Electrical
Get current on the aspects of home electricity, with how to's from planning to installation and beyond.
How to Hang a TV on Brick Wall
Can you mount a TV on a brick wall? Absolutely. But mounting a TV on brick does take more preparation, knowledge, and tools than installing one on drywall. This guide will show you how to hang a TV on a brick wall so you can make the most of your wall space and elevate your entertainment.
How to Fix Flickering Lights in Your House
Ask This Old House Master Electrician Heath Eastman demonstrates a variety of ways to troubleshoot and repair flickering lights.
How to Install Deck Rail Lighting
Ask This Old House master electrician, Heath Eastman, installs undermount, LED deck railing lights for a homeowner whose only deck lighting includes a single, bright spotlight.
Automatic Backup Power at the Seaside Victorian Cottage
At the This Old House Seaside Victorian Cottage, editor Chris Ermides meets up with electrician Ben Giles of South Shore Electrical to discuss everything you need to know about how to find the right home standby generator for your needs, and why placement matters.
How to Replace a Lamppost
Master electrician, Heath Eastman helps a homeowner replace his front lamppost with some hilarious code violations with a new post.
How to Strip Wire
As a DIYer, you know there are plenty of tasks around the house that are too small to justify calling in the pros. Stripping wire may fall into this category. Read on to learn simple and safe ways for stripping electrical wires in your home.
How to Install Outdoor Landscape Lighting
Heath Eastman demonstrates how to install landscape lighting along a garden path. Adding landscape lighting to a walkway or path can improve the look and experience of the area.
The 5 Best 220 to 110 Adapters (2023 Review)
Before your next trip overseas, make sure you can use your devices with an adapter and converter from our list of the best 220 to 110 adapters on Amazon.
How to Safely Hang Outdoor Christmas Lights
In this DIY Smarts, This Old House Master Electrician Heath Eastman helps a homeowner safely install a variety of Christmas lights.
Is Your Home Trying to Tell You Something?
TOH master electrician Heath Eastman demonstrates how Wiser Energy monitors your critical electrical equipment—and reports back to you—for a safer, more efficient home.
Not All Electrical Panels are Alike
TOH master electrician Heath Eastman explains the smart features of an innovative new electrical panel at The Cape Ann Project House.
Protect Your Home From Electrical Damage | This Old House: LIVE!
This Old House master electrician Heath Eastman discusses the anatomy of arc-faults and demonstrates how Leviton’s AFCI receptacles can detect these electrical hazards and protect your home from fire and damage.
Powering the Essentials | 2019 Idea House
The TOH 2019 Idea House is a whole lot of house, clocking in at 5,450 square feet of living space. In the event of a power outage, it would be cost-prohibitive to generate power throughout the home.
Updating a Push-Button Light Switch
You can replace an antique light switch without updating the look. Master Electrician, Heath Eastman tells you how.
How to Install a USB Outlet | This Old House: Live
Ask This Old House Master Electrician Heath Eastman upgrades a standard receptacle to one that has USB inputs as part of This Old House: Live—an initiative providing daily programming and opportunities to connect with our experts during these challenging times.
How to Wirelessly Connect Multiple Light Switches
Ask This Old House master electrician Heath Eastman helps a homeowner connect four separate switches that control six lights in the same room
The 5 Best Portable Generators (2022 Review)
A portable generator is a machine that you don’t appreciate until you really need it. In this review, the This Old House Reviews Team researched the five best portable generators on Amazon to help you find the product that’s right for you. The products included in this article are available at various retail stores, local home centers, and online retailers like Amazon.
How to Choose a Bathroom Exhaust Fan
Ask This Old House master electrician Heath Eastman discusses new technology for bathroom vent fans.
How to Ground a Two-Prong Electrical Outlet
Ask This Old House master electrician Heath Eastman explains the purpose of a ground wire and then grounds an outlet for a homeowner.
How to Insulate Around Recessed LED Fixtures
Scott Caron offers advice on how to keep your home energy-efficient when using recessed lights
Whole House Surge Protectors: How Effective Are They?
Don’t count on power strips to safeguard your home and fragile electronics. Read on to learn about the cost-saving alternative of installing a home surge protector.
Running Electricity to Your Kitchen Island
Running electricity to your island shouldn’t be too difficult, especially if you’re taking out the existing cabinets.
How to Install a GFCI Outlet
Is your wiring more than 20 years old? Consider upgrading to GFCI outlets for your next home improvement project.
How to Wire a Portable Generator
Ask This Old House master electrician Heath Eastman explains a few different methods for hooking up a portable generator to a house.
Inside Your Home’s Electrical Service Panel
Get essential knowledge about your home’s power distribution center.
How to Install a Dimmer Switch
Installing a dimmer switch is one of the easiest DIY electrical projects you can do. Read these steps on how to install one in your home.
How to Choose an Electrical Box
Ask This Old House master electrician Heath Eastman explains the uses and purposes of different types of electrical boxes.
All About Electrical Systems
A general overview of how electrical systems in the home have dramatically changed and advanced over the years.
How to Install an Antique Light Switch
Ask This Old House master electrician Heath Eastman replaces a standard toggle switch with a reproduction antique push button switch to match the rest of the house
How to Install a Dining Room Chandelier
In this DIY Smarts, Heath Eastman installs a chandelier in a homeowner’s dining room.
Understanding Electricity Bills
Ask This Old House home technology expert Ross Trethewey and plumbing and HVAC expert Richard Trethewey discuss changes to electric bill payment structures.
How to Prep Framing Studs for Hinges, Valves and Fixtures | Generation NEXT
Jeff Sweenor shows apprentice Kevin Barker the extra steps he takes to clearly label locations of hinges, valves, fixtures, and studs for his subcontractors