The goal of increasing the use of electric technologies to reduce dependency on fossil fuels — natural gas, gasoline, propane and more — but not everyone is ready to make the change. Whether they're just used to natural gas or are skeptical of going electric, many people have likely heard and fear these electrification myths. Let's get to the bottom of it.

1.Going electric will decrease your electricity bill

Going electric can help you save on energy costs, but having more appliances and devices that use electricity will actually increase your monthly electricity bill. The cost savings result from using clean and inexpensive electricity instead of costly gasoline, diesel fuel and fuel oil.

2.Natural gas produces fewer emissions

Electric appliances and equipment produce no site emissions, and generating electricity produces far less greenhouse gas emissions than vehicles burning fossil fuels. With the growing popularity of renewable energy sources, the future is looking brighter and brighter for clean, green electricity.

3.Electricity provided by renewable sources is not reliable

Renewable energy sources are not only reliable and cheaper, but they also strengthen the electric grid. Getting electricity from wind, solar and other renewable energy sources makes the grid more secure and resistant to service disruptions. Plus, batteries can store extra power until needed, making renewables an even more resilient option.

4.Going electric is too difficult

Though electrifying an entire home at once may be overwhelming, taking small steps toward electrification is as easy as upgrading an old appliance, tool or device. Heat pumps, water heaters, cooktops, lawn equipment and more can be replaced with electric models, electrifying your home one step at a time.

5.Electric appliances require more maintenance

Electric vehicles, appliances and devices have fewer moving parts than their fuel-burning counterparts. Fewer things that can break means less maintenance, resulting in reduced maintenance costs. With long life expectancies, you can expect to save money with efficient, reliable electric appliances and systems for many years.

Ready to make the switch? Electrifying your home can help you and your family save money and energy while living sustainable and healthy lives.

Every holiday season, U.S. fire departments respond to an average of 200 home fires that started with lighted trees, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Electrical problems caused one-third of these incidents. Fortunately, these fires are not common, but when they occur they are almost always serious.

To make sure your holiday season remains cheerful, keep the following safety tips in mind while decorating your home:

1. Use lights that have been tested for safety. Look for "UL" on the tag, which means the lights have been approved by Underwriters Laboratories, a global leader in testing, inspection and certification.

2. Inspect lights for broken or cracked sockets, frayed wires or loose connections. If you encounter any of these problems, throw them away.

3. Limit the number of light strands to three per outlet. For added safety, use a power strip with a built-in circuit breaker instead of a wall outlet.

4. Replace incandescent lights with LEDs. They generate less heat, which makes them a safer choice both indoors and out. LED lights also last much longer and use 75% less electricity — two additional reasons to make the switch.

5. Use the right lights. For outdoor decorations, use only light strings and extension cords rated for outdoor use.

6. Be careful with extension cords. Avoid running extension cords in high-traffic areas where people could trip over them. Don't hide extension cords under rugs or beneath furniture, where they could become frayed or overheat.

7. Turn off lights late at night or when no one is home. Make safety more convenient by plugging decorations into timer controls, which automatically turn lights on and off according to a set schedule.

8. Plug safely outdoors. Make sure outdoor lights are plugged into a ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlet. These are designed to protect against shock by automatically turning off when a change in electrical flow occurs.

Before you brighten up the holidays with indoor and outdoor light displays that everyone will love, keep everyone safe with these tips.

Sustainable living is often seen as friendlier to the environment than your bank account. Some projects, such as adding solar panels, do take a lot of green. Sustainability, however, doesn't have to leave you drowning in red ink. These low-cost projects (each about $200 or less) will help you cut energy costs and reduce your impact on the environment without building up a pile of debt.

Plant some shade

Planting leafy trees around the south and east side of your home can help cut cooling costs while contributing to the fight against global warming. In summer, the leaves provide cooling shade. In winter, the bare trees allow the warming sun to shine through, saving on heating costs. Trees also gobble up carbon dioxide.

Select fast-growing trees, such as maples, burr oaks and river birches. You can generally plant shade trees for less than $200, although costs vary depending on tree size and type. See Energy Saver 101 Landscaping from the U.S. Department of Energy for more information.

Start a compost bin

You may think of composting as dirty and smelly, but it creates a rich soil additive that can improve your lawn and garden while reducing the need for chemical fertilizers. Good stuff to compost includes grass clippings, wood chips, leaves, house plants, fruits and vegetables.

You can purchase a compost bin for as little as $50, although larger bins with extra features will cost more. Or, build your own; all you need is lumber, hardware and a little time. See Composting at Home from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for more information.

Set up a rain barrel

Lawn and garden watering make up nearly 40% of total household water use during the summer. A rain barrel collects water and stores it, providing a supply of soft water free of chlorine, lime or calcium.

A rain barrel can save you up to 1,300 gallons of water during the summer, according to the EPA. Rain barrels also divert water from storm drains, which decreases the impact of runoff to streams. Rain barrels typically cost between $100 and $200, although decorative models may cost more.

Hang a clothesline

Clothes dryers use a lot of energy, costing as much as $100 a year or more. Why not air-dry your clothes for free? Clotheslines use no energy and fresh air is easier on your clothing than the intense heat of the dryer.

Clotheslines are simple to make; just attach a line between two stationary objects. Clothesline kits are available for purchase. Retractable sets, which can be moved out of the way when not in use, are also available. The cost is typically less than $50.

You're off to a good start, but don't stop now. Remember to reduce, reuse and recycle. Install low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators to conserve water and save energy. By taking these actions, you'll be well on your way to a more sustainable lifestyle at a sustainable cost.