Practical help for your next home project
Straight answers about smart plugs, Wi-Fi, weather, energy and 3D printing.
Set up your first smart plug
Pick the right plug, check your Wi-Fi band and the plug's load rating, then put a lamp on a sunset schedule in about 15 minutes.
Beginner friendly · About 15 minutesGood places to start
How much does it cost to run an appliance?
The simple formula for what any appliance costs to run, a worked TV example, typical wattages for common appliances, and where your rate is on your bill.
Where to put your router for better Wi-Fi
Put your router central, off the floor and out in the open, away from metal, water and microwaves, then prove the new spot with a 10-minute phone speed test.
What is dew point, and what does it mean at home?
What dew point is, why it shows how muggy it feels better than humidity, NWS comfort levels in °F, and why your windows fog up in winter.
Guides, articles & comparisons
View all guidesSet up your first smart plug
Pick the right plug, check your Wi-Fi band and the plug's load rating, then put a lamp on a sunset schedule in about 15 minutes.
How much does it cost to run an appliance?
The simple formula for what any appliance costs to run, a worked TV example, typical wattages for common appliances, and where your rate is on your bill.
Where to put your router for better Wi-Fi
Put your router central, off the floor and out in the open, away from metal, water and microwaves, then prove the new spot with a 10-minute phone speed test.
What is dew point, and what does it mean at home?
What dew point is, why it shows how muggy it feels better than humidity, NWS comfort levels in °F, and why your windows fog up in winter.
How to choose your first 3D printer
What you'll print decides the printer. The features worth paying for, open vs enclosed, first-year costs, and which printer to buy for what.
How many watts does a refrigerator use?
Running watts, startup surge and yearly kWh for a full-size fridge, mini fridge and chest freezer, what each costs to run, and what generator you need.
New guides, articles and comparisons are on the way. In the meantime, the calculators below work out real costs.
Project calculators
Work out running costs, size a generator or battery, time a download, or check the dew point. Enter your own numbers to get a useful estimate.
See all calculatorsElectricity cost calculator
Estimate how much a device costs to run.
Explore by topic
Smart Home
Smart plugs, lights and simple automations worth setting up.
View guidesEnergy
What your devices cost to run, and where the money goes.
View guidesWeather
Home weather stations, humidity and dew point in plain terms.
View guidesNetwork
Better Wi-Fi at home, plus simple home servers for media and backups.
View guides3D Printing
Picking a printer, choosing filament and what prints really cost.
View guidesComputers
Quick fixes and handy tricks for Mac, Windows and Linux.
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