1. DON’T LIGHT UP YOUR WOOD-BURNING FIREPLACE. A crackling fire doesn’t contribute much heat to your room. Plus, the open flue sucks the heated air out of your house through the chimney. Burning a fire in the hearth when the temperature dips into the 20s can actually increase your heating bills. 2. DON’T OVERSTUFF YOUR… Continue reading.

If you feel a draft while you’re curled up on the sofa with a good book or the television remote, don’t automatically crank up the thermostat. Move the sofa. The chilliest places in your home during the winter are right next to the windows. So move your furniture away from the windows. Here are five… Continue reading.

Frigid temperatures can cause heating systems to work overtime, and since heating and cooling can make up nearly half of your electric bill, your bill may be higher than normal in the winter. HERE’S WHY ADDRESSING SOME HIGH BILL CULPRITS HOW YOUR ELECTRIC CO-OP CAN HELP YOU Your electric cooperative has programs to save you… Continue reading.

This holiday season you’ll probably see lots of advertising for “smart” home accessories. Fortunately, you can spend money on some gifts that can lead to long-term savings. Commercials this time of year highlight all sorts of gadgets. Often, many of these devices are about convenience, such as remotely turning lights and appliances on and off…. Continue reading.

BY INVITING FRIENDS AND LOVED ONES TO A HOLIDAY COOKIE SWAP, YOU CAN SAMPLE NEW RECIPES AND SHARE SWEET MEMORIES — AND YOU’LL BE PLEASANTLY SURPRISED AT HOW EASY IT IS TO HOST YOUR OWN. HERE ARE SOME TIPS FOR MAKING YOUR EVENT ONE TO REMEMBER. PLAN YOUR TREATS IN ADVANCE In order to figure… Continue reading.

Cookies are a delightful part of the holiday season, whether you’re leaving an array of treats out for Santa or dunking a crispy morsel in milk. If you’re baking a batch — or several — this month, keep these tricks in mind: Before you begin baking, check your pantry to see if you have all… Continue reading.

KEEP YOUR FESTIVITIES SAFE AND MERRY BY PERUSING THESE 10 FOOD PREPARATION TIPS BEFORE YOU GET STARTED IN THE KITCHEN:

Some mornings, a dawning sun greets people with light — by electrifying the televisions in their homes. Over the last decade, renewable energy resources including wind farms and solar arrays have generated an increasing share of the electricity powering the nation. As renewable energy technology has become more affordable, utilities have also added more large-scale… Continue reading.

Whether you’re illuminating a single bush or your entire roof, here are some tips for safely hanging lights outdoors this season. MAKE A PLAN Map out where each strand of lights and every outdoor decoration will go before you get to work — you’ll save time and you’ll stay safer. DETERMINE WHAT YOU’LL NEED Before… Continue reading.

Dress up your space in a flash with these simple yet creative holiday decorating ideas. SET THE SCENE A few inviting touches will add instant warmth to any room, such as the scent of a cinnamon or spruce candle, the cozy texture of a knit throw or the cheeriness of a colorful, decorative wall hanging…. Continue reading.

Before you deck your halls and welcome overnight guests, peruse these pointers: 1. INSPECT YOUR ITEMS Carefully inspect all of your holiday decorations, electrical items and extension cords to ensure that everything is in safe, working order. A few things to look out for include: 2. READ THE FINE PRINT Take a few minutes to… Continue reading.