Project center
Welcome to our Project Center! Check out our recent blogs and resources below to learn new tips and tricks for DIY projects, home projects, or any seasonal projects, and more!
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Project Center
Home Repair
Lawn & Garden
Outdoor & Seasonal
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Pets
Pesticides
Pesticide is an umbrella term that covers insecticides, herbicides and fungicides. Although chemical pesticides in dry and liquid forms are widely used, there are other forms of lawn, garden and household insect control. There are a variety of solid insect repellent...
Fertilizers
All lawns are deficient in nitrogen because grass quickly uses up the natural supply. Some also need phosphorus and potassium. There are three common types of fertilizers: natural organic, inorganic and synthetic organic. Natural organic fertilizers, such as manure,...
Home Security
LOCKS Installation of locks is a common do-it-yourself project. According to market information, less than 7 percent of the total retail lock business is from locksmiths. A large percentage of consumers shop retail stores for locks. LOCK MECHANISMS The five mechanical...
Gas, Smoke, and Fire Protection
DETECTORS Gas, smoke and fire detectors are common residential safety products. Many municipal building codes require smoke or fire detectors in multifamily dwellings, in new construction, and, in some cases, in existing single-family homes. There are three common...
Wood Burning Stoves
Wood-burning stoves are an efficient source of supplemental and/or zone heating. Their energy efficiency rating is 40-65 percent of available usable heat; by comparison, most furnaces operate at about 70 percent efficiency. About 70 percent of a stove's usable heat...
Supplemental Heaters
A space heater is the answer to those chilly days or evenings in spring or fall when it is not cold enough to start the furnace. It can also be used in extremely cold weather to raise the temperature of one room to a comfortable level while "dialing down" the...
Setback Devices
Setback devices for furnaces and, in some cases, central air conditioning, evolved as a way of reducing energy consumption in the home with no loss in comfort. All of the units operate on the principle of a timer that turns the heat up or down automatically at...
Humidifiers
Cold air holds little moisture. When it enters the house and is warmed, the air in the house becomes uncomfortably dry. This dryness, in addition to causing personal discomfort such as respiratory distress and dry skin, can wither house plants, loosen joints in...
Heat-Saving Items
It has been estimated that 90 percent of the heat generated by a conventional masonry fireplace goes up the chimney. To help make fireplaces more energy efficient, accessory items recover lost heat and return it to the room. HEAT-RECOVERY SYSTEMS One type...
Fireplaces
With the arrival of cooler weather, it is essential to keep your home at a comfortable temperature. Fireplaces and wood burning stoves offer convenience and comfort to keep your family warm through the colder months. There are many different fireplace options out...