With winter rapidly on its way, the government is asking you to think about cost-effective and environmentally responsible ways to heat your home. In fact, it is encouraging eco- and cost-conscious families to consider efficient wood stoves or inserts by offering a 30 percent tax credit, up to $1,500, for the purchase of a 75 [...]
With more Americans downsizing their household budgets, larger-scale renovation projects are out and frugal remodeling is in. And when it comes to saving money, experts say home improvement projects that increase energy efficiency are among the best investments to deliver paybacks — now and in the future.
The average return on investment for midrange home improvement [...]
Ice dams may not be something the average homeowner has ever heard of, but they occur all too frequently during the winter months, resulting in costly damage. Left unaddressed, water seepage from ice dams can ruin ceilings, walls, attics and roofing.
Ice dams usually form when heat from inside a home causes snow on the roof [...]
With the return of colder weather, you may be hesitant to turn on the furnace again – especially if you want to put off winter’s high energy bills. And, as you start shutting the windows to keep out the cold, the quality of your home’s indoor air can make it hard to keep the family [...]
Winter’s chill is supposed to take place outdoors, but too often drafty attics, fireplaces, windows and open vents let cold air into your home. This wastes energy and can cost you big money in higher energy bills.
Drafts, such as those around doors, windows and pipes, are the largest source of heating and cooling loss in [...]
You scheduled flu shots for the entire family and stocked the cabinets with plenty of vitamin C and chicken soup. But what have you done to ensure the health of your actual home this winter?
You may not realize it, but allergens and toxins camp out in your house during the colder months, just waiting for [...]
With the winter weather slowly creeping in, it’s time to get your house ready for snow, wind, ice, freezing rain and all the other potential bad weather that can cause damage to your property.
Don’t wait until the first frost or snowfall to prepare your house for winter. One night with no heat or frozen water [...]
With cooler nights and shorter days, it’s time to get on that fall home maintenance plan now. Winter is on the way, bringing falling temperatures and wet conditions that create a host of small problems that can add up to big costs by spring. Even seasoned homeowners may overlook some small but significant steps that [...]
Your home may be your castle, but the average household can be responsible for nearly twice the greenhouse gas emissions as the average car, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Since the leading source of greenhouse gas emissions is energy production, it makes sense to ensure that your home is as energy efficient as [...]
The phrase “you don’t appreciate what you have until it’s gone” can apply to many things in life, but it’s particularly relevant when the heat goes out on the coldest day of the year.
In these situations, most homeowners will do practically anything to restore the indoor comfort level of their homes as quickly as possible [...]
