When going on vacation or leaving home for long periods of time, there are simple steps you can take to avoid wasting energy at home. In the warmer months, set your thermostat at 85 degrees, but never completely turn it off -- it will force your refrigerator to work harder. For the water heater, turn it down to low (or turn it off at the circuit breaker if you have an electric one) or onto vacation mode if it's gas. Unplug large electronic equipment like TVs, DVD players, cable boxes, coffee makers and computers. And if you have a pool, lower the temperature setting and reduce the filter run times. All of these steps will add up to significant savings.

Many of us plant gardens in the spring and might be wondering if we can use old potting soil in our gardens. If you left potted plants outdoors with the soil still inside, you can still mix it into the garden or actually reuse it for potted plants. Since potting soil is technically soil-free -- it's a mix of peat moss, perlite and compost -- all you have to do is mix it with fresh organic compost. You'll end up with a nutrient-rich mix perfect for either your garden or new houseplants. Just shake out the roots from the old plant before mixing in the new compost, and you'll be good to go.

Corroded pipes can contaminate your home pipes. But it can be hard to tell if your pipes are corroded, since they rarely leave a distinctive color when you take a shower or wash the dishes or your hands. One way to tell if your pipes need an inspection is to simply run a load of white laundry, like white towels and T-shirts, in the washing machine. Don't add any laundry detergent or bleach, and run it on the warm cycle so both cold and hot water are used. Then look at the clothes. Are there any new stains? Any discoloration (even the slightest) is a sign your pipes and water should be tested.