Home Utilities Hack Archives | The Cool Down

Five trash bins lined up next to a blue fire hydrant in front of a brick building.

Business

Houston adds $5 monthly trash fee to water bills, but city says it won't cover costs

A green kettle on a gas stove with steam rising from the spout.

Home

Florida pump failure disrupts water for 5,000, and boil notice stays in effect

An air conditioning unit is mounted on a wooden wall.

Home

Midwest homeowner can't remove garage window AC for winter, and DIYers say skip the cover

A close-up of the inside of a metallic duct showing accumulated lint and debris.

Home

Townhouse dryer had been dumping moisture into crawl space for decades, new homeowner finds

A residential neighborhood with houses and red rock formations in the background.

Home

Desert prepper asks if condensation can replace stored water, and replies say not in dry air

A circuit board from a thermostat showing various components and connections.

Home

A smart thermostat install backfired when touching wires quietly triggered the heat

A hand holding a spray gun applying foam sealant to a gap between surfaces.

Home

Canada homeowner has 4-inch opening causing draft, and DIYers favor expanding foam

Tools and equipment used for solar panel installation on a solar panel surface.

Home

California homeowner weighs DIY solar after permit snags raise fire insurance fears

A close view of dirty wires and surfaces with rust and debris in a mechanical setting.

Home

Homeowner pays $3,200 for UV mold fix after AC fails, then learns cleaning was the real fix

A damaged bathroom wall with mold and water damage at the tile joint.

Home

Homeowner's tub caulk cracked four times, and DIYers blamed one skipped step

Three pendant lights hang from the ceiling in an interior space with marble walls.

Home

After lightning hit near a US home, lights turned brighter, and electricians warned of danger

A person's hand holds a pen over utility bills on a wooden desk with a calculator and a laptop nearby.

Business

New York launches push to get 2.5 million households up to $500 off utility bills