ENERGY

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The Best Rechargeable Battery Chargers for Your Various Needs
A good rechargeable battery charger has one purpose: to make sure you always have juiced-up batteries ready to power ...
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Living Modern in an Old House
Welcome to Old House Appreciation with Bob Vila, a month-long series dedicated to showing you the best reasons to own...
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Jackery’s Largest Solar Generator May Be Your Next Emergency Essential
As the maker of the world’s first outdoor portable power station, Jackery recently introduced its most flexible and h...
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The Best Garage Air Conditioners of 2023
Capable air conditioners can transform sweltering garages into comfortable spaces. Whether you simply want a temperat...
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Changing Your Dishwashing Routine Could Save You Money
We've all been there—dinner is over, and now comes the part of your evening you dread the most: tackling that mountai...
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Incandescent Light Bulb Ban—All of Your Questions Answered
If you have been in a lighting or hardware store recently, you may have noticed something missing—incandescent light ...
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7 Ways to Get Help from Federal, State, and Local Government for Improved Energy Efficiency
In today's age of rising energy costs and increasing environmental awareness, having an energy-efficient home has nev...
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Renters: How to Improve Energy Efficiency and Ask Your Landlord for Improvements
While renters may not have the same options for improving energy efficiency as those who own their homes, there are m...
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Now Is the Best Time to Buy a Home Generator—Here’s Why
This content has been brought to you by Kohler. Its facts and opinions are those of BobVila. com. When it comes to st...
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Energy Efficiency: What Do All Those Ratings Really Mean? 
Do you know how the SEER rating on your new air conditioner impacts your energy bill? How about HSPF of your heat pum...
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Why Now Is the Time to Invest in Rooftop Solar—and Where to Start
This is the third installment of Bob Vila’s Most Valuable Projects of 2023, a month-long series featuring high-ROI ho...
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Solved! What Is a Fuel Cell?
Q: During a recent blackout, my neighbor and I kicked around the idea of alternative power sources. Besides solar and...
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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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Home Generator Maintenance Tips to Keep Your Backup Power Shipshape
Home generators come in several sizes with a range of power outputs. Having one when the power goes out can ensure fa...
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Take Charge: The Bluetti EP900 Home Power System Protects You From Outages and Rising Energy Costs
Summertime is fun time, but it also comes with bouts of extreme heat in many areas. That often leads to increased dem...
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The Best Home EV Chargers of 2023
While public charging points for electric vehicles are becoming more common, a home electric vehicle (EV) charger wil...
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How to Recoup Your Energy Efficiency Home Improvements at Tax Time
Energy-efficient home upgrades benefit the environment by reducing energy demands and air pollution, plus they can pu...
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The Best Solar Companies in Connecticut of 2023
Solar power offers numerous benefits, including reduced energy bills, fewer carbon emissions, and even a potential in...
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Solved! What Does a Gas Leak Smell Like?
Q: I recently moved into a house with gas appliances. I purchased new smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, but I’m no...
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Electric Furnace vs. Gas: Which Heating System Is Right for Your Home?
Chilly months are much more bearable with a functioning, efficient heating system, but there are many options for kee...
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How Much Does a Home Energy Audit Cost?
Highlights The typical cost for a home energy audit ranges from $208 to $675, with homeowners paying an average of $...
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Is a Briggs & Stratton Standby Generator a Worthwhile Investment?
As the risk of power outages and rolling blackouts increases, due in part to an aging electrical grid and an increase...
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11 Hidden Costs of Owning an Electric Car
The dawn of the electric car revolution is here, and enthusiastic drivers anticipate being able to shed their depende...
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15 Around-the-House Resolutions That Will Save You Money in 2023
Life is surprisingly expensive. You pay for food, clothing, electricity, gas, water, insurance, vehicles, fuel, repai...
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Can Your Utility Company Control Your Home’s Thermostat?
When temperatures fluctuate, it’s easy to flip on your home’s heating and cooling system and not think much about it....
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How to Read a Power Meter to Monitor Your Home’s Energy Usage
There’s a growing focus on electric meters lately. With energy prices rising, many folks may have developed trust iss...
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Passive House Design: What All Energy-Conscious Homeowners Should Know
Climate change is already shaping how people live. With more powerful hurricanes, wildfires, heat waves, and flooding...
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Solved! How to Use Your Home's Solar Panels to Charge Your Electric Car
How exactly do solar panels work with the electric grid to charge my electric car?A: Let's start with the basics. Mos...
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12 Ways to Make an Old Home More Energy Efficient
This article is part of Old House Appreciation with Bob Vila, a month-long series dedicated to showing you the best p...
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How to Prepare Your Home for an Electric Car
The most significant change in transportation since we took horses off the streets is upon us. Are you ready? An elec...
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This Is the Best Time to Do Laundry
Q: I’ve been looking for creative ways to save money at home. I heard that doing laundry during certain times of the ...
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9 Home Upgrades the Climate Bill Can Help You Pay For
The Inflation Reduction Act that was recently passed by the U. S. Congress includes $369 billion for energy security ...
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Earthship Homes: Are They the Next Big Sustainable Housing Trend?
If you’re curious about off-grid living, you may have heard of an Earthship. Earthship homes are built partially into...
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8 Important Things to Know About Home Wind Turbines
Installing a residential wind turbine can help generate clean energy for your home, RV, or even a boat or camper. How...
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The Best Sauna Heaters of 2023
One of the key ingredients of an efficient, comfortable home sauna is the choice of heater. There are a number of dif...
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The Best Propane Generators of 2023
Power outages can threaten to spoil the food in the fridge and lead to life-threatening situations in cold temperatur...
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The Best Clotheslines of 2023
Gone are the days when the only clothesline option was a simple rope suspended between two trees or poles in the back...
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The Best Home Wind Turbines of 2023
 Home wind turbines provide a way to independently generate power. They typically contain three blades and use the wi...
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The Best Energy-Efficient Light Bulbs of 2023
Using energy-efficient light bulbs is a simple way to help reduce your bills. Having energy-efficient bulbs on hand m...
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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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Are Your Windows Drafty? Try These 12 Solutions for Every Budget
This winter, stop cold air from seeping into your home and driving up your energy costs. These fixes—some of which are under $10—will help keep you warm.
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Solved! How Long Do LED Lights Last?
Q: Lighting experts tout the longevity and potential money savings of LEDs, but is all that true? Are there ways to e...
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Solved! What Temperature Should I Set My Thermostat in Winter?
Q: My partner and I have an ongoing disagreement about the right temperature setting for the heat during cold months....
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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 Best Standby Generators of 2023
The purpose of a generator is to provide power to appliances, electronic devices, and lighting in remote locations, l...
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These Eco-Friendly Home Upgrades Offer the Best ROI
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...
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MERV Ratings: What Do They Mean?
When we set out to build a new construction home, we had a lot of research to do. Having lived in city apartments for...
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10 Ways Your Backyard Garden Can Combat Climate Change
Whether you have multiple acres, a postage stamp-sized yard, or a container garden, planting your own victory garden can benefit the environment.
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The Best Home Energy Monitors of 2023
Don’t wait until the electric bill arrives to find out how much energy you use. The bill shows only your total energy...
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The Best Kerosene Heaters of 2023
Creating a backyard space takes planning and effort, so it’s a shame that you can’t use it as often when temperatures...
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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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America’s 10 Most Energy Efficient States
Are you surprised by the state that ranks number one?
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The Best Window Insulation Kits of 2023
Window insulation kits are an affordable solution to cut the cost of your energy bill and make a home less drafty. Fo...
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Testing the Best Propane Heaters for Warming Up Your Space
Propane heaters are an incredibly effective way to quickly heat a medium to large living space using liquid propane (...
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20 Cheap Home Repairs That Could Save You Thousands
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...
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The Best Dual Fuel Generators of 2023
Dual fuel generators are one of those household investments that is easy to put off. But once you have one, you may w...
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21 Money-Saving Tricks That Every Homeowner Needs to Know
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...
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The Best Non-Electric Heaters of 2023
A midwinter ice storm has knocked out the power on your block, and the temperature on the thermostat is plummeting. W...
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Slash Your Electric Bill with 11 Savvy Hacks
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...
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The Best Inverter Generators of 2023
Portable generators are one of the most important tools in a home safety plan for when power outages occur. In the ev...
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The Best Solar Chargers of 2023
Solar chargers are becoming more portable, lightweight, and undeniably handy. Perfect for camping, they’re also usefu...
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20 Ways to Support Earth Day This Year
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.
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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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12 Ways to Put Your Home on an Energy Diet
Adopt these 12 home-energy saving ideas and save money on utilities.
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Where Utility Bills Are Highest (and Lowest) in the United States
Leaving the lights on and blasting the furnace will cost you more in some states than others.
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10 Energy-Saving Myths You Shouldn't Believe
Don’t believe all the tips and tricks that promise to reduce your energy consumption.
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The Best LED Light Bulbs of 2023
Nowadays, many renters and homeowners choose light-emitting diode bulbs (LEDs) over the classic incandescent, fluores...
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5 Things to Know Before Installing Storm Windows
If your windows let in anything other than a view, you may be thinking it's time for replacement windows. But not so ...
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Solved! Why Is My Electric Bill So High?
Q: I just opened my electric bill, and my jaw dropped. It’s way higher than ever! I called the electric company to se...
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Gas vs. Electric Stove: Which is Better?
Gas stoves cook food using an open flame when the gas is ignited, while electric stoves use electricity and metal hea...
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10 Reasons to Consider Switching to Smart Light Bulbs
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...
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These are the Biggest Electricity Hogs in Your Home
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...
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30 Water-Saving Habits to Start Right Now
Two billion people globally live with severe water scarcity. Small changes we can all make now will go a long way toward saving water—and our planet.
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I Installed Solar Panels on My Roof and Here’s What Happened
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...
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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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Which Window Treatment Works Best for Your House? Blinds vs. Curtains
Window treatments let you control light, privacy, and indoor temperature while complementing your décor. While you’ve...
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16 Simple Tricks to Stay Seriously Warm This Winter
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...
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3 Reasons Why a Sealant Is the Key to Winter-Proofing This Year
Along with colorful falling leaves, tailgate parties, and family gatherings, autumn’s crisp air brings a reminder of ...
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23 Brilliant Hacks to Help You Weather Winter
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.
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7 Cool Inventions That Will Help You Save Money on Your Heating Bill
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...
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All You Need to Know About Blower Door Tests
Drafty homes waste energy, yet most homeowners don’t have a clue as to how energy inefficient their homes may actuall...
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18 Ways You're Accidentally Wasting Energy
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 ...
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All You Need to Know About Insulating Paint
What if you could simply roll a layer of paint onto your walls and increase the thermal insulating property (R-value)...
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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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Choosing a New Appliance: Electric vs. Gas Water Heaters
If you’ve had the same hot water heater for longer than 10 years—the standard lifespan—it's smart to consider replaci...
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Solved! What Is a SEER Rating?
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 ...
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5 Reasons Not to Buy Replacement Windows (...and Go with Window Inserts Instead)
A homeowner's to-do list can seem endless, especially come spring. Paint the exterior. Mow the lawn (again and again ...
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The Worst Money Mistakes Homeowners Ever Make
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...
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8 Stupid Mistakes That Kill Your Electronics
Most people nowadays own thousands of dollars' worth of laptops, smartphones, tablets, and countless other devices that play crucial roles in our everyday lives. ...
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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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4 Ways Your Roof Can Save You Energy
For many of us, our attitude toward the roof is pretty much "out of sight, out of mind. " It's only when something bi...
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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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15 Problems You Can Solve With Caulk
Flexible and versatile, this inexpensive material can prevent more expensive home issues down the road.
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14 Secrets of People with Low Energy Bills
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...
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Solved! This is How Long a Water Heater Actually Lasts
Q. We just bought a house, and the previous owners told us that the water heater is about 6 years old. Does that mean...
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Too Hot Upstairs, Too Cold Downstairs? Here’s What to Do
It's the 21st century! It shouldn't be such a struggle for owners to heat their homes evenly enough to enjoy total co...
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All You Need to Know About Heat Pump Water Heaters
Homeowners rarely think about their water heater or its vital contribution to the convenience of modern living. Likew...
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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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9 Energy-Saving Home Upgrades That Pay for Themselves
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...
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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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10 Money-Saving Gadgets That Pay for Themselves
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...
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A Smart Add-On to Boost Boiler Efficiency by 15% or More
This time of year, homeowners around the country bemoan the high cost of home heating and naturally seek out ways to ...
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14 Sneaky Ways to Save Money on Your Water Bill
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 ...
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8 Wise Ways to Winter-Proof Your Home for Practically Nothing
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...
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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 Best Alternative to a Window Air Conditioner
This post has been brought to you by Mitsubishi Electric. Its facts and opinions are those of BobVila. com. In the ma...
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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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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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The Little-Known Benefits of Pipe Insulation
If you know anything at all about pipe insulation, you know that it goes a long way toward preventing frozen pipes. T...
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9 Reasons to Bring Back the Wood Stove
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 ...
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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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Choosing the Right Bulb (and Dimmer)
Up until recently, buying a light bulb was probably as routine for most people as buying a carton of milk. But new li...
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Quick Tip: Drain Water Heat Recovery
 Here's a great device for keeping your home energy dollars from going down the drain. A drain water heat recovery de...
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Coming Soon to a Rooftop Near You—Solar Shingles
Solar electric systems are appearing on more and more rooftops across America, but their pace of adoption has not bee...
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Buyer's Guide: Replacement Windows
It's difficult to overstate the importance of windows in home design, not least because they have an impact on both t...
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Window Films 101
Window films are like sunglasses for your house, inexpensively improving the energy efficiency of your home, even as ...
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Should You Make the Switch From Propane to Natural Gas?
As energy prices continue to rise, it's important to become even more conscious of the efficiency and cost-effectiven...
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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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Solar Power Systems 101
Solar energy can be used to do all sorts of work around the house, from providing electricity for lights and applianc...
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Top Tips for Eco-Friendly Lighting at Home
Today’s residential lighting considerations go beyond decorative fixtures. Lighting influences our general well-being...
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Choosing an HVAC System
If you’re considering a new system for your home, talk first to your architect or designer. Conversations with HVAC c...
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Interior Storm Windows Save Homeowners Money in Two Ways
Those seeking ways to improve energy efficiency and reduce heating and cooling costs have an increasingly popular alt...
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Gas vs. Oil: Which Furnace Is Better?
With temperatures dipping into the single digits here in the Northeast—and below 0° F in many other places—shivering ...
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Bob Vila Radio: The Solar Decathlon
Today, September 14th, is the kickoff of the 2012 Solar Decathlon, and this year it’s being held in sunny Spain. List...
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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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Quick Tip: Make Your Fireplace More Efficient
Burning MoneyA fire in an open hearth is only 10 percent efficient at best, which means that 90 percent of the heat e...
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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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Quick Tip: Solar Hot Water Systems Save Money
Reduce Fuel, Save Money If you have a south-facing roof, you're probably paying too much for hot water. Over a millio...
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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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Installing Galvalume Metal Roof and Solar Panels
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...
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Installing the New Garage Doors
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.
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Pouring the Upper-Story Walls and Saving Energy with Concrete Construction
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...
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Energy Efficient Windows
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.
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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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Tour a Salvaged Home with the Latest Green Technologies
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 ...
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Tour an Earth-Bermed House in Upstate New York
Bob visits with architect Alan Shope who has built a unique earth-bermed house at his farm in Upstate New York.
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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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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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Replacing and Installing Windows and Costs of Finishing a Basement
An old basement window is replaced, and experts explain the costs of the Owens Corning finishing system.
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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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Installing an On-Demand Hot Water System
Bob talks with the installer of a new on-demand tankless water heater that is more energy efficient than tank water heaters.
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Eliminating Basement Moisture
Bob revisits the techniques and products used to keep the basement dry.
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Repairing the Chimneys, Installing a Gas Fireplace Insert and Completed Cabinets in the Basement Family Room
The house's two chimneys are repaired, allowing the installation of a gas fireplace insert, and basement family-room cabinets are completed.
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Basement Remodeling Update and Installing Subfloor to Prevent Water Damage
Bob discusses the installation of a plastic subfloor to prevent water damage and the selection of a basement dehumidifier.
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Wiring an Electrical Box to Support a Backup Generator
Bob meets with Electrician Harry Cunningham to install a backup generator.
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Ultra Low-Flow Toilet Installed
Lenora Campos shows Bob a Toto energy-efficient toilet.
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Mixing Plaster and Installing the Skylight
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 ...
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Toto Low-Flow Toilet
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...
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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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Window Placement and Installation
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...
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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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Space Savings and Increased Effeciency With a Tankless Hot Water Heater
Robert Kirkpatrick from Rinnai joins Bob to explain the tankless hot-water system being installed in the Manhattan Brownstonel.
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Reviewing Energy Efficient Products in the Home
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.
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Efficient Burnham Boiler for Heat and Hot Water
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...
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Feng Shui for the Home
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...
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Installing French Doors
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...
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Skylight and Gable Window Installation
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 ...
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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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Photovoltaic Roofing Shingles Installed
Bob talks with Deane Evans (from the Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing) and Ren Anderson (from the National Renewable Engergy Laboratory) about phot...
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Manufacturing Photovoltaic Devices at the Global Solar Factory
Bob visits the Global Solar factory in Tucson, AZ to see how they company manufactures its unique solar-electric (photovoltaic) devices.
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Corian Kitchen Countertop Installation and Energy Star Appliances
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...
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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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Roof Framing for Hurricane Safety and Energy Savings
Bob meets with Brian Redding (from the APA) to learn more about roof framing techniques for resisting hurricanes and high winds.
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Technology Systems in the Governor's Mansion
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...
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Installing a Stacked Energy-Efficient Washer-Dryer
Bob assists electrician Barry Driscoll and carpenter Bob Ryley with the installation of a stacked energy-efficient washer-dryer unit.
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Installing a Tankless Hot Water Heater
Bob meets with plumbing contractor Craig Rinaldi and Mary Moffroid (from Controlled Energy), who are installing a tankless hot water heater.
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Energy-Efficient Boiler Installed
A high-efficiency Buderus boiler is installed, and Steve Offutt (from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) explains the national Energy Star program.
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Installation of the Buderus High Efficiency Boiler
Bob talks with factory representative Chris Hoff and heating contractor Peter Lydon during the installation of a Buderus high-efficiency boiler.
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Energy-Efficient Washer and Dryer Set Installed
Bob and carpenter Bob Ryley install a Maytag Neptune washer-dryer set. Jay Klosterman (from Maytag) describes the product's energy saving features.
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Touring the High-Efficiency Kitchen
Bob reviews the kitchen appliances, paying special attention to their energy saving features.
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Attic Insulation
Australian-born architect and homeowner, Gavin Langley, shows Bob how attics are insulated in his home country.
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Landscaping for Energy Efficiency
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...
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Discussing the Radiant Heat and Boiler
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...
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Restoring Old Windows
Ryan Pirro (from RestorationWindows.com) discusses refurbishing old windows with solid-bronze sash chains, new parting beads, and spring-bronze weather stripping ...
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Spray-On Closed-Cell Insulation
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...
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Regulating the Refrigerator Temperature More clips
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