Ducts carry heated or cooled air. Under normal operation, they don't carry combustion byproducts and are sealed as a matter of energy efficiency, not combustion safety. Sheetmetal flue pipes, on the other hand, carry combustion gases from the furnace or the boiler to the chimney. They are not sealed... (Published in the January 2007 issue)

For better backyard views and fewer drafts, install a new door—in just one afternoon. (Published in the November 2006 issue)

Professional Engineer Norman Becker explains what dimmer switches are best for saving on energy bills, gives guidelines for installing a shower, highlights resouces for using solar energy in your home, tackles the issue of using a sealer with grout and investigates the issues behind a faucet that li... (Published in the June 2006 issue)

The soffits on the addition to our house rot out after only a few years. The soffits themselves are not vented, but there is a large gable vent. There are identical gable vents on the main part of the house. The soffits on that portion of the house are not vented, yet they are still in great shape a... (Published in the May 2006 issue)

The chimes for my house are located in the front foyer, which makes it hard to hear them when we are in the back of the house, especially in the den. Can I attach another set of chimes to the existing system and install them in the rear hallway? (Published in the April 2006 issue)