Odd-shaped rooms in older homes, additions such as sunrooms and bonus rooms, and far-flung spaces like remodeled basements and attics can pose a heating challenge. In addition, some homes have no ductwork heating system, making it impractical or expensive to consider installing one to heat such spaces. If this sounds like your house, consider these tips to keep your home warm this winter.

Go ductless with room-by-room heating

A ductless heating system can provide comfort where you want it, when you want it. For example, American Standard Heating & Air Conditioning offers ductless split systems that can be retrofitted to a house that has no ductwork, or if the central heating system is already at capacity. Advantages of these systems include their small size and flexibility for heating and cooling individual rooms.

A ductless system consists of two simple components: an outdoor compressor/condenser and one or more indoor units that deliver heated or cooled air. Since there is no ductwork, the small indoor unit can be mounted on most interior walls. Mini Split Models have one outdoor unit and one indoor unit. Multi Split Models can have up to five indoor units connected to one outdoor unit, for heating rooms both efficiently and economically. Each unit is also individually controlled, for room-by-room comfort.

Add warmth with a gas stove or fireplace

Another option to consider is an individual heating unit, such as a gas stove. This can be a great solution for a hard-to-heat space, such as a porch converted to a year-round room. These stoves give off all the warmth and glow of a traditional wood burning fireplace or stove, and can keep an entire room comfortable in the coldest months of the year, even if they are the room’s only heat source. Simply turn the flame on or off with a button, or set it to ignite only when the room reaches a preset temperature. Another consideration is a gas fireplace insert to efficiently heat your existing fireplace, a good solution in a basement or added family room.

Keep hot air in and cold air out

Some simple repairs around the house can also ensure you’re not wasting precious heat. For example, older windows can let heated air escape. If you can’t replace your windows with more energy-efficient ones, improve the performance of the ones you have. Some ideas from the U.S. Department of Energy include using a heavy duty clear plastic sheet on a frame or taping clear plastic from the inside of the window to reduce drafts; installing tight fitting, insulating window shades; and opening curtains and shades in the daytime to let in warming sunlight. You can also reduce heat loss by up to 50 percent by installing exterior or interior storm windows.

There are no excuses for being cold this winter. Use these tips to keep Old Man Winter and his frosty breath at bay.

While some recipes might call for unusual ingredients that require a trip to the gourmet food store, some ingredients are ubiquitous. Keep those ingredients in your pantry year-round and you’ll be on track to bake up a storm.

The baking gurus at Nielsen-Massey Vanillas, a more than 100-year-old family-run flavoring company, offer this checklist of must-have items to help ensure your pantry is well-stocked:

* Flour – Some type of flour is the foundation of most baking. Your pantry should always have a supply of all-purpose white baking flour, but don’t forget to add some other common, useful varieties like whole wheat, unbleached or semolina.

* Sweeteners – Refined white sugar, of course, is a reliable stand-by for sweetening any recipe. But many recipes may call for alternative sweeteners like confectioner’s sugar, maple syrup, brown sugar or honey. And, if you’re baking for folks with dietary restrictions, you’ll need artificial sweeteners. Many brands of artificial sweeteners now offer varieties specifically designed for use in baking.

* Extracts – Baking cries out for certain flavors, like peppermint, almond, chocolate and vanilla. You can find an extract for virtually every flavor under the sun, but keeping an ample supply of the staples, like Nielsen-Massey Vanillas, will ensure you have the perfect flavoring on hand for a variety of dishes – from baked goods to main courses and side dishes. The family-run company uses a proprietary cold extraction process that slowly and gently draws the delicate and distinctive flavor from the vanilla beans.

* Spices – Certain spices are useful throughout the whole year. Keep your pantry stocked with baking-appropriate spices like cinnamon, allspice, ground ginger, nutmeg and cloves.

* Fruits and nuts – While some recipes may call for fresh fruits and nuts, others will require dried varieties. Walnuts, almonds, pecans, raisins, candied ginger and even dried apricots and cranberries are all good starting points for a well-stocked pantry.

* Grains – What would oatmeal raisin cookies be without the oatmeal? Recipes often call for grains and cereals, including oatmeal, cornmeal and bran.

* Leavening – Many cookies don’t require a leavening agent or stabilizer, but cakes and breads may, so include yeast, baking soda and baking powder in your pantry.

* Shortening – Vegetable oil, shortening and lard are staples of baking. To lighten a recipe without sacrificing taste, try naturally lighter oils like canola.

* Milk – You may not use it frequently, but baking often calls for evaporated milk. Sweetened condensed milk is also incorporated in many recipes. A can or two of each, purchased ahead of time, will ensure you don’t have to make a special trip to the grocery store for this less-used ingredient.

Now that your pantry is prepped, try this recipe from Nielsen-Massey Vanillas:

Crisp Vanilla Butter Cookies

Ingredients:

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
1 cup sifted confectioners’ sugar
1 tablespoon Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Powder
2 eggs, lightly beaten
2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup chocolate pieces of choice

Directions:

Cream the butter, confectioners’ sugar and vanilla powder in a mixing bowl using an electric mixer on medium speed. Add the eggs and beat until light and fluffy. Beat in the flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt on low speed until just blended. Place the dough on parchment paper and shape into a 12-inch long log. Chill for three to 24 hours.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Coat an insulated cookie sheet with nonstick cooking spray. Cut the dough log into 1/4-inch-thick slices and place on the cookie sheet. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack. Place the cooled cookies on a parchment-lined cookie sheet.

Place the chocolate pieces in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat on high for 15 seconds. Repeat at five-second intervals, stirring and checking the consistency. The chocolate is ready when it freely drips from the spoon in a fine line. Spoon the chocolate into a large plastic food storage bag. Twist the bag until the chocolate is in one corner and then trim the tip of the bag. Drizzle the chocolate over the cookies.

Variation: Add 1/2 teaspoon of any Nielsen-Massey Pure Flavor Extract, such as Chocolate, Almond, Lemon, Orange or Coffee, to the cookie dough to create a signature cookie.

Makes 2 dozen

High-fashion, high-function faucets

Kitchen faucets continue to increase in functionality and style – but imagine the convenience of having a faucet that can sense what you’re trying to accomplish, and with a simple wave of your hand, immediately responds to your needs. New MotionSense technology from Moen offers you three ways to operate the faucet. In addition to the traditional handle, you can activate the kitchen faucet by using the Wave Sensor – by waving your hand over the faucet to turn on and off – or the Ready Sensor – by placing your hands or an object under the spout.

“With MotionSense, washing dishes, filling a glass of water and preparing meals are simplified,” says Andrea Conroy, director of retail marketing, Moen. “Plus, the hands-free technology greatly reduces the need to touch the faucet, reducing the spread of germs.”

Available at home improvement retailers, MotionSense is featured on the Haysfield pulldown kitchen faucet (The Home Depot – $399), which offers a soft modern design, and the Delaney pulldown kitchen faucet (Lowe’s – $399). Both are featured in a Spot Resist Stainless finish, which does just what it says – resists fingerprints and water spots.

Trouble-free towels

Continue your hand-free experience in the kitchen by adding an Innovia Automatic Paper Towel Dispenser. This unique product provides the exact amount of paper towel that you choose – without a single touch. A simple wave of the hand delivers one towel; or for bigger jobs, simply hold your hand in front of the sensor until you’ve achieved the desired amount. Unlike others on the market, it retracts unused sheets back into the clean and dry compartment. Replacing towels can be done with any brand or size within seconds. Available at Lowe’s ($99), it fits under most cabinetry and is available in a variety of colors for an innovative and attractive addition to any kitchen.

Water-saving washers and dynamic dryers

Previously, a washer and dryer did exactly what their names say – wash and dry. But for homeowners looking for the new era of high-tech cleaning machines, there is a wealth of options. Most washers today are high-efficient, meaning they use 20 to 66 percent less water than traditional agitator washers – an appealing benefit for the environmentally conscious, or for those just hoping to save on their water and electric bills. Plus, most are available with large-capacity tubs to accommodate bigger loads. And, with less water being used and high-speed spin cycles to remove more water, clothes feel dryer when they come out – saving time and energy on the drying cycle.

Today’s dryers offer a variety of features, such as steam functions to remove wrinkles and odors, or sensors that detect when there is a lack of moisture and automatically turn off when items are dry. And, once you’ve found the set that includes the most high-tech features you desire, these once-commodity products are available in a variety of curvy, stylish looks and multiple colors. Consumer Reports is an excellent source to find the best set to meet your budget, style and feature needs.

Thinking thermostat

We’ve all left the air conditioning blasting on a hot day (when no one is even home); or, left for vacation without altering the thermostat. These worries can be a thing of the past with the new learning thermostat, The Nest. The new product, which WiredMagazine calls the “the iPod of thermostats,” offers artificial intelligence that figures out when to turn down the heat and when to turn up the air conditioning, so that you don’t waste money and energy. Plus, you can communicate with the Nest from your smartphone, tablet or any computer. Created by the designer for iPod hardware, Tony Fadell, the Nest ($249) will likely pay for itself within a year or two of use, and ultimately save up to 30 percent of your utility bill, according to Nest Labs research. 

While your neighbors may think they’re high-tech with Wi-Fi, smartphones and laptops, be the first to embrace these unique, new technologies into your home and also become the envy of the neighborhood. Soon, you can simply and affordably add enjoyment, ease and even energy savings into your lifestyle.

Editor’s Note:

All prices noted in this article are approximate and may vary by region.

Just like savvy shoppers know when and where they can find the best deals on holiday gifts, a few simple strategies can get you the best deals on travel and keep your stress level to a minimum. Here are a few ideas that can help you keep money in your pocket and thoughts of peace and happiness in your mind:

* Book early: Whether it’s purchasing your flight, hotel or rental car, the holidays are one time that it really pays to beat the rush. As space on flights and hotels becomes scarce, you’re not likely to find a very good deal closer to your travel date.

* Compare your options: Use travel sites like Orbitz, Travelocity, Hotels.com and Expedia to find the best prices on flights, hotel rooms and rental cars. Expand your searches to include nearby airports as well, as you may find savings at smaller airports in the surrounding areas. Travel sites may also be able to offer discounts when you book your hotel and rental car at the same time as your flight.

* Look for coupons and deals: Sites like FatWallet.com or Ebates.com aggregate the best deals from the top travel sites and airlines and feature increased cash back rewards during special fall and holiday promotions. Don’t just settle for the best price you find on your first search – see if you can apply other coupons and rewards to bring costs down even further.

* Travel during the week: If you have the flexibility, booking your travel as far away from the holiday itself and away from the surrounding weekends can potentially save you a lot of cash. Try a date range search on your favorite travel site to see which days offer the best prices for travel.

* Sign up for alerts: Many travel sites also offer the opportunity to sign up for low price alerts for the destination of your preference. You can also sign up for daily emails from coupon sites. But don’t wait too long for the best deal, especially around the holidays – be ready to purchase as soon as you see the right price as it might not be there for long.

* Pay attention to luggage fees: Decide ahead of time how much luggage you will bring and factor luggage fees as you price out plane tickets. If your family plans on checking multiple bags, you may want to pay just a bit extra for tickets from an airline that allows you to check some bags for free. Shopping online for gifts and having them sent directly to your destination can help lighten your load whether you are flying or driving.

* Consider all hotel options: It might be possible to find a deal at a hotel that usually serves business travelers rather than a more family-oriented hotel. If you’re just looking for a place to put your head down for the night, this could be a great option.

By looking in the right places and planning ahead, you can save a considerable amount of money on holiday travel, allowing you to spend more on activities or gifts for your loved ones – or simply put your savings in the bank to use on next year’s trip.

“Every home has the potential to look amazing – inside and out,” says HGTV star and interior designer David Bromstad. “If your space needs an update, adding color is the easiest way to transform it while reflecting your personality and taste.”

Bromstad offers these tips for sprucing up a space with a splash of color:

*Highlight unexpected areas.
Paint can go beyond walls. You can put it on unexpected surfaces, such as ceilings and accessories. Try a bright hue on the interior of a bookshelf or stair risers for a fun twist.

*Use white on trim to make your color pop.
White trim is classic and elegant, so you never get sick of it, and it’s a fantastic way to highlight color on your walls.

*Paint furniture.
If you need or prefer to keep your walls neutral, a great way to add color is by painting a side table, chair or armoire. This spices up the space and makes it easy to change your room’s look anytime you want.

*Coordinate your color transitions.
For high-impact transitions, combine bolder shades with their more neutral counterparts and for a more tranquil transition, stick to softer or lighter shades that are from the same color family.

When it comes to paint selection, Bromstad recommends using HGTV(R) HOME by Sherwin-Williams, which features unique designer-inspired color collections for interiors and exteriors. Each collection highlights 20 perfectly coordinated colors and design tips for homeowners to create harmonious room-to-room color transitions.

“This is a great design tool,” Bromstad says. “It takes the guesswork out of coordinating colors and gives you the confidence to show off your personal style. You can focus on the look you want to achieve, and HGTV HOME by Sherwin-Williams will guide you for the best color choices.”

For more color inspiration, visit your local Sherwin-Williams store or www.sherwin-williams.com.

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With the kitchen at the heart of the home, it’s an obvious place to take time for a few updates this season. Here are a few ideas to help give your kitchen a fresh look without spoiling the budget.

Overhaul cabinetry without breaking the bank

Although replacing kitchen cabinetry can be a very costly home improvement project, it usually makes the biggest impact. With unlimited options to choose from and varying price points, it’s easy to become overwhelmed and discouraged. Even if your budget is small, don’t give up on the idea of updating your kitchen cabinetry because there are plenty of affordable solutions. For example, QualityCabinets offers its Woodstar series, a line of affordable and stylish cabinets including its newest door styles – Kittery and Brookport – that are on-trend and available in popular finishes ranging from a classic and airy natural stain to dark and rich tones.

Add some personality and shine

Hardware and faucets are touched every day, and wear and tear are inevitable. Just switching out these pieces can make a dramatic difference by adding a fresh shine, some personality and even greater functionality to the space. If your cabinetry hardware seems a bit dated, opt for one of many modern options for an instant, low-cost update. Replace the kitchen faucet with a sleek, better-functioning style to elevate the kitchen design, but also introduce a newer water-saving solution.

Don’t underestimate the power of paint

With color trends constantly changing, and the focus on color in the home becoming more prominent, a fresh coat of paint can change the look and feel of a space almost instantly. With the changing season, opt for colors that add warmth and comfort or choose a bright color to combat the gray of winter. Paint can also help cover up unsightly wall marks and stains and provide the backdrop for new decor and furnishings for a whole new look. To ensure your new look has staying power, make sure to purchase a quality paint specially formulated for the kitchen.

Lighten up in the kitchen

Kitchen lighting is easy to overlook. If there are outdated lighting fixtures in your kitchen, or simply not enough light, consider adding new whimsical pendant lights or splurge on a stunning chandelier to create a focal point. Simply adding lighting under the wall cabinets and dimmer switches can introduce a new ambiance to the space. A visit to your local home center or lighting showroom will give you plenty of ideas.

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While most people rely on their own cleaning know-how to tackle germs and dirt, they depend on their eyes to show what they think is a clean house. In fact, more than two out of three people believe that vision is the most important sense in determining the cleanliness of a home, according to a recent national consumer survey conducted by Stanley Steemer.

But it’s often the dirt that you don’t see that requires help from the pros. Traditional at-home cleaning methods such as vacuuming and dusting only remove a relatively small portion of dirt, dust and particles that lurk in your floors and furniture. Without a deep cleaning, you’ll be trapping dirt inside your home for the entire winter, which can impact the visual appearance of your home, while also elevating the risk of allergens in the home.

With more than 60 years as the dirt authority, the cleaning experts at Stanley Steemer are certified to remove more than 98 percent of dry soil from floors – a rate significantly higher than self-cleaning methods. In fact, in fall of 2011, Stanley Steemer technicians removed more than 56 tons of dirt from American Homes.

To help you see through the dirt that lurks in your home, the experts in the field from Stanley Steemer offer these fall tips for maintaining a cleaner, healthier home:

With fall comes the foliage

Reduce the amount of dirt and leaves that may get tracked into your home by using indoor and outdoor entrance mats.

A quick pickup

Remember to act quickly to clean up any spills or stains; consider keeping a professional spot remover handy at all time or use items commonly found around the home such as white vinegar and baking soda.

Dirt never quits … it’s like tooth decay

Keep up with the high traffic areas in the home by vacuuming them two to three times a week and the rest of your carpets at least once a week.

Outside work effects inside comfort

Keep your windows closed and turn on the air conditioner when raking leaves and doing other fall cleanup work outside. These activities kick unwanted dirt, dust and pollen up into the air, which can settle into upholstered furniture and carpet.

Who should you call?

Even the most diligent person can’t do alone. Get help from the pros. Schedule a professional deep cleaning every six months to help maintain the value and health of your home.

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Answer: It’s your garage door.

But do you know how to operate and maintain your garage door safely? Do your kids know the potential hazards that a garage door may present? The Garage Door Safety Quiz, found at www.garagedoorcare.com, can help.

“At only five questions long, the quiz will take you just a few minutes to complete,” says Chris Long, managing director of the International Door Association, a trade association comprised of more than 2,000 door and access system dealers and installers worldwide, which manages the website. “But knowing the answers to those five questions can help keep you and your family safe from potential garage door hazards.”

Here are a few things to think about that will help build your knowledge of garage door safety:

* A moving garage door can pose a risk for injury, or even death

* Children or adults should never stand, run, or play under or near any garage door – especially when the door is open or moving

* It’s important that children realize that the garage door and its associated parts are not toys. Like elevator buttons and your television’s remote control buttons, the buttons on your remote garage door opener may be enticing for children to press. Adults should not allow children access to the remote opener, and push button wall controls should be installed at least five feet off the ground, out of the reach of children.

It’s particularly important that parents learn about children and garage door safety. A special learning tool on the website entitled “D.O.O.R. Safe” contains four brief messages to help parents teach young children the dos and don’ts of garage doors, such as:

* Doors are heavy – never stand, run or play under or near any garage door.

* Openers are for adults – never play with the button on the wall that opens and closes the garage door.

* Ouch – never touch any part of a moving garage door. Your fingers and hands can get hurt.

* Remotes are for adults – never play with the remote control in the car or on Mom and Dad’s keychain.

Installing or repairing a garage door may also be dangerous to even the most avid do-it-yourselfer. While there are many maintenance checks that you can perform yourself – like monthly tests that include visual inspections, door balance, reversing mechanism, photo eye, force setting and a semi-annual lubrication – there are some tasks that are best left to a professional. For example, door installation, annual maintenance or repair of a garage door’s springs or cables should be performed by a trained service technician.

To locate a qualified garage door professional, visit www.garagedoorcare.com where you’ll find a database of garage door professionals searchable by zip code.

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Start by looking at the railing. More than just a safety feature, the railing is one of the most prominent design elements of any deck, and changing it is a cost-effective way to make an eye-catching statement.

Remember, your railing doesn’t have to match your current deck material. If you have a wood deck that doesn’t necessarily mean you need wood railings. Think outside the box and blend different colors and materials – such as aluminum, glass and composite – for a complementary look that increases the aesthetic appeal of the entire house.

Aluminum railings are increasingly popular because they allow homeowners to introduce a variety of baluster infills into their deck design. Durable yet lightweight, aluminum won’t rot or corrode, making it a good choice for the outdoors. One example is Deckorators aluminum railing kits, which come in a variety of designs that are black or white powder-coated to weather the elements, plus they’re backed by a lifetime limited warranty.

If you like the look of wood, but want something more durable without the maintenance hassles, consider railings made from composite materials. With a look that emulates real painted wood, composite railing options won’t split, warp, rot or suffer from insect infestation.

While you’re researching railings, it’s wise to also look at balusters – the railing spindles – and decide what styles you like best. You can mix and match with your railing materials to get a one-of-a-kind look. Metal and aluminum balusters are popular and come in many shapes, styles, colors and sizes.

If you really want a distinctive look for your outdoor space, consider glass balusters. This is a particularly great option for decks with grand views, since the glass allows you to enjoy the landscape without the visual obstruction of traditional railing infills.

To create a dramatic appearance, consider adding a design to deck posts. Decorative postcovers enhance the personality of your deck by providing a stone pillar appearance to the entire length of each post. Deckorators cast stone postcovers fit over standard 4-by-4 or 6-by-6 wood posts corners of deck railing, and provide a realistic appearance of authentic stone, giving decks an upscale look at a fraction of the cost.

Finalize your deck upgrades with some decorative elements. Deck railing accessories can add the perfect stylish touch to any outdoor space. Decorative post caps, for example, install quickly and easily, changing the look of any railing to suit your design tastes. Ornamental post caps come in glass, metal, wood and planter styles. Some even feature solar lighting that provide a beautiful ambiance after the sun sets.

Some simple changes to your current deck structure can take it from drab to fab without the cost of a complete remodel. Explore your options today to create a deck you’ll enjoy for many seasons to come.

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