Three ways to give energy savings the green light in your home "Red means stop, green means go" - we learn that axiom as children. When it comes to home energy costs, however, going green can help homeowners put a stop to runaway utility bills. And maximizing your home's use of natural light - call it "green lighting" - is a great way to boost your home's energy efficiency.
Working home organization back into the routine The start of fall means lots of things: changing colors, football season and, for families across the country, back-to-school time. After a summer of carefree living, long days and relaxation, changing gears from fun and sun to homework and sports can be a challenge for even the most organized family. It doesn't have to ...
Want pristine outdoor spaces next year? Take action in the fall The cooling weather signals most homeowners to retire their lawn and garden equipment for the year. But before you stow away the rakes and hoes, remember that fall offers a unique opportunity for starting projects that can yield beautiful landscape results next year. You can save time and potentially money by doing a few...
Plumbing primer: The most important system behind your home's drywall Do you know what's behind the drywall in your home? Typically, when builders construct a house, they conceal electrical wiring, air ducts, insulation, home networking wires and plumbing within the walls. It's important for all those systems to be well-made and high-functioning, but in the case of plumbing it's especially...
Is your home making you sick? Your home - it's your castle, your sanctuary. But could the place you go to escape the rest of the world be bad for you? Formaldehyde, chloroform and even asbestos could be in your home and you may not even know it. Here is what every homeowner should know.
Give your kitchen a fresh face this fall As the season changes, many of us will get the itch to tackle any number of home improvement projects before winter. For some, a complete remodel is in the works. For others, just a few quick fixes are needed to make the home a more enjoyable space during the long winter months or in preparation for holiday entertaining.
High design with kids in mind For many years, creating family-friendly spaces meant sacrificing your design aesthetic. Thankfully, gone are the days when having children meant succumbing to a house full of bright-yellow bins and sofas wrapped in plastic. Today, new materials and technologies make it is easy to create a beautiful, well-designed home t...
Tips for incorporating your old garage door into your home's interior design Garage door replacement has become one of the most popular home improvement projects because of its high return on investment. But for every new garage door bought, there's an old door that's now obsolete. Before sending it off to the landfill, consider some interesting ways in which it could be used inside your house.
Responsible watering tips for keeping your lawn green Does maintaining a lush, healthy and green lawn to enjoy with friends and family seem daunting? It's often a task that is easier said than done for homeowners. But take heart, a simple watering routine can help grass thrive. Here are some tips.
How to create the perfect outdoor retreat Backyards have always been places where families can get away without actually going away. Outdoor areas connect people with their favorite natural treasures while providing a place to relax. Whether it's adding an outdoor kitchen and replacing your old picnic table with a truly impressive dining set, or outfitting your ...
How to help your garden survive a drought For many American gardeners, 2012 has not been a kind year. Most of the Midwest is dealing with one of the worst droughts on record. And while the Midwest is bearing the brunt of the drought this year, other parts of the country have also been hit hard in recent years, and climate change may be making matters worse. Sinc...
Indoor air quality - how to protect your home and your family It's a surprising statistic, but data from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) shows that indoor air can be two to five times more polluted than outdoor air, including the air in your home. With the average American spending as much as 90 percent of their lives indoors, taking relatively easy steps to...
