Home Automation

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fondue pot deep frying meat
7 Surprising Uses for Appliances

Some classic devices offer alternate functions.

recessed lighting fixtures in ceiling under construction
Recessed Lighting Wiring Instructions

This elegant style can create a calming, moody glow.

young girl with VR glasses next to smiling man
Home Tech Forecast for 2022

Some buzzy trends continue to expand.

young woman with pink hair and hoodie working on laptop with notebook
Upgrade Your Tech Skills with These Free Sites

Download some new skills through the intertubes.

waterproof outdoor camera
7 of the Best Smart Appliances in 2021

From big to small, these devices make life a little easier.

Electrical Wiring
How to Install Residential Electrical Wiring

Installing electrical wiring can be dangerous.

Stripping wires for an electrical outlet
Understanding 120/240V Wiring Color Code

Untangle the complex network of wires in your walls.

color cables
Identifying House Electric Wiring Colors

Some basics you may already know.

An outlet being wired.
Understanding 220 and 230 Volt Wiring

Know your wiring before installing your next big appliance.

Smoke alarm mounted to a wood ceiling.
Smoke Detector Wiring 101

The whole house can be connected on one system.

A man looks at a humidistat
How to Troubleshoot Humidistats

Understanding and troubleshooting humidifiers and dehumidifiers.

A circuit breaker.
Circuit Breaker Wiring

There's no need to get intimidated.

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Electrical Ground Rod Installation

How to go about electrical ground rod installation.

A soldering iron and wire.
Soldering Iron Differences

Here are 3 different types of soldering irons you may consider for your DIY projects.

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Lead-Free Solder Vs. Lead Solder

Lead-free solder is becoming more common, replacing the traditional solder made from lead and tin.

cord plugged into a white outlet
How to Wire a 120/240 Volt Receptacle

Out with the old, in with the new, more versatile option.

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How to Run Cable Underground with PVC Conduit Part 1

Wiring an outdoor living area, or having power to a shed, or outbuilding, you will to run cable.

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End-of-Run Electrical Receptacle Wiring

There are 2 main types of receptacle wiring; one that continues on to another receptacle and end one.

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Light Switch Installation: How to Install a Neutral Wire

Planning a light switch installation is not typically challenging, even for the novice.

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Building a Home Office Series: Home Office Wiring Considerations

More and more Americans are working from home, whether as their own bosses or as an employee.

Shed surrounded by snow
How to Wire an Outdoor Shed

Connect your shed to your household power supply.

Transfer switch
Manual Transfer Switch Wiring Explained

Kick up the back-up generator with a transfer switch.

The ecobee4 on a white background.
4 Things to Know About Smart Thermostats

Smart thermostats reduce your carbon footprint and save money.

A smart phone in front of a glowing house.
Home Tech Trends to Watch for in 2017

Looking forward to smart home tech that actually works?

an older couple uses their smart home device
Smart Home Devices for Older Folks

These gadgets make life safer and more comfortable.

a woman with cash uses a calculator next to her smart phone and a small statue of a house
What Smart Home Devices Are Worth the Money?

From security to savings, home devices are getting smarter.

A women adjusts the temperature on an oven
Everything You Want to Know About Smart Appliances

Smart appliances are just easier to use, but they can save you money as well.

control home features from smart phone
Smart Home Features to Add Value to Your Home

Some smart features make your home more valuable to buyers.

smart phone controlling smart home
8 Technology Hacks for Homeowners

Automation technology not only can add a "wow" factor to your home, but also can make it safer.

a robot lawn mower
Outdoor Smart Home Devices

Add these outdoor tech miracles for your next summer party.

Someone using a smart phone to turn their oven on.
Smart Home Fire Prevention

Want to make your home safer and smarter but don't think you have the tech know-how? Think again!

A smart house app open on a tablet.
Is It Time to Make Your House a Smart House?

It's almost unavoidable to have smart systems in your home.

hot tub panel open to reveal wiring and plumbing
Hot Tub Wiring

A bad connection can cause a heating failure.

Amazon smart technology.
The Easiest Smart Home Tech to Adopt in Your Home

Smart home tech can make your life easier.

Wood shed nestled into the landscape around it
How to Wire an Outdoor Shed - Part 1

Wiring a shed means running power from the house, burying your wires, and hooking up a subpanel.

row of light switches on a wall
How to Wire Two Light Switches from One Power Source

Dealing with electrical wires in any DIY project can be confusing and dangerous.

circuit box
How to Remove a Knockout from Your Box or Panel

When wiring your home, it may be necessary to access your knockout box to create more locations.

man working with wires in a control panel
Proper Electrical Grounding Techniques Explained

Electrical grounding is the way to ensure that your family are not harmed by stray current.

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Humidistat vs Dehumidistat

There are many varieties of humidity sensors and an equal number of applications for them.

an outlet on a wall
How to Wire Plug Outlets for 110v Electricity

Nearly every home in America has 110v electricity pulsing through its outlets.

Cables on a grey background.
How to Find an Electrical Cable in Your Walls

Accidentally cutting into a cable is a big no-no.

person in sweater opening the bottom of a dehumidifier
How to Make Your Own Water From Scratch

Filter the output from a dehumidifier.

smart speaker next to bright window with coffee and newspaper
6 Smart Home Routines You Should be Using

Your smart speaker wants to help you lead your best life.

outdoor ac unit with disconnect switch
How to Wire an AC Disconnect

They make it easy to shut down the AC power for service.

The green, black, and red wires in 220v wiring are pulled from the outlet to be worked on.
110 volts vs. 220 volts Circuits

110v and 220v wiring serve similar functions.