We saw and ad for a Healthy Pet Kit with Halo all-natural meals and snacks for dogs and cats.  Halo’s tag line is “You are what you eat” is true for animals as well as for us. Read the ingredients. Can you identify them? Are there inferior by-products, “meals” or chemicals?”  Many mass produced pet foods are made with items humans would not want to eat. The FDA has some regulations for pet food.

Organix dog food with organic ingredients.  Note the name is bordering on misleading as there is no definition for organic dog food. It is great that this food has never been recalled and uses no chicken meal or other rendered meats, but will it make your pet healthier? Halo gets a plug from Ellen DeGeneres for helping her cat. Even Amazon sells the stuff and has some positive reviews.  Newman’s even makes organic pet food.

There are books like Food Pets Die For: Shocking Facts About Pet Food covering the ‘shocking facts’ like the one from Ann Martin.  Recommendations for the best pet food is balanced food that is home made. A pain to make but you probably guessed the answer.  All Recipes has a section full of pet food recipes.

Pet Obesity

Unfortunately pets are mirroring their owners obesity epidemic.  Obese pets are 30% above their normal weight, making 1/5 of dogs and cats fit this description.  It is important to not overfeed pets, to exercise them regularly, so that you prevent common diseases including diabetes, arthritis, kidney failure, and cancer.

More Eco Friendly Green Pet Tips:

To get rid of those pet odors on your carpet, sprinkle baking soda and vacuum.

Be sure to use all natural kitty litter that has no fragrances and no silica that can cause health problems.

Be sure to use eco friendly dog waste bags.

Pet Flea Collar Dangers

photo credit: me and the sysop

Natural Resources Defense Council analysis reveals that some pet flea collars can create toxic chemical residues on pet fur that threaten human health.

“In new scientific analysis also released today, NRDC found high levels of propoxur and tetrachlorvinphos (TCVP), another carcinogenic neurotoxin common in household pet products, on pet fur after use of ordinary flea collars. NRDC is also petitioning the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), calling for the removal of these chemicals from pet products.”

Their Green Paws website has guides on what to avoid.

New rebates have been added for 2011.

Utility Company Connecticut Light and Power has a bunch of energy efficiency programs and incentives to help save energy and money.

• CFL Light bulb Incentives
• Home Energy Audit Special Offer. only $75
• Energy Efficient Heating and Cooling Equipment rebate up $500 to Exp 3/1/2011
• High Efficiency Gas Water Heater $300 Rebate. Exp 12/31/2011
• Connecticut Solar Energy Rebates are available.
• Energy efficiency options for new or existing multifamily buildings

Questions, call 1-800-286-2000.

Always check your local utility’s web site for rebates before you buy a new item. We recently bought a new dishwasher that had a $50 utility company rebate that was not advertised by the store. They fulfilled the rebate in only 2 weeks. Green your home and get cash back. Most rebates run through December 31 or while funding is available.

Federal Energy Efficiency Tax Credit

Be sure to also take advantage of the Federal Energy Efficiency Tax Credit. This Federal tax credit can save you money in addition to your utility companies’ promotions. It applies to many items including: Wind Turbines - GeoThermal Heat Pump – Solar panels.

Additional Resources for more information

Read our article: Ways to Save Energy, Money on your Energy Bill – It is full of tips to save you money.

Interested in Solar? Read our article Are Solar Panels for Me?

Other Power Utility Company Rebates

For Northern California Energy Rebates see: PG&E Energy Efficiency Rebates
For Southern California see: SCE Rebates or Southern California Edison Rebate for Energy Efficiency
For San Diego see: SDGE Rebates, SDG&E, or San Diego Gas and Electric Rebate for Energy Efficiency
Energy Efficiency Rebates for other locations.

New rebates have been added for 2011.

Utility Company Dominion has a bunch of programs and incentives to help save energy and money.

1. Buy qualifying ENERGY STAR® lighting from participating stores, you will receive an automatic discount from Dominion.
2. Get $40 for letting Dominion cycle on and off your air-conditioning system during periods of peak demand.
3. Home Energy Improvement program is a free in-home energy audit and improvement program for income-qualified customers.

Questions, call 1-888-366-8280.

Ohio Advanced Energy Program Grants
West Virginia Solar Energy Tax Credit

Always check your local utility’s web site for rebates before you buy a new item. We recently bought a new dishwasher that had a $50 utility company rebate that was not advertised by the store. They fulfilled the rebate in only 2 weeks. Green your home and get cash back. Most rebates run through December 31 or while funding is available.

Federal Energy Efficiency Tax Credit

Be sure to also take advantage of the Federal Energy Efficiency Tax Credit. This Federal tax credit can save you money in addition to your utility companies’ promotions. It applies to many items including: Wind Turbines - GeoThermal Heat Pump – Solar panels.

Additional Resources for more information

Read our article: Ways to Save Energy, Money on your Energy Bill – It is full of tips to save you money.

Interested in Solar? Read our article Are Solar Panels for Me?

Other Power Utility Company Rebates

For Northern California Energy Rebates see: PG&E Energy Efficiency Rebates
For Southern California see: SCE Rebates or Southern California Edison Rebate for Energy Efficiency
For San Diego see: SDGE Rebates, SDG&E, or San Diego Gas and Electric Rebate for Energy Efficiency
Energy Efficiency Rebates for other locations.

Did you know you could save energy and have a more comfortable house with a “cool roof” ? A cool roof is one designed to reflect a high percentage of the sun’s heat, rather than absorbing it. Lower roof temperatures mean less heat transfer into the building, saving on your air conditioning and electricity during the summer.

Painting your roof white

White colored roofs are Energy Saving, green, and Eco Friendly because they reflect the sun’s rays and reduce the temperature inside buildings.  Black roofs absorb 80% of solar energy, while white ones can reflect 75% away.  Reduce energy costs by 20% in studies by Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. Steven Chu, President Obama’s Energy Secretary reiterated this fact. New dark colored pigments are now available for many cool roof roofing materials.

Over a 15 year. If all eligible flat rooms in major cities were recolored white color, that would offset the heating effect of 15,000,000,000 tons of CO2turn off the entire world’s CO2 emissions for four months.

These are also known as Cool Roofs. Because the roof will not be as hot, it will also last longer and cost less to maintain.

The next time you have to paint your roof, paint it white.

Cool roof products

• Single ply, cool roofing materials in prefabricated sheets
• Reflective tiles for steep sloped roofs are available in various colors
• Energy Star rated metal roofs
• Cool Roof Rating Council identifies qualifying products

Foam roofs

Our roof is made out of foam.  This type of material is best when you have a flat roof.  The polyurethane foam is sprayed on and lasts a long time.  We notice that our foam roof helps keep the warmth in during winter, and the house cool during summer. Occasionally divets develop in the foam from birds pecking on it. You need to fill this holes in from time to time.

Green Roof

Another alternative is to create a green roof which consists of planting on top of your roof. This living roof helps insulate during the winter and cools the interior during the summer. Homes located in snowy areas typically have strong roofs that can support a green roof. Those located in the West or South may not have roofs that can support the additional weight.

Here are some ways to create a green roof:

• Plant directly on the roof using a 4 – 6 inch soil blanket.
• Use planter boxers or raised beds. A good option if your roof might contain toxins.
• Plant using hydroponics, as this avoids the weight of soil.

These different roof choices will help you save energy, save money, and help your home be more green and eco friendly.

Federal tax credit for Energy Efficiency

The new Federal Tax Credit For Energy Efficiency includes a 10%, upto $500 tax credit for installing Energy Star certified metal roofs by 12/31/2011.  Metal roofs last longer than asphalt roofs and are made of recycled steel.  You can also install them over your present roof. Contractors are also hungry for work, so their rates should be much more reasonable now.

Clearly this type of greening is only appropriate if you need to replace your roof.

Unwanted cell phone, computer, or other electronics? You could sell it on eBay or Craigslist. Freecycle is a site that helps connect donors with recipients.

If your electronics gadget is broken, try fixing it first.

Amazon has a new electronics trade-in program.

Best Buy just started a new Buyback Program where you can get a gift card for bringing back items that you have purchased from them.  One caveat is that you need to pay extra to enroll in this program, although there is a promotion where it is free right now.  Return your notebook or TV or smart phone within 6 months and get 50% back, get 40% back if you wait up to one year, and so on.  This is a great program for people who don’t sell items on eBay,  where you could get more money, no doubt.

Costco has a new electronics Trade-In & Recycle Program powered by Gazelle. Another way to rid yourself of unwanted items.

Costco’s Trade-In & Recycle Program now puts more money in your wallet. Responsibly trade-in electronic gadgets (such as laptops, cell phones, LCD monitors, digital cameras, MP3 players, gaming systems & more) for Costco Cash good for anything in Costco warehouses or at Costco.com.”

How much do you get?  We checked the value of a Canon SD1000 digital camera. They list it at $41 for one in good condition with all accessories. Used ones had been sold for $70 to $100+, so you are paying a hefty premium to use Costco’s convenience.

Places like TechForward sell Guaranteed Buyback plans for electronics. Lock in a future trade-in value on your gadgets.

Not worth it?  Recycle your electronics responsibly.