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DIY - Home Maintenance and Upgrade Projects

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Windows and Doors

DIY Guide:

Add Weatherstrip to Windows and Doors

Install weatherstripping around the perimeter of door frames
Add weatherstrip to windows and doors that open to the outdoors or unconditioned spaces like attics and basements to decrease air leakage and heating and cooling losses.
DIY Guide:

Air Seal and Insulate Window Rough Openings

Home Upgrades: Air Seal and Insulate Window Rough Openings
Air seal the rough opening around windows and doors prior to installing trim to minimize air leakage.
DIY Guide:

Air Seal and Insulate Wood Single-Pane Windows

Air seal and insulate around old wooden windows to remove or renovate pocket weights, decrease heating and cooling losses, and make your home more comfortable.
Air seal and insulate around old wooden windows to remove or renovate pocket weights, decrease heating and cooling losses, and make your home more comfortable.
DIY Guide:

Clean Window Weep Holes

Cleaning window weep holes helps to ensure proper window drainage, preventing water damage in the wall.
Cleaning window weep holes helps to ensure proper window drainage, preventing water damage in the wall.
DIY Guide:

Install Cellular Blinds

Cellular blinds provide privacy, style, shade, and heating and cooling energy savings to your home.
Installing cellular blinds on your windows can provide privacy, shade, and style, while reducing cooling and heating energy costs. consumption, improve comfort, reduce glare, and improve a home’s resistance to extreme heat events.
DIY Guide:

Install Exterior Storm Windows

Using storm windows can increase your home’s energy efficiency, reduce drafts and glare, block out outside noise, and make your home feel more comfortable.
Using storm windows can increase your home’s energy efficiency, reduce drafts and glare, block out outside noise, and make your home feel more comfortable.
DIY Guide:

Install Interior Storm Windows

Modern interior storm windows include new technology and sleek design features that offer an easy-to-install, cost-effective method for upgrading the energy efficiency of existing windows.
Using storm windows can increase your home’s energy efficiency, reduce drafts and glare, block out outside noise, and make your home feel more comfortable.
DIY Guide:

Install or Replace Door Sweeps

Doors to individual units in a multifamily building are separated from corridors using weatherstripping and airtight door sweeps.
Door sweeps are a type of metal weatherstripping that is installed at the bottom of exterior doors to prevent air infiltration, reduce drafts, increase the durability of the door, and reduce pest intrusion.
DIY Guide:

Insulate and Weatherstrip a Garage Door

Garage doors can get a lot of exposure to the elements.
Install garage door insulation to help maintain moderate temperatures in your garage.

Appliances & Lighting

DIY Guide:

Check Refrigerator Temperature

This is a typical refrigerator thermometer showing ideal temperature ranges for both refrigerators and freezers
To ensure both food safety and energy efficiency, the refrigerator and freezer temperatures should be checked regularly using a refrigerator thermometer.
DIY Guide:

Clean Dryer Exhaust

Home Maintenance: Clean Dryer Exhaust
Cleaning your dryer duct annually will make your clothes dry faster, save energy, and could prevent a fire.
DIY Guide:

Clean Refrigerator Condenser Coils

To maximize the life of your refrigerator, ensure your refrigerator cools your food down quickly, and save energy, it is important to clean the condenser coils behind or below the refrigerator every 6 to 12 months.
To maximize the life of your refrigerator, ensure your refrigerator cools your food down quickly, and save energy, it is important to clean the condenser coils behind or below the refrigerator every 6 to 12 months.
DIY Guide:

Install a High-Efficiency Clothes Washer

This high-efficiency front loading washer is ENERGY STAR certified to use 45% less energy and 50% less water than standard brands.
Install a high-efficiency ENERGY STAR-certified clothes washer.
DIY Guide:

Install a Ventless Clothes Dryer or Combo Washer-Dryer

Ventless heat pump clothes dryers use one-third the energy of regular electric dryers and don’t require a vent to the outside.
Install a ventless heat pump clothes dryer or combination washer/dryer for energy savings and space savings.
DIY Guide:

Look at a Ductless Heat Pump for Deep Cleaning

This mini-split heat pump needs to be checked to see if it needs deep cleaning.
Ductless heat pumps should be checked periodically to see if they need a deep cleaning to remove dust and mold and keep them operating efficiently.
DIY Guide:

Upgrade Linear Fluorescents to LEDs

Replacing linear fluorescent bulbs with long-lasting LED lamps can save money and provide better lighting (Source: Ed Louie Photography).
Converting your existing fluorescent fixtures to LED technology offers improved energy efficiency and longer bulb life. This guide demonstrates the step-by-step process for safely rewiring a linear fluorescent light fixture to accommodate LED tubes.