Heating & Cooling How To & DIY

Energy-saving, climate-friendly, and relatively easy to retrofit, air-source heat pumps are now a viable option for heating and cooling, even in cold climates. Here’s how to put them to work in your home

Most people will agree that central heat is one of the more essential modern conveniences—so when it stops working, your home can get uncomfortable fast. If you have a forced hot air system that has suddenly started blowing cold air, there are a few things that you can try to get the heat going before you call the furnace repair person.

If you’re struggling with maintaining—or even attaining—a consistent temperature throughout your house, your HVAC system may be out of balance. This guide will explain the basics of air balancing, including how DIYers can tackle the job and when they should call a professional to sort out their home’s heating and air conditioning system.

Whether it’s warming a large addition or a cozy bathroom, radiant heat underfoot invisibly ups the comfort level. Here’s the lowdown on some of today’s most popular systems.

Your furnace may need some TLC before starting it up this winter. Here are some tips on what to do to get your furnace prepped before the cold months arrive.

Window air conditioning units may seem intimidating, but they’re actually quite easy to install. With a bit of background knowledge, the right tools, and a guide to show the way, cooler temperatures are on the horizon—even when it’s boiling outside.

If you have hot-water heat, have you ever found that one or more of your radiators isn’t warming up? Or that only the bottom of a radiator gets hot? Before you spend the money on a plumber, try an easy fix.

Is your refrigerator no longer staying cool? There are a number of reasons why your fridge may be quitting on you. Read our guide to help diagnose and fix your fridge.

Learn about features, installation, and the difference between traditional and smart thermostats.

On average, nearly half of household energy expenses go toward heating and cooling. Here, ways to keep warm without cranking the thermostat

Before the heating system at the Arlington project house could be upgraded to natural gas, the old oil tank had to be taken away.

These air movers keep you cool and look cool doing it. Here’s how to choose a model that’s right for your space

Carrying it to the basement isn’t just challenging, it’s dangerous, partly because it can block your view of the steps. Here, ways to save your back—and maybe a trip to the ER