While insulating exterior walls is standard procedure in residential construction, this isn’t always the case with a home’s interior walls. Actually, many homebuilders neglect to insulate interior walls altogether, which often results in second-rate efficiency and poor soundproofing. For this reason, adding insulation to interior walls can be an inexpensive yet effective way to improve both the comfort and energy efficiency of your home. Read more

Watch this video to learn about the numerous benefits of installing a soft water system in your home. Read more

When it comes to installing a new furnace, many homeowners assume that bigger is better. However, according to Kent Penning, owner of Cold Craft, Inc., this is far from the case. “Some people assume that more power is better with furnaces, but it’s actually more important to choose one that’s properly proportioned to your home,” he explains. “If anything, it’s better to go with a smaller unit—it’ll do the same job and last longer than an oversized one.” Read more

Some of the most substantial water wastage in the home occurs while waiting for hot water to reach a sink or shower. Researchers estimate that in an average single-family household, 5 to 10 gallons of water go down the drain in this manner on a daily basis—a figure that has implications for both water conservation and water bills.

Fortunately, there are a number of ways to reduce water loss in your home. One way is to install an ancillary device to improve the efficiency of your hot water delivery system. A recirculation pump, for example, keeps hot water flowing throughout the home’s plumbing system on a continuous loop, making it available with almost no delay. Read more

Regular cleaning is an essential part of maintaining any floor, but many homeowners fail to realize that there’s often a right way and a wrong way to go about it. One of the biggest mistakes you can make in this regard is using a cleaning product that’s excessively harsh or contains “contaminants.” Here are a couple examples of how using the wrong cleaner can have undesirable consequences.

Hardwood flooring
Steering clear of the wrong cleaning products is important when dealing with hardwood floors. In particular, labels such as “finish revitalizer” or claims to “bring back the old shine” should be red flags. Read more

Watch this video for some helpful tips about cleaning and maintaining carpet, rugs and floors. Read more

When it comes to window frames, wood is one of the most popular choices among homeowners. Functioning on both aesthetic and functional levels, wood enhances a home’s visual beauty while acting as an effective insulator. However, unlike other options like vinyl and fiberglass, wood window frames require ongoing maintenance to keep them looking beautiful and functioning properly.

Since wood is a natural substance, its porous quality renders it vulnerable to degradation from outdoor elements like UV rays and moisture. Untreated wood products that are exposed to excessive sunlight are subject to rapid deterioration, causing discoloration as well as cracks that enable moisture to enter, which often results in the proliferation of mold and other fungi. Read more