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Heating & Cooling Videos

These This Old House videos showcase all of our heating & cooling projects, how-tos, and designs.

S22 E18: Ross Trethewey discusses switching to whole-house heat pumps with Kevin O'Connor
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What to Know Before Switching to Whole House Heat Pumps

Home technology expert Ross Trethewey teaches host Kevin O’Connor about heat pumps and how they aren’t a one-size-fits-all solution.
S22 E12: Richard Trethewey installs a hybrid hot water heater
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When To Upsize a Water Heater

Plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey diagnoses and solves a homeowner’s lack of hot water.
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How to Create a House HVAC Plan

Richard Trethewey demonstrates heat loss and gain to design a balanced HVAC system.
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How to Weatherstrip a Wood Door

Enhancing the energy efficiency of an old, drafty door with This Old House general contractor Tom Silva
S21 E19, Ross Trethewey discusses attic insulation with a homeowner
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Fixing Ice Dams on a Roof

Home technology expert Ross Trethewey helps a homeowner solve an ice dam issue with smart insulation practices that also improve the home’s efficiency.
S21 E15, Richard Trethewey talks about furnace maintenance
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Why is Furnace Maintenance Important?

Plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey teaches host Kevin O’Connor about furnaces and why it’s important to maintain them properly.
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How to Replace a Tank-Type Water Heater

In this DIY Smarts segment, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey helps a homeowner be proactive about their home maintenance by replacing their existing tank-type water heater before it fails.
S21 E1, Richard Trethewey shows how water heaters can fail
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3 Reasons Water Heaters Fail

Plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey gives host Kevin O’Connor an inside look at why a water heater fails.
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All About Smart Thermostats

Home technology expert Ross Trethewey explains everything there is to know about modern smart thermostats.
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How to Save Money on Heating Bills

Watch as This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey and home technology expert Ross Trethewey teach some cost-effective ways to save money on heating this winter.
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Future House | Understanding Heat Pumps

Ask This Old House home technology expert Ross Tretheway explains everything you need to know about heat pumps.
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All About Water Heaters

Plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey walks through all the various options available to homeowners for purchasing or renting a water heater.
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How to Move Baseboard Heating

Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey helps a homeowner by moving a hot water baseboard heater from one side of a room to another.
Richard Trethewey discusses HVAC with John Deforge of SG Harold Plumbing and Heating
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Serviceable Plumbing and HVAC Installations

Watch as Richard Trethewey and John Deforge of SG Harold Plumbing and Heating discuss the challenges that service technicians face on the job.
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Cape Ann Project Heating Plan

Our plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey explains the general layout of the heating and cooling system in our Cape Ann project
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How to Diagnose and Repair a Humid Air Conditioner

Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey travels to Orlando to diagnose and repair an HVAC system that is creating way too much humidity
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How to Maximize Comfort with a Thermostat

Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey and home technology expert Ross Trethewey discuss improvements to thermostats and how they contribute to comfort in a home
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How to Install a GPS-Enabled Smart Thermostat

Ask This Old House plumbing and heating contractor Richard Trethewey installs a thermostat that can be programmed automatically from a smart phone
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How to Adjust Water Heater Temperature

Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey shows how to change the temperature on your water heater for safety and energy savings
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Baseboard Heater Making Noise? Here’s How to Fix It

Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey helps a homeowner diagnose and solve a baseboard hot water system that makes noise.
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How to Heat a Garage Workshop

Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey travels to Akron, Ohio to install a garage heater.
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How to Install an Electric Heat Pump Water Heater

Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey travels to Celebration, Florida to help a homeowner select and install the right electric water heater
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How to Select a Portable Air Conditioner

Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey walks host Kevin O’Connor through the choices in air conditioners.
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How to Install a Whole-House Ductless System

Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey shows a style of ductless heat pump that can be used to heat and cool an entire house
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How to Maintain an Air Conditioner

Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey shares tips for keeping an air conditioner running efficiently
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How an Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV) Works

Richard Trethewey explains how an Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV) replaces conditioned indoor air with fresh outdoor air without wasting energy
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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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Sizing up a Home Heating System

Richard Trethewey explains how to assess a home’s heating system – and figure out whether you’ll need to replace it
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How to Replace a Steam Radiator

Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey replaces a small radiator with one that’s the correct size
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How to Install a Wall Mounted Space Heater

Ask This Old House master electrician Scott Caron warms up a chilly bathroom by installing an electric convection heater.
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How to Diagnose Problems with a Hot Water Heating System

Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey helps a homeowner figure out why one of her radiators is not working.
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How to Install Room-By-Room Zoning in an HVAC System

Ask This Old House plumbing expert Richard Trethewey learns about an HVAC system that allows each room to be zoned out using smartphone technology.
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Ask This Old House: Richard Trethewey’s Greatest Hits

Over the years, This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey has helped hundreds of homeowners reduce their energy consumption and slash their monthly utility bills