Winter’s Chill Sets In. Ten Tips To Conserve Energy and Save Money This Winter

Lowering the thermostat by just one degree can reduce heating energy costs up to 5% and save $35-$60.

It’s a fact: 45% of the typical Illinois homeowner’s energy bill goes to home heating. Here are ten tips to consider when opening that ComEd bill this winter:

1. Lower it. Turn down the thermostat. In Illinois, lowering it by one degree can reduce energy costs by up to 5%, depending on how your home is heated. Even better? Get a programmable thermostat. Programmed properly and with the “awake-times” in mind, you can save up to 10% off your heating bill.

2. Replace it. Windows in older homes can allow up to 16% of the heat in your home escape. If you don’t have the budget to replace them with more efficient models, at least close the drapes at night or install insulating shutters to keep in the heat.

3. Insulate it. Your attic, that is. It’s one of the easiest, cheapest things you can do to keep your heat in your home. Make sure to maintain proper ventilation to wick off moisture.

4. Caulk it. Seal and weatherize openings, cracks and gaps. This is a problem with older homes, but check around doors and windows, ductwork, electric outlets and switches on outside walls and around chimneys and in the basement or crawl space.

5. Shut it. Speaking of fireplaces, keep the flue closed when not in use — it’ll suck warm air right out of your home.

Feeling a Little Camera-Shy? Seven Strategies For Capturing Christmas Lights Like a Pro!

Capturing Christmas lights at night is challenging. Remember, your skills will improve with practice. Start shooting and have fun.

Although Pulte Homes’ Chicagoland Holiday Home Decorating Contest ended Monday, there’s no reason you can’t be preparing for next year (just like the Cubs)!

Taking photos of bright lights at night can produce pictures with unusual streaks and swirls for even the most seasoned photographers.

So we’re going to expose five tips from the pros that won’t leave you shooting in the dark. To do so, we did a little research and found some helpful information that you can use all year round.

Professional Photographer Patty Hankins shares some smart ways to work with SLR camera settings. Her easy explanations will help you capture stunning Christmas lights at night. Ready, now? OK, here we go.

Get Ready.
1.) Plan on dressing warmly. You may have to brave the weather for a while when you go searching for the ultimate Christmas display.
2.) Turn off the flash.  Flashing light on light will give you a white out.
3.) Select a lens. Use either a macro or an all-purpose wide angle lens. A macro is useful if you want to isolate any one ornament or decoration. While a wide angle lens is great if you want to get the whole house into the picture.