They say that there's light at the end of the tunnel, have you seen it? Perhaps you have; it was after opening up your electrical bill. If the light was a bit too bright, then dim it down! Save some money while introducing a little ambiance into your home with some high-tech, energy-saving dimmers. "Many homeowners don't realize that installing dimmers can significantly reduce their energy bill" said Matt Harte, a Project Electrical Engineer at Lutron Electronics and native of Wyckoff. Today's light switch dimmers are very sophisticated pieces of technology. Dimmers work by reducing the …

Friends always tell me they love nature but never have time to enjoy it. As our lives become increasingly technology-based, we need to remember the value of a walk in the woods, a dive in the river or a good sit on that old rocking chair on the back porch. So if you find that you are too busy to visit nature, let nature visit you. Trees and birds are some of the easiest specimens to observe. We confront them regularly throughout our days regardless if you take notice or not. Since tree identification is a bit difficult, especially when the leaves are all gone, bird watching is a perfect …

Triple blown windows, energy star rated insulating materials, southern exposure, "enviroscaping" to create windbreaks and microclimates: the list of considerations that go into the construction of an energy efficient house are endless. However, aside from undertaking a massive home improvement ordeal, we're pretty much stuck with what we've got in terms of energy efficiency. And so if you have an older home, as many of you villagers do, may not be graced many modern, energy-saving technologies. In this economy, undertaking home improvement projects are not for everyone. At the same time, …

How often do you find yourself releasing an exasperating sigh of trepidation as you tear open your energy bills? Does your heart drop and your gut wrench? Do you ultimately concede it as an inevitability to the energy deities? If so, you certainly aren't alone. Utility bills have never been higher. However, what you don't realize is that there are upgrades you can make to improve the energy efficiency of your Ridgewood home; and the government is willing to help. But you better act now because time is almost up! Hot and Cold If your heating and cooling bill is astronomical, it may be because …

Despite the unseasonably warm weather of the last week, we can't deny it – the growing season is over. Now is the time to find ways to bring the garden indoors. One way to do this is by performing a technique called 'forcing' bulbs. This involves planting bulbs and treating them with a mock winter. After several weeks of cold treatment, the bulbs are gradually brought to room temperature. This manipulation tricks them into thinking spring has arrived, and they divert their stored energy into flowering. The end result is an enchanting display of springtime color during the coldest months of …

As night temperatures fall into the 40's and pumpkins begin to make appearances throughout the village, I believe we can say that summer has finally transitioned into fall. To us gardeners, this annual arrival of autumn proves to be intensely sobering as we find ourselves ripping out prized tomato plants and clipping back once magnificent perennial blooms. However, as we perform the ritualistic ceremony of garden winterization we can still undertake a couple last minute plantings that can provide us with much-needed solace. But even to those who have never laid their hands in soil, it's not …