Heating & Cooling
Serviceable Plumbing and HVAC Installations | Pro2Pro Premiere
Watch as Richard Trethewey and John Deforge of SG Harold Plumbing and Heating discuss the challenges that service technicians face on the job.
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.
Basic Types of Home Air Conditioning Systems
There are several types of air conditioning units to choose from, depending on the specific needs of your home. Learn the basics of the most common AC systems and how to maintain them.
All About Plumbing
Here’s how to make water work for you.
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.
How to Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat without Changing the Wiring
Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey replaces an old thermostat with a smart thermostat without replacing the original two wires in the wall.
7 Tips for an Energy-Efficient Home
Want to improve your energy bill and run your home efficiently year-round? Read on.
Exploring a Heat Pump Clothes Dryer
Ask This Old House plumbing and HVAC expert Richard Trethewey tests out a new dryer that uses a heat pump to dry the clothes.
How to Buy an HVAC System for Any Kind of Home
Consider design, comfort, and greater energy efficiency when installing a new HVAC system
All About Heating & Cooling
No matter how unpleasantly hot or cold it is outside, we can stay comfortable indoors because of heating and cooling equipment. The varied technology we have today for mechanically heating and cooling indoor spaces is truly amazing.
How to Seal Leaky Ductwork
Improve the air quality and keep your home energy efficient by sealing your ducts.
How Do Smart Thermostats Work?
Learn about features, installation, and the difference between traditional and smart thermostats.
Heat Pump vs Furnace: What’s the Difference?
Choosing between a heat pump system or furnace depends mainly on the climate you live in. We explain how each one works and their costs.
How a Heat Pump Clothes Dryer Works
Ask This Old House plumbing and HVAC expert Richard Trethewey tests out a new dryer in our DIY Smarts series that uses a heat pump to dry the clothes.
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
Heat Pump Advances
These days, everyone is doing their best to conserve energy. Richard Trethewey’s best advice: don’t create heat, move it! Heat pumps are a great option for keeping everyone in your house warm without breaking the bank.
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
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
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
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
Staying Safe with Natural Gas
Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey and host Kevin O’Connor discuss how gas regulators work and how their malfunction caused gas explosions in Lawrence, MA
5 Money-Saving Ways to Warm Up the House
On average, nearly half of household energy expenses go toward heating and cooling. Here, ways to keep warm without cranking the thermostat
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.
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.
Tankless Water Heaters: What You Need to Know Before You Buy
Tired of running out of hot water? That’s not a problem with one of these compact, ultra-efficient units that heat water as you need it. Here’s what you need to know about choosing, installing, and living with a tankless water heater.
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
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.
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
Take the edge off your energy bills – meet the heat pump water heater
Your home’s most forgettable appliance could be wasting hundreds of dollars per year
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
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
How to Diagnose a Frosty Air Conditioner
Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey discusses the possible causes and solutions for a frozen air conditioner.