Efficient Pellet Heating

Efficient Pellet Heating

Traditional pellet stoves can look like a charming Franklin stove, but rather than burning wood they burn compact pellets. Pellet fuel can be made of wood chips, nutshells or corn kernels, offering a sustainable heat source. According to the EPA these pellets are the...
Dreamy Basement Renovation Ideas

Dreamy Basement Renovation Ideas

An unfinished basement means an uncharted world of possibility. In particular, it is possible to take advantage of things that might make the below level space unappealing at first thought, and turn that into the best part of your home. The word den truly evokes a...
Green Controversy Wood Stoves

Green Controversy Wood Stoves

If a wood stove burns dirtier than gas or oil, can it be a green source of heat? It is true that wood burning stoves produce more fine particle emissions than gas or oil, but depending on your circumstances, they can be a green option. They are not suitable for urban...
Hardware Store Cleaning Hacks

Hardware Store Cleaning Hacks

Who doesn’t love using something you already have hanging around to tackle a job quickly and thoroughly? I noticed that a number of the things you might find in a hardware store can be put to good use for home cleaning and maintenance–especially a few of...
Resources, Renewable Resources

Resources, Renewable Resources

If you are building or remodeling, or want to change systems in order to take advantage of some renewable energy incentives available to Maryland residents, these are some good starting points for fact finding. Geothermal Maryland offers a Geothermal Heat Pump Grant...
Bathroom Before and Afters

Bathroom Before and Afters

I ran across a slideshow of brilliant bathroom remodels. This Old House published their Reader Remodel Contest results from 2013. If you are planning a bathroom renovation, there are some great images to look through for ideas. My personal favorites: Clawfoot tubs,...