Real Estate Information Archive

TGI (almost) F! With the weekend right around the corner, now is the perfect time to start planning some fun and exciting adventures for you and your family. Luckily, we have listed a few can’t-miss activities in and around Omaha below. Everything from a walking food tour and sporting events, to comedy performances, dinosaur exhibits, history tours, theater shows and much more! Enjoy! 

What: Blackstone Walking Food Tour
When: January 18th
Where: 3804 Farnam Street Omaha, NE

What: Art Exhibit: ‘Nebraska Habitat’ by Albert Rhea
When: January 18th – 20th
Where: Lauritzen Gardens | 100 Bancroft Street Omaha, NE

What: University of Nebraska-Omaha vs. North Dakota NCAA Men’s Hockey Game
When: January 18th-19th
Where: Baxter Arena | 2425 S 67th Street Omaha, NE

What: Twista Unplugged
When: January 18th
Where: 6212 Maple Street Omaha, NE

What: Comedy in Omaha at The Backline
When: January 18th & 19th
Where: The Backline Comedy Theatre | 1618 Harney Street Omaha, NE

What: Dinosaur UpROAR
When: January 18th – 20th
Where: Lauritzen Gardens | 100 Bancroft Street Omaha, NE

What: Disney’s Aladdin
When: January 18th – 20th
Where: Orpheum Theater | 409 S 16th Street Omaha, NE

What: Dominick Farinacci featuring vocalist Lucy Woodward
When: January 18th – 20th
Where: 1030 Capitol Ave. Omaha, NE

What: Holiday Lights Festival: The Capitol District Ice Rink
When: January 18th – 20th
Where: 11th & Capitol Streets Omaha, NE

What: I let them in. Conditional Hospitality and The Stranger Exhibition 
When: January 18th – 20th
Where: Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts | 724 South 12th Street Omaha, NE

What: Super Sports: Building Strength, Sportsmanship and Smarts 
When: January 18th – 20th
Where: Omaha Children’s Museum | 500 S 20th Street Omaha, NE

What: Indoor Air Show
When: January 19th
Where: Strategic Air Command and Aerospace Museum | 28210 West Park Hwy.

What: Omaha Lancers vs. Lincoln Stars Hockey Game
When: January 19th
Where: Ralston Arena | 7300 Q St.

What: Film Streams: Forever Young Movie Series
When: January 18th – 20th
Where: Film Streams at the Ruth Sokolof Theater | 1340 Mike Fahey Street Omaha, NE

What: Old Market District Walking Food Tour
When: January 19th & 20th
Where: Omaha Culinary Tours | Various Locations

What: Oliver Jeffers: 15 Years of Picturing Books
When: January 19th & 20th
Where: Joslyn Art Museum | 2200 Dodge Street Omaha, NE

What: Old Market Walking History Tour
When: January 19th
Where: 1001 Farnam Street Omaha, NE

What: The Robot Zoo
When: January 19th & 20th
Where: Strategic Air Command and Aerospace Museum | 28210 West Park Hwy.

What: WWE Live
When: January 20th
Where: CHI Health Center Omaha | 455 N 10th Street Omaha, NE

What: Joslyn Castle Public Tour
When: January 20th 
Where: Joslyn Castle | 3902 Davenport Street Omaha, NE

What: Urban Surf
When: January 20th
Where: Neighborhood Offshore Boutique & Board Shop (Grover St.)

Since January is National Radon Action Month, we wanted to dedicate an entire blog post to this topic. Our hope is to educate you on ways to keep you and your loved ones safe from this serious health risk that, sadly, is responsible for more than 20,000 American deaths each year. What is radon you ask? Well that is a great place to start! Radon, which seeps up from the ground and dissolves into the air, is an odorless, tasteless and invisible gas that can prove to be very harmful when exposed to large quantities. As one of the leading causes of lung cancer deaths in America amongst nonsmokers, it is important to be educated on the ways to detect radon and fully understand the steps you can take to ensure the safety of your home from this harmful substance. We have listed a few actions for you to take below, and hope you take a few minutes to review this crucial information. 

-The first (and most obvious) action you can take is to test your home. The U.S. Surgeon General, as well as the EPA, have advised that all homes in the United State be tested for radon, and luckily the testing is relatively simple and reasonably priced. Here is a link to obtain your test kit and learn more about the testing process in your home. 

-Second, if you are in the market to purchase a home, make sure you are buying a radon-resistant home by finding builders who use radon-resistant new construction. 

-Third, stay up to date on local radon events happening around your community. Especially in the month of January when the topic is at the forefront of many discussions, it will be much easier to find events to attend in the coming weeks/days. 

-The forth step is to spread the word! As we stated above, we can’t smell, see or taste radon, which presents a large challenge because a normal person cannot detect the substance without testing for it. Spread the message to your family, friends and neighbors and let them know not only about the harmful effects of radon, but also the steps in which they can protect themselves and their loved ones. 

Do you have set plans this weekend? If so, we urge you to cancel them and take advantage of the many fun events and festivities happening in and around Omaha over the next few days. You will find everything from pizza tours, a walking history tour, comedy shows, film events, dancing, sporting events and much more! Keep the new year fun going and check out some more of the can’t-miss events we have listed below. Enjoy! 

What: Art Exhibit: ‘Nebraska Habitat’ by Albert Rhea
When: January 11th – 13th
Where: Lauritzen Gardens | 100 Bancroft Street Omaha, NE

What: Film Streams: ‘If Beale Street Could Talk’
When: January 11th
Where: Film Streams at the Ruth Sokolof Theater | 4952 Dodge Street Omaha, NE

What: Comedy in Omaha 
When: January 11th & 12th
Where: The Backline Comedy Theatre | 1618 Harney Street Omaha, NE

What: Farewell Series #2: Artists Broman, De Forest and Taylor
When: January 11th & 12th
Where: Gallery 72 | 1806 Vinton Street Omaha, NE

What: German-American Society’s Keller Night
When: January 11th
Where: German-American Society, Inc. | 3717 S 120th Street Omaha, NE

What: Holiday Lights Festival: The Capitol District Ice Rink 
When: January 11th & 13th
Where: 11th & Capitol Street Omaha, NE

What: I Let them in. Conditional Hospitality and The Stranger Exhibition
When: January 11th & 12th
Where: Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts | 724 South 12th Street Omaha, NE

What: Super Sports: Building Strength, Sportsmanship and Smarts
When: January 11th – 13th
Where: Omaha Children’s Museum | 500 S 20th Street Omaha, NE

What: A Slice Of Omaha Pizza Tour
When: January 12th & 13th
Where: Various Locations

What: Gallery Opening and Artists’ Talk
When: January 12th
Where: Fontenelle Forest/Neale Woods | 1111 Bellevue Blvd North

What: Old Market Walking History Tour
When: January 12th
Where: Omaha Visitors Center | 1001 Farnam Street Omaha, NE

What: Star Wars Night
When: January 12th
Where: Omaha Children’s Museum | 500 S 20th Street Omaha, NE

What: Dance Chance Omaha Dancing Event
When: January 12th
Where: Bancroft Street Market | 2702 S 10th Street Omaha, NE

What: Holiday Lights Festival: The Capitol District Ice Rink
When: January 11th – 13th
Where: 11th & Capitol Streets Omaha, NE

What: Sweet Treats Bus Tour
When: January 12th & 13th
Where: Omaha Culinary Tours | Various Locations

What: Urban Surf
When: January 12th
Where: Neighborhood Offshore Boutique & Board Shop

What: Creighton vs. Villanova NCAA Men’s Basketball Game
When: January 13th
Where: CHI Health Center Omaha | 455 N 10th Street Omaha, NE

What: Omaha Lancers vs. Tri-City Storm Hockey Game
When: January 13th
Where: Ralston Arena | 7300 Q Street 

​Our beautiful city of Omaha has long been revered as being a step ahead when it comes to unique food concepts, and has been celebrated for its mouthwatering dishes, modern restaurant scene and innovative cuisine. Did you know that the TV dinner and the Reuben sandwich were both created here? It’s true! These classics are staples for many people, and are still loved and adored by many across the country – and even the world! Knowing that Omaha has a top culinary scene, you may be wondering which restaurants are the best in town and worth checking out. If this sounds like you, then today’s blog post is a must read. Let’s jump right in to a few of the top restaurants in and around Omaha!

Our first must-visit restaurant is a popular destination for many locals in Omaha and one that will make meat lovers rejoice! Yes, you may have guessed it – we are talking about The Drover. This admired steakhouse is famous for its whiskey steak, ribeye’s, filets and sirloins, and also serves dishes such as pork chops, crab legs, fish and chicken. And for those looking to balance their plates with a little green, The Drover also has a large salad bar to dive into. Next, located in the Old Market District is M’s Pub, which is well-known for their salads, steaks, soups, cold and hot sandwiches, and delicious desserts. They also have an impressive wine list, and visitors can take their pick from lounging on the patio, island bar or beautiful main dining room.

Our next destination is located in the Midtown Crossings District and is a popular restaurant with contemporary flair. Wondering what’s on the menu at The Grey Plume? Well, that depends on what’s in season! Visitors will be impressed with this farm-to-table concept and can expect dishes to be made with locally sourced and grown ingredients. This concept allows the chefs to be creative and let their talents soar. The Grey Plume is also a Green Restaurant Certified by SustainaBuild, and a location for cooking classes for locals looking to hone their skills. Lastly – calling all vegans! Modern Love is a new vegan restaurant in town and goes against the popular ‘meat capitol’ reputation that Omaha has come to be known for. Modern love is only open for dinner, and goers can expect to see dishes such as mushroom cheeseburgers, enchiladas and gnocchi. Who says vegan eating can’t be delicious!

Happy New Year! Now that 2019 is officially here, what are your plans for the first weekend of the year? If you are still recovering from the holidays and have not thought beyond this week (first off, we understand!), we have listed a few fun events that are happening in and around Omaha for you to check out. Everything from sporting events, First Friday events, comedy shows, art exhibits and history tours, as well as a few holiday events for those that don’t want to let the magical time of year go just yet. Whatever you are into, we are sure there is an event for you to enjoy. So grab your family and friends and get ready for a great start to 2019! Enjoy! 

What: Creighton vs. Villanova NCAA Women’s Basketball Game
When: January 4th
Where: 701 Florence Blvd. Omaha, NE 68102

What: Art Exhibit: ‘Nebraska Habitat’ by Albert Rhea
When: January 4th – 6th
Where: Lauritzen Gardens | 100 Bancroft Street Omaha, NE

What: Benson First Friday
When: January 4th – 6th
Where: Multiple Locations

What: Comedy in Omaha at The Backline
When: January 4th & 5th
Where: The Backline Comedy Theatre | 1618 Harney Street Omaha, NE

What: Farewell Series #2: Artists Broman, De Forest and Taylor
When: January 4th & 5th
Where: Gallery 72 | 1806 Vinton Street Omaha, NE

What: Pajama Jam! Family Night at the UP Museum
When: January 4th
Where: Union Pacific Railroad Museum 

What: First Friday Old Market
When: January 4th
Where: Old Market | Harney to Jackson Streets & 10th to 13th Streets Omaha, NE

What: Old Market First Friday Trunk Show
When: January 4th
Where: Urban Abbey | 1026 Jackson Street Omaha, NE

What: Omaha Holiday Lights Festival
When: January 4th – 6th
Where: Gene Leahy Pedestrian Mall | 14th & Farnam Streets Omaha, NE

What: Super Sports: Building Strength, Sportsmanship and Smarts 
When: January 4th – 6th
Where: Omaha Children’s Museum | 500 S 20th Street Omaha, NE

What: Holiday Lights Festival: Fireworks Spectacular
When: January 5th
Where: Gene Leahy Pedestrian Mall | 14th & Farnam Streets Omaha, NE

What: Old Market Walking History Tour
When: January 5th
Where: Omaha Visitors Center | 1001 Farnam Street Omaha, NE

What: Raptor Bird Day
When: January 5th
Where: Fontenelle Forest/Neale Woods | 1111 Bellevue Blvd.

What: Art Exhibit: ‘Nebraska Habitat’ by Albert Rhea
When: January 4th – 6th
Where: Lauritzen Gardens | 100 Bancroft Street Omaha, NE

What: Holiday Poinsettia Show Aglow
When: January 4th – 6th
Where: Lauritzen Gardens | 100 Bancroft Street Omaha, NE

What: Urban Surf
When: January 5th
Where: Neighborhood Offshore Boutique & Board Shop

What: Game On: The History and Science of Gaming
When: January 4th – 6th
Where: Strategic Air Command and Aerospace Museum 

What: Joslyn Castle Public Tour
When: January 6th
Where: Joslyn Castle | 3902 Davenport Street Omaha, NE

What: Thomas D Mangelsen: A Life in the Wild 
When: January 4th – 6th
Where: Durham Museum | 801 S 10th Street Omaha, NE

What: Purpose: American Quilts from Shelburne Museum 
When: January 4th – 6th
Where: Joslyn Art Museum | 2200 Dodge Street Omaha, NE

What: Holiday Cultural Trees Display
When: January 4th – 6th
Where: 801 S 10th Street Omaha, NE

If you are thinking of selling your home, from time to time you may catch yourself making mental notes of areas that need repair, carpets that need cleaning and clutter that needs to be sorted and donated/thrown out. Many home owners may not realize the extent of work that needs to be done on their home before it is ready to be put on the market and shown to potential buyers. If you are wondering where to start in the home staging process, and want to do it without breaking the bank, then today’s blog post is for you. There are a few golden rules for you to keep in mind as you prepare and stage your home for potential buyers, and we have listed them below for you to check out. Let’s jump right in!

The first rule we are going to talk about is de-personalizing your home. What do we mean by that? Well, remember the large, framed family photo from three summers ago at Lake Tahoe that you have hanging in the living room? While it may bring you great joy as beautiful memories flood back to you when you look at it, it may not be as appealing to potential buyers who are looking at your home. You want your home to essentially be a blank canvas for buyers to picture themselves settling into. You want them to look at your kitchen and picture their Sunday dinners, your master bedroom as a cozy oasis for them to escape to and your family room as a central hub for gatherings. It will be hard for them to do that if all they see are reminders of how you have made the house yours and all the wonderful time you have spent there. So, with that being said, it is important to remove personal items that you have around your home when staging to sell. 

The next tip we have for you is to de-clutter the space. There is no better way for potential home buyers to picture a blank canvas than for them to see clean and neat spaces. You may even want to think about renting a storage unit if there are items that you think do not add to the space, but that you aren’t quite ready to part with yet. This can include items such as bulky furniture, artwork, kids toys, holiday decorations and clothing that makes your closet look too packed, thus making it appear smaller. De-cluttering will maximize the space in your home, ensuring that potential buyers see the real and full potential of the house. Our next tip is arguably the simplest, and that is to clean/sanitize your home. No one likes a dirty home and you only have one chance to make a first impression on buyers. Whether you hire on a company or choose to grab the rubber gloves and tackle the cleaning yourself, it will be the best time/money you could spend when it comes to staging your home to sell. 

Our last tip for you is to neutralize your home. It is no secret that color can make or break how people view a particular space. And while you may think that bright pink accent wall does wonders for the aesthetic of the home, potential buyers may think otherwise. All they will see is money, time and potential frustration on a home improvement project. One of the most inexpensive ways to change the look and feel of a home is to paint, and we can assure you that updating the space with calming and neutral colors will make a world of difference for buyers. We hope these tips and tricks will help you when it comes to staging your home to sell, and take off some of the stress and guess work on where to start! 

Can you believe it is the last weekend of 2018?! We can’t either! What better way to end one year and ring in a new one than to enjoy fun events making beautiful memories with family and friends. And lucky for you, this weekend is bringing festivities such as a gingerbread festival, a holiday lights festival, art exhibits, a walking food tour, a basketball and hockey game, and much more! We hope you are enjoying this time of year with loved ones and wish you a wonderful 2019! See you in the New Year! 

What: Jim Brickman: A Joyful Christmas
When: December 28th
Where: 1200 Douglas Street Omaha, NE

What: University of Nebraska-Omaha vs. Denver NCAA Men’s Basketball Game
When: December 28th
Where: Baxter Arena | 2425 S 67th Street Omaha, NE

What: 33rd Annual Gingerbread Festival
When: December 28th – 30th
Where: Mormon Trail Center at Historic Winter Quarters

What: Christmas at Union Station
When: December 28th – 30th
Where: Durham Museum | 801 S 10th Street Omaha, NE

What: Holiday Poinsettia Show
When: December 28th – 30th
Where: Lauritzen Gardens | 100 Bancroft Street Omaha, NE

What: Holiday Cultural Trees Display
When: December 28th – 30th
Where: 801 S 10th Street Omaha, NE

What: Holiday Lights Festival: The Capitol District Ice Rink
When: December 28th – 30th
Where: 11th & Capitol Streets Omaha, NE

What: Holidays in The Old Market
When: December 28th – 30th
Where: Old Market | Harney to Jackson Streets & 10th to 13th Streets Omaha, NE

What: Interrogated (Improv)
When: December 28th
Where: The Backline Comedy Theatre | 1618 Harney Street Omaha, NE

What: Miracle on Farnam 
When: December 28th – 30th
Where: Midtown Crossing | 31st – 33rd and Farman Dodge Streets Omaha, NE

What: Omaha Holiday Lights Festival
When: December 28th – 30th 
Where: Gene Leahy Pedestrian Mall | 14th & Farman Streets Omaha, NE

What: Richard Mosse Exhibit
When: December 28th – 30th 
Where: Joslyn Art Museum | 2200 Dodge Street Omaha, NE

What: Thomas D Mangelsen: A Life in the Wild
When: December 28th – 30th
Where: Durham Museum | 801 S 10th Street Omaha, NE

What: Old Market Walking History Tour
When: December 29th & 30th
Where: Omaha Visitors Center | 1001 Farman Street Omaha, NE

What: University of Nebraska-Omaha vs. Alaska Anchorage NCAA Men’s Hockey Game
When: December 29th
Where: Baxter Arena | 2425 S 67th Street Omaha, NE

What: Holiday Lights Festival: The Capitol District Ice Rink
When: December 28th – 30th
Where: 11th & Capitol Streets Omaha, NE

What: Old Market Walking Food Tour
When: December 29th
Where: 1002 Howard Street Omaha, NE

What: Super Sports: Building Strength, Sportsmanship and Smarts 
When: December 28th – 30th
Where: Omaha Children’s Museum | 500 S 20th Street Omaha, NE

What: Urban Surf
When: December 29th
Where: Neighborhood Offshore Boutique & Board Shop

What: Omaha in the Anthropocene Exhibit
When: December 28th – 30th
Where: Durham Museum | 801 S 10th Street Omaha, NE

With all the beautiful places in this country to live, you may be asking yourself why so many people settle on Omaha as their place to call home. And while we may be a little biased, we tend to think that our city has so much to offer from great food, incredible entertainment, endless things to do and safe, friendly neighborhoods – just to name a few. If Omaha has been on your list of potential places to move to but you have been going back and forth on if it will be the right fit for you and your family, today’s post is for you! We will be diving into a few reasons why you should call Omaha home and some of the many reasons why residents are glad they settled here.

We understand that when moving to a new city, many families want to know that there are safe and friendly neighborhoods for them to settle into. And we are happy to report that Omaha is known as being one of the friendliest cities in the country, boasting welcoming neighborhoods with individuals from all walks of life. Located in downtown Omaha is Old Market, which is known as one of the city’s top neighborhoods, sporting many dining and shopping options, taverns, galleries and even charming cobblestone streets. A few other areas to name that offer lots of appeal and desirability are South Omaha, North Omaha, West Omaha and Central Omaha. And for those with young children, rest easy knowing that Omaha has some of the best school systems in the state, and Nebraska overall has a high school graduation rate of about ninety percent – which is one of the highest in the country! There are also many universities and colleges nearby, including University of Nebraska, Creighton University and College of St. Mary. 

If you are worried about running out of events and things to do in Omaha, lets us reassure you that there are plenty of activities to keep you busy every day of the week! Everything from art and theater, to craft breweries, creameries, museums, and much more! A few of the top attractions around the Omaha area include Omaha Children’s Museum, The Rose Theater, Holland Performing Arts, Joslyn Art Museum (the largest art museum in Nebraska), The Durham Museum and CentruryLink Center Omaha, which is home to many large and popular events throughout the year. And for the avid golfer, there are sixteen public and semi-public courses for you to choose from that will allow you to practice your swing and challenge all skill levels. Omaha is also home to Aksarben’s River City Rodeo, which is part of a four-day western festival and the world’s second-largest rodeo. While we could go on about all the wonderful things that Omaha has to offer its residents, we hope that we have provided a little insight as to why so many people love to call Omaha home. We hope to see you soon! 

Can you believe this is the last weekend before Christmas!? We sure can’t. And while many people will be scurrying around town to purchase those pesky last minute gifts, we want to remind everyone that there are many fun and festive activities happening around Omaha this weekend. Take advantage of these events while they are still going on, and enjoy the spirit of the holidays with friends and loved ones!

What: Christmas at Union Station
When: December 21st – 23rd
Where: Durham Museum | 801 S 10th Street Omaha, NE

What: 33rd Annual Gingerbread Festival
When: December 21st – 23rd
Where: Mormon Trail Center at Historic Winter Quarters

What: A Christmas Carol
When: December 21st – 23rd
Where: Omaha Community Playhouse | 6915 Cass Street Omaha, NE

What: Comedy in Omaha at The Backline
When: December 21st & 22nd
Where: The Backline Comedy Theatre | 1618 Harney Street Omaha, NE

What: Holiday Cultural Trees Display
When: December 21st – 23rd
Where: 801 S 10th Street Omaha, NE

What: Game On: The History and Science of Gaming
When: December 21st – 23rd
Where: Strategic Air Command and Aerospace Museum

What: Holiday Poinsettia Show
When: December 21st – 23rd
Where: Lauritzen Gardens | 100 Bancroft Street Omaha, NE

What: Holiday Lights Festival: The Capitol District Ice Rink
When: December 21st – 23rd
Where: 11th & Capitol Streets Omaha, NE

What: Holiday Under Glass at Joslyn Art Museum 
When: December 21st
Where: Joslyn Art Museum | 2200 Dodge Street Omaha, NE

What: Holidays in The Old Market
When: December 21st – 23rd
Where: Old Market | Harney to Jackson Streets & 10th to 13th Streets

What: Karaoke Friday Nights
When: December 21st
Where: 510 N. 33rd Street Omaha, NE

What: Omaha Holiday Lights Festival
When: December 21st – 23rd 
Where: Gene Leahy Pedestrian Mall | 14th & Farnam Streets Omaha, NE

What: Santa’s Magic
When: December 21st & 22nd
Where: Omaha Children’s Museum | 500 S 20th Street Omaha, NE

What: Super Sports: Building Strength, Sportsmanship and Smarts
When: December 21st – 23rd
Where: Omaha Children’s Museum | 500 S 20th Street Omaha, NE

What: Holiday Cocktails & Appetizers Cooking Class
When: December 22nd
Where: Provisions by the Grey Plume | 3167 Farnam Street Suite 7106

What: Mannheim Steamroller Christmas
When: December 22nd & 23rd
Where: Orpheum Theater | 408 S 16th Street Omaha, NE

What: Holiday Concert Series
When: December 22nd
Where: Durham Museum | 801 S 10th Street Omaha, NE

What: Omaha in the Anthropocene Exhibit
When: December 21st – 23rd
Where: Durham Museum | 801 S 10th Street Omaha, NE 

What: Urban Surf
When: December 22nd
Where: Neighborhood Offshore Boutique & Board Shop

What: Richard Mosse Exhibit
When: December 21st & 22nd
Where: Joslyn Art Museum | 2200 Dodge Street Omaha, NE

It’s that time of year when people trade their light, fall jackets for an insulted, warm coat, and their fashion forward strappy sandals for knee high boots. It also means that when outside temperatures drop, homeowners can expect their monthly electric bill to rise. It happens each year, yet many people are still shocked when they see that first heating bill come their way. So instead of breaking out the extra blankets and sleeping with seven layers on, we have a few tips and tricks below that will help to keep your home warm and comfortable, without breaking your wallet with extreme heating bills every month!

The first tip we have for you may come as a surprise to many people as it involves your ceiling fan. Many people associate their ceiling fan with keeping cool in the warmer summer months, but many fan models can also be adjusted to spin clockwise to help keep you warm in the winter. How does this work you ask? With the blades spinning clockwise, the fan will actually drive the warm air that rose up to the ceiling back down to keep the temperature of the room warmer.  Next, you want to be sure to seal any ducts and/or cracks in windows and doors as that can account for much of the heat loss that can occur within your home. Fun fact – you can also save up to ten percent on your monthly heating costs just by caulking leaky windows and doors or installing weather-stripping throughout your house.

Our third tip is to make sure that you are keeping your chimney closed when it is not in use. You may also consider investing in a chimney balloon, which is an inflatable device inserted into the chimney to help keep the warm air in and the cold air out. Lastly, you want to always make sure that you are changing your air filters, as dirty filters can actually restrict airflow which in turns increases the energy use in your home. And did you know that just by changing your furnace or heating unit filter every three months can actually save you from four to six percent on your heating costs yearly!? If that isn’t a motivator to get those filters changed I don’t know what is!