Five surprising facts about fireplaces
When it comes to creating ambiance and warmth in a home, nothing can beat a fireplace, especially during this time of year. But are you aware that the right fireplace or stove can also help reduce your heating costs? Or that your existing fireplace's efficiency can be boosted significantly by installing an insert, and for less money than you might think?

Opening the window to federal remodeling tax credits
As warm weather approaches and the tax credit for energy efficient replacement windows is in full swing, now is the perfect time to consider upgrading your home with new windows to help save on cooling costs in those hot summer months, and to also save on heating costs when winter rolls around again. The tax credit for energy efficient replacement windows and doors, originally introduced in 2009 as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, is set to expire at the end of 2010, which makes this year the best time for homeowners to replace their windows and upgrade the look and feel of their home.

Gardening - Why chefs and the first family are growing their own food
Everyone knows that some of the best ingredients to cook with can come from as close as your own backyard. These days, more and more chefs and restaurants are choosing to adopt an important tradition of the culinary arts: growing their own produce in gardens that they tend themselves.

Growing roses is easy with these simple tips
No other flower can evoke romance in the garden like a rose. As America's favorite flower, roses can be found adorning homes in quaint coastal villages to rural farmlands, modern cities to quiet mountain retreats. With a little know-how, you can grow healthy, beautiful roses that you can show off with pride.

Cloth vs. disposable: Modern moms switching back to cloth
More modern moms are rediscovering the benefits of cloth diapers.

Make your house clean and green
When you clean your house in the spring, you really want it to be clean. Dirt, dust and germs are banned, and all appliances, floors and walls are scrubbed clean. The best way to make sure your living space is clean and healthy is to use safe, natural cleaning products you create yourself, using natural and inexpensive ingredients you can pick up at any natural grocery store.

Ten tips for living more sustainably in 2010
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.

Tax credit helps homeowners get relief from 'sweating' windows
Water vapor on windows is unsightly. It obstructs the view to the outside, and a sweating window is a sure sign that it needs to be replaced. And, there couldn't be a better time to replace those sweaty, unsightly windows. Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) still in effect for 2010, homeowners can take advantage of up to 30 percent in tax credits for energy-saving upgrades - including qualifying energy-efficient windows.

Greening the kitchen with eco-friendly cabinetry
Homeowners embarking on a kitchen remodel typically must select the style, the quality of craftsmanship and the materials that meet their unique values and project goals. With the pressing need to increase energy efficiency and conserve resources, green remodeling continues to gain in popularity.

Get a jump start on growing food and flowers this spring with raised garden beds
The popularity of urban gardening has exploded over the past couple of years, due in part to increased awareness about food safety, the financial stresses of the economy and a growing desire to be eco-friendly.

Bring early spring to your home with indoor gardening
Do images of flowering trellises laden with yellow, pink, green and purple blooms dance through your dreams? You may be ready for some warm spring-like temperatures, but the weather outside is still a little frightful. Ignore the weather and bring spring inside with some indoor gardening.

Make a home remodel work for you
The challenging economy, coupled with increased interest in energy efficiency, is fueling greater demand for home products that deliver performance and savings as well as style.

Greening your home to improve health and save money
You can just smell it. You install new carpeting in your home, and the air in your living room takes on a brash, chemical scent. That can't be good. The health and safety of the family is a top priority for all, yet it's surprising how common it is to neglect easy ways to protect them. If you are planning to remodel, redecorate or even build a new home, what should you consider?

Green your spring cleaning routine
Do you feel like Mother Nature set up camp in your home over the winter? Cold winter months spent indoors often translate to dirt and clutter buildup around the house. And, if you're like television personality Hannah Keeley, with those first few warm spring days comes the irrepressible urge to throw open the windows and get down and dirty with some serious spring cleaning.

Seek safety when purchasing energy-efficient home appliances
Have government or manufacturer rebate programs enticed you to purchase a new home appliance, like a clothes washer or refrigerator? Or are you simply in the market to upgrade? Before purchasing any major appliance, it's important to consider all your options before you make a final decision.

When it comes to good lighting, the future is now
Imagine not having to change a light bulb for years. There are LED products available in 2010 that will make frequent light bulb changes so 20th-century.