Featured Article: How Electric Fireplaces Work
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? See more »
heating and cooling library
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.
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Articles 1-20 of 28
Conserving Energy Quiz
There are many methods for conserving energy. Test your knowledge on these different methods with this conserving energy quiz at HowStuffWorks.
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How Coal Stoves Work
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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How Electric Fireplaces Work
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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How Heat Pumps Work
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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How Infrared Heaters Work
Infrared light isn't visible because it's beyond the spectrum we can see. That's the gist of an infrared heater -- the heat is a product of light that is invisible to our eyes.
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How Insulated Curtains Work
If you use electricity to heat and cool your home, some of your money probably goes right out the windows when you pay your bill. Insulated curtains help you costs down by keeping heat in -- or out.
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How Off-peak Cooling Systems Work
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?
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How to Clean a Chimney
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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How to Clean a Furnace
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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How to Insulate Basement Walls
Basements are by nature cool and damp. They can also account for significant heat loss from a home, so a good insulation job could end up saving you a lot of money.
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How to Insulate Windows
As the weather gets colder, you might notice a draft entering your house from the windowsills. Placing a hand near the window on a windy night can reveal the source of the draft. Learn how to insulate your windows to save on energy.
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How to Repair Chimney Cracks
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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How Wood Stoves Work
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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If my home's air filters are clean when I change them, are they really working?
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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Weatherizing Your Home
Weatherizing your home is an important step in conserving energy and saving money. Learn about weatherizing your home.
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What can I do to my roof to save on energy costs?
It may seem like one of the more boring aspects of home maintenance, but putting a good roof on your home can save you loads of money down the road. What's the best way to save on energy costs?
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Furnace Maintenance
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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Heating and Cooling System Basics
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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How to Maintain a Furnace
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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How to Repair Central Air Conditioners
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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