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Up to 40% of your cooling costs could be spent cooling air lost through gaps in your duct-work. If you own an older air conditioning system with older duct-work, examine your ducts for cracks, splits or bad connections and use foil tape to seal any openings. While this may seem like an easy fix, it is often temporary and it is always recommended to have a professional inspect your duct-work. A professional sealing will last longer and be more efficient.

Many homeowners believe that leaving a fan on when no one is home will cool a room. This is not true. Fans cool your skin but do not lower room temperature. When a fan circulates air in a room the air moves across your skin and you feel cooler even though the air temperature in the room remains the same. If you run a fan when no one is there to feel its benefits, the only thing you’re doing is wasting electricity.

Old food and disgusting grime are the perfect combination for a horrible smelling drain. Eliminate unwanted odors by pouring in a cup of baking soda and letting it sit for 20 minutes. After the baking soda absorbs the odors wash it down with acidic vinegar which will react with the baking soda causing it to bubble and clean the drain. Other stench-busting remedies include the use of essential oils and citrus peels such as lemons or oranges.

Be careful not to over pre-rinse your dirty dishes before loading your dishwasher. Doing so can waste water and energy and if no food remains for the detergent to attack, it can leave your glassware cloudy.

Put food coloring in your toilet tank. If the color seeps into the toilet bowl without flushing, you have a leak. Fixing it can save up to 1,000 gallons of wasted water per month and help you conserve water like a pro!