How Often Should You Change the Filters in Your House?

Air PurifiersMost air purifiers have a filter indicator (often a light) that alerts you when the filter should be checked and possibly replaced. Though you can simply wipe down most prefilters, the main HEPA filter should be replaced about every six to 12 months, or as your manual advises. We factor this expense—new filters can…

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Does a Pool Increase the Value of a Home?

In-ground pools have traditionally been considered a drag on home sales because not all buyers want to deal with the maintenance or potential liability and safety risks. “There are many buyers who will not consider a home with a pool,” says Francie Malina, a licensed real estate salesperson at Compass Real Estate in Dobbs Ferry, N.Y. “Homes with pools can…

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Best Whole-House Generators

“A home standby generator does a great job of supplying backup power during an outage,” says Dave Trezza, the test engineer who heads CR’s generator testing program. “But standby generators aren’t cheap, and the installation can be complex and expensive—not a DIY job. That’s why you need a properly sized, top-performing model from our tests…

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The 65 Best Movies on Disney+ Right Now (October 2024)

In the game known as the streaming wars, Disney+ came out swinging, bringing with it a massive library of movies and TV shows—with new ones being added all the time. Watched everything on Netflix? Disney+ has a seemingly endless selection of Marvel movies and plenty of Star Wars and Pixar fare too. Problem is, there’s…

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How to File an Insurance Claim After a Wildfire

The first step is to get in touch with your insurer or the agent who sold you your homeowners insurance. The insurance company will assign an adjuster, who will assess the damage and submit an estimate for review. The amount you’re paid will depend on the kind of coverage you have. Though “replacement cost” coverage should…

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