1/17/09

Make sure the damper on your fireplace is completely closed. Keeping a damper open all winter long is like having a small window open. Brrrr! Not sure if it's open or closed? Place a featherweight plastic bag (like a grocery store bag) in the fireplace; if it flutters, it's probably open. By keeping the damper closed, you'll keep cold air from seeping in, saving you energy and money.

1/16/09

Winter Warm-Up Week: Keep the blustery cold air outdoors by stopping drafts at windows and doors. Place a draft dodger -- a long fabric tube -- along the edges where cold seeps inside to stop it in its tracks. For smaller windows, you can make your own dodger: Just fill a large sock -- like an athletic sock -- with pebbles, tie a knot at the end, and place.

Running errands today? Try doing them back-to-back to save gas. When you start up a car that has a warm engine, it pollutes up to five times less than one that hasn't been driven recently.

Tip: If you stop at a strip mall where you need to make two stops, try parking between both stores and walking to each one, instead of driving to both stores.