smart tipsbe informed

November 11, 2007
Make sure fireplace dampers are closed when not in use. If you recently had a fire and cannot close the damper, make sure you have tight fitting glass doors on the front of the fireplace. You would be amazed at the amount of heat (translation - money) gets sucked up the chimney when fireplace dampers and doors are left open.

P.S.: When selecting firewood, choose dry hardwoods, like cherry, oak, beech or hickory. They produce some of the hottest and longest lasting fires.

November 18, 2007
Replace as many incandescent light bulbs (normal looking bulbs) with compact fluorescent bulbs (uglier ones) as reasonably possible. These odd looking bulbs last almost 10 times longer, use less electricity, give off less heat and give off more light per watt. The benefits far outweigh the higher initial cost. A home that uses natural gas for heating, water heating, clothes drying and cooking contributes 60 percent less carbon dioxide to the atmosphere than an all-electric home whose power is generated at a coal-fired power plant. The moral of the story - use gas fueled appliances.

November 30, 2007
Planning a fresh coat of paint for the holidays or the new year?

When painting with a roller, cover the roller pan with aluminum foil or a plastic bag (ink side facing away from the paint so it doesn't bleed into the paint) for fast and easy clean-up (I prefer the foil). When you are done just remove the covering and toss it in the garbage.

After you've cleaned your brushes, dip them in a final rinse of fabric softener. That will keep them as soft as new.

Recently, one of our faithful wrote in with a recipe for taking care of spilled wax. After you freeze the candle wax with ice (in a baggie), pour hot water through the fabric from the other side and launder as usual! Thanks to Harriett for the solution to the problem!

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