Tag Archives: Home Improvement

How to Install an Outdoor Outlet

Posted February 13, 2019 by Aaron Kase

How to Install an Outside Outlet | Direct Energy Blog

If you want to decorate your house with festive holiday lights, or simply make the use of electric yard tools more convenient, an exterior electrical outlet is a very useful amenity to consider. Otherwise, you could find yourself running extension cords through partially open windows, which can drive up your heating and cooling costs, or using improvised and unsafe connections to outside light fixtures, which can present a serious fire hazard. READ MORE

How to Make Your Home More Energy Efficient with $1,000

Posted February 12, 2019 by Aaron Kase

You can lock in long-term savings on utility bills by working on tactical energy-efficient upgrades for your home, particularly by beefing up the insulation and air-sealing to improve retention of treated air. These improvements require up-front investment, but if you’re smart about where you put your money you can realize substantial gains over time. Read on for tips on how to make your home energy-efficient and an example of how putting $1,000 into a typical American home can pay for itself in energy savings. READ MORE

How to Repair Water-Damaged Drywall

Posted February 7, 2019 by Vernon Trollinger

Whether it happens in your ceiling because of a leaky roof, condensation from your central air conditioning, or flooding, repairing water-damaged drywall can cause you anxiety and aggravation, especially if you’ve never done it before. After all, the ceilings and walls in your home are supposed to be solid and sturdy, and tearing a hole into one should be really complicated. It’s actually far from it. True, the process will take some prep work and make a bit of a mess, but with a little patience and care you can make the damage practically invisible in just a few days. READ MORE

Does My Home Need Attic Ventilation Fans?

Posted January 23, 2019 by Aaron Kase

As you suffer through a summer heat wave, your attic may be the last place on your mind. After all, there’s no way you’d want to climb up there when the stifling heat can reach as high as 150F. However, it’s important to not neglect your attic, either, as it acts as your home’s heat shield and therefore has a major impact on the temperature in the rest of the building. READ MORE

How to Clean Your Green & Cloudy Pool After a Rainstorm

Posted January 11, 2019 by Vernon Trollinger

Nothing beats a clear, cool pool on a sweltering summer day. However, many homeowners discover that their pool looks a lot less appealing after a serious rainstorm, full of cloudy or even green water. Fortunately, with just a little extra maintenance you can quickly return your pool water to its proper state, or even prevent clouding problems before they start. Read on for tips on how to maintain and clean your pool after a rainstorm and keep the water swimmable all summer long. READ MORE

When Is the Best Time of Year to Buy New Appliances?

Posted January 9, 2019 by Josh Crank

The coming of the new year tends to get homeowners excited about changes to their homes. It will soon be time to start planting spring flowers, the rejuvenation of spring cleaning is right around the corner, and some of you may even be thinking about replacing a few of your aging appliances. READ MORE