We recently traveled to Asia and needed to find a reliable, yet safe insect repellent or natural mosquito repellent. DEET is a strong effective repellent but looking at a toxicology report on DEET makes one squirm and the NRDC has some warnings on it. Recent research shows that DEET is a neurotoxin and could have long-term effects. Moreover, DEET may increase the toxicity of other chemicals to which people are exposed. EPA lists it in Toxicity Category III for eye, dermal and oral.

If you must use a DEET containg Insect repellant  choose one containing 30% of DEET. The protection afforded by 30% is sufficient for almost all circumstances. In Canada, 30% is their legal limit.

Another alternative is Picaridin, also known around the world as KBR3023, or Bayrepel (trademark of Bayer AG). It was developed by Bayer. EPA ranks its toxicity as Toxicity Category III for acute oral and acute dermal. Toxicity Category IV for primary eye and skin irritation.  Several insect repellents use this chemical.

We choose to use Burt’s Bees Herbal Insect Repellent as or Natural mosquito Repellent. Rosemary, Lemongrass, and Citronella oils mix with 5 other oils that bugs hate. The proof was that it worked well on our trip and prevents all the bug bites our fellow travelers got.  Different insects work in alternate ways, so this may not be potent in other regions.

People are trying to save money by reducing or eliminating their Cable or Satellite TV bills.  Many people do not realize that all recent HDTVs have digital tuners built in designed to pull in Free TV signals with an antenna. The number of channels you will receive will vary by your location.  We use a simple indoor antenna to receive many local channels in HD.

AntennaWeb is an industry website designed to help you maximize your television reception.

We have covered the Digital TV Transition in the past, so if you  have an old TV, sign up for digital converter box coupons. These boxes use the same antennas to pickup free programming.

Most modern flat panel TVs have VGA computer inputs, so you can hook up your computer and view online broadcast sites like Hulu and nuke your monthly cable TV or satellite TV bills.

If you want to build your own antenna, check out this video.

Here are a couple easy ways to reduce the amount of energy your water heater uses:

1) Lower the setting so that water is heated to about 110-120 degrees. Many are set to 140 or higher.

2) Wrap the water heater in an insulating thermal blanket. Cost about $10. Possible savings of 4-9% on your water heating bill. Also insulate the hot water pipe, cost about $2 per foot.

3) Use less hot water.  Take faster showers and use low flow showerheads and faucet aerators to save water.

4) If you are in earthquake territory, strap your water heater to the wall and install flexible hoses.

5) Wash your hands with cold water. Hot water hasn’t been proven to remove germs better.

Consider a tankless water heater when replacing a water heater. These new models heat water on demand, not continuously.  They have Energy Factor (EF) ratings of about 0.80. They are not for everyone, I was unable to use one because of the gas pipe and exhaust requirements.

Alternately you could replace your water heater with a modern more efficient unit.  Natural Gas models have up to 0.67 Energy Factor (EF) ratings now. Modern electric ones have a 0.93 Energy Factor.

Summer here and it is hot. Housing accounts for 20% of total US energy use with heating and cooling consuming a whopping 44% of residential energy use.

Here is an alternatives to Air Conditioners, the Evaporative Cooler (also known as a swamp cooler). These devices cool air through simple evaporation of water.  These are best used in hot conditions where the humidity is low. The Southwest including Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, Arizona are prime places for Evaporative Coolers.

Evaporative Coolers are cheaper than air conditioners and cost much less to operate.  They do require a constant supply of water to wet the pads. Portable units around $100 are available. Some local power utility companies offer rebates, so check with your local utility.

Be sure to read our article Air Conditioner Energy Savings

We’ve covered the economics of a vegetable garden in the past.  While they are quite favorable, so people do not have the space or green thumb to start a full blown garden. Granted these items do cost money.

Earth Solutions sells a Farm in a Box that lets people easily “grow organic fish and vegetables in natural harmony, with no dirt and weeds!”

Earthbox is a “maintenance-free, award-winning, high-tech growing system controls soil conditions, eliminates guesswork and more than doubles the yield of a conventional garden- with less fertilizer, less water and virtually no effort.” Amazon even sells this.