Energy

When shopping for new appliances, look for these equipped with energy-efficient standby power devices that use one watt or less of energy per hour. Without these devices, appliances can draw four to seven watts per hour even when unused, and the Department of Energy estimates that approximately twenty-six power plants are needed just to power these so-called "energy vampires."

Learn how to make an efficient and clean fire in your fireplace by following these steps:
Loosely crumple newspaper (uncolored) on the floor of the firebox. Use less if your kindling is fine and dry, more if the opposite is the case.
Place finely split, dry kindling on top of and behind the paper. Top it off with two to three small pieces of firewood. Open all air controls and light the newspaper in several places to achieve rapid ignition. Then, quickly close the "front door" halfway to create a strong draft. In seconds, you'll have a bright, hot fire. To this, add several small pieces of firewood, being careful not to smother the fire.