If all is working well, most homeowners put little thought into their water heater. But when this critical appliance fails, it can be a nightmare that halts a home’s productivity completely. With no hot water for washing dishes and clothes – let alone for bathing – homeowners are left scrambling to find a new water heater as fast as possible.

While waiting until an emergency occurs to take action isn’t uncommon, more and more homeowners are taking the proactive approach by making updates before the life expectancy of their current heater ends. Newer units have many benefits, including better efficiency and lower operating costs, if you choose the right one for your home.

Because heating water is the second largest energy drain in a home, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, many people are choosing modern options that heat water much more efficiently, which helps save money and is better for the environment. Here are the three main types of water heaters and their many benefits.

Traditional tank models

Most homeowners have a traditional tank water heater. This option works by continuously heating water in a holding tank throughout the day, providing hot water to the home when there’s a demand. If you already have a maintenance closet or storage area where a tank heater is located, you may select a modern tank heater to replace the old one since the space is already set up for one. The good news is today’s tank heaters are more efficient than ever, providing more hot water while using less energy.

For example, the Rheem XR90 gas water heater can be retrofitted into an existing tank area, but takes up less space because it’s a 29-gallon tank. This compact unit heats water 42 percent faster than a standard 50-gallon gas water heater (0.58 EF and 40,000 Btu/h). It provides 90 gallons of hot water in the first hour following the heater’s initial firing; so, homeowners get three times the amount of hot water in an hour than what the tank actually holds.

Tankless options

Although tankless water heaters have been used for more than 50 years in other countries, only in the past decade have they become more popular in the United States. A tankless heater uses energy to heat water only as it is needed, so energy is used efficiently and utility costs may decrease. Plus, tankless water heaters can provide a steady stream of hot water that doesn’t run out.

These types of water heaters are about the size of a medicine cabinet and are hung on a wall, perfect for homeowners with limited space. Depending on what climate you live in, you might be able to put a tankless water heater on the outside of your home. Most tankless water heaters are gas fueled, such as the popular Rheem Prestige Series Condensing Tankless Water Heater. This model is easy to install because it is vented with PVC piping, and has a digital display for adjusting the water temperature as well as a self-diagnostic system that will display maintenance codes if problems arise.

Hybrid tank units

Hybrid water heaters offer homeowners an option that is more than twice as efficient as standard electric units. Consumers who switch to a hybrid electric water heater with heat pump technology will save $286 annually on their electric utility bills, compared to those who have a standard 50-gallon electric model (with a 0.90 energy factor), according to U.S. Department of Energy estimates.

How do hybrid water heaters work? These tanks are set up with a heat pump as well as electric technology. The units have three settings: heat pump only, electric only or hybrid mode which uses both. Depending on the demand put on the system, the homeowner can select the most energy efficient means to heat water.

With more people staying in their homes for longer, upgrades such as installing a new water heater are proving to be beneficial today and many years in the future. Visit www.rheem.com to learn more about what water heating option is right for you. Remember to check with your local utility company to see if any rebates are available for water heater upgrades, which can help with the purchase and installation cost.

The winter holiday season is here, which means we can look forward to a lot of decorating, parties and possibly some travel during the next few months. But with all the hustle and bustle of shopping and celebrating, it’s important not to lose sight of what matters most: the safety of your family and home.

From now until New Year’s, you’ll be expecting guests more frequently and your house will be filled with beautiful, but highly flammable, decorations. These range from the candles on your dining room table to the tree in your living room to the paper decorations on your walls. All of these items can contribute to potentially unsafe conditions in your home.

To keep your family and house safe and still enjoy all the festivities, keep in mind these simple precautions:

1. Always make sure burning candles are never left unattended (blow them out if you leave the room) and are placed at least 12 inches away from flammable objects. Candleholders should be sturdy and placed on a stable, uncluttered surface.

2. Make sure to check your smoke alarms monthly. They should be installed in every bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area, and on every level of your house. Replace the batteries in all of your smoke alarms at least once a year.

3. The holidays also mean travel for some families, and it’s important to make sure your house is safe while you’re away. Consider a home security and automation system that offers comprehensive protection inside and out, such as ADT Pulse. This innovative, customizable system allows you to control your lights, lock your doors, adjust your thermostats and watch your pets from wherever you happen to be via a computer or smartphone.

4. Make sure your decorations are safe. Only use items that are flame resistant or flame retardant, and avoid placing them near doorways or windows.

5. Have your chimney cleaned and inspected every year by a qualified professional. Make sure to use a fireplace screen to contain any sparks or hot embers. Once you put the fire out, let ashes cool, and then transfer them to a metal container with a lid. This should be kept at a safe distance from your house.

With the help of some common-sense safety precautions and a good security system, you’ll be able to enjoy all the fun and festivities of the holiday season, whether you’re hosting or traveling.

When the weather cools, do your cravings turn toward peppermint? Or perhaps the approaching holidays are priming your palate for pumpkin and gingerbread. Some flavors and ingredients just seem to go naturally with the season. While time-honored culinary traditions will always have a place in our seasonal celebrations, mix things up this year by using familiar ingredients in non-traditional ways.

From snack foods to main dishes, a variety of ingredients can lend themselves to culinary exploration this holiday season. Here are a few ideas to help you get creative with well-loved traditional ingredients:

Not just for snacking

Sure, you’ve heard of replacing bread crumbs with crumbled crackers in holiday recipes, but did you know pretzels can punch up a variety of seasonal dishes? From pumpkin muffins that get a savory spike from Snyder’s of Hanover Sourdough Pretzels to savory turkey stuffing, pretzels can add flavor and interest far beyond the snack bowl. Pretzels make a great ingredient not only for their familiar, appealing flavor, but also because they’re naturally low in fat and calories. Snyder’s offers more than three dozen shapes and flavors, convenient 100-calorie packs, lower sodium content, and even gluten-free options. You can find a plethora of ideas and recipes online at www.snydersofhanover.com.

Sprouting creativity

Few foods shout ‘fall’ and ‘holidays’ as clearly as pumpkin. Whether perched on your front step as a jack o’ lantern or gracing your holiday buffet in pies and muffins, pumpkin is a quintessential ingredient of the season. But when it comes time to incorporate pumpkin in your holiday meal-planning, it pays to look beyond the pie plate. Pumpkin can serve as a basis for appetizers, sides and main dishes. From soups to pasta, casseroles to omelets, pumpkin is a nutrient-rich, flavorful ingredient.

Cavorting with candy

Candy corn to candy canes, candy treats make the final months of the year that much sweeter. Peppermint is, of course, to the holidays as elves are to Santa, but don’t imagine that this versatile mint flavoring is only appropriate in candies and pricey coffee shop mochas. Paired with garlic, fresh peppermint leaves add zing to pastas. Mystified as to what to do with leftover Halloween candy corn or candy pumpkins? Try adding them to your s’mores. What would holiday baking be without chocolate? But Americans’ second-favorite flavor can also pop up in main dishes, like chili, sloppy joes, chicken and salmon.

Sweet harvest time

Apples are a favorite fall harvest fruit, and what better way to make them the start of fall celebrations than by putting some on a stick and dipping them in caramel? Yet neither ingredient – apples or caramel – need be limited to the realm of sticky treats. In addition to apple pie, popovers and cake, you may have experienced apple in stuffing. Yet apples play well with a host of other flavors, including main dish staples of the holidays, like turkey, pork, chicken and even beef. Caramelization as a cooking process turns veggies like carrots and sweet potatoes into yummy side dishes. But caramel can also enhance main dishes, like pork chops, cod or chicken.

Thanks to the Internet, it’s easier than ever to find fresh, unconventional ways to use favorite holiday flavors and ingredients. Try this savory recipe from Snyder’s of Hanover for Pretzel Stuffing:

Pretzel Stuffing

Ingredients:

1 6-ounce package of long grain or wild rice, prepared according to package directions

8 ounces sliced fresh mushrooms, sauteed

1 medium onion, chopped and sauteed

1 12-ounce package link sausage, browned and cut into 1/4-inch pieces

2 cups Snyder’s of Hanover Hard Sourdough Pretzels, broken into 1/2-inch pieces, crumbs removed

4 cups stuffing croutons, seasoned or unseasoned

1 cup chicken broth, added to out-of-bird stuffing only

Salt, pepper and sage to taste

Directions:

Combine all ingredients in a very large bowl and fill chicken or turkey cavity. Place remaining stuffing in a casserole dish, add chicken broth and baste with pan drippings or chicken broth. Cover with foil and place in oven for one hour. Remove cover 10 to 15 minutes before end of cooking time to create crispy texture.

The holidays are for giving, but with all the driving around for shopping, parties and family events, you may end up giving more at the gas station due to Grinch-like fuel costs. Holiday jeer can quickly become holiday cheer, though, by simply practicing some gas-saving tips.

‘There are all sorts of ways to make sure you’re getting the best fuel efficiency out of your car,’ says Andrew Briggs, director of product planning for Yokohama Tire Corporation, makers of a variety of truck and car tires. ‘One of the best – and easiest – is to properly inflate your tires. Tires that are under-inflated by eight pounds per square inch (psi) can reduce vehicle fuel economy by as much as 2 percent. By keeping the right air pressure, you can begin cutting down on your annual fuel costs.’

Briggs says that even though tires are engineering marvels affecting everything from braking distance and accident avoidance to ride comfort and fuel efficiency, they are easily overlooked – especially when it comes to checking tire pressure. ‘It’s natural to forget, but for the best gas-saving results, checking your tire pressure should become a monthly routine. It only takes five minutes. If you’re not doing it once a month, chances are you’re driving on under-inflated tires and burning money.’

Another way to save at the pump is to drive on low rolling resistance tires, which improve fuel efficiency because they generate less internal heat as the tire rolls down the road. ‘With low rolling resistance tires, less energy is wasted,’ says Briggs. ‘That’s a big benefit for budget-conscious consumers who want to maximize their mileage. Studies show driving on low rolling resistance tires alone like Yokohama’s AVID Ascend can save hundreds of dollars over the life of the tire on gas. The tire has Yokohama’s unique orange oil technology, which uses the oil from orange peels to create a special compound that makes an unusually strong bond between synthetic and natural rubber. The result is a tire that offers low rolling resistance. It makes the Ascend about 20 percent more energy efficient than standard touring tires.’

Briggs says there are many ways your tires and vehicles can help save money for the holidays, including driving smarter. Here are some of his money-saving tips:

* Keep your tires properly inflated. Once a month, when the tires are cold (at least three to four hours after the vehicle has been driven), check tire pressure with a reliable tire gauge. Be sure the valve stems have a plastic or metal cap to keep dirt out and seal against leakage.

* Slow down. All vehicles lose fuel economy at speeds above 55 mph. Driving 55 mph instead of 75 mph can reduce fuel cost by 25 percent. Driving 65 mph instead of 75 mph can save 13 percent.

* Keep your car tuned up according to the manufacturer’s recommended schedule to keep all systems in good working order.

* Turn off your engine if you’re stopped for more than a couple of minutes. Fuel efficiency savings of up to 19 percent are possible by not letting your engine idle too long while stationary.

* Accelerating less from a stop and slowing moderately can increase fuel efficiency by more than 30 percent.

* Tire alignment should be checked once a year. Misaligned tires can cause the car to scrub, which lowers mileage and causes unnecessary tire wear.

For additional tire care and safety tips, visit www.yokohamatire.com or www.rma.org.