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DIY - Home Maintenance and Upgrade Projects

Showing 12 results:

Attic

DIY Guide:

Air Seal and Insulate Attic Access

Openings used for access to the attic such as access panels, doors into knee walls, or dropdown stairs should be air-sealed and insulated. 
Openings used for access to the attic such as access panels, doors into knee walls, or dropdown stairs should be air-sealed and insulated.
DIY Guide:

Air Seal Flue Shafts and Chimneys in Attic

Furnace and chimney flues often have large gaps around them that allow air leakage from the home into the attic . (Source: Family Handyman)
Use heat-resistant caulk and sheet metal to air seal flues and chimneys in the attic.
DIY Guide:

Look For and Install Attic Vent Baffles

Look at the attic to make sure there are baffles in place at soffit vents to keep wind from blowing insulation; if they are missing install them.
Look at the attic to make sure there are baffles in place at soffit vents to keep wind from blowing insulation; if they are missing install them.
DIY Guide:

Look for Missing Insulation Using Thermal Imaging

Looking at your home with an infrared (IR) camera can reveal missing insulation and air leakage.
Looking at your home with an infrared (IR) camera can reveal missing insulation and air leakage.

Water Heating & Plumbing

DIY Guide:

Check Water Heater Temperature

Turning your water heater temperature down to 120°F can promote safety, save energy, and improve system efficiency.
Turning your water heater temperature down to 120°F can promote safety, save energy, and improve system efficiency.
DIY Guide:

Clean Heat Pump Water Heater Air Filter

Home Maintenance: Clean Heat Pump Water Heater Air Filter
Clean the air filter in the heat pump water heater periodically to maintain water heater performance.
DIY Guide:

Clean Tankless Water Heater Water Filter and Air Filter

Tankless water heaters contain an air filter and a water filter screen, which require regular cleaning.
Tankless water heaters contain an air filter and a water filter screen, which require regular cleaning.
DIY Guide:

Flush Water Heater Tank

Water heaters should be flushed about once a year to remove sediment in the tank and improve long-term performance.
Flush your water heater tank to improve performance and longevity.
DIY Guide:

Install a Heat Pump Water Heater

Components of a heat pump water heater.
Replace an electric-resistance water heater with a heat pump water heater for energy savings.
DIY Guide:

Install a Water Heater Blanket on an Electric Resistance Water Heater

Install a Water Heater Blanket on Electric Resistance Water Heaters
Insulating your electric resistance water heater is a simple, inexpensive method to reduce standby heat losses and improve energy efficiency.
DIY Guide:

Insulate Hot Water Pipes

Insulating hot water pipes gets more hot water to pipes faster, reducing wear on your water heater, saving on water heating costs, and protecting pipes from freezing.
Insulating hot water pipes gets more hot water to pipes faster, reducing wear on your water heater, saving on water heating costs, and protecting pipes from freezing.
DIY Guide:

Look for Signs of a Gas Water Heater Backdrafting

Look for signs of a gas water heater backdrafting (allowing combustion exhaust to spill back into the house instead of going up the flue).
Look for signs of a gas water heater backdrafting (allowing combustion exhaust to spill back into the house instead of going up the flue).