Does your kitchen look like this?

Even if your appliances are not quite this old, it may still be a good time to replace them with energy-efficient units.  Not only will you save money each month on your utility bill, Duke Energy Progress will pay you $50 for your old refrigerator or freezer AND haul it away for free.

They’re also offering rebates on air ducts, HVAC, water heaters, attic insulation, and air sealing ranging from $190-$500.

So if you’re planning to upgrade your air ducts or replace any of these energy-hogging appliances, be sure to take advantage of this program.  Updated, energy-efficient homes and appliances not only add to the comfort of living in your home, they are also much more appealing to buyers when you put your home on the market.

This is the perfect time of year for enjoying outdoor living spaces and front porches can be just the spot for  socializing with friends and neighbors or just relaxing quietly and enjoying the sights and sounds of nature.

What can you do to make your front porch extra-inviting this year?

Arrange a mixture of seating choices, including colorful pillows, on your porch along with a table to set things on so that you and your guests have a place to set down your cold beverage, book, or cell phone. Live plants are also a nice touch and so many varieties can live happily and carefree on a porch almost year-round here in  N.C. An old-fashioned porch swing is always a fabulous, fun touch.

Dining tables, colorful rugs, and even curtains are popular additions to porches that can expand their use and turn a porch into another room of your house, one that is heated and cooled naturally.