[Energy Efficiency]
Pull the Plug on Inefficient Appliances
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Your cooperative offers a way to reduce energy use, save on your utility bills, and get a rebate check as a reward.
Now is the perfect time to get rid of old energy-hog appliances. Your electric cooperative, along with most of the RECs in Iowa, is sponsoring a program called Pull the Plug, a recycling and instant rebate program offered to members.
According to ENERGY STAR, the average refrigerator 10 years of ag...
[Energy Efficiency]
TogetherWeSave.com Tips
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Spring into action for energy savings.
Cut your utility bills. Here are tips from TogetherWeSave.com:
1. Seal the cracks and gaps around your home. Spring may be the right time to put away those storm windows, but it is also a good time to add weather-stripping and caulking around leaky window panes. TogetherWeSave.com shows how e...
[Safety]
New Lead Laws
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Remodeling and painting contractors must now be lead-certified to avoid dangers.
Common renovation activities such as sanding, cutting, and demolition can create hazardous lead dust and chips by disturbing lead-based paint, which is harmful to adults and children. The paint can emit dust into the environment, where we breathe it in, while paint chips or flakes can end ...
[Gardening]
Garden for Less
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Lowe’s offers tips on frugal gardening.
Gardening has become the “new-old way” to save money. While many Iowans have gardened for years, others of us are just starting to recognize what our parents and grandparents have known for years: Not only is planting seeds and plants a good way to get outdoors, cultivating fruits a...
[Energy Efficiency]
Energy Efficiency Show-and-Tell
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Iowa Central Community College instructor and students share tips at Momentum Is Building conference.
Instructor Nick Sesker and several students from the Home Building program at Iowa Central Community College shared building techniques with attendees at the recent Momentum Is Building conference.
They explained footing and slab details, framing techniques, vapor barriers, correct insta...
[Seasonal Topics]
Hunting the Elusive Morel
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Nothing says “spring” quite like finding a few of these elusive fungi.
Note: This article originally ran in Smart Choices in 2004. Dr. Lois Tiffany, quoted in the article, died on September 6, 2009, at the age of 85. According to Rosanne Healy, formerly a research associate at Iowa State University and now a doctoral student at the University of Minnesota in plant biol...
[Gardening]
Poisonous Garden Plants
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
You probably have at least one of these poisonous plants in your garden. Beware of the danger, especially to children.
After a long Midwest winter, children spend more time outdoors and will find many interesting things to investigate, including plants. A child swallowing a plant, mushroom, or berries is one of the top five reasons for calls to a poison control center.
According to Dr. Patricia Quindlist, Ce...
[Safety]
Spring Planting Safety
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Safe Electricity plants seeds of caution around power lines.
Electricity is one of the most overlooked, yet deadly hazards of working on a farm. Safe Electricity urges farmers involved in spring planting to be particularly alert to the dangers of working near overhead power lines.
According to the National Safety Council, farmers are at an increased risk for...
[Energy Efficiency]
Money-Saving Energy Efficiency Tips
Monday, April 26, 2010
Alliance to Save Energy offers ways to save at home and on the road.
We’ve just celebrated the 40th Earth Day. Energy efficiency is the easiest, most effective way to honor planet earth, according to the nonprofit Alliance to Save Energy.
Earth Day just occurred in late April, right on the cusp of the summer driving season, notes the Alliance to Save En...
[General Information]
Protect Pets with a Microchip
Monday, April 26, 2010
Getting pets microchipped is one of the most responsible and proactive decisions pet owners can make.
With warm weather, pets are outdoors more often, allowing them to wander away from your yard. Once gone, it may be difficult to track down a dashing doggie, caroming kitty, or roaming rabbit.
While keeping your gates and doors closed against your animal “escape artists” is one way to ke...
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