Earlier this year, I talked about an issue I had with my bathroom exhaust fan, and how the problems it caused were ultimately mitigated by the purchase of a temporary electric fan. Since then, I've been rethinking exhaust fans – which are typically found in bathrooms or above stoves – as they can pose big problems for households that are trying to maximize their energy savings and pose a safety concern, as evidenced by a recent story.

For example, it's hard to tell whether or not these home fixtures are functioning at their maximum capacity – keeping cold air out in the winter and the hot breezes out in the summer. The best I've come up with is the tissue paper test that aims to determine if the proper airflow is being maintained (I'm certainly open to suggestions).

However, a recent release from the City of Las Vegas should serve as a reminder for individuals to check their exhaust fans, even if they use electric fans to mitigate their use. On December 8, a family of five was rescued from their burning home by firefighters. After starting in the ceiling, the fire was able to spread to other rooms of the house through the exhaust pipe (which is connected to the fan), causing an estimated $250,000 worth of damage.

According to Firehouse.com, one of the news sources that reported the story, exhaust fans should be vacuumed regularly. This build up could cause the motor to run hot and pose a fire risk, as this component could overheat.

But, regardless of your feelings on the exhaust fans, electric fans can be a valuable asset when used correctly, increasing airflow and helping homeowners get the most from their existing products, and they may be a safer, less expensive option.

This holiday season, as many of you are enjoying your new high-tech gadgets, classic toys and holiday gear, others will doubtless be thinking of the many ways they can spend their newly acquired cash.

One of the best ways to spend money, however, is to invest in household products, whether it's replacing old items that need repair or buying a new device that can improve your quality of life while providing a greater return. As such, I'd like to advise readers to think about how their extra holiday cash could be used wisely on electric fans, heaters or air conditioners, especially since post-holiday deals can be among the most attractive consumers see all year.

For example, in addition to shipping discounts and even pricing markdowns, some home improvement stores are offering alternative financing offers that could allow more homeowners to acquire a top-notch new unit.

Some offers I've seen online go so far as to say that consumers won't rack up any interest on these new purchases, provided they make the payment within a certain amount of time and spend over a certain amount. However, I would recommend that consumers use caution when considering this type of option.

After all, simply because interest payments are out of the picture, doesn't mean that consumers should spend outside their previously determined price range. The best option consumers may have is to pursue low-cost items that have been marked down even further.

Those looking to replace an older, broken humidifier, for instance, may be wise to purchase a two-gallon unit if these machines are discounted. In turn, the savings can allow buyers to invest this money in accessories that would have been out of their price range.

With the hectic holiday season, I've had a full plate (and less than enough time to spend working on my home or those for others). As a result, I've been doing more news trolling than actual home repair work of late. But, it's always good to stay current on trends, especially as new advances in technology can only help us better protect our homes from wasted spending, drafts and other inconveniences.

A reader passed on a story from The New York Times today (it was published on December 7), and I wanted to share it with everyone. In it, Farhad Manjoo talks about the thermostats of the future, or at least the expensive ones of the present. (He starts off by saying thermostats can be annoying. I would say what's really annoying is heating your home with only fire… but, I digress.)

Manjoo does get to some good information in his piece, however. For example, he talks about how internet-equipped thermostats could soon change the industry. These models allow you to be at work or soccer practice or what-have-you and change the temperature of your home with a click of a computer button. While I'm all for convenience (see my koozie collection), what I don't feel comfortable with is no longer being able to fix any problems with my thermostat that arise.

That's why I stick to manual thermostats, and have ever since digital options came out. Not that digital options are a bad purchase, they can be very handy, I just know that I want to be able to fix my manual thermostat as quickly as possible when problems arise.

When thermostats break, home heating levels can become uncomfortable and the wasted spending from this malfunction could be great, even when not factoring in any needed service. That's why I'll be recommending manual thermostats this holiday season. Call me old fashioned, but if it ain't broke…

I've written a bit about electric heater safety in the past, and I wanted to touch on it again today in time for the holidays. I know things can get pretty hectic with gift shopping and all, but this shouldn't be an excuse to let standard household chores fall by the wayside. I may be starting this piece on a bit of a dour note, but it's in response to an article I read this morning.

On December 13, in Chattanooga, Tennessee, firefighters were dispatched to a house fire. According to the report from WRCB, a local NBC affiliate, no one was home when they arrived. While the firefighters were able to control the fire to a hallway, the house suffered from smoke and water damage. Now, the owners could be on the hook for $25,000 in renovations.

The culprit for the crime wasn't a neighborhood teenager, but a faulty electrical extension cord that was supporting an electric heater. As I mentioned in a previous post, manufacturers recommend that these devices be plugged directly into the wall, as many extension cords can't provide the power they need to operate.

As a result, you may want to take some time over the next week (in between all of the baking and shopping) to ensure your appliances are all plugged in and working correctly, especially if you're hosting. There's nothing worse than needing to replace a manual thermostat, and not finding out until it's too late to repair the problem.

And for those of you who use electric heaters to reduce your energy costs, remember, while repairing an electric heater is inevitable (after all, I use mine day-in and day-out), they still need periodic care and supervision.