The Dark, Dirty Truth About Household Mold (And How to Rid Yourself of It)
There are few homeowner problems more terrifying than mold. While thousands of molds are part of the natural environment, ghastly examples of it can be lurking in...
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Solved! How to Get Smoke Smell Out of Your House
Q: I recently inherited a beautiful chair from my grandparents. Unfortunately, they were heavy smokers, and the cigar...
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8 Things Homeowners Should Know About HEPA Filters
Few things are as important as the air we breathe. One of the most popular products available in the ongoing quest fo...
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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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Combat Dry Winter Air with 15 Tips and Tricks
With temperatures low across the country, heating systems on full blast, and houses buttoned up against the cold, the air in your home can pretty dry this time of...
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8 Clever Ways to Improve Indoor Air Quality Without a Humidifier
Winter doesn’t just bring colder temperatures outdoors; in most areas, it also means bone-dry air inside your home, a...
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Clear the Air: 10 Natural Ways to Cure Household Odors
Pull the clothespin off your nose and instead try these 10 common household items to deodorize every nook and cranny of your abode.
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The 15 Best Plants for Your Bedroom, and Why
The mere presence of certain plants in your sleeping area can actually help you sleep better. These fronds and flowers are some of the best bets for lulling you o...
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7 Health Hazards Lurking in Your Basement
Basements were once used solely as utility rooms that housed furnaces, laundry areas, and overflow storage for seasonal items, tools, and sometimes even root vege...
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How to Test for Mold in Your Home
Have you ever walked into a bathroom and wrinkled your nose because the space was so musty? It’s not news that damp q...
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7 Reasons Every Home Needs a Humidifier
It's winter, so get ready for several months of that hot, dry air that your HVAC system pumps out. Even worse, while the heat is on your house will be buttoned up...
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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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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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Your 3 Best Bets for Battling Indoor Air Pollution
Heating and cooling doesn't come cheap—especially if your HVAC system has to work harder to overcome heat loss due to...
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11 Bathroom Hazards That Harm Your Home and Health
Your bathroom may be your spot to relax in the tub after a long day, but with all that plumbing, humidity, and other business going on in there, the location’s fu...
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How To: Breathe the Purest Possible Indoor Air
Popular taste in decor changes over time, and even types of furnishings come and go. For example, these days TVs that...
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How To: Test for Asbestos
For a century, the naturally occurring fibrous silicate mineral asbestos was a mainstay of the building industry, use...
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The 10 Best Winter Buys for a Happy, Healthy Home
Stop your sniffling and your shivering this winter, and invest in a happier, healthier you. With a few well-chosen purchases, you can turn your home into a warm, ...
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5 Easy Ways to Improve Kitchen Ventilation
In most homes, the kitchen is where the action is: It’s where we congregate, and prepare meals in ovens and on cookto...
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Which Type of Dehumidifier Is Right for You?
Does this sound familiar? You step outside on a hot day, and though the weather may not be ideal, you can certainly t...
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Solved! What To Do About Black Mold in the Bathroom
Q: I just went to clean our rental property after the tenant moved out, and I found black mold in the bathroom. Yuck!...
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7 Reasons Indoor Air Isn’t as Pure as You Think
Warmer temperatures invite us to throw up the blinds and open a window. But good weather isn't the only reason to let the fresh air in. Even the cleanest homes ca...
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10 Shortcuts to a Not-So-Scary Basement
If you have an unfinished basement, you probably don’t want to spend a ton of time down there. The air is musty, the floors are damp, and it feels just a tiny bit...
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3 Fixes for Bathroom Odor
Bathroom odors rank as some of the most unpleasant household scents you can encounter, and they are definitely not on...
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3 Ways to Get Fresher Indoor Air This Winter
This season, as temperatures drive lower and lower, it's only natural for people to retreat into the safety and comfo...
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Bob Vila Radio: 3 Popular Paths to Radon Reduction
If radon tests have found unacceptably high readings in your home, there are at least a few effective ways to address...
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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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The 26 Best Plants for Bathroom Decor
Some prefer bright light and others like low light, but all of these indoor plants thrive in bathrooms’ high humidity and will add a spa-like quality to your space.
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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, mois...
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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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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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11 Home Hazards to Know and Avoid
If you ask most people where they feel the safest, chances are the answer will be in their own home. But home safety depends on a variety of factors, and potentia...
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Bob Vila Radio: Humidifiers
We love the toasty warmth that our radiators and heating vents give off—but the dry indoor air that comes with all th...
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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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Increase Your Comfort Level This Winter with a Humidifier
Scratchy throats, frequent nosebleeds, dry skin, and static electricity can be common occurrences in winter—particula...
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Quick Tips: Improving Indoor Air Quality
 The Environmental Protection Agency has warned that indoor air pollution is often much higher than outdoors. Here ar...
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What Would Bob Do? Eliminating Cigarette Odor
How do I get rid of a cigarette smoke smell in my house?The smell of cigarette smoke can affect virtually every part ...
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Bob Vila Radio: Vent Pollutants
Today’s weather-tight homes are great for energy efficiency, but they’re not so good for indoor air quality. The grea...
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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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Green Homes—Heating and Air Quality
Where to StartToday’s HVAC is more than just the equipment that heats, ventilates, and cools our home. It is the inte...
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Safe Indoor Air for Children
According to the American Lung Association, lung disease and breathing problems are the number one cause of death in ...
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Reduce Allergies and Asthma with Home Improvements
One in four Americans suffer from allergies or asthma, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immun...
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How To: Prevent Mold and Mildew
Mold is more prevalent today because the focus on improving energy efficiency resulted in more airtight homes that do...
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10 Indoor Pollutants
We spend a large part of our lives indoors yet the idea of indoor air pollution can be easy to dismiss, especially if...
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My House Contains Asbestos: Now What?
Many older houses incorporate construction materials that contain asbestos. Usually its presence is uncovered during ...
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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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Bob Vila Radio: Indoor Air Quality
The EPA ranks poor indoor air quality as our fourth largest environmental threat. Some of the worst polluters of the ...
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Quick Tip: Improve Your Home's Air Quality
Poor Air Quality Threatens HealthThe American Lung Association reports that the death rate from lung disease has rise...
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Touring a Designer Showhouse and Baby's Bathroom
In West Palm Beach, FL, the American Lung Association has sponsored a designer showhouse that highlights a healthy home. Bob’s house tour focuses on the baby’s ba...
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Tour an Affordable Green Apartment Building
Bob visits the South Bronx, NY, where Habitat for Humanity has partnered with private developer Les Bluestone to create a green oasis for low-income families that...
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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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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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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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Blowing In Cellulose Insulation
Bob joins Joe Sheridan (from Energy Guard) to learn more about the US Greenfiber Cocoon cellulose insulation being used in the barn.
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Encapsulating Lead Paint
Cole Stanton (from Fiberlock) joins Bob to talk about Child Guard, an encapsulating coating for lead-based paint.
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Asbestos Removal
Demolition continues with removal of asbestos from the attic.
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