You spend a lot of time and money grocery shopping every week, so why not take a few extra steps to make sure your purchases stay fresher for longer. When buying fruits and vegetables, never wash them before putting them in the refrigerator. Any residual moisture can accelerate the growth of harmful bacteria and make them inedible; bone-dry produce is best and should be washed only right before consumption. And consider transferring milk and milk substitutes (like almond milk) out of cardboard containers and into reusable ones -- the cardboard paper spout can be a breeding ground for bacteria.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

If you’re finding your air conditioning window unit or central system appears to not be working as efficiently as it once was, check one thing before calling the repairman. Air conditioning systems have air filters that need to be cleaned or replaced regularly. A dirty air filter can force a system to work harder, which means it uses more energy and can also prevent your home from cooling down. Turn off the system or air conditioner and remove the filter; if it’s dirty, replace it. Then turn on the system to see if it makes a difference.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

If you have a backyard pool, it can be a real energy hog to keep clean, heated and running. One way to cut back on energy usage is to reduce the pool filtration time by 30 minutes at a time. Keep reducing the pool filtration time in 30-minute increments until you notice the pool water needs to be cleaned. Instead of having the filtration running 24-7, you may find you can cut the filtration time by as much as two-thirds, which will still keep your pool clean and reduce the amount of energy used in upkeep.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION