It’s best to keep the refrigerator compartment between 36 and 38 degrees F, and the freezer compartment between 0 and 5 degrees F.

You can save about 2 percent of your home heating bill for each degree you lower the thermostat. Turn down the thermostat at night and when no one is home.

You can install an insulating jacket on your water heater to save 4 to 9 percent on your water-heating bills. Available at home supply stores for about $20, an insulating jacket will pay for itself in energy savings in less than a year. .

A family of four, each showering for five minutes a day, uses 700 gallons of water a week. This is enough for a three-year supply of drinking water for one person. You can cut that amount in half by using low-flow showerheads, or by taking shorter showers.

By replacing the five most frequently used lights with Energy Star bulbs and fixtures, you can save $60 a year on your electric bill. Replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent lamps. Compact fluorescents last up to 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs.

A programmable thermostat can result in energy savings. It allows you to adjust the times and temperature settings of your furnace according to a pre-set schedule. For example, it can be set to lower the temperature of the home while you are sleeping or are at work, and then increase the temperature when you wake or return home.

The typical American family spends close to $1,500 a year on home utility bills. Thirty-one percent of home energy costs are lost through floors, walls and ceilings.

Some molds can lead to allergic reaction and respiratory problems, and a few produce mycotoxins. Mycotoxins are poisons that can make people sick and are produced by certain molds that are found mainly on grains and nut products.

Ozone can trigger asthma attacks. Children ages 14 and younger may be at a higher risk to the effects of ozone because their lungs are still developing.

North Carolina Cooperative Extension provides information to help you prepare for a natural disaster. Go to www.ces.ncsu.edu/ disaster/.

To remove candle wax from washable fabric, scrape off excess wax with a dull knife. Place fabric down on white paper toweling and use a warm iron on the back to melt the wax into the absorbent toweling. Launder according to instructions on the care label.

Perfume can deteriorate after one year. To preserve the fragrance, keep containers tightly closed and stored in a cold, dark place.

Some brands of liquid dishwashing detergent contain ammonia-based cleaning agents. Sodium hypochlorite or liquid chlorine bleach and ammonia are not compatible, so check all labels before mixing anything with bleach.

Many high performance fibers and finishes allow the fabric to breathe and transport moisture away from the skin. This keeps the wearer dry and comfortable. Using fabric softeners can reduce the effectiveness of the fabric’s ability to manage moisture and breathe.

A hygrometer can be used to determine the relative humidity or amount of moisture in the air. Relative humidity levels above 70 percent appear to be optimal for fungal or mold spore growth, which can be unhealthy.

Do not dry clean or dry an electric blanket in a clothes dryer. Follow the label directions for care, cleaning and storing.