(ARA) - The beginning of a new year - and a new decade - is the time many people pledge to live differently. For many, that change means living a more sustainable lifestyle. Sustainability, once only a buzz word, is now fast becoming the way to live consciously.

From reducing your water usage to buying organic, here are 10 simple ways to make 2010 the year of sustainable living:

1. Use water more efficiently: Water is a limited resource and limiting it within your household is a cornerstone of sustainability. Rain barrels, largely unheard of even a decade ago, are becoming a popular way to collect and reuse rainwater for purposes like gardening.  Meanwhile, conserving water in the home by taking shorter showers or even fixing a leaky faucet also can make a difference at a time when many communities are experiencing water shortages or are expressing concerns about water overuse.

2. Compost: Turning over leaves by way of a new compost garden is one way to live a more sustainable lifestyle. A compost heap is a simple, effective way to collect yard waste, like leaves and grass clippings, and kitchen scraps such as raw vegetable peelings and coffee grounds, and return them to the ground as organic matter.

3. Seek earth-friendly packaging: To better fill that compost heap, alter shopping habits to look for products with compostable packaging. Snyder's of Hanover, for instance, recently introduced a new Pretzel Variety Sack of 100-Calorie Pretzels and Pretzel Sandwiches in the market's first 100 percent compostable outer package made from 100 percent renewable cornstarch-based plastic.  The new Variety Sack includes a special logo indicating that the bag can be composted and is made with sustainable materials. In addition to that example, more manufacturers are switching to cardboard packaging materials, which are made from renewable materials and can be recycled or composted.

4. Buy local, embrace organic: Many farmers, ranchers and, increasingly, food manufacturers, are offering foods and beverages made using sustainable practices. It could be a farmers market tomato, a local dairy's milk, an organic snack food, like new Organic Honey Whole Wheat Sticks and Organic Whole Wheat and Oat Sticks from Snyder's of Hanover, or any number of natural or organic items. The bottom line is that natural, organic and locally produced foods provide both sustenance and sustainability. To learn more about Snyder's of Hanover's sustainability initiatives visit www.snydersofhanover.com/Sustainability/.

5. Go to seed: Take the locally grown movement a step further - like in your own backyard or patio.  An afternoon spent planting seeds or small plants can yield plenty of rewards a few weeks or months later, in the form of fresh, inexpensive and convenient vegetables and fruits.  You don't need a large tract of land, in fact, to start a small  garden.

6. Ride out the trend:  Sustain your own energy level by opting to ride a bike or walk to a destination that isn't all that far away. Add a basket to a bike or take along a backpack to bring something back home.

7. Re-recycle: Recycling is nothing new and most people have been recycling in some form for years. But recycling can be taken to another level, going beyond obvious and traditionally recycled items like soda cans or newspaper to the smallest of waste materials, from plastic straws to the paper straw wrapper. Why not recycle apparel as well, by donating clothes and buying gently used clothes?

8. Plug in: Learn how to operate appliances more efficiently.  For example, use cold water in the washing machine: clothes will still be cleaned, without the use of heated water. Turn off appliances when not in use, whether it's the television, video game player or radio. Better yet, completely unplug. Many electronics and battery chargers continue to draw a small amount of power even when they are switched off. Instead, use a power strip to cut power completely when not in use.

9. Lighten up: Use energy efficient lighting and bulbs when possible and turn off lights when not in a room. That will cut energy use - and the family budget.

10. Get involved: As the sustainability movement gains traction among the public, there are more opportunities to join in. Local communities, schools and organizations often have green committees, and there is a plethora of national and grassroots organizations geared around earth-friendly living that appreciate new volunteers or members.

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(ARA) - Recycling is certainly not a new concept. In fact, gardeners have been using one form of recycling - composting - for about as long as people have tilled the soil. Composting is a cost-effective, eco-friendly way to give your garden a boost.

Start your compost pile now, before winter settles in, and come spring you'll have a jump on nutrient-rich compost to help your garden produce its best harvest. Composting happens by itself through natural decay and the breakdown of organic matter. Depending on your local climate, the composting process may not be fully completed with useable humus or compost until temperatures warm up.

"Composting is easy and can be done for as little as $10 - or even free if you build your own bin," says Bruce Augustin, senior director in research and development with Scotts. "It's a great way to provide essential nutrients to your soil, while recycling kitchen and yard waste, which helps keep refuse out of landfills."

It's easy to get started composting: find a bin, gather materials, build your pile and compost. Augustin offers the following easy-to-follow steps for getting started:

Begin with a bin

Containing your compost pile in a bin saves space, hastens decomposition and helps keep the pile neat. You can find many pre-made compost bins at home centers and garden stores. Or, you can build your own from plans found on the Internet with materials around your home.

Gather materials

There are two main sources of materials for your compost pile - your yard and your kitchen. From the yard, you can gather leaves, grass and plant clippings, and shrub or tree trimmings. From the kitchen, add fruit and vegetable peelings, coffee grounds (including the filters), tea bags and eggshells. It's okay to toss in shredded newspaper (not colored or shiny newsprint since these don't decompose readily), but avoid meat scraps, bones, dairy products, grease or pet or human waste since these can all harbor harmful bacteria.

Build your pile

You should build your pile in layers, starting with a 4- to 6-inch layer of coarse material such as twigs or shrub clippings. Then, add on 3 to 4 inches of grass clippings. Next, add another 4- to 6-inch layer of leaves or garden debris and soak with water; moisture will help the microbes decompose the material faster. You can modify this order as needed, depending on the types of materials you have. After a few layers, be sure to add a 1-inch layer of garden soil, such as Miracle-Gro Garden Soil for Flowers and Vegetables.

Maintain compost

"A high-nitrogen fertilizer like Miracle-Gro Water Soluble All Purpose Plant Food, spread over each layer of your compost pile, will help the composting process by creating a favorable nitrogen to carbon ratio," says Augustin. Remember to turn or aerate the pile periodically to help move material from the outside closer to the center of the pile, where it will heat up and decompose faster. During the winter - depending on the region where you live - the center of the pile is where decomposition will take place, and adding water to keep the pile moist will aid the process.

Your compost will be ready to use once it has turned dark and crumbly, and gives off an earthy odor. Add the compost to your garden soil to help nourish your plants.

"Composting is not only beneficial for your garden, but it's also an easy, satisfying way to do something good for the environment," Augustin says.

For more tips on composting and other aspects of gardening and lawn care, visit www.Scotts.com. of ARAcontent

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(ARA) - If you haven't yet joined the "grow your own vegetables" craze, it's not too late to join in. You can produce a bounty of vitamin-rich veggies from plot (or pot) to plate this fall, plus you'll save a bundle by growing them yourself.

You may be surprised to find that with just a little attention and effort, growing fall vegetables in the backyard garden and in planters is even more enjoyable than planting a vegetable garden during the spring and summer seasons. Why? Cooler autumn temperatures make it a delight to spend time outside in the garden and also provide an advantage when it's time to harvest your crops.

You'll spend less time caring for your fall crops because of the favorable cool weather growing conditions. Plants will grow rapidly at first and gradually slow as the days become shorter and colder. Destructive insects won't be as numerous in autumn as they are in summer months. Weeds germinate less frequently and grow slower than they do during the warmer seasons. Compared to hot and dry summers, fall usually brings an increase in the amount of precipitation, eliminating another time-consuming chore - watering.

What you need to know:

1. Let the sunshine in.  Most vegetables need full sun - at least six hours of direct sunlight per day. They also require a steady supply of moisture and nutrients from the soil. You can help ensure your plants get both by mixing a 2-inch layer of compost into the soil (bagged compost is available at garden centers). Or spread a balanced fertilizer, such as 10-10-10, according to labeled instructions. Plants will need an inch of moisture per week, either through rain or supplemental watering.

2. Start with transplants. Transplants buy you lots of time. Plants are six weeks or older when you put them into the ground, so you will begin harvesting much sooner than if you start from seed. Bonnie Plants transplants in biodegradable, environmentally friendly pots make planting easy and spare the use of much plastic. Just cut off the bottom of the pot, water and plant ... pot and all. Garden centers typically supply optimum fall varieties for your geographic region.

3. Don't fear frost. When frost threatens, cover plants with a floating row cover, cold frame or a cloche. Or, you can grow fall veggies in a container and move the pot to a protected location on frosty nights.

Essential, preliminary planning tips for fall vegetable gardens include:

* Before planting any new plant make sure that you clear the area of summer and spring crops planted previously, as they may decay and encourage bacterial infection.

* Spread a few inches of mulch or compost over the area. Make sure that you turn up the soil's top layer and water well. Allow the soil to rest for a day before planting new fall plants.

* During the fall season most areas experience rain and even frost, so make sure that your soil is well drained and doesn't get soggy.

Vegetables best suited for fall gardens:

After following the essential preliminary steps for fall vegetable gardening, it's time to select vegetables for planting. Here's a list of fast-growing, cold-hardy crops that are ideal for fall vegetable gardening:

Winterbor Kale - This nutritious leafy green is a vigorous producer that endures winter easily, even in very cold climates. Cut the outer leaves so that the center can continue growing. Space transplants about 12 inches apart

Georgia Collards - Another leafy green similar to kale, collards offer a larger, stronger, sweet cabbage-like flavor. Leaves taste best when young.  Space transplants 36 inches apart.

Romaine Lettuce - Romaine packs more vitamins, minerals, fiber, and phytonutrients than other popular types of lettuce. Rich in fiber, vitamin C, and beta-carotene, romaine is an especially good vegetable for heart health. Space transplants 18 inches apart.

Early Dividend Broccoli - Popular, productive and easy to grow, this broccoli is high in fiber and calcium. Set transplants 18 inches apart

Mustard Greens - Offering spicy hot leaves, this is a very fast-growing, nutritious vegetable. Mustard greens always taste sweeter when nipped by frost. Space plants 12 inches apart

Bonnie Hybrid Cabbage - Bonnie's best cabbage. Grows large, round, blue-green heads. Cabbage is especially high in beta-carotene, vitamin C, K and fiber.

Arugula - These fast-growing leafy greens are great for salads or gourmet recipes. This peppery-tasting green is a super food for your bones. The leaves are "nutrient dense" and low in calories. They are especially high in vitamins A, C, and K.

If you put these practices into place this fall, you'll get your garden off to the right start and set it up for a fruitful season. Preparation is key, but the reward is a healthier, more productive garden - and fresh food that tastes better than anything you can buy at the store.

To learn more about vegetable and herb varieties as well as gardening tips, visit www.bonnieplants.com.

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(ARA) - Every fall, many families pack up the car to travel to see fall foliage. Cooler temperatures and vivid colors make fall the perfect time to get outside and enjoy nature. Most regions have an area known for a vivid display of fall foliage, so families don't have to travel too far to enjoy autumn colors.

This fall, keep these tips in mind to get the most enjoyment from your fall foliage excursion:

* Research specific regions.

Many private and public parks offer trails for visitors, as well as camping accommodations and the opportunity to rent off-road vehicles or other recreational products. Be sure to ask for trail maps of the area to get the lay of the land and determine the appropriate trails for your family's experience level.

While flexibility is key to seeing the best colors, if you plan to camp or are visiting an area popular for fall foliage viewing, it is always best to check camping or hotel availability.

* Prepare for the weather.

Be sure to stay tuned to local news weather forecasts, Internet sites or contact the local tourism bureau to help predict the best time to plan your trip. Most foliage starts to change colors from mid- to late September and can last through the first part of November.

* Be part of the action.

Why stay stuck in the car or on foot to experience fall foliage? Riding down trails on an all terrain vehicle can give your family a whole new perspective on fall colors. The new two-passenger machines, like the Polaris Sportsman Touring and Polaris X2, give you the opportunity to share the views with the family.

As part of preparing for your trip, it is also important that your ATVs are in good working order so you can fully enjoy your trip without unforeseen pit stops. Have your machine serviced at a local dealership or change the oil, clean the air filter, check tire air pressure, and examine the brakes, all electrical wiring and bodywork to ensure nothing has come loose. It is also a good idea to carry a tire patch kit in case of a puncture from a rock or stump, and extra gas so you can fill up on the go.

Also be sure to pack all appropriate ATV safety gear including helmets, goggles, gloves, long-sleeved shirts, pants and boots for all members of the family to ensure a fun and safe adventure to experience the wonders of nature.

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(ARA) - More and more Americans are cutting back their vacation plans in an effort to combat the rising costs of travel. By cutting back, families are traveling across the United States, exploring the rich scenery and life of this country without spending a huge amount of money.

Washington state offers your family plenty of scenery to explore and adventures to experience this summer and fall. It's the perfect escape from the doldrums of the office cubicle or the school summer vacation slump at home.

Envision yourself exploring the West like Lewis and Clark, hiking through the mountains on a cool day, fishing along an endless expanse of water, digging for clams on a beach or munching on juicy, fresh fruit plucked right from the tree.

Washington is diverse in its scenery and activities, both on land and water. Outdoor options range from climbing, hiking, orchard picking and whale watching to picking up a paddle, casting a line or teeing up. Indoor activities include the opportunity to eat dinner while rotating more than 600 feet up in the Space Needle, sampling premium wines with the wine maker, peering out of lighthouses along the Puget Sound and the Pacific Ocean, or catching a Mariners baseball game.

Western Washington is in close proximity to Canada, and you can take a day trip via ferry, train, plane or car to Vancouver to watch the building of the Olympic stadiums or observe the events Vancouver has planned as the city prepares for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in February. In fact, Washington State Tourism has launched a Web page designed just for travelers looking to plan a trip around the winter sports action.

A great sightseeing trip in northwestern Washington is the 440 mile Cascade Loop Scenic Highway which winds its way through Cascades National Park and Mount Baker National Park. This trip has many opportunities for your family to stop off in small towns featuring fun and attractive activities.

Day trip opportunities include train rides to explore the towns along the Puget Sound, or ferry trips to the scenic islands in the Sound.

Don't miss out on the abundance of fresh food Washington has to offer. Farmers markets are found in many communities where you can purchase produce that flourishes in the state's milder summer climate. An array of seasonal berries are favorites for many visitors. And several of the communities along the Puget Sound and the ocean cater to the seafood-lovers. Fish markets are common as fishermen sell off the morning's catch to individuals and restaurants alike.

Once you have your trip planned, don't forget these Washington travel tips:

* Summer daytime temperatures can range from the low 70s to the high 80s, so remember to pack layers, especially if you plan to do physical activities.

* Wear comfortable walking shoes.

* Don't worry about scheduling your visit around the rain - it doesn't rain hard enough to keep you inside. A rain jacket will keep you dry from one of Washington's common - yet often light - showers.

* If you plan to cross the border into Canada, bring your passport.

* Take a camera to capture your family and the beautiful scenery.

* Don't forget the sunblock - whether you're on the water or up in the mountains.

To decide where your adventure begins, visit www.experiencewa.com for events, tours, links to transportation venues, the official state travel planner, camping opportunities and much more.

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(ARA) - Yellowstone, Joshua Tree, the Statue of Liberty and Acadia - the names of some of America's most beautiful and well-known national parks conjure images of majestic mountains, colorful deserts, crystal blue lakes and stories about our nation's heritage.

In just seven years, the National Park Service will celebrate its 100th anniversary, and while the celebrations are starting out strong, the national parks are beginning to show their age. Threats of funding shortfalls, pollution, climate change, and encroaching development are competing with the parks' natural and historic wonders.

Many of these threats plagued the parks 80 years ago, and are revisited in Ken Burns' historical documentary series, "The National Parks: America's Best Idea," which recently aired on PBS.

Throughout history and continuing today, key individuals have made it their personal mission to overcome these obstacles and keep the parks healthy. Maxine Johnston has been dubbed the "Godmother" of Big Thicket National Preserve in Texas. Johnston's 50 years of tireless advocacy have helped to protect roughly 100,000 acres of unique, highly diverse wildlife habitat within the preserve.

In the state of Washington, Clarence Moriwaki spent years working to ensure that the stories of more than 200 U.S. citizens of Japanese descent who were transferred to isolated internment camps during World War II are not forgotten. His efforts paid off this year when Congress and the president approved the creation of the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Memorial, now part of the park system.

Juanita Green - who is featured in Ken Burns' film - is a former Miami Herald reporter. Her news stories were instrumental in the creation and protection of Biscayne National Park, which was threatened in the 1960s by a proposal to dredge a channel through the bay and turn the area into a city.

Although not everyone has the time and energy to tackle major park issues like these individuals, there are many quick and easy ways you can help restore the parks for your children and grandchildren:

* Visit the national parks
There are 391 national parks across the country that feature every kind of natural landscape imaginable and tell America's diverse stories. Whether you enjoy hot weather or freezing temperatures, sandy desert or humid rainforests, hallowed battlefields or historic homes - you can find it in America's national parks. Explore the parks and share your passion for them with others to build support.

The parks currently face a $600 million shortfall in annual federal operating funds, an approximate $8 billion maintenance backlog, and in some areas - development threats within their boundaries.

* Join the national parks movement
You don't have to leave your home or take time away from work to support the parks. Sign up for news and action alerts and contact your congressional representatives and the president or other decision-makers about important park issues through the National Parks Conservation Association at act.npca.org.

* Reduce your carbon footprint for parks
The effects of climate change are already visible in the national parks. At Glacier National Park, glaciers are disappearing faster than scientists had predicted even a few years ago. In parks across the country, native trees and animals are losing ground because changing temperature and weather patterns are making the availability of food, water, and shelter less certain. The NPCA recommends that Congress take action to slow down and stop climate change, as well as help national park wildlife adapt to these significant changes.

But individual people can also help just by reducing their own carbon footprint. Through the "Do Your Part! for Climate Friendly Parks" Web site, you can calculate your carbon footprint, and set a goal for reduction. For example, buying local food items, riding your bike to work or reducing the amount of air conditioning or heat you use can help you meet your goal.

With a small amount of effort, you can help preserve America's Best Idea for your children and grandchildren. To learn more, visit www.npca.org. of ARAcontent

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(ARA) - Deer do some of their worst damage to your garden, landscape, trees and shrubs in winter, when other food sources are hard to come by.

"In the early 1900s, there were probably only about half a million deer spread out all over the country," says James Messina of Messina Wildlife. "Today, there are more than 15 million. Deer, it turns out, adapt quite well to life in suburbia. Keeping them away from residential and commercial landscaping can help everyone - deer and homeowners - to co-exist more happily together."

With no place to go and not much left to eat in the dead of winter, deer can wreak havoc in your backyard and destroy new buds and leaves before they ever have a chance to grow.  As seasons change, the preferred food sources of deer change as well.

Deer develop new browsing trails as food sources change with the seasons, and repeatedly follow them through the season until new food sources begin to appear. That's when the deer drama begins ….

Whitetail deer can consume, on average, 12 pounds of foliage a day.  And in the winter, when natural food sources are scarce, they'll give homeowners more trouble than any other time of year.  The more snow we get, the worse the problem becomes.  A winter of consistent snow coverage is great for bulbs and perennials, but evergreens face the toughest challenge from hungry deer looking to survive.
 
Deer are creatures of habit, and contrary to popular belief, the majority of them do not migrate.  Bucks are known to travel more than 100 miles, but does will stay within the same three to four square miles for their entire lives.  This means the deer you see this year are probably the exact same deer you saw last year.  It also means that once they've found a food source, potentially yours, they'll be back time and time again.

Fend off deer by applying repellents before you see the damage, encouraging the deer to move along and not include your landscape in their browse buffet.

Repellents rely on deer's strong sense of smell and range from commercial products to homemade concoctions of human hair, blood meal or chunks of deodorant soap. But traditional animal repellents have become less effective than they were decades ago, Messina notes.

"That's because many of those repellents rely on a bad smell - like the stench of a rotting carcass - to fool animals into thinking a predator's kill is in the area and the predator may be returning for it," he says. "But the number of predators out there has actually declined, and deer know it. They're much less afraid of predators, so relying on 'scare tactics' has a greater tendency to fail over time."

Some deer have also built up a resistance to chemical deterrents. Plus, increasingly eco-conscious homeowners prefer not to put potentially harmful chemicals into the environment.

More homeowners are turning to organic alternatives, like Deer Stopper, a repellent formulated from plant extracts. This organic option works because it confronts deer by using their natural repulsion to certain plant smells and tastes rather than relying on fear of predator tactics.

"We know that deer will eat more than 500 different types of plants," Messina says. "Normally, they're quite discriminating. But in fall and winter, they become less picky and much more of a threat to suburban landscapes. Still, like many wild animals, deer rely on taste and smell to judge if a food may be harmful to them. If your backyard foliage tastes or smells unpleasant to them, one bite and they'll move on."

Deer Stopper by Messina Wildlife Management is the only organic repellent in the country certified by the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI). An effective taste deterrent, Deer Stopper is 100 percent organic and completely safe for use on all types of plants and shrubs. OMRI lists it as approved for use by organic growers. The smell- and taste-based technology also eliminates the need to use foul, odor-based repellent products, which can be quite unpleasant for homeowners' use.

Deer Stopper actually smells good to humans. Lightly misting vegetation once a month, even during the cold and snowy winter, will keep deer away all season long.

This winter protect your plants and shrubs and create your own boundaries for foraging bucks and deer. Now you're in control of the drama. 

For more information on Deer Stopper, retail store locations and other wildlife management repellents visit www.messinawildlife.com. of ARAcontent

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(ARA) - As Mother Nature adorns the trees in your yard with riotous reds, vibrant yellows and exotic oranges, you can easily get swept up in the romance of the season - until those leaves turn brown, drop from the branches and litter your lawn. Then you start to think of the hours of backbreaking raking work ahead of you.

This autumn, why not try working with Mother Nature by mulching those leaves instead of raking, bagging and condemning them to a landfill?

Leaf mulching  is a time-saving, environmentally friendly way to deal with fallen leaves. Plus, if you live in a community that has cut back on collection services due to the economy, mulching can solve your dilemma of what to do with the leaves littering your lawn.

"It doesn't make sense to rake leaves and bag them, just to have them end up decomposing in a landfill," says Dr. Phil Dwyer, senior scientist at The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company. "Leaf mulching recycles a natural resource and enriches the soil of your lawn for free."

In fact, turf benefits by receiving more nutrients when you mulch fall leaves back into the lawn instead of raking them, according to a study by Michigan State University turfgrass researcher Thom Nikolai and ScottsMiracle-Gro scientists. Recycling fallen leaves saves time and money, adds nutrients to the soil, speeds spring greening and reduces weeds.

Here's how to recycle this fall's crop of fallen leaves:

* Remove the grass catcher from your lawn mower. Mow over the leaves on your lawn. Repeat until they are reduced to dime-sized pieces.

* Mow until you see about half an inch of grass through the mulched leaf layer.

Any kind of rotary-action mower will do the job, and all kinds of leaves can be mulched. Throughout the season, you can chop up to 18 inches total of leaf clutter with several passes of the mower. Having a somewhat thick layer of mulched leaves is okay as long as you can still see the green grass blades poking through. As leaf bits settle into the ground, microbes and worms get to work recycling them.

Once you've enriched your soil with leaf mulching, don't forget that fall is the best time to feed and seed your lawn. A few simple steps can help ensure that your lawn will be strong next season and beyond:

* After mulching, feed  your lawn with Scotts Turf Builder WinterGuard fall lawn fertilizer to help build strong, deep roots for a better foundation and a more robust lawn next year. The nitrogen in the fertilizer will also help the mulched leaves decompose faster. Be sure to sweep excess fertilizer off hard surfaces like driveways and sidewalks.

* After feeding, spread seed where needed. To reseed your bare spots, dig up bare areas, mix in compost, sow your seeds and cover with more compost. If the weather is dry, keep the seeded soil moist until new grass begins to grow. Seeding autumn bare spots will thicken the lawn and make it more resistant to future bare spots.

To learn more about leaf mulching and autumn lawn care, visit www.scotts.com. of ARAcontent

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(ARA) - Each fall, the temperatures begin to drop and heating bills begin to rise, causing many homeowners to tighten their budgets. What many people do not realize is there are cost-effective ways of preparing a home for the winter, which will save money in the long run.

Autumn is a great time to begin projects that will increase the heating efficiency in the winter as well as the cooling effectiveness during the summer months. Gina Carlson, the Academic Director for the Interior Design program at The Art Institutes International Minnesota, offers these helpful and low-cost tips:

* Close off any unused areas of the home so you don't waste energy heating unused space.
* If you are sitting in a chair reading or working at a desk, use a blanket or a space heater and keep the rest of the home at a lower temperature.
* Check the weather-stripping around the doors and windows. Leaky doors and windows are often the biggest culprits of heat loss.
* Consider utilizing natural ways to heat in winter and cool in summer by using shade trees (deciduous) to cool the house from the intense summer sun and making the most use of large south facing windows to capture the winter sun.
* Add humidifiers to the living areas as it makes the air feel warmer in the winter, and dehumidifiers will make a room feel cooler in the summertime.

More expensive tips that will eventually save money for the future year-round include:

* Check your foundation, and insulate the rim joists around the perimeter of the house (the space where the basement wall meets the underside of the floor joists above).  This will help keep the heat inside the home.
* Contact an HVAC professional to inspect your furnace and clean your heating and cooling ducts. Change your furnace filters once a month. This will help improve the efficiency of your furnace and extend its life.
* If you have a standard thermostat, consider installing a programmable one. The heat should be used only when someone is home.
* Replace leaky windows by investing in storm windows or install new thermal windows.
*Check the insulation in the attic - add more insulation to keep the heat in the home. *Homeowners can also insulate their basement walls to avoid heat loss.

Making improvements to the home will eventually save money and cut the costs of wasted electricity. Currently, there are additional incentives to make these improvements to the home. In 2009, the government began offering income tax credits to homeowners who make qualified improvements or changes between Jan. 1, 2009, and Dec. 31, 2010. These changes and/or improvements can include replacing doors and windows and adding insulation, water heaters and furnace and/or fuel-efficient cooling systems. For more information about the income tax incentives, visit www.energystar.gov.

To learn more about The Art Institutes schools, visit www.artinstitutes.edu/nz. of ARAcontent

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EDITOR'S NOTE:

The Art Institutes (www.artinstitutes.edu) is a system of over 40 education institutions located throughout North America, providing an important source of design, media arts, fashion and culinary arts professionals.

(ARA) - Vampires may be hot right now in the entertainment world, but "vampire power" - the slow, invisible energy drain caused by leaving electric devices plugged in - simply sucks.

Every electrical item you leave plugged in, from your home computer to your high-def, flat-screen TV, draws power even while it's turned off. This "vampire power" drain adds up, costing consumers about $10 billion a year, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Reducing Vampire Power in your home is an easy way to do your part, both helping the environment and reducing your family's carbon footprint - plus it could save you 10 percent of your family's electric bill, according to the Intrusive Residential Standby Report.

Vampire power - or "standby power" - refers to the power many electric and electronic items draw while in "stand by" mode, when they are plugged in, but not turned on. Virtually every item you plug in draws some standby power, but major electronic items like PCs and TVs are the biggest power-sucking culprits.

You can reduce vampire power drain with a few simple steps:

* Buy ENERGY STAR rated products. These products are designed to not only use less power when operating, but to draw less standby power as well. Items ranging from dishwashers to laptops carry the rating. Log on to www.ENERGYSTAR.gov to learn more about the product rating program.

* Don't leave your laptop, cell phone, iPod or other chargers plugged into the wall outlet. Even these innocent-seeming cords draw vampire power. Instead, plug chargers into a product designed to halt vampire power, like the iGo Laptop Charger. The device uses up to 85 percent less power than standard chargers and you never have to turn it on or off. You can purchase a range of adapters that allows you to use the charger with virtually any electronic device that requires one. Visit www.iGo.com to learn more about this product.

* Streamline the number of devices you have to plug into the wall. Like most of us, you probably can't live without your PC or DVR and need to leave it plugged in. But do you really need a TV in every room of the house and three game consoles - one for each kid? Reducing the number of devices in your home will reduce the amount of standby power you use and possibly help you to streamline your life a bit.

* Unplug your appliances when they are not in use.  And when it's not practical to unplug some devices, like the PC, Wii game system or flat screen TV, you can keep them plugged in using a power management device that halts vampire power, like the iGo Power Smart Tower. With an instant wake-up button and four always-on outlets, the iGo Power Smart Tower ensures that you'll always have power for your devices as soon as you need it without wasting energy.

To learn more about vampire power, how it impacts the environment and consumers' wallets as well as additional tips to minimize its effect, visit www.VampirePowerSucks.com. of ARAcontent

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