House Renovation Tips

Here’s a list of things people don’t normally pay attention to, but that you should for a more eco-friendly household.
(1) Dishwasher - Dishwashers can waste so much water if you run it when it is not full. A way to prevent this is to wash your dishes without use of the dishwasher. If you do [...]

Unless you have x-ray vision, it’s hard to know exactly what’s inside wall and ceiling cavities. That’s why fishing a cable, like any fishing expedition, takes time, patience and a certain amount of trial and error. Keep in mind that studs and joists are typically spaced with 14½ or 22½ inches between them. Taking time [...]

To reduce indoor pollution from insulation, plywood glues, gas stoves and oil-fired furnaces in a highly insulated house, it’s a good idea to ventilate the home during the day or install a heat exchanger. A heat exchanger will transfer the heat from the warm indoor air you are exhausting to the cold fresh air you [...]

If you’re replacing your old radiators with a more modern system, don’t discard the radiators or sell them for scrap. They’ll fetch a fancy price on the restoration market. Ironically, it sometimes seems that the older and less efficient the radiator, the better the price.
When selecting or building an enclosure for a radiator, be sure [...]

Central heating systems burn fuel in a furnace and distribute the resulting heat through the house, either by blowing hot air through ducts or pumping hot water through pipes. Generally, temperature levels in the house are controlled by a thermostat, and the furnace is able to function for a long period of time without refueling [...]

If you’re installing a furnace in the basement, especially if it’s a wood or coal furnace, the best location for it is in the center of the room. As the heat radiates from the furnace, it will rise to warm the floor above it. Centering the furnace maximizes the size of the heated area above [...]

Tracking Basement Leaks
Traces of water on your basement floor could be caused by a leak or by condensation. To determine which, dry the area with a hair dryer and tape a 1-foot square piece of plastic wrap on the floor. Wait 24 hours. If moisture forms under the plastic wrap, then the source of your [...]

Perforated plastic drainage pipe, embedded in a gravel trench at the footing of a foundation wall, drains water away from the foundation before it can build up pressure. Before filling the trench, line it with filter fabric to keep fine soil particles from clogging the drain gravel over time.
Retrofitting foundation drains is a grueling job. [...]

Today, you can choose energy-saving alternatives. However, most home lighting remains to be incandescent. Fluorescent and halogen lamps convert electricity into light more efficiently. Each type of lamp creates its own quality of light. Understanding the properties of each helps you see your home in an entirely different light.
Incandescent Lamps
Your basic light bulb is incandescent. [...]

You can save water-heating costs (about 15% for an average home’s energy bill) by reducing the amount you use, its temperature, and heat loss from pipes and tanks. Try some of the following, and you’ll save water, energy and money.
Insulating you water heater
Every tank-based water heater should have an add-on insulating blanket. Inexpensive and easy [...]