7/1/10

With the kitchen becoming the heart of the home, it's easy to overwhelm it with electronic gadgets that make your daily cooking routine easier. Keep in mind that electronic can openers, automatic juicers and wine bottle openers also use electricity, take up space and break down more easily. Sometimes manual tools that can be stashed away in a drawer really are the best tools for a serious cook.

6/30/10

The rule of thumb when replacing an air conditioning unit is to replace it every 12 years. Buying a new unit that is Energy Star qualified can help you save money on your energy bill with increased efficiency. To help you remember when you bought an air conditioner, use a permanent marker to write the month and year somewhere inconspicuous.

6/29/10

One of the easiest ways to reduce cooling costs during the summer months is to have large trees casting shade onto the home. But, of course, it takes time and lots of work to plant trees around a home. A quick fix is to place container trees around sunny windows; they'll still do the job, and the trees will love the warm, sunny rays. In the fall months, bring the trees indoors as houseplants.