Skip to main content

DIY - Home Maintenance and Upgrade Projects

Showing 18 results:

Heating & Cooling

DIY Guide:

Air Seal and Repair Ducts

Right – Ducts are pulled taut and correctly supported
Seal and repair your central heating system’s ducts to make sure heated or cooled air gets to all the rooms of your house as efficiently as possible.
DIY Guide:

Air Seal HVAC Air Handler Unit Cabinet

Sealing seams and holes in the air handler or furnace cabinet of central forced-air HVAC systems prevents the loss of conditioned air and improves the performance of your HVAC equipment.
Sealing seams and holes in the air handler or furnace cabinet of central forced-air HVAC systems prevents the loss of conditioned air and improves the performance of your HVAC equipment.
DIY Guide:

Clean Ductless Heat Pump Air Filters

Home Maintenance: Clean Ductless Heat Pump Air Filters
Clean the air filters in your ductless heat pumps every 3 months to ensure proper operation.
DIY Guide:

Determine if a Smart Thermostat is Right for You

Right - The advanced controls in a programmable thermostat can be used to improve the efficiency of the home’s HVAC system.
Determine if you can benefit from replacing your old thermostat with a new smart thermostat.
DIY Guide:

Install an Awning Over an Outdoor HVAC Condenser Unit

This HVAC awning is made of metal roofing that is attached directly to the lumber framing.
Awnings protect the outdoor compressor unit of your heat pump or air conditioner from snow, rain, and hail.
DIY Guide:

Look at Refrigerant Line Set Insulation for Air Conditioners or Heat Pumps and Replace if Needed

Look at the condition of the insulation on the refrigerant pipe from the house to the outdoor unit of the home’s air conditioning or heat pump system and replace or hire an HVAC contractor to replace if needed.
Look at the condition of the insulation on the refrigerant pipe from the house to the outdoor unit of the home’s air conditioning or heat pump system and replace or hire an HVAC contractor to replace if needed.
DIY Guide:

Look for Condensate Drain Line Insulation

Look at the condensate drain line of your air conditioner, heat pump, or condensing furnace or boiler to make sure it is insulated. 
Look at the condensate drain line of your air conditioner, heat pump, or condensing furnace or boiler to make sure it is insulated.
DIY Guide:

Look for Signs of a Gas Furnace Backdrafting

Look at a gas furnace for signs of backdrafting, if the furnace is an older model that does not have a sealed combustion chamber and sealed exhaust pipe.
Look at a gas furnace for signs of backdrafting, if the furnace is an older model that does not have a sealed combustion chamber and sealed exhaust pipe.
DIY Guide:

Replace Air Filter Located at Return Air Filter Grille

If filter is inaccessible, locate the air filter between the return air plenum and the air handler box.
DIY guide showing how to pick a replacement air filter and how to replace the filter in home’s HVAC system when the air filter is located in a return grille in a ceiling, floor, or wall.
DIY Guide:

Replace Air Filter Located in Furnace or Central Heat Pump Air Filter Slot

Size the filter box for the appropriate filter.
DIY guide showing how to replace the filter in a home’s HVAC system when the air filter is located in an air filter slot on the furnace.

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).