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

Master electrician Heath Eastman helps a homeowner solve an old problem: locating and replacing doorbell components and wiring.
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How to Install an AFCI Circuit Breaker

Ask This Old House master electrician, Heath Eastman, wraps up an electrical project he started over a year ago by replacing the circuit breaker at his panel with one that is 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 Wire

As a DIYer, you know there are plenty of tasks around the house that are too small to justify calling in the pros. Stripping wire may fall into this category. Read on to learn simple and safe ways for stripping electrical wires in your home.
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How to Install Outdoor Landscape Lighting

Heath Eastman demonstrates how to install landscape lighting along a garden path. Adding landscape lighting to a walkway or path can improve the look and experience of the area.
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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

You can replace an antique light switch without updating the look. Master Electrician, Heath Eastman tells you how.
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How to Install a USB Outlet | This Old House: Live

Ask This Old House Master Electrician Heath Eastman upgrades a standard receptacle to one that has USB inputs as part of This Old House: Live—an initiative providing daily programming and opportunities to connect with our experts during these challenging times.
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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

You remember to change the batteries in your smoke/CO detectors. You have guards on your windows. There’s a high-tech security alarm at your door. The safety of your home and its occupants is always top of mind. But when was the last time you thought about the safety of your electrical system? Read on to find out when it may be time to conduct an electrical audit of your home, and how to go about it.
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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 demonstrates how fuses and circuit breakers protect a home.
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How to Upgrade an Electric Meter and Panel to 200 Amp Service

Master electrician Scott Caron demonstrates the two parts of replacing an antiquated electrical system in our video series below.
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Turn an Outlet into a USB Charger

Adapt your wall socket to a charging station
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Adding an Outlet to a Room

In this video, electrician Scott Carson walks you through how to add an electrical outlet without damaging your walls.
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How to Install Home Solar Storage

Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey learns how to add storage to an existing photovoltaic array.
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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 to power hardwired appliances like a well pump and heating system using unleaded gasoline
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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 looks at 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.
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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 Install Track Lights and Speakers

Scott Caron, master electrician for Ask This Old House, installs LED track lights and LED track lights with Bluetooth speaker technology to brighten up a loft bedroom
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How to Repair a Three-Way Light Switch

Ask This Old House host Kevin O'Connor helps a homeowner fix a faulty three-way switch
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How to Install an Automatic Standby Generator

This Old House host Kevin O'Connor describes how to combat power outages with a standby generator
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How to Select Electrical Testers

Ask This Old House lighting expert Scott Caron gives Kevin a tutorial on electrical testers to make sure you never work on live wires
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How to Install Surge Protection

Electrician Scott Caron installs several types of surge protection
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How to Hang a Flat-Panel TV with Concealed Wiring

Electrician Scott Caron hangs a flat-screen TV on the wall and conceals all the wiring