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Showing posts from November, 2018

The Energy and Economic Benefits of Wood-Burning Fireplaces

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While in the past wood-burning fireplaces may have gotten a bad rap, today’s wood-burning fireplaces area marked improvement and offer a range of economic and environmental benefits while creating a cozy ambiance for you and your family. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, many modern-day wood-burning appliances burn more efficiently, saving you money while also improving indoor and outdoor air quality. Newer models are known to: · Burn up to 50% more efficiently than older models, which can save you money on your energy bill. · Use a third less wood fuel while producing the same amount of heat. · Reduce creosote build-up (oil distilled from coal tar that is often used as a wood preservative), which can reduce the risk of chimney fires. · Lower the levels of carbon dioxide, methane, and other sources of particle pollution both inside and outside your house. While increased efficiencies, improved air quality, and superior heating are all positive

Time-Saving Decoration Ideas for Thanksgiving and Christmas

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No matter how well you plan, the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas always seem to fly by. Between traveling, shopping, holiday parties, school and work events, and the holidays themselves, sometimes decorating can fall to the wayside. It’s easy to dismiss holiday decorations as superfluous, especially when you’re short on time. However, there are some valuable, albeit intangible, benefits associated with what experts call a “designed environment.”   For example, researchers postulate that people can generate and associate meaning when they experience a designed space like a Christmas tree or festive room, and this cognitive association can help develop positive relationships with others that also experience that space. Designed environments can also facilitate shared experiences, including serving as a backdrop for activities, conversations, and gatherings. Researchers have tested these hypotheses too. In one case, families that routinely visited a nursing