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Heating & Cooling Ideas & Inspiration

Explore inspiring heating & cooling ideas that will drastically make your home more efficient & appealing.

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Choosing the Best Firewood to Heat Your Home

Discover the best firewood for your home, along with essential safety and storage tips to keep your home safe and warm during the chilly months.
Photo of two people looking at an air conditioning system that uses Freon, which is now a banned chemical.

What You Need to Know About the Freon Ban

Freon has been banned in the U.S. since 2020, but some homes still use Freon-based AC units. Here's what the ban means for these homeowners.
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7 Best Infrared Heaters (2024 Guide)

Our guide reviews the best infrared heaters with high ratings in different styles and sizes for your indoor or outdoor living space.
A heated home in the winter.

Propane vs. Oil Heat: Which Is Best For Home Heating?

If you're trying to choose between propane and oil to heat your house, check out this comprehensive guide to the pros and cons of each.
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Best Ozone Generators

Ozone generators help reduce air pollutants to create a healthier, cleaner living environment. This review examines the best ozone generators.
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How to Cool a Garage

While avoiding the garage during the heat of the day is obviously an option, some folks find their happiness or make their money in their garages or workshops. But is suffering through oppressive heat the only way to stay productive all summer? Is there no hope for summertime garage projects? These smart, practical, and effective tips for how to cool a garage will help.
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Understanding Air Flow in Your House

Plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey and home technology expert Ross Trethewey explain everything you need to know about balancing airflow within a home.
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Recommended Thermostat Settings for Devices in Your Home

If you’re concerned about balancing energy consumption and comfort, this guide will help you choose the best thermostat settings.
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8 DIY Humidifier Ideas

Heating systems tend to rob the air of much-needed moisture content, leaving you with itchy skin, stuffed sinuses, and poor air quality. These DIY humidifier ideas will help increase your home’s humidity for a more comfortable environment.
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Best Home Warranty Companies for HVAC Systems

Your HVAC system is one of the most important items in your home, keeping your home at a comfortable temperature year-round. Since HVAC coverage varies widely from company to company, we’ve put together this guide on the five best HVAC protection plans.
As a part of a home heating system, Richard Trethewey install radiant tubing in a house.

Home Heating Guide For Beginners

Heating is the most basic requirement of a house. Learn about the various types of home heating systems and how to maintain them.
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Basic Types of Home Air Conditioning Systems

Learn the basics of the most common AC systems and how to maintain them with this guide on all the different AC systems.
Kevin O'Connor and Richard Trethewey look at PVC pipes that are part of a plumbing project.

Everything You Need to Know About Plumbing

From when to call a plumber to saving on your water bill, and more, we cover all you need to know about your home's plumbing.
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How to Remove Air Pollution in the Home

While a tight, well-insulated home is great for saving energy, trapping lots of stale air indoors can undermine your health. Here’s what you need to know to ensure that the quality of the air inside is healthy and free from harmful pollutants.
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7 Tips for an Energy-Efficient Home

Want to improve your energy bill and run your home efficiently year-round? Read on.
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How Do Smart Thermostats Work? A Complete Guide

Learn about smart thermostats, including features, cost, installation, and the difference from traditional home thermostats.
Richard Threthewey changing a filter.

Heat Pump vs. Furnace: Understanding the Differences

Our guide covers what to consider when choosing between a heat pump and furnace, such as heating needs, cost, and climate.
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Tankless Water Heaters: What You Need to Know Before You Buy

Tankless water heaters warm water on demand, so you never run out of hot water. They’re also energy efficient, which saves you money on utility bills.
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The Pros and Cons of a Steam Heating System

Considering steam heat? We help you weigh the pros and cons so you can decide if it is right for you.
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How To Improve Attic Ventilation

Learn how to identify when your attic doesn't have proper airflow and how to improve attic ventilation in our guide.
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How a German Home Maximizes Energy Efficiency

Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey explains how the country's building practices and lifestyle affect energy consumption
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10 Ways to Warm Up a Nonworking Fireplace

Put this living area focal point to use with these creative ideas for turning a nonworking fireplace into a statement.
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Find Your Perfect Bedroom Sleeping Temperature

Get the best sleep of your life with these expert tips
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17 Fireplace Upgrades

We rounded up 17 ideas to help you update and modernize your fireplace whether you have a tile fireplace or a brick fireplace.
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The Best Fireplace Inserts of 2024

Adding a fireplace insert to a living room or other area of your home can help keep you warm, and cut down on expensive heating bills, without the hassle of maintaining a traditional wood fireplace. Here are out top fireplace insert recommendations.

9 Air Conditioner Maintenance and Care Tips

Regularly servicing your air conditioner helps keep costs down and your AC in excellent condition. Read on for more tips on keeping up with your AC’s maintenance.
Illustration of a house with a geothermal heat pump system.

Geothermal Heat Pump: How It Works

Learn about how geothermal heat pump systems work, how cost-efficient they can be, and other advantages.
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Clean Heat: All About Pellet Stoves

Pellet stoves are gaining popularity, and for good reason. These heating units are cleaner, greener, and cheaper than many alternatives.
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25 Years of Innovation: Ceiling Fans

Today's models are marvels of quiet efficiency, available in almost every style imaginable
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How To Choose a Vintage Radiator

Vintage iron radiators offer comfort on a cold day and style year-round. Read our guide to choosing a vintage radiator for your home.
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10 Easy Ways To Cool Your Home, From AC to Attic Ventilation

Keeping your home cool doesn't mean you have to pay a fortune to keep the AC running all day. Read our guide for tips on how to keep your home cool without incurring huge bills.
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Comfortable Construction: Temporary Heat in a Cold Climate

HVAC specialist Richard Trethewey explains how he used a portable heating system using a material called PEX to keep the This Old House team warm while working in Massachusetts.
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Portable Space Heaters 101

Portable space heaters can warm your bones in a hurry, but how economical — and safe — are they?

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