2/13/14

Recent storms across America have left households without power for several hours and up to several days. One way to help preserve the freshness of perishable food in the refrigerator is to not open the door during a blackout. But one way to help extend the life of a chilled fridge is to be proactive. If the forecast calls for bad weather, fill empty plastic containers -- soda bottles, food storage containers, empty margarine tubs -- with cold tap water. Place them in the back of the fridge. When they're chilled, they'll help keep the temperature lower inside the fridge during a power outage.

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.