MIKE HOLMES: Duct cleaning a good thing -- if it's needed

Healthier air quality, better airflow, more energy efficiency -- yes, I am a fan of duct cleaning. But there's a time and a place for duct cleaning. And it's not always worth the money you pay. There are a lot of . . .

Posted: 2011-04-09

Return air improves heating system's circulation

Question: My son lives in a 100-year-old house. The main floor is 769 square feet and the second floor is 348 square feet. The second floor is not used or heated. At some time a 10-foot square basement was dug . . .

Posted: 2014-09-20

Cool basement can easily be made more comfortable

Question: Our house is a bungalow, with an open staircase going into the basement, and every time I go into our basement the thermometer indicates it is approximately three to four degrees Celsius cooler than the main floor. This . . .

Posted: 2022-07-30

A little forethought to fend off flooding

Although filtered water systems have become very popular in recent years, my first experience with a residential filtration array was less than appealing. After completing a full basement renovation for a homeowner before he took possession of his new . . .

Posted: 2025-02-08

Radiant barriers can complicate insulation job

Question: I have a closed-in deck room that had the roof extended over it, with spray foam insulation over the original metal. It has an open-joist ceiling, and I want some more insulation to cover the joists. This room is . . .

Posted: 2020-05-23

Get the popcorn ready

Impressive home theatres now within many families' affordability range

Let's say you're not quite satisfied with the 37-inch flat-screen TV you bought a few years back. You're looking for something a little bit more impressive, a system to give you that gasp-inducing, jaw-dropping, toe-curling movie theatre experience. Maybe it's . . .

Posted: 2008-11-09

The ins and outs of insulation

Question: I have an 1860s Victorian home. The current walls, from inside to outside, are comprised of plaster, lath, cavity of nothing, horizontal barn boards, black tar paper, wood siding, and paint. I am debating whether to insulate the existing . . .

Posted: 2017-07-08

ASK THE INSPECTOR: Not clear on choosing windows? Read on

QUESTIONS: I read your column all the time, thanks for writing it. Is it worth the extra cost to purchase triple-pane windows rather than double-pane windows? I am assuming that triple-pane windows would only add additional insulation value? I . . .

Posted: 2009-08-23

To keep or not to keep

Several variables determine whether to fix a hot water tank or buy a new one

Question: Our hot water tank is approximately 12 years old. No leaking, but sometimes we have the feeling that we don’t have enough hot water. We don’t have a dishwasher so I assume we use a lot of hot water . . .

Posted: 2017-01-28

Do your homework

You'll never regret doing research when buying a home

April marks the start of home buying (and selling) season, and when it comes to buying you've got two options: buying new or buying used.Everyone thinks if they buy new they're safe because a new home will be built right; . . .

Posted: 2015-04-04