Little Known Facts
Decorating
Energy
- Compressing Insulation Destroys Most of Its Value
- Standby Power Is a Real Line on Your Bill — Just Smaller Than Claimed
- Watts Stopped Meaning Brightness Two Decades Ago
- Attic Insulation Pays Back Faster Than Almost Any Other Upgrade
- The Ceiling Fan Switch on the Motor Housing Actually Does Something
- A Higher MERV Filter Isn't Automatically Better for Your HVAC System
- A Dirty Furnace Filter Doesn't Just Waste Energy — It Can Crack a Heat Exchanger
- Attic Vents Only Work in Balanced Pairs
Flooring
Outdoor Build
Repairs
- More Drywall Screws Make a Weaker Wall
- A Clogged Gutter Does More Damage to the Foundation Than the Roof
- Dishwasher Salt and Dishwasher Detergent Do Different Jobs
- Sediment at the Bottom of a Water Heater Is Quietly Costing You Money
- Closets on Exterior Walls Grow Mildew Even in a Dry House
- A Squeaky Door Hinge Is Wear, Not Just Dryness
- A Few Granules in the Gutter Are Normal — A Handful Is Not
- An Undersized Basement Dehumidifier Runs Constantly and Still Loses
- Condensation on the Inside of Windows Means the House Is Too Humid, Not the Window's Fault
- Cold Water, Not Hot, Is What You Want Running During a Garbage Disposal