When you turn on your oven to make a roast or a lasagna, it takes a significant amount of energy (gas or electric) to transform a large, cold box into a heating machine. To be as energy-efficient as possible, consider the concept of loading up the oven whenever you bake or roast something. Since the oven is getting hot, roast veggies, potatoes or even a batch of cookies in addition to your main meal. Make meals for the week and store them in reusable containers for instant lunches and dinners. And as always, never open the door to check on meals when you can use the oven light to peek inside instead.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

If you use your backyard as an extension of your home and a place for your family dog to play, be careful which landscaping plants you choose. What may seem like a pretty harmless-looking flower can actually be deadly to dogs. According to the ASPCA, hardy perennial flowers are incredibly toxic to them. These include flowers like mums, hostas, iris and yarrow flowers. And flowers that are bulb plants can also be poisonous to dogs. Gardeners know wild animals stay clear of daffodils because they’re one of the most toxic flowering plants out there. Other bulb flowers that are toxic include hyacinth, tulips, lilies and alliums.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Your desktop computer can be a serious energy hog. One way to save around $25 to $75 annually on energy costs (according to the Environmental Protection Agency) is to simply activate the power management function on your desktop. This function automatically puts your computer to sleep when it’s not in use. The EPA recommends setting your computer to go into sleep mode after five to 20 minutes of inactivity. This small step can reap huge energy savings. GE implemented power management mode for its computers and saved $2.5 million annually on energy usage alone.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION