Key Takeaways Save yourself from using up “phantom power” by unplugging appliances when they aren't in use. Keep your appliances up-to-date so they don’t need as much power to get the job done. Avoid using appliances like dryers and air conditioners on high power settings. These days, the number of appliances in a single home can reach double digits: you’ve got your fridge, oven, microwave, dishwasher, washer & dryer—and way more once you start counting smaller appliances in as well. With so...

I think we can all agree: the best part of winter is waking up to see a beautiful blanket of fresh-fallen snow outside. If you're a homeowner, though, you probably spent the night before spreading deicing salt on your driveway and sidewalks. Deicing salt can become your best friend pretty quickly if you live in an area where it snows often, but is it actually doing more harm than good to your lawn and garden? We asked some pros for their thoughts on the long-term impact deicing salt can...

New-build homes are all the rage these days—but some people think they need a little extra love to give them the charm that older homes have. The same could be said for the outdoor spaces that come along with new builds: they’re a blank canvas just waiting to be transformed into someone’s dream backyard. But where do you start when there are so many routes to take? We tapped a few yard design pros for their top tips for transforming a newly built backyard. Meet the Expert Ryan Farley is the...

With the holidays well underway, there's excess wrapping paper everywhere. It shows up when wrapping gifts and you have to trim the excess to make your gift fit, and again in a pile on the floor after we've torn open our presents. Rather than feeling guilty staring at the reams of extra paper, try repurposing it. We’ve tapped some sustainable cleaning experts for some top ways to reuse wrapping paper for a more sustainable holiday. Meet the Expert Vanessa Terra Bossart is an eco-friendly...