Spin Control
Ceiling fans look sharp and produce a welcome cool breeze on hot summer days. But a recent study of 400 homes by the Florida Solar Energy Center found that ceiling fans actually increase energy bills if they aren't used properly. The study found ... [... more]
This Old House |
Light Up Your Kitchen
A combination of adjustable track lighting overhead and dimmable task lighting for the counter helps make this kitchen more appealing and more efficient. 1. Remove the old fixture and replace it with the track mounting bracket. One leg of the ... [... more]
This Old House |
Energy-Efficient Lighting Options
The Incandescent Lightbulb has enjoyed a pretty good run. Introduced to the world on December 31, 1879, by Thomas Alva Edison, this miracle of Victorian ingenuity faced few competitors and has remained a cheap, reliable source of artificial light ... [... more]
This Old House |
Recycling Compact Flourescent Lightbulbs
Compact Fluorescents have come a long way—they last longer, burn brighter, and look more like regular incandescent bulbs than ever before. There's just one little problem-they contain mercury. So when your CFLs burn out, you'll need to dispose of ... [... more]
This Old House |
Electrical
Use this detailed checklist as a guide as you look around for leaks, cracks, breaks, wear, and every other conceivable problem that can develop over the year. Then make a repair list to keep up on maintenance in the coming months. Check trees ... [... more]
This Old House |
How to Install a Ceiling Fan: Overview
Somewhat easy. It takes a bit of work to install a fan-approved electrical box, but the ceiling-fan assembly and installation are very straightforward. The popularity of ceiling fans continues to grow as more and more homeowners discover ... [... more]
This Old House |
How to Put in Landscape Lighting: Overview
Digging shallow trenches for the low-voltage cable takes some work, but installing the light fixtures is a piece of cake. Enhance the nighttime curb appeal of your home-and add a measure of safety and security-with low-voltage landscape lighting. ... [... more]
This Old House |
Firesafe Holiday Lights
Electric holiday lights and displays sparkle and wow children and adults alike. But because too many homeowners don't know how to perform safety checks on light strings and ornaments, they're also potentially dangerous. In fact, each year it is ... [... more]
This Old House |
Electrical Upgrades, Part 2
After removing the outlet from the garage ceiling, screw an extension ring to the existing box. Also, remove the knockout plug in the end of the ring for attaching the conduit. Use metal pipe hangers and toggle bolts to hold the conduit to the ... [... more]
This Old House |
The Scoop on Solar Power
A 2.8-kw photovoltaic system provides half the house's electrical needs. The panels are secured to the roof in a grid of metal brackets. For a less obtrusive look, you can also get photovoltaic cells built into roofing shingles. The biggest ... [... more]
This Old House |
What to Consider When Buying Skylights
Skylight shafts can be built with plumb sides, flared sides or a combination. Skylights brighten up dark rooms. Even small units make a big difference in the way rooms look and feel. There are many brands and several styles to choose from. But I ... [... more]
This Old House |
Product Innovation: Remote-Controlled Lighting
With Intermatic's Z-Wave wireless remote ($45), you can control lights anywhere inside or outside the house from up to 50 feet away. A wired, in-wall UPB panel like this one from HAI ($160) lets you group lights together to create "scenes," [... more]
This Old House |
