Cotton may be nice and soft and warm, but we're told not to wear it for sporting activities because it traps moisture, becoming wet and ultimately drawing heat away from the body. Well, scientists have created a synthetic fabric that is claimed to repel moisture while still replicating the coziness of cotton.
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Category: Materials, Engineering
Tags: American Chemical…
Your radiators may be switched off for now, but giving them attention during warmer months could help you save money and avoid frustrating cold-weather breakdowns
You know that frustration after you gear up for a snowy day, only to have to take it all off in a heated office? Well, penguins don't. Come sweltering heat or frigid cold, they just chill. Inspired by these clumsy masters of thermal management, scientists have created a material that can passively switch between heating and cooling modes.
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Category: Materials,…
Poor insulation on heat pump pipework is being linked to avoidable energy losses in UK homes, according to industry figures presented at a major energy conference
Already having faced an energy crisis five years ago, more European consumers believe they are “one Trump-ignited war away” from crushing costs.
A well-insulated property is the goal for most homeowners, so with technology advancing, build expert Mark Stevenson explores current insulation innovations
If you're not using your underfloor heating in summer, it makes sense to think about turning it off. But is there more to it than simply pressing the off switch?
Scheme expanded to support systems that provide both heating and cooling in UK homes
Our build expert explains how it's best to add a layer of intermediate insulation in a two-storey house for soundproofing, fire safety and warmth
Oil boiler homeowners in rural and off-gas-grid areas will be eligible for a higher £9,000 heat pump grant under an expanded UK government scheme
Swap out your creaky old box fan for a new model that lights up, mists, or even follows you around the room.
Keeping homes warm in winter is becoming extremely expensive, and many existing methods aren't always efficient. In the US alone, tens of millions of people struggle with energy costs and often have to cut back on basic expenses, including food, just to be able to afford heating. With ongoing fossil fuel dependency and climate change, traditional heating methods are not only costly but also…
A lower boiler flow temperature should lead to lower energy bills, but did it work? Find out what happened when this homeowner tested the theory
Rising oil prices have fuelled concern among homeowners. Heating expert, David Hilton shares his tips for reducing your use, and your bills
If your radiators are cold at the bottom, they need to be sorted as soon as possible
Electricity rates have gotten so atrocious that this Heatbit wants to offset your costs with bitcoin mining. But the math doesn't add up.
While heat pumps use air or ground heat to warm your home and hot water, they still require electricity. We investigate how much that could cost you each year
Save yourself from stress and extra expense by following this HVAC insider advice.
The post 5 Things Your HVAC Technician Wishes You Knew appeared first on Bob Vila.
Intrigued by the concept of a zero bills home, energy expert, David Hilton visited an Octopus Energy Zero Bills site to see exactly what was on offer
Me too — but the experts told me that now is actually the ideal time to give it some TLC
If digging up floors sounds like a nightmare but underfloor heating is the dream, we explore whether overlay underfloor heating could be the solution
I asked the pros about the most common stove problems and how to fix them
It'd be ideal for someone working from home
It turns out they are not the old-fashioned relics I once thought they were
Octopus Energy claims heat pumps are now cheaper to run than gas boilers, but real-world data suggests the picture is more complex
Find out what to do about cold spots on your walls before they cause you problems
A basement can be one of the trickiest areas to insulate in a building project as you often need to address other factors such as ventilation at the same time
Facing each other, two appliance installers strapped a 350-pound stove to their bodies, with thick black cords wrapped around their backs to support it. One of the workers walked up the stairs backwards as they carefully maneuvered up the narrow staircase of a Bronx walk-up. Like many pre-World War II apartment buildings, it has no […]
The most common signs that point to an imminent boiler breakdown
Pests are bad news for your home's insulation. Here's how to keep them out, according to pest control experts