TIME
Fall back. Weekend warriors and the sleep-deprived can rejoice: Daylight Saving Time ends at 2 a.m. Sunday when clocks across the United States must be turned back one hour. Home-improvement and safety experts suggest that the calendar milestone can serve as a reminder for such periodic household maintenance chores as changing the batteries in smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors and flashlights, and changing filters in furnaces, humidifiers or refrigerators.
SPACE
Halloween aftermath. Sure, it’s nice to have a well-stocked costume box at the ready whenever the need arises for a funny wig or quirky outfit. But this requires storage space and a high level of organization. Here’s another option: Arc Thrift Stores are currently collecting Halloween costumes and decoration donations for next year. Anyone who may have dropped into one of the 19 Colorado Arc Thrift Store this year for Halloween supplies knows the nonprofit has gotten savvy about collecting and repurposing Halloween garb. And the only way that Arc, which is largely volunteer-run and benefits people with developmental disabilities, is able to support that effort is through donations. To donate your costume, visit to find a nearby store or call 800-283-2721 to schedule a pickup.
ENERGY
CFL/LED crash course. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, lighting consumes nearly 15 percent of a household’s electricity use. Choosing the right energy-efficient light is key to keeping energy bills low, according efficiency experts at the Home Depot. These tips can help; for more, visit .
Identify your fixture type: With so many bulbs to choose from, it’s important to educate yourself about your fixture and lighting needs before you make a purchase.
Choose your brightness: Wattage, a measurement of power, is a common way traditional light bulbs are identified. Since CFL and LED bulbs use less energy than traditional bulbs, be sure to look at the measurement of light output, known as lumens, instead of wattage.
Color, temperature and intensity: When selecting an LED light, choose a color that suits the mood and activity taking place in your room. While dramatic lighting can make your bathroom decor sparkle, bedrooms are better suited to a soft glow with darker lampshades. In dining rooms, use clear bulbs to maximize glitter on shiny crystal and metal features.
More ways to save: Consider using lighting controls, light occupancy sensors, timers and dimmers to reduce lighting energy use.
