2/12/14

Most of us know it's important to clean the lint trap in the dryer to help make it more efficient and safer. Every few months, give the lint filter a deep clean by scrubbing it with soap and water and an old toothbrush. Let it air dry and place it back in the dryer. This will help make air flow more efficient and cut down on the amount of time it takes to get your clothes dry.

2/11/14

The exhaust fans in your kitchen and bathroom can do a great job of sucking smelly or smoky air out of your home, but they can also make your home's heating system inefficient. Since they expel unwanted air from the home, leaving an exhaust fan on for too long forces warm air out of your home. So don't leave the exhaust fans on for too long if you want to save money on your heating costs. The same rule also applies in the hot summer months when you're trying to cool down your home.

2/10/14

This winter's unusually cold weather -- the "Polar Vortex" -- may be miserable for many trying to keep warm, but it's actually a good thing for the environment. Invasive insect species that have been ruining crops, trees and other native plants and do not have a natural predator are more likely to freeze to death during the winter months. Come spring, fewer invasive insects means more trees, plant species and farm crops. And invasive plant species that are not indigenous to cold regions will also have their path of growth slowed or destroyed. So bundle up, because the Polar Vortex is helping Mother Nature.