04/06/12

Air conditioning units can be real energy hogs in hot summer months. So, this spring take the time to plant shade-giving trees and plants around your HVAC system or window units to get them out of the sun. Cooler air helps the compressors run more efficiently, so any shade you can give them will keep your home comfortable and your wallet a little fatter. And remember to replace the air filters in your cooling system; it's an easy thing to do to keep your system running as efficiently as possible all summer long.

04/05/12

Spring is a time when lots of homeowners are redecorating by repainting the inside of their homes. When choosing paint, look for semigloss or satin finish instead of matte paint. The sheen helps reflect more light from light fixtures, so you can use fewer lights with lower-wattage bulbs. Plus, you can use an online calculator so you don't overbuy paint. These calculators will use the dimensions of your room to tell you precisely the number of gallons and quarts you need.

04/04/12

One of the best ways to recoup an investment in a hybrid car is to buy used. An even better way to save money faster is to buy a used, high-quality car from a rental car agency. Hertz Car Sales (hertzcarsales.com) is just one site that lets you search the make, model, color and fuel efficiency of its fleet. You can try out the car for three days at a low rental price to decide if you want to buy the car. Ask your local car rental companies about their resell program. If they don't have the car you want, ask them to put you on a waiting list and to notify you when one becomes available.