3 TIPS TO STAY WARM WITHOUT A HUGE HEATING BILL
The ice and snow have settled into the Hudson Valley for the long haul, but that doesn’t mean you have to tolerate skyrocketing heating bills. Here are a few simple tricks for keeping costs low and comfort high during these chilly months. PUT PLASTIC INSULATION FILM ON YOUR WINDOWS For just a few dollars at most home improvement stores, you can get a panel of clear, plastic window film, designed to trap heat inside and keep the winter outside where it belongs. Through a simple application process, you can cover all the windows in your home with the transparent film, which can potentially reduce your heating bill by as much as 14 percent, according to Popular Science. If you do it right, you’ll barely notice the screen. It won’t do any damage to the trim or glass, and will come off without a problem when spring comes around. INSTALL A BETTER THERMOSTAT If you’ve been struggling with a clunky, outdated thermostat for years, you might be forgiven for not realizing how far the technology has come recently.
Programmable thermostats are cheaper than they’ve ever been, with some models costing less than $50. If you set it to automatically drop the temperature while you’re at work, you can shave off huge chunks of the heating bill without causing the house to turn into a polar wasteland while you’re away. Even better (but more expensive) are the new wave of smart thermostats, which can learn your habits and preferences over time and automatically adjust to cut costs. TURN DOWN THE HEAT! Sure, this may seem obvious, but we don’t mean dropping your thermostat 10 degrees while you’re watching TV on the couch. Most people don’t realize that tiny adjustments in temperature can result in drastically lower costs. Some estimates state that turning down the thermostat a single degree can reduce heating costs by as much as 10 percent. Of course, there’s no substitute for an efficient, robust heating system. If you believe your heating system isn’t working properly or is overdue for an upgrade, contact the experts at Aire Serv today at 845-256-6158.
EASY HOLIDAY PARTY CHEESE FONDUE
HAVE A LAUGH!
Scrambling to find something for the holiday potluck? This fondue is sure to impress!
INGREDIENTS
• 1 clove garlic • Salt to taste • Foods to dip (apple slices, bread cubes, roasted vegetables, etc.)
• ¾ cup dry white wine • 1 tablespoon cornstarch • 1 (8-ounce) package sliced Swiss cheese
DIRECTIONS 1. In a large bowl, whisk together wine and cornstarch. 2. Chop cheese slices into small, uniform pieces.
3. Rub clove of garlic all over the sides and bottom of a heavy-bottomed pot, then discard clove. 4. Heat wine mixture over medium-low heat in the pot until thick and bubbling. Add some cheese and slowly whisk. When nearly smooth, add more cheese and whisk gently. Repeat until all cheese is melted. If mixture seems too thick, add 1 tablespoon wine. 5. Season with salt and serve immediately. Keep pot on low heat to keep the fondue dippable.
Recipe inspired by PinchofYum.com
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