Control Your Energy Bill This Winter

Winter is upon us once again; and whether it is cold enough outside to send shivers down your spine or just cold enough to be pleasant like in the southern states, there are many tips one can use to save on electricity. If not careful, winter can bring forth high energy costs. That doesn't mean you can't enjoy what the season has to offer, but you need to think of ways to keep energy costs down. The U.S. Department of Energy offers sensible tips and suggestions that are useful and inexpensive to follow.

Make sure your heating system is properly maintained. For $75-$100 you can have your furnace or your heating pump serviced by a professional, over time the service will pay for itself in energy savings. Your water heater is another area where you can affect your energy bill. Simply lowering your water heater's thermostat by 10 degrees can save anywhere from 3-5 % of your energy costs. If you are replacing heating appliances this year, buy Energy Star labeled products. In the long run these appliances will save you hundreds on your energy bill, cutting your average costs by up to 30%. Finally, remember to plug in any air leaks around windows and doors with caulking. This simple task can save you up to 10% on your monthly bill. Follow these sensible tips and you won't break the bank while still enjoying the comfort your home has to offer this winter.

Carpet stain removal: The Basics

The short lesson on how to get out carpet stains: act fast. Most carpets today come with stain-resistant treatments, so spills can be removed if you get them right away. The longer you delay, the more difficult removing carpet stains becomes.

The key with carpet stains is blot, don't rub the stain in! For liquid spills use a clean white cotton cloth or plain white paper towels. Once you have removed the liquid, rinse the spot with water and blot again until dry. Repeat if necessary to remove more of the stain, but don't scrub the area, or you may damage the carpet and set the stain in more permanently. For semi-solids, such as peanut butter, scrape and lift gently with a spoon. Rinse the remaining spill out and blot dry. Dried solids should be broken up and vacuumed. Repeat until it is all gone, then rinse with water and blot dry.

Try using water to remove the stain first. If water doesn't do the job, then try a stain remover product. When using a cleaning solvent, apply it to a cloth first and work from the outside of the stain to the center, so you don't spread the spot. The procedure is to apply the cleaner, blot, rinse, blot, and repeat until you can't get out more of the stain. Always extract solvents completely, and dry the carpet quickly when you are done. Quick drying prevents any remaining stain from wicking up to the carpet surface.

Keep your bathrooms mildew-free

Mildew is a common problem in bathrooms. Not only is the smell unappealing, it looks unsightly and could turn potential home buyers off of a house. To make sure your bathroom stays fresh and clean, follow these simple tips to keep your bathroom mildew-free.

• Always hang up wet towels and remember to close the shower curtain to allow it to dry.
• If you have low-energy light bulbs, leave them on for 10 to 15 minutes after showering along with the exhaust fan to help water evaporate.
• Don't leave dirty clothing in your laundry hamper for a long time and never put wet clothing in the hamper - allow it to dry first.
• Open the windows in your house often to ensure your rooms remain well-ventilated, as fresh air and light circulation can reduce the amount of moisture in your home. Even if you don't want to open your window all the way, leave it open a crack as often as possible.
• Spray tiles with vinegar regularly and make sure to mop up pools of water as quickly as you can.
• If there is already a mildew problem, address it quickly. You can sometimes clean out mold in grout with bathroom cleaner, but mold on the walls or ceiling is more difficult. After you have cleaned the grout, tile and shower stalls, apply a small amount of liquid car wax to the bathroom and polish. You can also repaint the bathroom using mildew-proof paint.

It's Easy Being Green

It seems that talk of "going green" is everywhere these days, but not everyone is ready for major expenses like buying a hybrid vehicle or installing solar panels. Try out these inexpensive ways to make your lifestyle a little greener.

The production of paper from trees uses a great deal of energy and is one of the leading causes of water pollution. Finding ways to decrease the use of paper products in your home is an excellent way to help the environment. Try using micro fiber cloths instead of paper towels for clean up around the house. The thousands of fibers on these cloths do a great job of capturing dirt, and they are machine-washable so you can use them over and over.Another environmentally friendly option is using cloth napkins or bandanas instead of paper napkins. If you can't do without paper napkins, look for those made with recycled paper.

Another way to go green is by skipping the plastic or paper bags at your grocery store and bringing your own reusable bags. Billions of plastic bags end up in landfills or as litter. These plastic bags put toxins into our soil and water as they breakdown. Many grocery stores have inexpensive reusable bags for sale, or you can get something a little more stylish from a variety of online sources. Reusable bags aren't just for the grocery stores either, consider taking a cloth tote on your next shopping trip to the mall.