Homeowners
Plain-language cost guides for homeowners: repair versus replace, running costs by state, safety, and how to read an HVAC contractor’s quote.
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What a Space Heater Costs to Run, and What the Fire Data Says
Every 1,500 watt space heater makes the same 5,118 Btu per hour, whatever the box says. Here is the cost per hour and per month at EIA prices,…
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Dryer Vent Cleaning: The Venting Code and the Federal Fire Data
What IRC Section M1502 requires of a dryer exhaust duct, what the USFA and CPSC fire numbers actually show, and what a real dryer vent cleaning covers.
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Air Duct Cleaning: What EPA Actually Says Before You Pay
EPA says duct cleaning has never been shown to prevent health problems and names three conditions that justify it. What the federal guidance, the industry standard and a…
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Whole House Fan: Where It Works, Where It Fails, and the Numbers
A whole house fan pulls cool outdoor air in through open windows and exhausts it through the attic. DOE sizing in cfm, the attic vent area it needs,…
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Wood Stove Rules and Data: What EPA Certification Actually Means
EPA certification is an emissions test, not an efficiency floor. What 40 CFR part 60 subpart AAA requires, what the certified database shows, and how many US homes…
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Dehumidifier Sizing, Efficiency and Running Cost: A Federal Data Guide
The 2019 federal test procedure changed what a pint rating means, so an old 70 pint unit now rates near 40 to 45. Here is how to size,…
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Range Hood Ventilation: Ducting, Airflow, Makeup Air and the Code Minimums
A range hood only removes cooking pollutants if it is ducted outdoors. Here is what DOE, ENERGY STAR and the IRC set for airflow, duct routing, termination and…
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Wall Air Conditioner vs Window Unit, PTAC and Mini Split: How Each Installs
A wall air conditioner is a through-the-wall room unit rated on CEER. We compare it with window units, PTACs and ductless mini splits on installation, circuits and the…
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HVAC Filters: Types, Sizes, MERV Ratings and How Often to Change Them
A practical guide to HVAC filters: the five types, where the filter lives, nominal versus actual size, how often to check and change it, and EPA’s MERV 13…
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Portable Air Conditioner Without Hose: Why No Real AC Cools a Room Without Venting
No refrigerant air conditioner cools a closed room without exhausting heat. Hoseless and ventless units are evaporative coolers or fans, which help only in dry air and can…