What’s Your Outlet IQ?

Electrical outlet installation in progress, with hands carefully connecting wires to a duplex receptacle mounted in a blue junction box

How to Test Your Electrical Outlets Plugging in for power, one connection at a time. Before purchasing a home, you likely had a home inspection that included testing the electrical outlets. However, if you haven’t addressed those issues or want to do regular checks, here’s how you can perform some basic testing using a simple […]

Can Lights? Make Them Green

Modern kitchen workspace illuminated by warm LED strip lighting, featuring a wooden countertop, water filter, sink, and under-cabinet power outlets against exposed brick walls.

How to Make Can Lights Green and Energy Efficient Sleek, modern recessed ceiling lights casting a soft, ambient glow. Can lights, also known as recessed ceiling lights, offer a sleek, glare-free lighting option popular in modern homes. However, they can also be energy wasters if not properly fitted with the correct bulbs (lamps). Here’s how […]

Tune Your Refrigerator for High Performance

Modern white kitchen featuring an open stainless steel refrigerator stocked with fresh produce, alongside built-in appliances and sleek black countertops.

How to Tune Your Refrigerator for Optimal Performance Fresh, modern kitchen with green cabinets and stainless steel appliances. Refrigerators are reliable workhorses that require minimal attention, yet they often rank among the top electricity consumers in your home. With a little maintenance, you can boost your refrigerator’s efficiency, reduce energy consumption, and extend its lifespan. […]

A Ton of Cooling

Cool air streams elegantly from a wall-mounted air conditioner, creating visible currents that dance with the light sheer curtains in a minimalist white room.

What Does a “Ton” of Cooling Mean in Air Conditioning? A sleek, modern air conditioner unit installed above a window. You may have heard of a two- or three-ton air conditioner, but rest assured, it doesn’t mean it weighs thousands of pounds! Instead, “ton” is a term that relates to a unit of cooling capacity […]

Fix That Wobbling Ceiling Fan

White ceiling fan mounted on a clean white ceiling, simple and minimal design

How to Fix a Wobbling Ceiling Fan Modern ceiling fan with geometric design. Is your front doorbell working intermittently, leaving you unsure if someone is at the door? You don’t need to call an electrician for this minor issue. Often, a quick and easy fix involves replacing the exterior button. Doorbell systems operate at low […]

Squeak, Squeak in the Hardwood Floor

Rustic wooden planks with rich brown tones and natural grain patterns forming a horizontal slatted background texture

How to Fix Squeaky Floors Modern minimalist dining space bathed in sunlight. Squeaky floors can occur with all types of flooring but are especially common with hardwood. As flooring dries and shrinks, fasteners loosen, and movement in the subfloor and framing causes those irritating sounds. Fortunately, there are both temporary and permanent solutions to stop […]

Water Heater Drip Needs Attention

Leaking radiator valve creates a puddle on white wooden floor, highlighting the need for urgent maintenance

What to Do When Your Water Heater’s T&P Valve Leaks Leaking water heater calls for urgent repairs If you find water dripping from the tube on the side of your water heater, it’s a sign something isn’t right. That tube is connected to the temperature and pressure relief (T&P) valve, a critical safety component. Ignoring this […]

Paint Over That Water Stain

Water damage trails on an off-white wall, creating rust-colored stains that streak downward from the ceiling

How to Fix a Stain Bleeding Through Ceiling Paint Water damage on ceiling corner reveals leak issues and the urgency for home repairs. Water stains on drywall are stubborn and often bleed through fresh paint, even after an initial touch-up. If you’ve painted over a brown water stain only to see it come back, it’s […]

Clothes Dryer Venting – A Hidden Danger

Dryer vent cleaning reveals massive lint buildup on roof - a sobering reminder of this common fire hazard.

Preventing Dryer Fires with Proper Maintenance Clogged dryer vent erupts with built-up lint. Clothes dryers are convenient, but improperly maintained dryers can become fire hazards. Each year, many home fires result from lint buildup and overheating in dryers and vent systems. Protect your home with some simple preventive measures. Essential Dryer Maintenance Tips Cleaning the […]

Patch the Hole Behind the Door

Door knob and damaged drywall with exposed hole

How to Fix a Hole in Drywall from a Doorknob A wall dented and scarred from repeated impact. Accidents happen—maybe a shoving match knocked the bedroom door open, and the doorknob punctured the drywall. While small drywall dents can be ignored, a complete hole needs attention. Fortunately, there’s a quick and easy way to fix […]