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This is the fourth installment of Bob Vila’s Most Valuable Projects of 2023, a month-long series featuring high-ROI h...
People are often confused about the difference between surge protectors and power strips, and it’s perfectly understa...
This is the third installment of Bob Vila’s Most Valuable Projects of 2023, a month-long series featuring high-ROI ho...
Home generators come in several sizes with a range of power outputs. Having one when the power goes out can ensure fa...
Pressure washers are invaluable tools for removing graffiti, dirt, and other stuck-on debris from surfaces, but there...
Summertime is fun time, but it also comes with bouts of extreme heat in many areas. That often leads to increased dem...
When the two plugs in a wall outlet simply aren’t enough to power the lights and gadgets we need to run our lives, mo...
Any circuit-breaker finder worth its salt should be able to accurately match the circuit breakers on an electrical pa...
When it comes to making secure electrical connections on stranded wire, there’s no tool more valuable than a ratcheti...
Highlights The typical cost range for a GFCI outlet installation is $130 to $300, with customers paying a national a...
Grid instability and erratic weather patterns leave many wondering how they will power their appliances and digital d...
Highlights The typical cost to install a whole-house surge protector ranges from $70 to $700, with the national aver...
Many of the everyday tasks of life—locking the door, adjusting the thermostat, dimming the lights, and capturing porc...
Power outages are usually the result of extreme weather events such as high winds, lightning strikes, or ice buildup ...
There’s a growing focus on electric meters lately. With energy prices rising, many folks may have developed trust iss...
Keeping a workspace organized and free of clutter, regardless of the project, improves the overall safety conditions ...
A home’s entire electrical system runs through one distribution hub: the electrical panel. The electrical panel, or b...
Whether you have a partially covered outside space like a veranda or poolside cabana or not, there is an outdoor TV t...
Solar-powered lanterns are similar to traditional lanterns, but instead of relying on batteries or electricity to wo...
Hurricanes, tornadoes, thunderstorms, and excessive demands on the electrical grid can lead to power outages in the s...
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...
Shining some light on below-grade spaces can do a lot for your home. Proper lighting increases the usability of your ...
Power outages can threaten to spoil the food in the fridge and lead to life-threatening situations in cold temperatur...
In most homes, flush mount lights illuminate the rooms. While nothing is wrong with standard dome lighting, trading o...
Typical Range: $526 to $2,010 National Average: $1,210An updated electrical panel keeps all the appliances, comput...
Electrical work can be an extremely rewarding career choice. It’s an industry that is constantly evolving, and there ...
Extension cords are very handy when powering small appliances, yard tools, and electronics that otherwise wouldn’t be...
Q: Recent power outages prompted me to buy a portable generator, but it operates on gas, so I need to set it up outsi...
First-time homeowners might be surprised at some of the things that they are responsible for maintaining, such as hav...
Chandeliers have come a long way from elaborate lighting exclusively reserved for mansions, castles, and palaces of t...
Track lighting kits are a great option for lighting medium- to large-size rooms in which other forms of lights are ei...
Electronics are so pervasive in our modern world that you can find devices for an incredible range of functions, from...
Cables are used to connect one device to another, whether the device is a television, router, or computer. However, n...
Bathroom lighting can help style the space and add the functionality you desire. Whether you want an automated experi...
Newly built houses must comply with strict design and construction codes, but most of those rules didn't exist decade...
Q: I went to use my hairdryer in the bathroom, but I discovered some of the outlets have stopped working. My GFCI tes...
Highlights Homeowners can expect to pay between $561 and $2,308 to rewire a house, with the national average cost co...
When a storm strikes and the power goes out, a generator from one of the best generator brands can prevent hours in t...
Generators are invaluable in the event of a power outage, generating electricity that provides light and heat. But a ...
The idea that a DIYer could see what's within a wall cavity using a smartphone screen is the stuff of science fiction...
Q: Lighting experts tout the longevity and potential money savings of LEDs, but is all that true? Are there ways to e...
Q: Help! My flashlight won’t light up. I’ve only had it for a few months, so age isn’t the issue. Why is my flashligh...
Watts have been used to indicate the strength of light bulbs for more than 150 years, but they are actually a measure...
Severe weather conditions around the U. S. in early 2021 have triggered a surge in demand for generators, and the tre...
Generators use fuel sources like gasoline, natural gas, or solar energy to produce electricity, so that you can power...
Take the fun outdoors on a sunny day—enjoy the warm weather while listening to your favorite tunes or podcast. Music ...
In a standard, single-pole switch, one light switch controls one light fixture—on/off. Things get a bit trickier with...
Insulating expanding foam sealant makes quick work of reducing sound transfer, stabilizing a wobbly showerhead, or ev...
Q: Help! I haven’t cooked fish for several days, but my house smells like I invited the neighborhood over for a huge ...
Extreme weather conditions like hurricanes, tornadoes, blizzards, and thunderstorms pose obvious power-outage threats...
Following the right steps for home generator use and maintenance helps make sure there is safe, reliable, and consistent power for the long haul.
A spark plug works by taking a small electrical charge from the ignition coil and passing it through two electrodes. ...
Every home electrician’s tool belt should carry at least one pair of lineman pliers. Used by people in the electrical...
Your yard or property may be your sanctuary, but unfortunately, not every creature always agrees. Animals that like t...
Despite its size, an electric wall heater is a great way to provide your home with extra heat—whether you’re in a mul...
Even with a 4K TV, a coaxial cable is necessary to get the best performance. A coaxial cable carries the signal from ...
While a circuit-breaker finder isn’t one of the most common tools in a DIYer’s arsenal, it can be essential for home ...
Electronic devices tend to include a USB charging cable that’s only a few feet long. These standard cables may not pr...
Smart light switches are a way of configuring a home's lighting to respond to verbal commands, program light timers, ...
Lightning cables are proprietary eight-pin charging cables that are compatible with iPhones and other Apple products....
The best home generators can keep the lights on, the air conditioning or heating unit running, and keep your applianc...
The best crimping tools can help a variety of wiring projects go smoothly. That's why we performed hours of hands-on ...
Hiring the Best Electrician Near MeFrom faulty breaker boxes to an outdated electrical system, there can be any numbe...
If you're undertaking electrical projects around the home, there are certain tool box essentials to keep at the ready...
Working with limited lighting isn’t safe, and sometimes holding a flashlight isn’t a viable option. A high-quality ha...
Harnessing the sun to create backup power is an alternative to fuel-guzzling gas generators or dual fuel generators. ...
Whether you’re an electrician, mechanic, or DIYer, a quality pair of wire cutters can make an indispensable addition ...
A portable power station stores an electrical charge in an internal battery to charge various devices, such as a tabl...
Broadcast television channels, like local ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC affiliates, public television stations, and many oth...
Wall chargers provide the juice your device needs, but they can’t function without a charging cable. The best chargin...
Smart dimmer switches can help set the mood with appropriate lighting for a variety of occasions, from entertaining f...
Generators provide emergency electricity in the event of a blackout, run power tools on the jobsite, and deliver affo...
Today, nearly every personal device—whether it’s a smartphone, laptop, or tablet—can be charged via USB. One of the m...
Technology is awesome—until the batteries run out, that is. Phones, tablets, smartwatches, AirPods, e-readers, power ...
Swapping to smart switches can make a lot of sense. For one thing, you can boost your entire home’s energy efficiency...
Electrical tape comes in many colors, though it is seen most often as a narrow, black roll of tape with smooth rubber...
Electronics and gadgets are an essential part of our home and office settings. However, cables for TVs, laptops, prin...
Data is the real currency of the modern world. And with the proliferation of data-driven devices, keeping track of al...
USB—short for Universal Serial Bus—is the most commonly used interface for devices like smartphones, tablets, laptops...
A wire stripper boosts productivity for professional electricians, budding apprentices, and DIYers, but with a variet...
Electricians have belts and shoulder harnesses that frequently have 10 or more pockets for optimal customization and ...
Exceptional closet organization and storage are all well and good, but without proper lighting, the simple task of fi...
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...
A power strip is an adapter you plug in to extend the electricity from a single wall outlet to a series of outlets. W...
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...
Dual fuel generators are one of those household investments that is easy to put off. But once you have one, you may w...
When you're struck by a blackout, brownout, or sudden power surge, follow these tips to safeguard your home's electronics and appliances—and your family—until the...
An outdoor projector offers a wonderful way to enjoy an entertaining evening with family and friends. Before hosting ...
Home automation has taken huge leaps in recent years. Through apps and voice commands, smart devices help people make...
Instead of subscribing to streaming services, you could be pulling in free TV channels from the airwaves around your ...
There are plenty of good reasons to own a quality headlamp—for taking an early morning jog, pitching a tent under the...
Whatever the project may be, working in the garage demands sufficient lighting. Dismal, poorly lit garages are not on...
If not all electrical outlets in your home look the same, it’s because there are many different types of electrical o...
Needle-nose pliers have long, pointy jaws for reaching into narrow or tight spots, such as the backs of electrical ou...
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...
Fixing electronics—such as a television, computer board, or even a drone—can be intimidating. But a reliable solderin...
Small home annoyances are sometimes indicators of a bigger structural problem. Learn to recognize the signs of these maintenance issues that need to get addressed...
A length of insulated wire with a plug at one end and a socket at the other, an extension cord comes in handy to conn...
Portable generators supply power to a home, appliances, small electronics, and even an RV in the event of a power out...
From testing batteries to determining the amount of voltage in an electrical circuit, the multimeter is a standard di...
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.
It’s easy to take electricity and heating for granted—that is, until you lose it. Before a winter storm takes out your power, learn how to prepare for a power out...
Q: I just opened my electric bill, and my jaw dropped. It’s way higher than ever! I called the electric company to se...
Q: Last night, the power went out and, luckily, came back on only an hour later—soon enough for the food in the fridg...
Major storms in recent years have spurred many homeowners to consider whether it might be wise to purchase a generato...
When it comes to the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), the world’s largest and most influential technology event, what...
If you’ve spotted flickering lights, tripped circuits, or prolonged overheating of any of the electronic devices in y...
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...
When it comes to electricity, safety has always been a major concern, but thanks to the development of ground fault c...
Q: Every few hours—sometimes minutes!—my living room and one side of my kitchen lose electrical power. Lamps won’t co...
You turn off lights when you leave a room, combine errands to stretch a tank of gas, and run only full loads in your dishwasher. Yet even if you're following the ...
During a power outage, a generator that runs on gasoline can provide enough juice to keep your lights on, your grocer...
Most of us take electricity for granted, fully expecting that the outlets, wiring, extension cords, and power strips in our homes will operate safely and reliably...
Q: When I plugged my cell phone charger into a kitchen outlet, my phone didn’t start charging as it normally does—rat...
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...
Q: Our screened-in porch is undergoing some updates, including the installation of overhead lights and addition of a ...
Q: I’m replacing the heating element in my electric water heater. The wires running to the element are black and whit...
We all freak out when we hear about an oncoming hurricane, but your house can lose electricity even during a run-of-the-mill rainstorm if a branch lands the wrong...
These quick upgrades don't require expert-level skills (or a big bankroll) to complete, but they can make a big impact on your home's potential—and your quality o...
Ever since we’ve had doors, we’ve been reinventing ways to be alerted to a visitor’s arrival. Hefty iron knockers gav...
How up to date is the electrical wiring in your home? If you’re not sure, it'd be a good idea to have a licensed cont...
If your around-the-house to-do list includes an ambitious DIY electrical project, be it installing a light fixture, r...
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...
Whether you’re rewiring an old lamp, installing a new doorbell, or adding another outlet to a wall, the first step to...
While a fixer-upper can be a lot cheaper than a home that's move-in ready, some fixer-uppers just aren't worth the headache. If the home you have your eye is plag...
It's almost impossible to overstate the importance of electronics and appliances in our lives today. We are sounded b...
Q: Help! We have multiple lights flickering in our house. As far as I know my house isn’t haunted, but I can’t help w...
Once reserved for engineers and electronic technicians, multimeters—sometimes called “multitesters”—have come down in...
Thanks to the simplicity of their design and function, light switches seem to last pretty much forever despite daily ...
Ding, dong! Your guests have arrived for dinner and drinks. But if your doorbell stops working, you could leave your ...
If you’re planning to add holiday lights, not only to the tree in your living room, but to the trees and bushes outdo...
How can you distinguish between a standard lamp socket and a three-way? It’s simple! Standard sockets have only two e...
Not quite sure of the difference between power strips and surge protectors? You’re not alone. Home improvement center...
If you’re setting up a home workshop for your do-it-yourself projects, recognize that in a room with so many power to...
Just because you can do it yourself doesn’t mean you should. Attempting to DIY some home projects could lead to trouble.
Knockouts are partially stamped, quarter-size openings in the electrical boxes that service such things as outlets an...
Tired of the frenzied search for your keys before leaving for work? You're not the only one. According to the Wall St...
Look around. From the refrigerator in the kitchen to the computer in the den, our homes are chock full of appliances ...
If you've bought new light bulbs anytime in the last few years, you know the selection has changed dramatically for t...
The joys of homeownership are many—as are the little everyday challenges. The occasional leak or break is bound to happen, but there's no reason why these minor ...
You can't possibly pick a more important job to do around your home than keeping your family safe. And of course many...
In 2015, people are as likely to charge a digital device as they are to plug in a table lamp or a hair dryer. But whi...
Simply put, electrical work is dangerous. If you're contemplating a project that requires any complexity or sophistic...
Most people don’t give too much thought to what’s behind their walls. Yet every time you flip a light switch or use your toaster, you are drawing on your home’s i...
We used to think of late summer and early fall as the storm season, but with all the unpredictable weather lately, it...
These days, we're increasingly sharing our homes with electronic devices. Many of them are pretty pricey, and that in...
With incandescent light bulbs on their way out, shoppers who had been reluctant to buy alternative bulbs are realizin...
Thanks to a legion of software apps, smartphones have evolved into "Star Trek"-like communicator devices. Of course, loading up on software isn't the only way to ...
The source of your home’s power is the breaker box, also known as the electrical panel or circuit breaker box. Whatev...
You’ve probably heard about vampire electricity, the electrical power that can suck the life out of your home power u...
Ever since the first two stores opened in Atlanta, Georgia in 1979, The Home Depot has been a storehouse for the supp...
In your home—in everyone's homes, in fact—the seat of electrical power takes an unassuming form. Concealed by a nonde...
You may think that putting a timer on your lights is a waste of time—what burglar worth his salt would be fooled by a...
Anyone can snake wire in a wall between floors. Here's how. From a hole in the floor below, push a wire snake with ...
Although it's easy to wire a light switch, you need a basic understanding of how electricity works in the home in ord...
Here's a home improvement tip everyone should know. Ground fault interrupters, or GFIs, are electrical outlets desig...
If you have an old house with dated electrical outlets, you know they weren't designed to meet the demands of today'...
For many people, electrical work is daunting, to be feared and avoided. If you feel that way, then you should remain ...
The plans, as usual, guide the work. For the electrician, there'll be a separate drawing that will map out the locati...
Electrical, plumbing, and HVAC rough-ins should take roughly two to three weeks. The insulation will happen in a day ...
A home's electrical system is prone to wear and tear. Regular testing and evaluation of receptacles, switches, and br...
The days of basic phone and electric service are quickly disappearing. Working at home increasingly requires high-spe...
Lightning HazardsSeveral things affect the power that supplies our home offices. First, there’s the obvious: lightnin...
Statistics show that almost 75 percent of Americans have some sort of home office. And as these dedicated work areas ...
The PlansThe plans, as usual, guide the work. For the electrician, there’ll be a separate drawing that will map out t...
There are 10 billion electrical outlets in North America, and over the last few years, inventors have been hard at wo...
These days it seems like there’s more to plug in than ever—televisions, computers, and the rechargers for cell phones...
With all the crazy weather events we’ve been having, portable generators are more popular every day, but you need to ...
Why You'll Love It: The Ryobi Tek4 Mulitmeter is a versatile diagnostic tool that can measure voltage, current, resis...
When we moved to the beach in Southern Delaware, we had lots of "future improvements" in our new-construction buildin...
Make sure you’re familiar with the ground rules of home electrical work if you’re considering doing some yourself. Li...
Coming from a Navy family as I do, I take pride in my ability to neatly loop and stow anything rope-like, including e...
Also known as "can" lights thanks to their cylindrical shape, recessed lights are inexpensive, work well with low cei...
Now’s a great time to do a whole-house electrical inspection, and you can do this kind yourself. CM_BVILANOTES-7 Elec...
I always say you’ve gotta use the right tool for the job, but did you know there’s a right cord for every tool?LISTEN...
Updating the entrance to your home is a relatively easy thing to do. Add a pop of color by painting the front door in...
A ceiling fan can cut energy costs all year round. It helps circulate cool air in the warm summer months, but it can ...
A power outage that lasts a few hours is often nothing more than an inconvenience, requiring some flashlights and a l...
I like mood lighting as much as anyone, particularly first thing in the morning when the full blast of light from a 1...
While any projects having to do with electricity are not to be taken lightly, installing a light fixture is a task ma...
Work is being done on the roof—laying Deck-Armor and installing metal roofing and photovoltaic panels. Bob talks with Jeff Wolf from GroSolar about the photovolta...
Bob meets electrician Barry Driscoll, who is retrofitting an old gas light fixture to make a modern electrical one. Then Bob meets with lighting consultant Penny ...
Bob meets with Electrician Harry Cunningham to install a backup generator.
Bob meets with Jesse Gonzales to install an impact-resistant front door, electrician Jose Rodriguez to install wiring and plumber Dan Gerry to learn how to work w...
Bob meets Eddie Fisher, the master electrician on the Brooklyn project's infrastructure team. A team of five electricians from AC/DC Electric is rewiring the buil...
Eric Deutsch, former president of the Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation, gives Bob a tour of the nation's first federal boat-building facility.
Bob reviews the site preparation process with the on-site contractor, Michael Sheils.
Bob watches the installation of a Leviton structured wire system. The system is designed to seamlessly allow the transmission of data, phone, and cable signals wi...
Ron Ford from Kohler Power Systems joins Bob to talk about the 22-kilowatt backup generator that has been installed.
Wood floor expert Howard Brickman is on the job site installing White Oak hardwood floors from Carlisle Restoration Lumber.
Bob and Tim Woods (of Internet Home Alliance) discuss the basics of structured wiring and connectivity in the basement of the Vermont farmhouse.
Bob joins electrician Larry Dana in the Vermont farmhouse kitchen, as he installs the Kenmore Elite 30 self-cleaning convection oven.
Bob visits Emma and Jacob Josselyn in their Cape Cod-style home to see the new Vermont Castings Addison cast-iron electric stove that will warm the corner of thei...
Bob joins Tim Woods (from Internet Home Alliance) in the basement to look over the network connection center, the area responsible for the homeowners' internet, t...
Electrician Barry Driscoll installs a state-of-the-art surge protector, as well as an arc fault detector. In addition, the new John Wood water heater and RBI gas-...
Bob talks with Deane Evans (from the Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing) and Ren Anderson (from the National Renewable Engergy Laboratory) about phot...
Bob Ryley meets with Ken Frankel (from Lucent Technologies) to discuss the new HomeStar wiring system.
Bob meets with Tom Morgan (from Home Automation) to view and discuss the "brain" of the home automation system. Next, Bob checks in with the wiring contractor to ...
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...
Bob meets with lighting designer Markus Earley, who explains the differences between various types of lights. Then, Bob also meets with Tony Zwain, who explains h...
Bob goes over the lighting plan with designer Markus Earley, then meets with electrician Tony Zwain to learn how electricity is distributed throughout the building.
Bob joins a three-man team from Cliff Electric, the firm performing all the 'rough-in' wiring.
Ed House (from Cliff Electrical Contractors) is installing recessed lighting.
Bob meets Mike Vogt (from Access Industries) and carpenters (from the Whitaker Company), who are installing a residential elevator.
Bob and contractor Ed Weller meet to demolish a block wall in order to open up the room for remodeling.
Plumber Kevin Hanley reviews the installation process for a pedestal sink and antique toilet in the new half-bath. And electrical wiring is pulled through the wal...
Bob joins Jack O'Leary to review the rough-in plumbing and electrical work, and, together, they install a roof vent.
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...
Bob and the electrician look over the plastic-sheathed electrical wiring and discuss how to protect the installation, while still making it look good.
Bob talks about the "Smart House" system that will be installed in the house with the electrician, Pete Tim. Meanwhile, hot-mopped tar is used to waterproof the s...
J & G Lightning Protection, Inc. installs a lightning rod system that will draw lightning toward the two copper rods, which perch on the garage roof. The copper p...
Bob joins electrician Greg Roulette as he works on the rough wiring. The circuit breaker panel, Greg explains, is a receptacle for ground, neutral, and hot wires...
Electrician Steve Bradley is on hand to install the electrical wires and boxes for the addition. Bob discusses the codes regarding receptacle placement and Steve ...
Bob lays out the lighting design for the kitchen. Electrician Steven Bradley shows Bob how to install a high-hat light fixture, from the mounting to the wiring to...
Bob observes as electrician Steve Bradley snakes a thermostat wire along a wall in service of the new air conditioning system.
After taking stock of progress that's been made, Bob begins wiring a hanging light fixture for a special colonial lantern in the front hall.
Bob has finished wiring the Colonial-style light fixture in the entryway and, back in the kitchen, the refrigerator ice maker is hooked up.
Bob discusses the electrical layout of the first floor with electrician Slav Witowski.
Bob goes over the electrical wiring with John Hickey. Also, cedar clapboards are put up on the exterior.
