Each year homeowners spend millions of dollars heating and cooling inefficient homes. Here are a few energy saving tips to make your home more efficient.

• Turning back your thermostat by just 10 to 15 percent for eight hours a day can trim your annual heating bills by up to 10 percent.
• A programmable thermostat (figure A) can do this automatically, helping to minimize unnecessary heating and cooling when not at home.
• Stop drafts by caulking and weather stripping doors and windows, and close vents and doors to unused rooms.
• Have your home's heating and cooling systems serviced prior to peak seasons -- and change filters (figure B) monthly to allow for better air flow.
• If you rely on propane to heat your home, fill your tank before cold weather hits, and talk with your propane dealer about spreading out costs to keep your winter bills more manageable.

Note: Know what propane smells like. There are propane leak detectors and pamphlets with scratch-and-sniff spots.

• Reduce the cost of hot water by setting your water heater to 130 degrees instead of the standard 140 degrees.

Note: Propane water heaters can cost one-third less to operate than electric water heaters. They recover hot water twice as fast as electric water heaters. You can increase your water heater's efficiency by draining it every six months to remove lime deposits and sediment.

• You can further reduce hot water use by installing a flow-restricting showerhead and by filling your washing machine and clothes dryer with full loads.
• To get the most out of your gas stove, select one with an electric ignition so the pilot light isn't always on. An electronic ignition uses 40 percent less energy than a standard pilot light.
• Make sure the burners on your stove are burning with blue cone-shaped flame. A yellow flames means air inlets or burners need repair.
• Finally, check the seal on your oven door regularly for gaps or tears that let heat escape.

Remember, an energy-efficient home is not only more affordable; it's also more comfortable.

• A plain backyard can easily become "entertainment central" for family and friends.
• A sheltered, level spot near the house is a good choice for the focal point of the new gathering spot.
• Simple steppingstones (figure A)placed as far apart as a normal stride make a welcoming pathway.
• A flea market table can be perfect for outdoor meals and it doesn’t need to cost a fortune. Give it a quick cleaning, a coat of primer and exterior paint.
• A buffet for serving dishes, drinks, and extra utensils (figure B) can be made out of rustic logs with a 12-inch board on top. A contrasting color of paint adds pizzazz. Screw in the legs and you’re done.
• There’s plenty of room underneath for ice chests and coolers (figure C).
• A handy cleaning kit for spills and tidying up will save many trips back to the house.
• Add lightweight indoor/outdoor dining chairs and exterior rope lights to brighten the space at night (figure D)and you’ll be ready for a season of great outdoor parties. 
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 Extras

• Pace off pathway to find spots for steppingstones. They should be far enough apart for normal stride. Mark positions with sand or water-based paint. Dig and level a hole for each stone 1/2-inch larger in diameter and as deep as the thickness of the stone. Spread a thin layer of sand on the bottom, about 1/3 inch. Lay stone, tromping on it to make it stable.

These basic painting tools (tray, roller, cover, handle, and brush) are all you need for touch-up painting jobs.

• Paint brushes or paint pads for applying paint and other finishes to smaller surfaces (better brushes will cost more, but will last a lot longer and spread paint more easily and evenly)
  Paint roller (frame and cover) and tray for applying paint and other finishes to larger surfaces (a better quality roller cover will last for years and apply paint more easily and evenly)
• Cartridge gun for applying caulking and other sealers
• Scrapers and sandpaper for removing paint and other finishes from wood, metal, or plastic
• A-frame ladder or sturdy stepstool for reaching higher locations