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Cut your energy bills
Cut your energy bills
Serious energy savers and casual cost-cutters can both find ideas in "Cut Your Energy Bills Now: 150 Smart Ways to Save Money & Make Your Home More Comfortable & Green."
The author, energy-efficiency expert Bruce Harley, examines the typical home and suggests improvements and methods to use energy more wisely. His recommendations include simple steps such as matching pans to stove burners as well as more complex or costly ideas such as installing a whole-house fan.
He also helps readers find qualified contractors and points them in the direction of financial help for big projects.
"Cut Your Energy Bills Now" is published by the Taunton Press and sells for $13 in softcover.
Easy gutter project
This gutter-protection system is designed to be easy for even inexperienced do-it-yourselfers to install.
GutterStuff is a foam insert that fits into your home's gutters, allowing water to flow through but keeping out leaves and other debris. It fits completely inside a 5-inch K style gutter, the most common style and size on the market.
It's made of a polyether outdoor foam that the manufacturer says won't crumble or dent.
GutterStuff is available at hardware stores, including many Ace and True Value stores. It also can be ordered from the Ace Web site (www.acehardware.com) as well as Do it Best (http://doitbest.com), ABC Supply Co. (www.abc catalog.com) and Big Rock Supply (www.bigrock supply.com).
The suggested retail price is $16 per 4-foot section.
Q: Where can I find soap on a rope?
A: I remember when practically every men's fragrance counter carried soap on a rope around the holidays, but no more. I checked about a dozen stores in the area - specialty stores, department stores, discount stores and drugstores - and came up empty. Even Avon has discontinued soap on a rope and has no plans to bring it back, a customer service representative said.
I did find a couple of mail-order sources, if you're willing to pay for shipping. Amazon.com had a few types of soap on a rope available. You can also order Aramis soap on a rope from Macy's at www.macys.com or 800-289-6229, but you can't get it at the Macy's stores in my area.
