A clearer next step for your home
Understand the problem.
Know what to do next.
Practical guides to the leaks, noises and everyday problems that leave homeowners wondering where to start.
Or browse all guidesWatch & understand ↓
Find your topic
Explore all categoriesFrom the guide library
Recently updated
The latest revisions to our home guides. Dates reflect article updates, rather than new publication.
Appliances & Equipment
Why Is My Refrigerator Not Cooling?
Updated
A refrigerator can have its light on and still fail to keep food cold. Protect the food first, then separate a temperature-control or airflow issue from a…
Systems & Comfort
Why Is One Room Hotter Than the Others?
Updated
A room that stays warmer than neighboring rooms can have a local airflow, solar-gain, or building-envelope problem even when the cooling equipment works. The most useful evidence…
Cleaning & Home Maintenance
Why Is My Grout Turning Black?
Updated
Dark grout can reflect surface residue, staining, persistent wetness or growth. Black color alone cannot identify the cause or a mold species. First establish the grout and…
Systems & Comfort
Why Is My Electricity Bill Suddenly So High?
Updated
Compare the electricity used before blaming an appliance. A larger amount due can reflect more kilowatt-hours, a longer billing period, a different rate, an estimated reading correction,…
Watch & understand
See what a home energy assessment involves.
A short introduction to the inspections and specialist tests used to understand how a home uses energy.
Energy 101: Home Energy Assessment · 3:30
U.S. Department of Energy · Published 2010
Select play to load YouTube. Watch on YouTube.
What to look for
Notice how the assessment combines observations with specialist testing. The demonstration uses a U.S. cold-weather home; building design, climate and suitable improvements vary. Use an assessment to investigate your home’s particular energy use.
Choose a useful starting point
What are you noticing?
Water where it should not be
Find the route that matches the location.
An appliance is not doing its job
Separate the symptom from a component diagnosis.
Comfort or power has changed
Compare where and when it happens.
Featured guides
Browse all guides
Cleaning & Home Maintenance
12 Practical Cleaning Tips and Where to Use Them
Choose a method for mugs, laundry, appliances and household surfaces—with clear limits for each finish.
Read the guide: 12 Practical Cleaning Tips and Where to Use Them
Plumbing Problems
Why Is My Sink Leaking Underneath?
Separate supply, drain and surface-water clues without creating another leak.
Read the guide: Why Is My Sink Leaking Underneath?
Systems & Comfort
Why Is My Air Conditioner Not Cooling?
Record the symptoms and distinguish owner checks from service work.
Read the guide: Why Is My Air Conditioner Not Cooling?Use the information
Work through the clues
Understand a higher electricity bill
Compare energy used per day before assuming an appliance is responsible. Use the guide’s bill-comparison tool.
Compare your electricity use →Narrow down a damp-wall problem
Compare rain, plumbing-use and surface-condensation patterns before deciding what needs investigation.
Use the moisture comparison →Make the information useful
Bring better observations to the next step.
Find symptom comparisons, observation worksheets and sources that help you describe the problem clearly. Follow your product instructions and local requirements.
Choose between related guidesAbout this publication
Published by Courtney Louis.
A property owner and manager. These are researched general guides. They do not replace an inspection or qualified trade advice.
How the guides are prepared