Home Improvement Choices Blog

Home Heating 2009: How's Your System Holding Up?

Fri, 02 Jan 2009 15:20:00-0500

Hi again, everybody. Welcome to the first Home Improvement Choices blog of 2009. As if there were any lingering doubt, we are in the midst of winter again, and record snowfalls and cold temperatures have already been recorded in much of the country. As you might recall, we spent a lot of time last year talking about home heating systems; comparing and contrasting eight of the leading types of furnaces and heating systems available today. Well, this is the time of year when all that analysis and preparation pays off. So, how is your home heating system performing?

With the economy having taken its unfortunate turn last year, a lot of folks will be judging their furnaces on efficiency above all else. Whether electric or gas, "is my system effectively keeping me comfortable with minimal energy usage and a reasonable bill attached?" These days, it's more difficult than ever to anticipate a heating bill, thanks to the up and down costs of gas, the various types of electrical heating systems, weather fluctuations, and the whims of your local electric or gas company. If you're considering an upgrade, or even a sidegrade, you can check out my Home Heating Tournament for a basic intro to your various options. As for making a final decision on having a new heat system installed, however, it's probably more important than ever to first consult with a local contractor who has experience in heating and cooling. Different regions of the country and even different neighborhoods may align more with one style of furnace above another. Let the HVAC contractor know your concerns, both financial and functional, and he or she can make sure you're set up for a winter that is comfortable for your family and your state of mind.

Found a particular type or name brand of home heating system that has worked wonders for your home this winter? Tell me about it in the comment section below.

Haunted Houses and Home Improvement

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 18:01:00-0500

October is here, and with it comes that most hallowed of holidays, Halloween. When you think about it, aside from pumpkins, ghosts, and bats, there may be no image more associated with this spooky celebration than the "haunted house" or the dark, foreboding mansion on the hill. Hopefully, your own home bares no particular resemblance to the Addams Family estate, but if it does, this is the one time of the year when that actually might come in handy. [More]

Kid Proofing the Kitchen: Remodeling Tips

Thu, 25 Sep 2008 12:39:00-0500

Nate Logan here. When it comes to safe kitchen design, most people know the basics, such as: don't install a stove below curtained windows, make sure the space has good ventilation near appliances, and don't put cleaning and cooking workspaces side by side. The layout is one thing, but what design materials are best for improving kitchen safety for our families? [More]

More on Home Theater Remodeling: A Look Ahead

Thu, 11 Sep 2008 10:51:00-0500

Football season's here, so it's a great time to start thinking about that out-of-date home theater system again. Fact is, home theater technology is moving faster than a halfback in the open field, and with new talk of crazy features like scent generators and light-syncing effects becomes reality, your remodeled basement might have a lot more to offer than your local movie theater. [More]

Building a Backyard Firepit for July 4th

Fri, 20 Jun 2008 12:35:00-0500

If you're having guests over this July 4th, or for any other summer parties for that matter, the backyard firepit is a fantastic and easily constructed focal point for any outdoor gathering. Consider it a smarter, more aesthetically pleasing alternative to shooting off cheap fireworks. [More]

Final Round: Gas Furnace vs Electric Furnace

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 12:23:00-0500

The home heating tournament finally concludes this week with a match-up very much akin to the Lakers / Celtics rivalry in basketball. It's Gas Furnace vs Electric Furnace for the right to be crowned 2008 Home Heating Champion! [More]

Round 2: Electric Furnace vs. Geothermal Heat Pump

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 16:07:00-0500

Well, we've already seen Gas Furnace emerge supreme in the first bracket. Now it's time to see which home heating system will play for the right to be called the 2008 champion of toastiness. The match-up in this semi-final is Electric Furnace, which took out Radiant Heating, versus Geothermal Heat Pumps, which had the edge over Air Source Heat Pumps. Let's get to it! [More]

Round 2: Gas Furnace vs Wood / Coal Furnace

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 11:47:00-0500

It's time to start round 2 of Signature Forum's Home Heating Tournament. Our first matchup is the #1 seed, Gas Furnaces, against the #5 seed, the old school team of Wood Furnaces and Coal Furnaces. Back in round one, the Gas Furnace proved to be far more practical than a set of space heaters, and the affordability of wood and coal-based heating took down Oil Furnaces. So, which heating system has what it takes to advance to our "Super Bowl of Warmth"? [More]

Air Source Heat Pumps vs Geothermal Heat Pumps

Tue, 26 Feb 2008 13:55:00-0500

Our final first round match-up in the Home Heating Tournament takes us to the world of Electric Heat Pumps. In recent years, Electric Heat Pumps have become an increasing popular type of heating system, rivaling many furnaces for efficiency while saving homeowners a whole lot on their monthly heating bills.

Today, we'll determine which of the two most common varieties of Electric Heat Pump has earned the right to challenge the Electric Furnace in round two. [More]

Electric Furnace vs Radiant Floor Heating

Tue, 19 Feb 2008 13:03:00-0500

Welcome to another first round match-up in what has already been a thrilling Home Heating Tournament! For those keeping score at home-- and perhaps wishing you had one of these heat systems installed already-- we have seen the Gas Furnace defeat Space Heaters, and the Wood/Coal Furnace win an upset over the Oil Furnace. Today's game pits the powerful and popular #2 seed, Electric Furnace, against the upset-minded #7 seed, Radiant Floor Heating. [More]

Oil Furnace vs Wood/Coal Furnace

Tue, 12 Feb 2008 16:41:00-0500

Round one of the Home Heating Tournament continues with a match-up of old-school heating giants, Oil Furnaces and Wood/Coal Furnaces.

Many classic, older homes still use old fashioned oil or wood heating, and some modern homes are benefiting from these traditional heat systems, as well. Used both as primary furnaces and as complements to gas or electric furnaces, oil, wood, and coal heating can get the job done while saving a lot of money in the process. So which of these old reliables gets a ticket to round two? [More]

Gas Furance vs Space Heaters

Thu, 07 Feb 2008 11:40:00-0500

Home Heating Comparisons Tournament

Round 1: Gas Furnace vs Space Heaters

To recap my previous blog, I've decided to address the great debate about optimal home heating choices by throwing some of the leading heating systems into a head-to-head, comparison-based tournament. Eight heating methods will enter, only one will win! Of course, the fact is, any of these heating systems can have their benefits, depending on the interests of the homeowner and layout of the home. But as the central source of heat in your house, some systems simply get the job done better than others. Today, we have a first round match between the #1 seed, Gas Furnace, and the underdog #8 seed, Space Heaters. [More]

Staying Warm Options: Choosing a Home Heating System

Tue, 05 Feb 2008 11:00:00-0500

Part 1: Let the Tournament Begin!

The Home Improvement Showdown is heating up over the next couple weeks, as we explore the wide variety of home heating systems out there, and which type might be best for your own home. [More]

Center of Attention: Kitchen Island vs Kitchen Cart

Thu, 31 Jan 2008 15:31:00-0500

If you've got the ample space, it's safe to say that just about any modern kitchen remodeling project isn't complete without a central kitchen island or kitchen cart. Both the cart and island provide a free standing counter space with 360 degree access, but whereas the cart is usually on wheels and completely mobile, the kitchen island is a typically larger, permanent installment. Choosing between the two, then, comes down to a matter of convenience, value, and flexibility. [More]

Bathroom Floor War: Laminate vs Ceramic Tile

Tue, 29 Jan 2008 14:58:00-0500

For today's edition of the Home Improvement Showdown, we return to the world of bathroom remodeling, for a closer look at the always tricky proposition of bathroom flooring selection. Certainly, laminate bathroom flooring and ceramic tile flooring have each earned their fair share of devotees, but which one really represents the highest level of flooring? No pun intended. [More]