Home Tips Clean old hardware by placing in crock pot on low for eight hours. Use an oil base primer for exterior wood trim and windows. Be smart about setting the temperature. Homeowners can save up to 3 percent on energy bills simply by turning down the thermostat just one degree. You won't even notice the change in temperature, but your heating bill will. Tighten up your home security with lighting: It's hard for thieves to use the cover of darkness when they can't find any, so keep the areas surrounding your home well-lit, especially around points of entry. Decorative lighting around the perimeter of your home serves a dual purpose, while motion activated lights on the side of the house and near the back door keep the darkness, and the burglars, away. Help tighten up security by putting a beware of dog sign in the window. Tighten up security by putting an alarm company signage to your home, even if you do not have an alarm. Do not water your grass at night. Watering at night will encourage fungus to grow which can eventually kill your grass. Never cut your lawn when it is wet. This can tear your grass and leave it exposed to mildew and fungus Before working on any electrical outlet or circuit, shut off the power to that area. Then use a tester to be absolutely sure that the power is off. If you have any doubts about your ability to complete a project, it will be safer and cheaper in the long run to hire an electrician. Cedar fences are naturally resistant to rot and insects. It is also less likely to warp than other woods and accepts stains better. It is however more expensive than other types of wood fencing. Protect your fence from the elements by staining or sealing it. Wood left to the elements will turn gray, crack and rot. Staining or sealing your wood fence will help extend the life and beauty of your fence. Rinse dishes and put them in the dishwasher as soon as you've finished using them. Dishes that have sat for a period of time can take 2 to 3 times longer to clean later A solution of bleach will kill mildew in showers and bathtubs. Be careful to allow plenty of ventilation when using bleach and not to drip the cleaning solution on carpet or other textiles. Keeping a clean filter in your hvac unit can save you 10 to 20 percent on your electric bill. When your air conditioning or heat is on, use vent fans carefully. A bathroom vent fan left on can empty your home of heated or cooled air in a few hours. The standard incandescent light bulb is very inefficient at producing light. It wastes much of the electricity that it uses by producing the byproduct of heat. This heat also leads to the relatively short life span of these bulbs. A fluorescent bulb can last more than 10 times longer and wastes less electricity The standard incandescent light bulb is very inefficient at producing light. It wastes much of the electricity that it uses by producing the byproduct of heat. This heat also leads to the relatively short life span of these bulbs. A fluorescent bulb can last more than 10 times longer and wastes less electricity Does your toilet run constantly. Check the flapper at the bottom of the tank to make sure that it seats completely. Also check the float ball for leaks. If you cannot find where your roof is leaking, go to the attack and look up at the roof to find water marks. Get roof leaks fixed as soon as possible since they can lead to more severe problems such as mold growth or rotting of wood. Your asphalt shingle roof may need replacing if the shingles are loosing the mineral granules or the edges are becoming torn or curled. If an antenna or satellite dish installation requires drilling into your roof, be sure to caulk any holes to prevent leaks.