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David Mello

DIY Home Upgrades

Hands-on guides for DIY home upgrades with real-world results. Coverage spans solar-powered air conditioning, garage improvements, door locks, and energy efficiency projects — with an emphasis on what actually works in practice, not just what looks good on paper.

Topics include:

  • Solar-powered air conditioning and mini split installation
  • Solar panel array setup
  • Garage improvements — insulation, cooling, and organization
  • Energy efficiency — pool pump savings and solar

6 articles

Gable Attic Fan Replacement, 3 Years Later

Gable Attic Fan Replacement, 3 Years Later

Replacing a seized gable attic fan: why intake venting matters most, CentricAir vs QuietCool, and three years of real attic temperature and humidity data.
How to Improve Portable AC Efficiency, Updated

How to Improve Portable AC Efficiency, Updated

Portable AC efficiency fixes ranked by cost and effort: duct insulation, the intake hose most people skip, window sealing, and when to upgrade to a mini-split.
DIY Garage Door Insulation: Does EPS Foam Actually Work? (FLIR Proof)

DIY Garage Door Insulation: Does EPS Foam Actually Work? (FLIR Proof)

Added a $138 EPS foam insulation kit to my Florida garage door and tested it with a FLIR thermal camera. Real before-and-after results, weight and spring considerations, and how it changed my mini-split's performance year-round.
DIY Solar Ground Mount IntegraRack Review

DIY Solar Ground Mount IntegraRack Review

Step-by-step DIY solar ground mount installation using the IntegraRack IR-15 and AnchorSpike system — no concrete pad required. Real-world review from South Florida one year later, including wiring in series, shading lessons learned, and hurricane prep.
Airspool Solar Mini-Split AC Garage Install Review

Airspool Solar Mini-Split AC Garage Install Review

Airspool solar mini-split review from a South Florida garage install. DIY installation guide, real performance data, financial payback math, and one year later results.
How to Find Your Variable Speed Pool Pump's Most Efficient Speed Without a Flow Meter

How to Find Your Variable Speed Pool Pump's Most Efficient Speed Without a Flow Meter

How to calculate total dynamic head (TDH) to find your variable speed pool pump's optimal GPM and RPM settings — no flow meter required.