Batteries and Bulbs: Which to recycle, which not?
For those who want to do the right thing by the environment, knowing what to do with light bulbs and batteries can be vexing. Which require recycling and which can be safely tossed in with the regular trash? Condensed from a slew of web pages, here’s a quick guide.

Best Home Insurance is Preparation, Prevention

Is your home well insured? You might think that’s a question for your insurance agent, but, in actuality, it might be better to pose the question to yourself.

A house is most people’s largest investment and getting home insurance is more often than not a no-brainer, said Jeff Berquist, local State Farm agent.

Feeding Birds: A Winter Indulgence
For some Cook County residents, winter’s arrival is signaled as much by the flutter of songbirds landing at the feeder as by the rumble of the snowplow. While we might think we’re helping the birds survive the long winter months when we fill our feeders, really, it’s the other way around.

Heat with Electricity? Here's How to Save
A decade ago, a couple named Smith, new to Cook County, decided to build a new house. They consulted with their contractor, electrical subcontractor and Arrowhead Electric Cooperative on the best approach to energy conservation. They insulated heavily and purchased energy savings doors and windows. They also invested in a more expensive water heater designed to work with off-peak electricity. The heater would switch on at night, during times of low energy demand, store the heat and serve it up during the day. It would be controlled by a radio transmitter under one of the “silver” programs offered by Arrowhead’s supplier, Great River Energy.

Earn Tax Credits with New Windows
The wind carries an autumn chill these days, turning minds to ways to keep your home tight and warm during the coming winter months. The very thing you gaze through to watch the seasons change – your windows – might be a culprit of significant energy loss in your home.