Free Self-Paced Course
How Your House Works
11 Weeks · 306 Pages · Science — Home Science & Engineering
This free, self-paced course provides a structured 11-week syllabus for learning How Your House Works. Each module builds on the previous one, guiding you from foundational concepts through advanced topics with 306 pages of in-depth reading material. All content is drawn from our comprehensive How Your House Works textbook, organized into a clear weekly schedule that you can follow at your own pace.
Weekly Syllabus
- Part 3: Electrical Systems
- Chapter 12: How Electricity Works in Your Home: Basics Every Homeowner Needs
- Chapter 13: The Electrical Panel: Breakers, Fuses, Circuits, and Load
- Chapter 14: Wiring, Outlets, and Switches: What's Behind the Wall
- Chapter 15: Lighting: Efficiency, Controls, and Common Problems
- Chapter 16: Electrical Safety and Common Problems: GFCI, AFCI, and When to Call
- Chapter 17: Solar, EV Chargers, and Whole-Home Generators: Modern Electrical Additions
- Part 4: HVAC — Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning
- Chapter 18: How Heating Systems Work: Furnaces, Boilers, and Heat Pumps
- Chapter 19: Air Conditioning and Cooling Systems: How They Work and What Fails
- Chapter 20: Ductwork, Airflow, and Ventilation: Moving Air Through Your Home
- Chapter 21: Thermostats, Zoning, and Smart Controls
- Chapter 22: Air Quality, Filters, and Humidity: What Your HVAC Is (and Isn't) Doing
- Chapter 23: HVAC Efficiency Ratings, Energy Bills, and When to Replace
- Part 6: Interior Systems and Finishes
- Chapter 28: Drywall, Plaster, and Interior Walls — What They Are and How to Fix Them
- Chapter 29: Flooring Systems — Wood, Tile, Vinyl, Carpet — What's Under Your Feet
- Chapter 30: The Kitchen — Appliances, Ventilation, and Plumbing
- Chapter 31: Bathrooms — Waterproofing, Tile, Ventilation, and What Goes Wrong
- Chapter 32: Basements and Crawlspaces — Moisture, Finishing, and Problem-Solving
- Part 7: Safety, Codes, and the Unexpected
- Chapter 33: Building Codes, Permits, and Inspections: Why They Exist and How They Protect You
- Chapter 34: Hazardous Materials: Lead, Asbestos, Radon, and Mold
- Chapter 35: Fire Safety: Detection, Suppression, and Egress
- Chapter 36: Disasters and Emergency Prep — Flooding, Earthquakes, Storms, and Power Outages
How to Use This Syllabus
- Read at your own pace. Each module is designed for roughly one week of study, but there are no deadlines. Spend as much time as you need on each topic.
- Follow in order or jump around. The modules are arranged sequentially for a structured learning path, but feel free to skip to any topic that interests you most.
- No sign-up needed. Every page in this syllabus links directly to free, open-access content. Just click a topic and start reading immediately.
Ready to Start Learning?
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