12+ hour, 11+ min ago   (449+ words) When replacing a home appliance, getting just one more quote can make a big difference. This was on full display for one Charlotte-area homeowner weighing a water heater replacement. After receiving an estimate of about $6,000 for the "lowest option" on…...

21+ hour, 17+ min ago   (674+ words) A homeowner with an unusually large hot-water setup asked a practical question that many battery-backed solar users may face: If one of two 50-gallon electric water heaters is rarely needed, does shutting the other off reduce energy use? Turning off…...

22+ hour, 41+ min ago   (506+ words) A tiny gas bill can still create a surprisingly big home-upgrade dilemma when most of the monthly cost comes from utility fees rather than actual fuel use. That was the situation facing one Northern Virginia homeowner after scaling back to…...

1+ mon, 2+ day ago   (399+ words) Sometimes the sticker shock tied to a home project is so severe that homeowners head to the internet just to make sure they are not overreacting. That was the case for one homeowner who said a company wanted $3,975 to connect…...

1+ mon, 5+ day ago   (387+ words) A frustrated plumber is warning that a single-use, flood prevention part for water heaters can be activated before installation, sending a brand-new component straight into the trash. On Reddit, the original poster said three newly opened water-heater shutoffs were already…...

2+ mon, 1+ week ago   (938+ words) You can buy popular cut flower seed varieties for $2 to $5 instead of paying per stem or bouquet. Annuals like zinnias, sweet peas, and sunflowers are all great choices to grow from seed. Cosmos, lavender, and dahlias can self-sow or return…...

6+ mon, 1+ week ago   (432+ words) One Virginia homeowner took to Reddit after a door-to-door salesman claimed their utility provider could deny their solar installation due to transfer capacity limits. The original poster explained that they engaged with a Sunrun marketer, who claimed Dominion Energy could…...

7+ mon, 1+ week ago   (585+ words) For the first time in years, this weekend’s temperatures will put Central Florida homes at risk of having frozen and burst water pipes – and ultimately, messy and expensive clean-ups. That’s why it’s important to take action now to prevent that…...

7+ mon, 2+ week ago   (450+ words) Adding an electric-powered heat pump might seem counterproductive amid surging utility prices. But energy experts interviewed by trade publication The News are seeing growth, because the upgraded technology is so much more efficient than all other HVAC systems, including gas…...

7+ mon, 2+ week ago   (439+ words) Once you hear about a cold front coming, prepping your home for winter becomes a top (and exciting) priority. But while gathering the wood for cozy fires or sealing gaps and cracks in your windows might be at the front…...