Heating and cooling ultimately determines the comfort of a home. Learn how to troubleshoot heating and cooling and how to fix and maintain HVAC systems.
Off-peak cooling is a new innovation that uses electricity to produce blocks of ice at night when demand is low. But how does the air stay cool enough to provide relief at the hottest time of day? See more »
As with most utilities around the house, the cost of heating a home is getting more expensive. But an old staple can be used to heat your home -- for less money than more modern heating options.
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Wood-burning fireplaces are great. What's cozier than snuggling up in front of a warm, crackling fire? But they're also a lot of work. Is there an easier alternative?
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Heat pumps use a small amount of energy to move heat from one place to another. They serve a dual purpose -- they can use that heat transfer to cool a home as well.
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Off-peak cooling is a new innovation that uses electricity to produce blocks of ice at night when demand is low. But how does the air stay cool enough to provide relief at the hottest time of day?
See more »
The idea of a chimney sweep might conjure up romantic notions of the film, "Mary Poppins." But chimney maintenance is serious business. Keeping your chimney clean is important in preventing chimney fires -- and potential house fires.
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No matter how frequently you sweep, vacuum and clean, you still seem to have an inordinate amount of dust all around. So what's behind the dust-bunny boom? The culprit could be your furnace.
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You rely on your chimney to channel smoke up and out of your house. Therefore, when the outside or inside walls of your chimney crack, you could encounter some serious problems.
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Wood stoves have evolved quite a bit from their potbellied ancestors. Today's wood stoves are clean and efficient, and have several environmental arguments on their side.
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It's an often heard maxim: Clean air filters save energy and money. They're designed to catch pollutants as the air passes through them. But if it's clean when you pull it out, is it really doing its job?
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Heating systems are usually trouble-free. But no matter what type of furnace you have, there are several things you can do to keep the system in top condition. Learn how to maintain a furnace.
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We expect our heating systems to keep our homes warm during the winter, and we depend on air-conditioning to keep us cool in summer. Learn the basics of how heating and cooling systems work.
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Heating systems are usually trouble-free. But no matter what type of furnace you have, there are several things you can do to keep the system in top condition. Learn how to maintain a furnace.
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Central air conditioners require routine maintenance to keep them operating at peak efficiency. It's important to know how a system's main parts function. Learn to troubleshoot a central air conditioner system.
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Electric heating systems have advantages, but can be costly to maintain, and many malfunctions should be addressed by a professional. Learn about minor electric furnace problems you can take care of yourself.
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Most repairs on an oil furnace are jobs for a professional. However, regular maintenance will keep your oil furnace operating properly for years. Find out how to keep your oil furnace in top shape.
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You want to get a broken room air conditioner back up again right away. Fortunately, there are several simple fixes you can do yourself. Find out how to repair your room air conditioner.
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A forced-air distribution system is just what the name implies. Air is forced from the furnace through ducts to registers in various rooms. Learn to troubleshoot a forced-air distribution system.
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A heat pump not only heats your home during the winter, it also cools it during the summer. Proper maintenance is important. Find out how to troubleshoot a heat pump.
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Hot water and steam systems work similarly, and are still used in existing homes. Some routine maintenance is required to keep them working properly. Learn how to troubleshoot a hot water and steam system.
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A thermostat is a highly sensitive control instrument that responds to even the slightest changes in temperature. It can be a source of some frustrating problems. Learn how to maintain a thermostat.
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