Are you working on a kitchen renovation right now? When choosing countertops, many homeowners prefer a solid surface, like marble or granite. But the reality is that these surfaces are mined from deep in the Earth, are very heavy and can come from faraway places, which means large amounts of fuel are used to transport them across the world. If you want a solid surface, consider quartz countertops instead. They are made using one of the most abundant minerals on Earth, have the look and feel of marble or granite and are more durable over time. Quartz countertops are nonporous, never stain and can be cleaned with just soap and water. There is no resealing that has to be done, and dollar-for-dollar, they are usually less expensive than marble and granite.

Did you know tea is the second-most popular beverage in the world, right behind water? If you love tea and wonder what you can do with old tea bags, give this tip a try. Place 20 or so used tea bags in a bucket or watering can, and fill it with cold water. Let it steep for a few hours. Remove the bags and toss them into the compost bin. Now use the weak tea on your plants -- in the house or garden -- to feed, water and protect them. The natural antioxidants in tea will help fight fungal infection on plants and in the soil, and the scent of tea deters garden pests like mice, too.

An electric space heater can be an efficient way to heat a room because it heats only where you want, not the entire house. When shopping for a space heater, the Department of Energy recommends you buy one that has the Underwriters Laboratory (or UL) label on it, which means it has passed certain safety tests. Choose one that has a thermostat on it; this allows you to choose the right heat settings for your home so you're not overheating a room. Be sure to keep space heaters away from automatic thermostats in your home -- it could trick the thermostat into thinking your whole home is warmer than it is. Finally, get the right size: Measure the room and use the space chart on the box to find the right size at the store.