Household Hints Index

Clothing Hints

When boiling water on the stove, always cover the pan.

Use small pans on the small burners and large pans on the large burner in order to use the heat more efficiently.

Keep stove burners and reflectors clean so they reflect the heat better.

Bake more than one item at a time if possible and turn the oven off about 10 minutes before the end of cooking time to save energy.

Resist the urge to keep peeking in the oven, as this lets the heat out and slows the cooking time which uses more energy.

Chest freezers are more efficient than upright models. Chest freezers are better insulated and, when opened, the cold air does not spill out when the door is opened.

Make sure air can move around the condenser coils, leaving a space between your refrigerator or freezer and any walls or cabinets. Also keep the coils clean.

Check the door seals on your refrigerator and freezer with a dollar bill. Close the door on the dollar bill, if the bill can be pulled out easily you need to replace the door seal.

Turn off lights when you are not in the room.

Use small lamps or lights in the immediate area of your work instead of lighting the entire room.

Use natural light whenever possible with light-colored or loose-weave curtains on the windows to allow the daylight in while keeping your privacy.

Lighter colors on walls and furnishings will make a room brighter.

Replace furnace filters on a regular basis.

Check heating and cooling ductwork completely and repair any gaps or loose areas.

Clean air filters, air intakes, supply and return grills of dust and dirt regularly.

Use ventilating fans in your kitchen and bath wisely. They can pull out a houseful of warm or cool air in about one hour.

Ceiling fans and moveable fans spread the cool air in your home more effectively without greatly increasing your power usage.

Shade windows and glass from the outside to avoid the heat of the sun coming in through the glass.

Use awnings, plantings, trees and tall shrubs placed a few feet away from your house to allow for air circulation. This also helps to keep the house warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.

Keep the damper on your fireplace closed when not using or heat will go right up the chimney.