[Home & Garden]
All decked out
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Choose the right decking material.
Have you been dreaming about a new outdoor space? An area for grilling out, dining alfresco and entertaining friends and family?
A beautiful deck space is not only nice for your family, it also adds value to your home. According to Remodeling Magazine’s 2007 cost vs. value report, our r...
[Ask Mr. Tight-Watt]
Ask Mr. Tight-Watt: CFL replacement sizes
Thursday, May 22, 2008
A Smart Choices reader asks questions about lighting.
Mr. Tight-Watt got a couple questions about lighting this month. He asked expert Rob Kirkpatrick, Service Concepts, to answer Norman’s questions. Service Concepts is a cooperative that sells energy-efficient lighting and other products to cooperatives.
Question 1 from Norman: I have a light f...
[Gardening]
A yard full of dandelions
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Weed or valuable commodity?
By Kathy Roth Eastman
Smart Choices editor.
As I look outside my office window, I am dismayed by my current view: On this day in mid-May, my front lawn is ablaze with hundreds of dandelions. The pesky weeds have literally popped out overnight.
My neighbors in this central Iowa town all have neatl...
[Home Building & Remodeling]
Avoid common remodeling mistakes
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Take this advice from a contractor.
You’ve heard the horror stories: contractors that didn’t follow through, going thousands of dollars over budget and results that just weren’t what you expected. Large remodeling projects can be overwhelming – especially if it’s your first.
Dave Fish, of Fishaus Craftsm...
[Seasonal Topics]
June holidays & observances
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Celebrate summer with a hot air balloon ride or a nice long hike.
June 1
On this day in 1833, Iowa Territory was legally opened up to non-Native settlement under the terms of the Black Hawk Purchase. This began a land rush, with all Indian lands in Iowa coming under the control of the U.S. government by 1851. Find a more detailed history of Indian and white pres...
[Energy Efficiency]
Choose green as your wedding color
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Save some money and the planet, too.
It seems that everything is going green these days. And, yes, in this busiest of seasons for romantic celebrations, that includes weddings.
For one Des Moines couple, Marlena Vogt and Nathaniel Eagleson, planning a green wedding seemed a natural. When she went to a bridal expo with her mother about...
[Food & Nutrition]
Food for thought
Saturday, May 24, 2008
A valuable new resource from the Leopold Center serves up food facts for consumer use.
Did you know that Iowa had approximately 160 farmers’ markets in 2004—the highest per capita in the United States? Or that Iowa has approximately 275 commercial vineyards?
You’ll find these facts and more in “Food Facts: Results for Marketing and Food Systems Research.&rdquo...
[Energy Efficiency]
Energy-efficient window awnings
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Expert Jim Dulley answers a consumer’s question.
Dear Jim: I have always liked the appearance of window awnings. The salesman told me installing them can also save a lot of energy. Do they really save much energy, and what awning choices are best? - William B
Dear William: The awning salesman was not just blowing smoke to get a sale. Installing w...
[Family Finances]
Home improvement contracts 101
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Negotiate a fair contract. Here's how.
Unless you have remodeled or built homes numerous times or perhaps are a lawyer, trying to figure out a fair contract for your home projects can be difficult and overwhelming. You may be suspicious of a contractor-generated contract, but if you do your homework, you can be assured that your best int...
[Energy Efficiency]
Save gas, save $$
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Take the challenge and find out what you can do to burn less fuel in your vehicle.
The Alliance to Save Energy and 17 diverse nonprofit, government, and for-profit partners (including the Wal-Mart Foundation) have launched the Drive $marter Challenge, a national consumer fuel-efficiency campaign to reduce drivers’ pain at the pump as gasoline prices continue to increase. The...
[Energy Efficiency]
Energy News from the Department of Energy
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Interesting news about energy in our world from the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
The Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) newsletter, EERE Network News, published by the U.S. Department of Energy, covers national and international energy efficiency and renewable energy news, events, Web sites and energy facts.
Most recent issue of EERE News
EERE News Archives
...
[Energy Costs]
Fossil fuel prices
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Iowa fuel prices hold steady as peak travel season winds down, says Iowa Office of Energy Independence.
According to the Energy Information Administration, national fuel prices remain nearly even with levels seen in July. “Iowa gas prices have not moved much all summer and with August prices at nearly the same level as Iowans experienced in June, Iowa remains about $0.05 below the national avera...
[Education]
Energy education conference for teachers
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Iowa Energy Center sponsors conference for sceince teachers to learn about energy
Energizing education - Iowa science teacher conference
The Iowa Energy Center is pleased to offer the 2008 Energy Educators of Iowa Conference, June 29 - July 2, 2008, in Ames.
At this conference, science teachers from across Iowa will be energized from the training and materials to implement ha...
[Energy Efficiency]
AC maintenance = energy efficiency
Friday, May 30, 2008
… and greater energy efficiency can save you money
There’s more to turning on your air conditioning unit than just flipping the thermostat switch. It’s important to get the unit ready for the cooling season just around the corner. Keeping your air conditioning unit working at peak efficiency can save energy dollars.
These suggestions...
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