Expert Advice for your Lawn & Garden TV Host of Today's Homeowner^® and home expert for The Weather Channel

No matter where you live in the U.S., homeowners are struggling more than ever before to find the balance between being comfortable inside their homes and keeping energy bills smaller than their mortgage payment. This struggle has taken center stage as the cost of energy rose dramatically this fall and December has already produced lower-than-average temperatures to date.

With winter approaching, it is obvious that families across the country need to find ways to save on their energy bills. Danny has some proven ways to help you though saving this winter.

With the colder months approaching many Americans are looking for ways to save money on the rising cost of heating their homes. In addition, this is also the time of year when homeowners may want to take a look at some unwanted visitors who can do some real damage to areas of the home you may never see.

If your home is equipped with a central air conditioning system you may have noticed a drain line on the outside dripping water near the air conditioner. This line drains condensation from the inside air handler to the outside. If this line clogs (usually from algae) it can cause water damage inside the house.

Whether you call it building “green,” “eco-friendly” or “sustainable” the trend has taken hold. We talk to professionals about what it means to build “green” and see it first hand in homes and even entire communities.

There is no doubt that staying cool is on the top of most people’s minds this time of year … but what if your air conditioner is not working properly, or worse - you don’t have one at all. Whether you have an existing unit in need of some upkeep or are in the market for a new one, we have some tips and helpful information for you.

Thirteen tips to improve the look and efficiency of your home.

Nothing in your house affects your comfort more than your heating and cooling systems. Yet unless the heater conks out during a blizzard or the air-conditioning goes on the fritz in the middle of a heat wave, most of us pretty much ignore our heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) equipment.

To cut insulation squarely and accurately use a utility knife with snap off blade. Extend the blade all the way out and lock it. The resulting 3″-4″ blade will make it easier to cut through thick batts of insulation. Use the straight edge of a piece of wood, lay it across the insulation, then kneel on one end of the insulation to compress it and run the blade down the edge of the wood for a nice square cut. Remember, to keep the fibers from irritating your skin wear a long sleeved shirt, pants, gloves, dust mask and safety glasses.

Nothing beats the warm and cozy feeling of a fireplace. Plus, adding a fireplace can increase the value of your home by as much as ten percent and is much easier and less expensive than it used to be. With the advanced technology available, the new fireplaces provide great ambience, ease of use and even help reduce heating bills. There are a number of things to consider when choosing a new fireplace for your home and plenty of choices to make.