Home Experts: National News

  • How to Go Solar With No Money Down

    As arguments for switching to renewable energy become more urgent, homeowners are finding new options to help finance rooftop solar systems.... Read more..

  • Hot Water Shouldn't Require a Tank or Schedule

    If you own a home, hot water availability can significantly impact how many daily tasks are accomplished, but it doesn't have to be that way. What if you could check a number of to-dos off your daily list -- such as laundry, dishwashing, showers, baths for the kids and perhaps one for yourself -- without having to devise a hot-water schedule? Well, you can.... Read more..

  • How to Grow a Designer Garden for Less

    If you admire beautifully designed gardens but don't have the budget to hire an expert, there are plenty of ways to get a professional-looking garden on your own. Just follow these simple gardening tips.... Read more..

  • How to Grow a Designer Garden for Less

    If you admire beautifully designed gardens but don't have the budget to hire an expert, there are plenty of ways to get a professional-looking garden on your own. Just follow these simple gardening tips.... Read more..

  • Red is a bold color choice that can look great in a kitchen. Here’s what to know before you get started.

    Because the kitchen is bound to get messy, I like to use a satin finish on the walls to make clean-ups easier. For your base coat, it's a good idea to use a tinted primer to ensure the best coverage when painting with vivid reds.... Read more..

  • Need Home Improvement Motivation? Tax Break May Help

    The "fiscal cliff" was averted, but what does this mean to homeowners? The answer: a lot. The bill, signed into affect on Jan. 2, restricts tax rates from increasing and, among other things, reinstates and extends tax credits for qualifying energy-efficient home upgrades between Jan. 1, 2012 through Dec. 31, 2013. Homeowners can earn up to $500 in tax credits with the purchase and installation of qualifying products.... Read more..

  • Red is a bold color choice that can look great in a kitchen. Here’s what to know before you get started.

    Because the kitchen is bound to get messy, I like to use a satin finish on the walls to make clean-ups easier. For your base coat, it's a good idea to use a tinted primer to ensure the best coverage when painting with vivid reds.... Read more..

  • Eco-Friendly Appliances: Should You Go Green?

    Today's home appliances are light years better than those of just a decade ago. Their superb energy-efficiency helps you create an eco-friendly home -- and they also save you money.... Read more..

  • Winter Thaw Leaves Homes Vulnerable to Pests

    Spring doesn't officially begin until March 20, but the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) advises homeowners that it's not too early to take stock of the damage their homes may have sustained during the winter months. Typically, the winter weather trio of ice, snow and wind leave houses full of new cracks and openings, rolling out the red carpet for invading springtime pests. ... Read more..

  • Designing for DIY Moms - Paintings for Home Decoration

    Home decoration is a pretty important aspect when it comes to designing homes. Usually we see that women of the household are the ones who are making great efforts to decorate their homes in the best of ways.... Read more..

  • Far From Cute, Mice Pose Serious Health and Property Dangers

    It's the season when welcome mats will be rolled out in homes across America to greet houseguests arriving for shared meals and warmth. While friends and family are welcomed visitors, there are other, less welcome guests who don't need an invitation to enjoy the treats and trimmings the winter offers -- rodents. ... Read more..

  • For Residential Solar, Homeowners Seek American-Made

    With residential solar systems gaining popularity in the U.S., a growing number of consumers are choosing American-made solar panels for their homes. According to a national solar survey conducted in 2011, 82 percent of those polled support American solar manufacturing.... Read more..

  • An Easy Way to Lower Your Food Bills

    No idea where you stashed the sour cream? Wondering what's lurking in your veggie drawer? Hidden your aunt's infamous fruitcake behind the milk?... Read more..

  • Wall-Hung Boiler Cuts Home Energy Costs

    Wall-hung boilers are here to stay in North America. The reason is simple: appliances, like a wall-hung boiler, are often cutting home heating and hot water bills in half, while freeing up valuable living space and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. ... Read more..

  • Faux Vs. Real Christmas Trees

    Both faux and real trees have their upsides. Here’s what to consider.... Read more..

  • How to Decorate with Houseplants

    Whether or not you have a green thumb or an affinity for indoor herb gardens, there's no question that houseplants add a decorative interest to any interior -- as long as they're kept alive, of course!... Read more..

  • Winter Recipes are Knocking: Hello Onions

    Cooking without onions is like trying make a BLT without the tomato -- it's possible to fill the void with something else, but you'll probably feel like you're missing something. Plus, now that it's time to put on layers and nestle up to a fire, winter recipes are a'brewing, and they're full of tasty onions. ... Read more..

  • Winter Roof Maintenance: Your Attic's Hidden Secrets

    What homeowner wants to brave the winter elements to check on the health of his roof? And yet, given the crucial role roofs play in determining a house's efficiency -- yes, that means utility bills -- most people think they have no choice but to go mano a mano with all that snow and ice.... Read more..

  • Stop Feline Urinary Tract Problems With a Clean Litter Box

    Urinary tract problems are a common affliction among cats. Regular litter box cleaning is an important step in keeping this painful condition in check.... Read more..

  • 20 Clever Uses for Plastic Bags

    Even with the world going green, plastic bags seem to be everywhere. Americans use approximately 1 billion shopping bags a year, but they recycle less than 1 percent of that amount, sending 300,000 tons into landfills, according to the Clean Air Council.... Read more..