Resources and Services
Consumer Guides
Heat Pumps
Heat pumps transfer heat from one place to another—providing both heating and cooling. They work on the fundamental principle that heat exists in air even at extremely low temperatures. In the winter, a heat pump extracts heat from outside air and delivers it indoors. To cool a house on hot summer days, it works in reverse, extracting heat from room air and pumping it outdoors.
Heat pumps give off less heat at one time than a conventional gas furnace. This means they offer a mellower type of heat, stay on longer and circulate more air throughout the house. They’re controlled by the same type of thermostat used for forced-air systems. On really cold days a heat pump must work especially hard to collect heat—that’s when the supplemental heater switches on to boost warmth. Some heat pumps can heat your water, too. New thermal storage units even store heat and cold, collecting it during non-peak hours for peak-hour use.
More Popular Entries
Additions & Remodels
Taking the Mystery Out of Kitchen Design
Surviving the Remodeling Process
Checklist: Recommended Questions to Ask a Contractor
Agents (Real Estate), Appraisers & Home Inspectors
House Buying Mistakes
Mortgage Hints
Personal Home Inspections
Appliances
Tip: Cleaning Dishwasher Stains
Tip: Instant Hot Water Dispenser Problems
Tip: Dishwasher
Builders (New Homes), Architects & Designers
Working with Interior Decorators
Universal Design
Buying Your Own Parts
Carpentry & Cabinets
Reface Cabinet
Maintaining Your Wood Deck
Install a Front Door
Cleaning Services
Tip: Getting Rid of Odors
Tip: Pet Odors
Maintaining Fireplaces and Chimneys
Concrete, Brick & Stone
Repairing Masonry
Concrete Injection Leveling Can Repair Flatwork
Tip: Retaining Walls
Consumer Guides
Maintaining Your Wood Deck
Reinvent Your Home
Choosing a Maid Service
Design Ideas
Taking the Mystery Out of Kitchen Design
Know the Kind of Custom Window You Want
Consider Wood Flooring
Electrical, Telephone & Data
Outlets and Switches
Upgrading Your Electrical System
Alarm Companies
Expert Advice
Fall and Winter Landscape
Removing Wallpaper
Water Damage in Bathroom
Flooring
Ceramic Tile
Prefinished vs. Unfinished Wood Flooring
Consider Wood Flooring
Handyman Services
What Happened to the Handyman?
Homeowner’s Pre-Winter Checklist
Simple Repair
Heating & Cooling
Tip: Repair Central A/C - Electric
Central Air Conditioning
Tip: Ceiling Fan Solutions
Home Construction
Understanding Pre-manufactured and Kit Homes
Modular Home Assembler
Avoiding Fraudulent Contractors
Landscape, Decks & Fences
Moving & Storage
Checklist: Hiring a Real Estate Agent
Checklist: Increase Curb Appeal
Checklist: Increase the Potential Sale Price of Your Home
Other Services
Homeowner’s Spring Checklist
Removing Underground Oil Tanks
Checklist: Protect Your Home from Wildfires
Painting & Staining
Using Modern Paint Techniques
Paint Preparation
Removing Exterior Paint or Stain
Plumbing
Install a Septic System
Hot Water Needs
Checklist: When Hiring a Plumber
Quick Tips
Checklist: Lawn Care Tips
Tip: Vinyl Siding
Tip: How to Clean Your Windows Thoroughly
Roofing, Siding & Gutters
Tip: Repair Your Own Roof
Tip: When to Re-Roof
Layering Asphalt Shingles
SP Feature Article
The Internet Will Change the Buying of Services
Walls & Ceilings
Drywall Textures and Styles
Install Acoustic Ceiling
Removing Wallpaper
Windows & Doors
Hanging Different Window Styles
Install Window Screen
Window Replacement