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While only about nine million homes in the U.S. are heated with boilers, about 85 percent of homes in the United Kingdom utilize this highly effective and efficient heat source. Whether you’re purchasing a boiler for the first time or replacing your existing one, it’s important to know what factors go into a wise purchase decision. Read on to learn what boilers are, how they differ from other heating methods, and how to choose the best boiler for your home....

Vacuuming and carpet cleaning might top your list of most dreaded chores, but consider yourself lucky, 21st-century homeowner. Our forebears could hardly conceive of robotic vacuum cleaners and would have marveled at upright vacuums that glide effortlessly across the floor. Today’s vacuums and carpet cleaning machines have come a long way since the self-propelled sweepers of the early 20th century. Yes, we’re fortunate carpet cleaning no longer requires a horse-drawn buggy to bring cumbersome machinery with gas-powered hoses that snake in through our windows!...

amasterphotographer/Shutterstock Many households have transitioned from incandescent lights to compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs), which use close to 70 percent less energy. But here’s where CFLs are different from traditional bulbs: you shouldn’t toss CFLs into your household garbage. Why Do CFL Bulbs Need Special Disposal? CFL bulbs contain about 5 milligrams of mercury, which can be toxic to the environment. CFL bulbs are considered hazardous waste in many areas and require a little more planning when it comes to disposal....

Car Thermostat Overview A car’s thermostat regulates the flow of coolant through the engine and is an essential part in the operation of your vehicle. In most cases, an overheating or no-heat condition in your vehicle is due to a faulty thermostat. And since the T-stat price is only about $8, it makes more sense to replace it than to spend hours diagnosing the problem. If that doesn’t fix it, you’ve only spent about two hours learning how to replace a thermostat....

Smart exercise equipment is a category of smart home devices that has grown exponentially in the last couple of years. Almost every type of exercise gear has a “smart” version, from stationary bikes to jump ropes. Many of these innovative products are a significant upgrade from their basic counterparts. Here’s what you need to know. What Is Smart Exercise Gear? These devices come with added electronics that can do a wide range of things, such as:...

Thanksgiving is the second-most popular holiday in the U.S. after Christmas, with nearly 90 percent of Americans celebrating every year. This non-denominational celebration appeals to a broad swath of the population, maybe because there’s no pressure to buy gifts. And while how we celebrate Thanksgiving may vary from year to year — ahem, pandemic, anyone? — one thing remains the same. Most of us cherish and look forward to a good meal spent in the company of friends and loved ones....

There are seven common reasons why an oil filter leaks. Knowing the possible causes will help you determine what steps you should take to correct the problem. To remove contaminates before it starts its lubricating cycle, motor oil is fed directly from the oil pump through the oil filter. Under full oil pressure, a seemingly minor oil filter leak can quickly turn catastrophic. Unless oil is gushing from the oil filter, in most cases replacing an oil filter is a DIY operation....

sshepard/Getty Images Every corner of America has its cultural quirks and climate, so it’s impossible to create a golden book of homeowner rules to spell out dos and don’ts. Cities and homeowners associations (HOAs) can dictate how long your lawn can be, how you maintain public right-of-ways such as sidewalks, and what you can or can’t put in your front or back yard. Check out these HOA horror stories. Here’s a look at 10 things that can lead to sometimes hefty fines, depending on local laws and covenants, along with ways to avoid them....

Painting a garage floor not only makes the garage look cleaner, it helps keep the inside of your home clean, offers some floor protection and is relatively inexpensive. Here are the best garage floor paint options to consider, depending on your project. What Kind of Paint Should I Use on My Garage Floor? The key when choosing the best paint for your garage floor is to choose the right formulation for the best wear....

Tune-ups are all about engine maintenance so your vehicle starts well, runs smoothly and operates as efficiently as possible. Today’s cars need tune-ups far less often than older vehicles did, but regular work is still required. All the basic tune-up tasks you’ll read about here are possible for any handy person working in a driveway or garage with a set of sockets and wrenches. More advanced tune-up work involving diagnostic equipment is best handled by a professional....

Few things are more annoying than a drawer that won’t open. You’ve taken all that time to organize your kitchen stuff, and then when you need something, you can’t get to it without ripping your arm out of its socket. Well, worry no more! If you have wooden drawer slides, these two easy fixes will ensure they’ll open on command. Wooden vs. Metal Drawer Slides Drawers are pretty much useless if they won’t open....

StockPhotoFan1/Shutterstock You probably love your Trex decking because it’s durable and low-maintenance. But you still have to clean it occasionally to keep it looking great. Semi-annual cleanings in the spring and fall will also help prevent mold growth. Here’s how to test for mold in your home. How to Clean Trex Decking If your deck was built with Trex’s Enhance, Select or Transcend decking, this is what you should do:...

Shutterstock/David Tonelson What is a Flocked Christmas Tree? A flocked Christmas tree captures the feeling of a real winter wonderland with the dusting of artificial snow. Flocked trees are the gorgeous, white trees that have a realistic snow look and texture. Flocking a Christmas tree is a great way to ensure that you have a white Christmas no matter what climate you live in. A flocked tree is easy to make yourself and adds a wintery layer to your Christmas decorations....

If your oil light is winking at you, don’t assume you need a new oil pump. Instead, head right for the oil pressure switch (usually located near the oil filter). If you can’t find yours, consult a shop manual. Know what to do if any of these warning lights come on in your car. Oil pressure switches are notorious for leaking as they age. When that happens, they send erroneous data to the computer, and you end up with a glowing “oil” light....

Huntstock/Getty Images What is a Digging Bar? As the name suggests, a digging bar is any large, metal bar used as a tool for digging holes. Usually, digging bars come into play whenever there’s something that needs to be pried up out of the hole or broken up into more manageable chunks. They can also be used as hole starters, and are well suited for digging narrow holes for things like posts and footings....

If you’ve ever shopped for an appliance, chances are good that you’ve seen the Energy Star logo. A 2019 report found a whopping 91 percent of American households recognized the Energy Star label, making it one of the best-known consumer symbols in the U.S. This is especially impressive considering that Energy Star was only established in 1992, and initially focused solely on home computers. Read on to learn what Energy Star is and how the ratings can help you when you’re shopping for appliances....

We can thank the Victorian Era’s interest in cleanliness for this elegant bathing option. The public bathhouses of that time featured freestanding tubs, including traditional-style slipper tubs. The name comes from their shape: With one higher end, they look sort of like a woman’s high-heeled shoe. Their design provided some privacy. Freestanding tubs, including slipper tubs, were popular in the U.S. until alcove tubs became a bathroom standard in the 1920s....

Family Handyman Common sense dictates that you keep fire extinguishers wherever there’s a potential for an accidental fire, such as in kitchens and garages. But some fire experts also recommend keeping them in places like laundry rooms and workshops and at the tops of basement stairwells. So where should you keep a fire extinguisher? Fire extinguishers should never be more than 75 ft. away from a Class A (ordinary combustibles) hazard, and no more than 50 ft....

When entertaining and gathering in the new year, these bar cart deals add a little glamour to any space. Bar carts free up kitchen storage, keep party items in one place and wow guests. Simply wheel one into the room during your next party for endless compliments! Save up to 50% on bar carts that fit every style, and stock your new bar with accessories up to 75% off! Below are this Sales Editor’s top picks....

Landscaping doesn’t just beautify the outside of your home — it can also cut heating costs. The U.S. Department of Energy says that just three properly placed trees can save $100 to $250 in energy costs per year. And Trees Forever points out that those benefits keep growing, right along with your trees! Slow Down Winter Winds With Windbreaks Winter winds don’t just make us cold outside. They contribute to air infiltration, which pushes the air you’re paying to heat out of cracks and openings in your home....