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Charles Wing
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How Your House Works: A Visual Guide to Understanding and Maintaining Your Home (Rsmeans) Paperback – June 29, 2018

by Charlie Wing (Author)
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 1,269 ratings
See all formats and editions
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The updated and highly illustrated guide to understanding how just about everything in your house works!

The revised and updated third edition of How Your House Works is a hands-on guide that gives you the low-down on why your faucet is leaking, your dishwasher is overflowing, or your furnace is on the fritz. This comprehensive book is your reference to virtually everything in your house with richly illustrated explanations of electrical systems, heating and air conditioning, plumbing, major household appliances, foundation, framing, doors, and windows. This must-have book answers most questions homeowners face when repairs are needed or when a new house or addition is in your future.

How Your House Works is filled with easy-to-understand illustrations that show how things should be put together and how they function. The book also highlights issues outside the house as well as clock thermostats, ventless gas heaters, moisture and mold, and passive solar heating. Using the illustrations and the author’s clear explanations might save you the expense of calling a professional. This invaluable guide:

  • Offers a colorful resource to home electrical systems, HVAC, plumbing, major household appliances, foundation, framing, doors and windows, sustainability, and much more
  • Includes easy-to-follow information for troubleshooting problems
  • Contains dozens of new full-color illustrations
  • Presents new chapters on solar power and smart home technologies
  • Helps homeowners save money on many common household repairs

Written for homeowners with little or no knowledge of home maintenance or repair, How Your House Works is your illustrated and updated guide to understanding how appliances, electrical, plumbing, heating, air conditioning, and more work!

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Previous page
  1. Part of series
    RSMeans
  2. Print length
    240 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    RSMeans
  5. Publication date
    June 29, 2018
  6. Dimensions
    8.5 x 0.57 x 10.88 inches
  7. ISBN-10
    1119467616
  8. ISBN-13
    978-1119467618
  9. See all details
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  2. Charles Wing
  3. How Your House Works: A Visual Guide to Understanding and Maintaining Your Home (RSMeans)
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Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

THE UPDATED AND HIGHLY ILLUSTRATED GUIDE TO UNDERSTANDING HOW JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING IN YOUR HOUSE WORKS

The revised and updated third edition of How Your House Works is a hands-on guide that gives you the low-down on why your faucet is leaking, your dishwasher is overflowing, or your furnace is on the fritz. This comprehensive book is your reference to virtually everything in your house with richly illustrated explanations of smart home technologies, electrical systems, heating and air conditioning, plumbing, major household appliances, foundation, framing, doors, and windows. This must-have book answers most questions homeowners face when repairs are needed or when a new house or addition is in your future.

How Your House Works is filled with easy-to-understand illustrations that show how things should be put together and how they function. The book also highlights issues outside the house as well as clock thermostats, ventless gas heaters, moisture and mold, and passive solar heating. Using the illustrations and the author's clear explanations might save you the expense of calling a professional. This invaluable guide:

  • Offers a colorful resource to home electrical systems, HVAC, plumbing, major household appliances, foundation, framing, doors and windows, sustainability, and much more
  • Includes easy-to-follow information for troubleshooting problems
  • Contains dozens of new full-color illustrations
  • Presents new material on solar power and smart home technologies
  • Helps homeowners save money on many common household repairs

Written for homeowners with little or no knowledge of home maintenance or repair, How Your House Works is your illustrated and updated guide to understanding how appliances, electrical, plumbing, heating, air conditioning, and more work;

From the Back Cover

THE UPDATED AND HIGHLY ILLUSTRATED GUIDE TO UNDERSTANDING HOW JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING IN YOUR HOUSE WORKS!

The revised and updated third edition of How Your House Works is a hands-on guide that gives you the low-down on why your faucet is leaking, your dishwasher is overflowing, or your furnace is on the fritz. This comprehensive book is your reference to virtually everything in your house with richly illustrated explanations of smart home technologies, electrical systems, heating and air conditioning, plumbing, major household appliances, foundation, framing, doors, and windows. This must-have book answers most questions homeowners face when repairs are needed or when a new house or addition is in your future.

How Your House Works is filled with easy-to-understand illustrations that show how things should be put together and how they function. The book also highlights issues outside the house as well as clock thermostats, ventless gas heaters, moisture and mold, and passive solar heating. Using the illustrations and the author's clear explanations might save you the expense of calling a professional. This invaluable guide:

  • Offers a colorful resource to home electrical systems, HVAC, plumbing, major household appliances, foundation, framing, doors and windows, sustainability, and much more
  • Includes easy-to-follow information for troubleshooting problems
  • Contains dozens of new full-color illustrations
  • Presents new material on solar power and smart home technologies
  • Helps homeowners save money on many common household repairs

Written for homeowners with little or no knowledge of home maintenance or repair, How Your House Works is your illustrated and updated guide to understanding how appliances, electrical, plumbing, heating, air conditioning, and more work!

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ RSMeans; Expanded,Updated edition (June 29, 2018)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 240 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1119467616
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1119467618
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.4 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.5 x 0.57 x 10.88 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 1,269 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Charles Wing

Charles Wing

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Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Charlie Wing, a nationally recognized authority on home building and remodeling, home repair, energy conservation and boating, specializes in translating and illustrating technical information into easily understood layman's terms. A PhD graduate of MIT, Principle Investigator in NASA's Apollo Lunar Program, and Physics Instructor at Bowdoin College, he cofounded the nation's first two owner-builder schools, developed the first DOE-approved computerized home energy audit, wrote and hosted the national PBS TV series, "Housewarming with Charlie Wing", appeared on over 400 radio and television shows about energy conservation, served as founding and technical editor for "Smart Homeowner Magazine" and has written and illustrated 30 books. He lives on the Coast of Maine.

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
1,269 global ratings
Great book but it arrived damaged
3 Stars
Great book but it arrived damaged
The book is pretty good but the warehouse must have shipped it damaged because the spine was cracked and there was no damage to the outer packaging
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Top reviews from the United States

SAGESQ
5.0 out of 5 stars Instructive and Great Illustrations
Reviewed in the United States on April 6, 2024
Verified Purchase
As a property adjuster, this comes in very helpful in learning what goes on behind each household system. Whether it’s plumbing or drywall or electric, this tells you how a house is put together and it’s great for the layman or professional alike.
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Mrs. B.
5.0 out of 5 stars Great for New Homeowners
Reviewed in the United States on October 31, 2023
Verified Purchase
I got this for my daughter who just bought her own home. It explains things in the simplest of terms with lots of diagrams and images. This way, if she decided to fix things herself, she knows how they work. Or, if she hires someone, she has some basic background info that will help her to determine the honesty of some companies. Just a little knowledge can save you thousands. I definitely recommend this book.
8 people found this helpful
Helpful
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Glenjwc23
5.0 out of 5 stars My house does what?
Reviewed in the United States on November 11, 2023
Verified Purchase
This is an excellent book on the basic workings of the systems of a standalone house. So glad I made this book purchase. Now That I better understand how things are supposed to work, I can make better decisions on when I actually need to call for a repair. I can do some of it myself and prevent some issues from happening with proper system care.
5 people found this helpful
Helpful
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Annie
4.0 out of 5 stars Perfect for widow or naive homeowner
Reviewed in the United States on February 27, 2024
Verified Purchase
I bought this book for myself and a friend. We are both widows, with late husband's that could fix anything, so we are just now learning. Helpful information
3 people found this helpful
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Ed Greenwood
5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting
Reviewed in the United States on April 18, 2024
Verified Purchase
Informative
Helpful
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Another Reviewer
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Illustrations and Explainers
Reviewed in the United States on June 8, 2020
Verified Purchase
This book, "How Your House Works", is excellent for first-time homeowners and anyone who didn't grow up learning plumbing, electrical, etc.

There is a full-color illustration on every page of the book, along with text that explains how each thing in your house works. While it doesn't go into detail on how to fix every single thing that might go wrong with each part of your house, it does tell you "what to look for" before calling a plumber or electrician for service.

I like that it explains the name of every part of something like a toilet, so when I talk to the plumber, I can describe the problem more accurately by using the correct terms rather than just say "the thingy that goes up and down", which makes it harder for the plumber to understand the problem and give me a quote for service.

There is even a chapter on outdoor equipment that explains lawnmowers, chain saw, etc.

My one suggestion/request is for the author to include more information about pool equipment, beyond the page on pool pump and solar heating. I would love an entire chapter about how an inground pool/spa works, and all of the different pumps and valves that go along with it. (Or maybe write a second book just about that topic!)
39 people found this helpful
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Susann in Naples
5.0 out of 5 stars FIRST TIME HOME BUYER
Reviewed in the United States on February 18, 2024
Verified Purchase
Excellent book for buyers of their FIRST HOUSE. Gives you insight on what to look for and to understand and keep up with your home maintenance. Definitely worth buying this book, even if it is your fifth or sixth house.
One person found this helpful
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Eric A
5.0 out of 5 stars Know your House!
Reviewed in the United States on November 11, 2023
Verified Purchase
A detailed plethora of information to help understand the objects and equipment that makes a house 'work'. This is perfect for visual learners aswell, it breaks down parts of an object into picture form.
3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Surnder
5.0 out of 5 stars Nice. Recommend
Reviewed in Canada on February 7, 2024
Verified Purchase
It's nice as shown in advertise here.
Report
Familia Pombalina
5.0 out of 5 stars Orientado exclusivamente al mercado americano, es una referencia ideal para usuarios de vivienda...
Reviewed in Spain on December 11, 2023
Verified Purchase
Un libro interesante sobre varios conceptos básicos que todos deberíamos conocer en profundidad sobre nuestras casas, principalmente los usuarios finales, para entender como funcionan varias instalaciones o electrodomésticos.

Con un esquema muy sencillo y repetido en todo el libro, cada tema está dividido en unas especies de fichas, donde tenemos una ilustración grande a modo de diagrama con explicaciones de sus partes y de su funcionamiento básico.
Está dividido en 10 capítulos: fontanería, electricidad, calefacción, aire acondicionado, ventilación, electrodomésticos, ventanas y puertas, envolventes, equipamiento exterior y finalmente sistemas solares.

Aunque la división de los temas, el enfoque y sobre todo la selección de elementos no sea la más adecuada, ya que faltan algunas muy importantes y otras están obsoletas, es una obra perfecta para tener una visión integral sobre los servicios que nos aporta una vivienda.

Hay que tener en cuenta que es un libro escrito en inglés y orientado al mercado americano, así que gran parte de los elementos no existen en nuestro país, ni siquiera en otro país europeo, por ejemplo, el capítulo eléctrico puede tener cosas incompatibles con nuestra legislación, aunque aporta una explicación clara sobre el cableado.

En resumen, un libro técnico pero orientado al gran público, un tipo de manual que yo siempre hecho en falta en España, donde no tenemos nada similar que pueda aportar un poco de homogeneidad y una visión general… Teniendo este matiz en perspectiva, creo que puede ser una obra interesante para amantes del bricolaje, para comunidades de vecinos y también para estudiantes de secundaria que tengan curiosidad por las instalaciones, las reparaciones y también la arquitectura en general…
Customer image
Familia Pombalina
5.0 out of 5 stars Orientado exclusivamente al mercado americano, es una referencia ideal para usuarios de vivienda...
Reviewed in Spain on December 11, 2023
Un libro interesante sobre varios conceptos básicos que todos deberíamos conocer en profundidad sobre nuestras casas, principalmente los usuarios finales, para entender como funcionan varias instalaciones o electrodomésticos.

Con un esquema muy sencillo y repetido en todo el libro, cada tema está dividido en unas especies de fichas, donde tenemos una ilustración grande a modo de diagrama con explicaciones de sus partes y de su funcionamiento básico.
Está dividido en 10 capítulos: fontanería, electricidad, calefacción, aire acondicionado, ventilación, electrodomésticos, ventanas y puertas, envolventes, equipamiento exterior y finalmente sistemas solares.

Aunque la división de los temas, el enfoque y sobre todo la selección de elementos no sea la más adecuada, ya que faltan algunas muy importantes y otras están obsoletas, es una obra perfecta para tener una visión integral sobre los servicios que nos aporta una vivienda.

Hay que tener en cuenta que es un libro escrito en inglés y orientado al mercado americano, así que gran parte de los elementos no existen en nuestro país, ni siquiera en otro país europeo, por ejemplo, el capítulo eléctrico puede tener cosas incompatibles con nuestra legislación, aunque aporta una explicación clara sobre el cableado.

En resumen, un libro técnico pero orientado al gran público, un tipo de manual que yo siempre hecho en falta en España, donde no tenemos nada similar que pueda aportar un poco de homogeneidad y una visión general… Teniendo este matiz en perspectiva, creo que puede ser una obra interesante para amantes del bricolaje, para comunidades de vecinos y también para estudiantes de secundaria que tengan curiosidad por las instalaciones, las reparaciones y también la arquitectura en general…
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V
5.0 out of 5 stars Brand new
Reviewed in Australia on May 12, 2023
Verified Purchase
Great book
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Dad wanted boys
Reviewed in Canada on September 12, 2023
Verified Purchase
Been recommending this book to everyone!!!! Has helped me soooo much!
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Brent Toon
5.0 out of 5 stars Very Instructive
Reviewed in Canada on April 17, 2023
Verified Purchase
Great reference book for regular household issues
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