ENERGY
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Less Wind, Less EnergyWindbreaks protect a home from wind and provide shade, both of which can help conserve energy. ...
The purpose of a generator is to provide power to appliances, electronic devices, and lighting in remote locations, l...
Eco-friendly home upgrades won’t just make your home more comfortable, they can also help you save money over time. These 10 upgrades offer the best return on you...
When we set out to build a new construction home, we had a lot of research to do. Having lived in city apartments for...
Power outages can range from inconveniences that threaten to spoil the food in the fridge to life-threatening situati...
Whether you have multiple acres, a postage stamp-sized yard, or a container garden, planting your own victory garden can benefit the environment.
Don’t wait until the electric bill arrives to find out how much energy you use. The bill shows only your total energy...
Creating a backyard space takes planning and effort, so it’s a shame that you can’t use it as often when temperatures...
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...
Window insulation kits are an affordable solution to cut the cost of your energy bill and make your home less drafty....
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...
The purchase of a generator is one of those household investments that is easy to put off. But once you have one, you...
Putting a dent in your home improvement to-do list can often put an even bigger dent in your wallet. But these 21 humble DIY projects reduce, reuse, and reimagine...
A storm has knocked out the power on your block, and the temperature on the thermostat is plummeting. With the power ...
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...
Being home more doesn’t have to be expensive. Keep energy costs under control while you're staying safer at home with these easy tips for reducing energy consumpt...
Portable generators are one of the most important tools in a home safety plan for when power outages occur. In the ev...
Solar chargers have come a long way in recent years, becoming more portable, lightweight, and undeniably handy. Perfe...
Households face more cleaning tasks than ever before, so any opportunity for an “easy button” is welcome. The laundry...
Make today the start of an eco-friendly lifestyle change. Try these 20 easy ideas you can do right now to be kinder to the planet.
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...
Adopt these 12 home-energy saving ideas and save money on utilities.
Leaving the lights on and blasting the furnace will cost you more in some states than others.
Don’t believe all the tips and tricks that promise to reduce your energy consumption.
If your windows let in anything other than a view, you may be thinking it's time for replacement windows. But not so ...
Q: I just opened my electric bill, and my jaw dropped. It’s way higher than ever! I called the electric company to se...
Traditionally, most homeowners have two choices for the stove: gas and electric. More often than not, the type of sto...
You’ve heard of LEDs. You’re aware of compact fluorescent lights (CFLs). So what’s the next big idea in home illumination? They’re called smart bulbs, and they co...
Households gobble up more than 30 percent of the electricity consumed in the United States. Sure, efficiency has improved over the years, but consumers continue t...
In the United States, it’s pretty easy to turn on the tap and let the water flow. But according to the United Nations, 2 billion people around the world live with...
In the past few decades, solar panels have gone from an expensive novelty to an increasingly popular source of power generation. Today, more and more homeowners a...
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...
With so many of us juggling more responsibilities than ever, it’s no wonder that folks find doing the wash such a dra...
Like any other holiday, Earth Day is part celebration, part appreciation: We rejoice in the beauty and bounty of our ...
Window treatments let you control light, privacy, and indoor temperature while complementing your décor. While you’ve...
The terms "environmentally friendly," "ecological," and "green" are thrown around a lot these days, but there is no denying that many Americans are earnestly sear...
Everything seems more difficult when Old Man Winter comes calling. Even everyday activities become major hassles when you have to scrape an iced-over windshield o...
Home heating bills can be daunting, especially for those who live in colder climates. But there are ways to keep costs down without resorting to wearing jackets i...
Along with colorful falling leaves, tailgate parties, and family gatherings, autumn’s crisp air brings a reminder of ...
Preparing for winter doesn’t have to be a chore! Read on for 23 fun and fast DIY ways to keep your home warm and weatherproof, no matter what the season brings.
It might as well be one of the laws of nature: As outdoor temperatures drop, electricity bills rise. In much of the country, it takes a lot of energy to keep your...
Back in the 9-to-5 world, when people got up, went to work, and returned home at the same time every weekday, nobody ...
Drafty homes waste energy, yet most homeowners don’t have a clue as to how energy inefficient their homes may actuall...
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 ...
What if you could simply roll a layer of paint onto your walls and increase the thermal insulating property (R-value)...
Check out these energy-saving tips that will help your air conditioner do its job without breaking a sweat—or the bank.
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...
If you’ve had the same hot water heater for longer than 10 years—the standard lifespan—it's smart to consider replaci...
Wear. Wash. Dry. Repeat. As long as you and your family want fresh, clean clothes, somebody’s got to do laundry. Fort...
Q: My 15-year-old air conditioning unit finally gave up, so I’m in the process of shopping for a new one. I’ve heard ...
A homeowner's to-do list can seem endless, especially come spring. Paint the exterior. Mow the lawn (again and again ...
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...
Most people nowadays own thousands of dollars' worth of laptops, smartphones, tablets, and countless other devices that play crucial roles in our everyday lives. ...
Is your existing heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning system due for an upgrade, or even approaching the end of...
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 ...
Let's face it: Owning a home isn't cheap. You're on the hook for mortgage payments and property taxes, of course, as well as maintenance and repair expenses. Unde...
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...
Whoever said "Summer time and the living's easy" must have never lived in a sweltering region with no air conditioni...
For many of us, our attitude toward the roof is pretty much "out of sight, out of mind. " It's only when something bi...
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...
Though often overlooked, air conditioner filters are responsible for a mighty important job: keeping dust, dirt, and ...
Q: I've just turned on the air conditioner for the summer, but have yet to get comfortable. The appliance circulates ...
The electricity bill comes at the end of the month. You open it (perhaps begrudgingly), pay the amount owed, and then...
For decades, window manufacturers have been coming up with incredible new ways to make glazing more like a wall—that ...
It's almost second nature: You turn on the shower and go off to do something else, knowing full well that it will tak...
Flexible and versatile, this inexpensive material can prevent more expensive home issues down the road.
Heating tends to cost a small fortune in the winter, but it doesn't have to—not anymore. Yet homeowners still dread the arrival of the utility bill at the end of ...
Keeping up with the Joneses can be a frustrating and fruitless pursuit…but what if those enviable neighbors are saving money, supporting a cleaner environment, an...
It's the 21st century! It shouldn't be such a struggle for owners to heat their homes evenly enough to enjoy total co...
Whether you live in a centuries-old charmer or a modern marvel, you share something in common with the owners of home...
The desire for renewable energy has never been higher, which has made solar power more popular than ever. Yet, while ...
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...
Homeowners rarely think about their water heater or its vital contribution to the convenience of modern living. Likew...
When its current owner first encountered this home on the shores of Truesdale Lake in Upstate New York, it was in a w...
During the hottest days of the year, it’s likely that you rely heavily on an air conditioning unit—be it targeting yo...
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...
Who said solar was boring? These genius products, powered by nature's electricity, are bound to catch your interest. And because they run on sunshine they'll add ...
When temperatures really rise, summer fun can start to fizzle, especially indoors. It's a good thing that great minds have figured out ways to help you chill (lit...
As temperatures rise, so does the cost of powering the house. Take a stand against soaring energy costs with some of these clever home additions that will subtrac...
We all want to provide our families with "all the comforts of home," but just what those comforts are has evolved over the decades, determined largely by the tech...
For homeowners who have witnessed their energy bills rise ever higher over the years, heating and cooling represents ...
Digital advances have dramatically reshaped our daily lives, yet for the most part, today's typical home isn't very different from a home built 50 years ago. Ther...
Here’s a cold-weather tidbit: Did you know that in many old homes, as much as a quarter of the heat generated by the ...
It may seem like a paradox, but sometimes you have to spend a little money to save a lot of green. Investing in just a few little upgrades like energy-efficient l...
This time of year, homeowners around the country bemoan the high cost of home heating and naturally seek out ways to ...
Owning a home is expensive: There are property taxes and mortgages, tiny repairs and big maintenance projects, energy costs and water bills. After all's said and ...
Does your blood pressure rise and fall with the ups-and-downs in your monthly energy costs? Particularly during heati...
A new year offers new opportunities to save money. Look around your home and you will see a huge variety of ways to save money, from increasing energy efficiency ...
Winter is coming! Is your house ready to deal with harsh winter winds, blowing snow, and frosty windows? A well winterized home has what it takes to stand up to w...
When plummeting temperatures and cruel storms combine to make the outdoors forbidding, everyone takes refuge indoors. There's only one potential problem: If aggra...
Believe it or not, in one fell swoop you can lower your energy bills and improve the air quality in your home. The se...
There's been a lot of talk about light bulbs over the past few years. In 2012, after the new federal light bulb stand...
This post has been brought to you by Mitsubishi Electric. Its facts and opinions are those of BobVila. com. In the ma...
For those who are lucky enough to own a swimming pool, this is the best time of year. But as you soak in the sun, you...
You are reading one installment in a ten-part series devoted to exploring Mitsubishi Electric ductless heating and co...
Summer is only just beginning, and already, it seems like it is going to be a scorcher! Although many modern homes are equipped with air conditioning, it can be a...
We owe a lot to the humble air conditioner. Like most inventions, the idea came from a very real need: relief from ex...
Whether you own an old house or would like to build a new one, you've likely asked yourself a hard-to-answer question...
If you know anything at all about pipe insulation, you know that it goes a long way toward preventing frozen pipes. T...
Costs for heating your home with oil, natural gas, propane, and electricity seem to go in only one direction: up! Steadily increasing prices for fossil fuels are ...
Drafts got you down? As outside temperatures plummet, leaky windows can make the inside of your home feel downright frosty—to say nothing of costing you money as ...
If you've gone out to buy a light bulb recently, chances are you've hesitated over the unfamiliar selection. Traditio...
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...
The crisp snap of autumn weather is a reminder that even colder days lie ahead. Get ready for them by performing a few simple chores now that will keep you toasty...
Air conditioning is responsible for as much as one third of the electricity consumed in summer. These are energy-thir...
Whether you're building a new swimming pool or retrofitting your existing one, be proactive in pursuing the many new methods and technologies that can help you ke...
Up until recently, buying a light bulb was probably as routine for most people as buying a carton of milk. But new li...
If you live in an older home, the prospect of retrofitting it to be more energy efficient might send cold shivers dow...
Here's a great device for keeping your home energy dollars from going down the drain. A drain water heat recovery de...
You’ve probably heard about vampire electricity, the electrical power that can suck the life out of your home power u...
When you think about solar power, do you picture bulky panels protruding from rooftops? If so, think again. With the ...
Solar electric systems are appearing on more and more rooftops across America, but their pace of adoption has not bee...
One out of four American homes has a second refrigerator in it, according to the Department of Energy—that’s 30 milli...
It's difficult to overstate the importance of windows in home design, not least because they have an impact on both t...
For anyone interested in the developing field of solar power, today’s a big day. Starting today, the U. S. Department...
If you're looking for a green energy alternative to supplement your home's supply of electricity, heed the immortal w...
Window films are like sunglasses for your house, inexpensively improving the energy efficiency of your home, even as ...
As energy prices continue to rise, we've become even more conscious of the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of our f...
If you're searching for the best window air conditioner, check out these 9 highly rated models for small, medium, and large rooms.
Homeowners looking to reduce air conditioning costs and shield interior furnishings from the sun’s harsh glare may wa...
Solar energy can be used to do all sorts of work around the house, from providing electricity for lights and applianc...
Most new models of toilets, showers, and kitchen appliances reflect eco-friendly manufacturing and design principles ...
Imagine a home where your heat pump, water heater, pool pump, dishwasher, refrigerator, oven, washer, and dryer all w...
Windows bring views, comfort, ventilation, and energy efficiency to a home. Windows also bring large solar heat gains...
Today’s advanced materials, better science, and new manufacturing processes make for high-performance window units. T...
“What ifs” can be a great way to get the ball rolling on home energy-efficiency projects: What if you added more insu...
Light from the StartToday’s residential lighting considerations go beyond decorative fixtures. Lighting influences ou...
Obviously there’s some green stuff in your kitchen, like lettuce and broccoli. But beyond buying organic food, it’s e...
Today’s home automation products allow homeowners to take an active role in managing power consumption while controll...
Unlike photovoltaic systems, which convert the sun’s energy into electricity, active solar thermal systems transform ...
Solar or photovoltaic systems are an increasingly popular way to offset rising utility bills — just place them in the...
Homeowners love windows — the light they bring, the views they frame, the feel they give to homes. Energy experts hat...
The Power of BulbsLamp or bulb power is measured in watts. One thousand watts equals one kilowatt, and a kilowatt-hou...
The green movement is in full swing: from organic foods to energy-efficient appliances to greener cleaning products, ...
Making homeowners’ heating systems energy-efficient is the answer to lower utility bills, the experts say. Thankfully...
If you’re considering a new system for your home, talk first to your architect or designer. Conversations with HVAC c...
There's been a lot of chatter about the energy-saving potential of geothermal heat pumps over the long term. Also kno...
Interested in solar power but not sure where to start? Solar panels are becoming increasingly available to the averag...
That faint sucking sound you hear may be vampire appliances draining electricity from your walls. Vampires are electr...
Those seeking ways to improve energy efficiency and reduce heating and cooling costs have an increasingly popular alt...
During our long experience with incandescent light bulbs, we got used to thinking about light in terms of wattage. Bu...
With temperatures dipping into the single digits here in the Northeast—and below 0° F in many other places—shivering ...
Standing in her kitchen, she knew the handsome stranger wasn't like the other men in her life, when he pulled her clo...
We hear a lot about lighting and energy efficiency, but can the right light bulb really be effective in reducing mont...
The next generations will face fuel costs so high, they’ll make the standard twentieth-century under-insulated stick-...
Which projects will do the most good to lower your utility bills? A professional home energy audit can help you decid...
Today, September 14th, is the kickoff of the 2012 Solar Decathlon, and this year it’s being held in sunny Spain. List...
Wherever lights are accidentally left on a lot, your home is leaking money. Sometimes just changing the switch can so...
Everyone agrees that you should change your HVAC filter on a regular basis, but not everyone agrees on the type of fi...
If you have a south-facing roof without solar panels on it, you’re probably paying too much for hot water. LISTENList...
Burning MoneyA fire in an open hearth is only 10 percent efficient at best, which means that 90 percent of the heat e...
An imperative “rite of spring” in our house is checking our two central air conditioning systems to make sure they ar...
Weather Stripping: Not Just for Winter Before you add to your electric bill trying to keep cool this summer, add some...
Give Fluorescent Lighting Another ChanceWe all know that switching to fluorescent lighting saves energy and money. Bu...
Solar Energy: Demand GrowsWhen photovoltaics (PV) or the conversion of solar energy to electric power came on the sce...
Reduce Fuel, Save Money If you have a south-facing roof, you're probably paying too much for hot water. Over a millio...
As April 15 bears down, you might be able to save a little "scratch" if your 2011 home improvements fell within the n...
Try Old-School Cooling Before you crank up the A/C this summer to keep cool, try a little old-fashioned ventilation f...
Cooktops that use magnets to generate heat. Lawn trimmers without wheels. Dishwashers for outdoors. Innovation is hap...
Let’s list some good bets for greening your routine: Switch to Fluorescent Lighting: Energy-saving fluorescent ligh...
Despite what you may have heard—the incandescent light bulb is not going the way of the dinosaur. "It will, however...
High noon will turn many a classic home into a summertime sweatbox. And while noisy window-mounted air conditioners c...
Is your blood pressure rising on the same schedule as your month-to-month heating and cooling bills? Relax—you can st...
A zero-energy home (ZEH) produces as much energy as it consumes over a year's time. The only way to achieve this is t...
Homeowners are looking for ways to conserve energy and still make a positive impact on the environment. Here are some...
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 talks with Robert Rainey of PJ Overhead Door as the new and improved garage door panels and tracks are installed on the Norwell home.
As the upper-story walls are poured, Bob talks with the builder and contractor about the significant savings in time, energy, and cost that come with concrete and...
The Beasleys selected Pella Architect Series windows for their 1895 home. The windows are Energy Star rated for high efficiency and feature replica-style hardware.
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...
Architect Mary Kennedy and Bob tour her Georgian Colonial family home in Westchester County, NY. After a flood ruined the house, the challenge was to salvage and ...
Bob visits with architect Alan Shope who has built a unique earth-bermed house at his farm in Upstate New York.
Bob reviews the heating and air conditioning equipment that will bring the Shingle Style house into its second century.
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...
An old basement window is replaced, and experts explain the costs of the Owens Corning finishing system.
Bob meets with the installer of the new HVAC system to discuss how it filters air and reduces energy costs.
Bob talks with the installer of a new on-demand tankless water heater that is more energy efficient than tank water heaters.
Bob revisits the techniques and products used to keep the basement dry.
The house's two chimneys are repaired, allowing the installation of a gas fireplace insert, and basement family-room cabinets are completed.
Bob discusses the installation of a plastic subfloor to prevent water damage and the selection of a basement dehumidifier.
Bob meets with Electrician Harry Cunningham to install a backup generator.
Bob and Chris Vila visit the plastering contractor and receive a lesson in plaster mixing. Next, they talk to Dino from Dino's Construction, who's installing the ...
Bob meets with Lenora Campos from Toto USA, a leader in water technology and the largest toilet manufacturer in the world. Campos introduces Bob to the dual-flush...
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.
Bob looks at the order and placement of the windows on the facade of the modern Colonial. Upon closer inspection, the classically inspired fenestration, size, typ...
Kevin Callahan from Sears joins Bob to talk about the new Kenmore air conditioning condensers that will be installed.
Robert Kirkpatrick from Rinnai joins Bob to explain the tankless hot-water system being installed in the Manhattan Brownstonel.
At the Cobb Hill co-housing community, Bob and general contractor Mark Albee look at some of the energy efficient and eco-friendly products in use.
Bob visits with Mark Lundquist of Burnham Hydronics to check out the boiler for the hot-water heating system being installed in the Mashpee, Massachusetts, afford...
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 talks with Ray Adam (from Pella Windows) about the new French doors to be installed in the library. It's an active/inactive door with all hardware. The most i...
Bob goes up to the attic of the Victorian project house, where an ODL tubular skylight is being installed. Also, Bob looks back at the installation of windows on ...
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...
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 visits the Global Solar factory in Tucson, AZ to see how they company manufactures its unique solar-electric (photovoltaic) devices.
Carpenter Bob Ryley meets Steve Wilkinson in the kitchen to install the Corian countertops, and Bob talks with Ren Anderson (from the National Renewable Energy La...
Janet MacIlvaine and George James (from the Department of Energy) show Bob how they conduct a blower door test.
Bob meets with Brian Redding (from the APA) to learn more about roof framing techniques for resisting hurricanes and high winds.
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 assists electrician Barry Driscoll and carpenter Bob Ryley with the installation of a stacked energy-efficient washer-dryer unit.
Bob meets with plumbing contractor Craig Rinaldi and Mary Moffroid (from Controlled Energy), who are installing a tankless hot water heater.
A high-efficiency Buderus boiler is installed, and Steve Offutt (from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) explains the national Energy Star program.
Bob talks with factory representative Chris Hoff and heating contractor Peter Lydon during the installation of a Buderus high-efficiency boiler.
Bob and carpenter Bob Ryley install a Maytag Neptune washer-dryer set. Jay Klosterman (from Maytag) describes the product's energy saving features.
Bob reviews the kitchen appliances, paying special attention to their energy saving features.
Australian-born architect and homeowner, Gavin Langley, shows Bob how attics are insulated in his home country.
Landscape designer Ruth Foster explains her selection of plant material and flowering shrubs for the backyard and directs the planting of a Sephora Japonica shade...
John Marran (from Energy Kinetics) and heating expert Frank Iadarola review the energy efficient boiler system that will supply heat to the hydronic floors and to...
Ryan Pirro (from RestorationWindows.com) discusses refurbishing old windows with solid-bronze sash chains, new parting beads, and spring-bronze weather stripping ...
Bob meets with Don Schumacher (from NCFI), who explains polyurethane spray-on insulation. Applied directly to the back of sheathing, it swells to 25 times its liq...
