Electrical How To & DIY

Improve the value of your home by discovering our electrical step-by-step tips & ideas.

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Generator Buying Guide: What You Need to Know (2024)

Generators provide peace of mind by giving your home a backup power source in the event of a blackout. We’ve compiled this detailed buyer’s guide to give you all the information you need to make an informed purchasing decision.
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How to Install a Wall Sconce

Adding a wall-mounted light fixture in the living room, bedroom, or bathroom is a very achievable project. These pro tips and tools will shed light on the simplest way to install a wall sconce.
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How to Replace a Doorbell

Doorbell not working? Learn how to replace a doorbell—including the chime, wiring, and transformer—with our step-by-step guide.
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How To Install an AFCI Circuit Breaker

Ask This Old House master electrician Heath Eastman replaces the circuit breaker at his panel with one that's up to code.
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How to Hang a TV on Brick Wall

Can you mount a TV on a brick wall? Absolutely. But mounting a TV on brick does take more preparation, knowledge, and tools than installing one on drywall. This guide will show you how to hang a TV on a brick wall so you can make the most of your wall space and elevate your entertainment.
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How to Strip Electrical Wire Safely and Effectively

Stripping wire may tricky at first, but read on to learn simple and safe ways for stripping electrical wires in your home.
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How To Install Low-Voltage Landscape Lighting for Your Home

Read this guide and watch electrician Heath Eastman demonstrate how to install low-voltage landscape lighting for your yard.
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How to Safely Hang Outdoor Christmas Lights

In this DIY Smarts, This Old House Master Electrician Heath Eastman helps a homeowner safely install a variety of Christmas lights.
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Updating a Push-Button Light Switch

Our guide shows you how to replace an antique push-button light switch without loosing your home's vintage charm.
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How To Install a USB Outlet | This Old House: Live

Watch as Ask This Old House Master Electrician Heath Eastman updates a standard receptacle in his own kitchen to one that has USB inputs.
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Running Electricity to Your Kitchen Island

Running electricity to your island shouldn’t be too difficult, especially if you’re taking out the existing cabinets.
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How To Choose an Electrical Box

Ask This Old House master electrician Heath Eastman explains the uses and purposes of different types of electrical boxes.
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TOH Know-How: A Smarter Panel for Easier Electrical Installation

At the TOH 2018 Idea House, electrician Ben Giles shows Kevin O’Connor the innovative and intuitive new load center from Leviton
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Home Safety: Why You Should Conduct an Electrical Audit

Conducting an electrical audit can help prevent potential issues before they arise. In this guide, we show you how to conduct a home audit.
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How To Install Rough Electricity in New Construction

Ask This Old House master electrician Scott Caron helps a homeowner wire her new basement that she’s in the process of turning into finished space
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How Fuses and Circuit Breakers Work

Ask This Old House electrician Scott Caron provides a deep dive into how fuses and circuit breakers protect a home.
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How To Upgrade an Electric Meter and Panel to 200-Amp Service

What's involved in upgrading to a 200 amp service? Master electrician Scott Caron shows the two parts of replacing an old electrical system.
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How To Turn an Outlet in Your Home Into a USB Charger

Want to Level up your outlets? Adapt your wall socket to a USB charging station for all of your devices in just a few easy steps.
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How To Add an Outlet to a Room

In this guide, electrician Scott Carson walks you through how to add an outlet to a room, plus important things to keep in mind along the way.
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How To Install a Manual Transfer Switch for a Portable Generator

Ask This Old House master electrician Scott Caron visits Alaska to install a portable generator with a manual transfer switch.
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How To Choose Wire Nuts for Your Projects

Ask This Old House master electrician Scott Caron explains the differences between wire nuts of various sizes and colors.
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How to Install a Wireless Light Switch

Add a wireless light switch to an existing circuit by following the steps in this how-to video.
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How to Diagnose and Repair Three-Way Switch Problems

Ask This Old House master electrician Scott Caron diagnoses a three-way switch issue and fixes the problem.
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23 Things You Didn't Know You Could Fix Yourself

Expand your DIY repertoire and save money by making bathroom, kitchen, and outdoor repairs yourself. Here are 20+ easy fixes you can make.
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How to Conceal Electrical Wires with Crown Molding

Ask This Old House master electrician Scott Caron uses crown molding to conceal wiring and bring more electrical outlets to a bedroom.
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How to Do Electrical Projects with Two Tools

Scott Caron, master electrician for Ask This Old House, explains how two tools are all it takes to do many electrical projects
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How To Repair a Three-Way Light Switch for Your Fixtures

Take a crash course in DIY home electrical work with our easy to follow step-by-step guide on how to repair a three-way light switch.
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How To Install an Automatic Standby Generator

Looking for a way to keep your power on during outages? Our guide contains everything you need to know to install an automatic standby generator
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How To Select Electrical Testers

Worried about electrical safety? Read our guide on electrical testers to make sure you don't risk touching a live wire.
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How to Install Surge Protection To Keep Safe form Electricity

Electrician Scott Caron demonstrates how to install several types of surge protection to keep a home safe from electrical shocks and fires.
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How To Hang a Flat-Panel TV with Concealed Wiring

Electrician Scott Caron explains how to hang a flat-screen TV on the wall and conceal all the wiring in this helpful video and guide.
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How to Run Underground Wiring to a Garage

Electrician Scott Caron shows a homeowner how to bring power to a detached garage
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How To Add Task Lighting to a Kitchen

Task lighting can transform your kitchen from a gloomy space to one flooded with light. Find out how to install task lighting here.