Fall coming and a chill is in the air.  It is time to get prepared for colder and wetter weather. Not only can we make our  home more comfortable, we can save on our energy bill.

1. Conduct an energy assessment or energy audit
2. Get your heater or furnace serviced or upgraded. Replace air filters on heaters and air conditioners.
3. Setup your programmable thermostat
4. Check Your smoke detectors and change their batteries. Install carbon monoxide detectors if you don’t have any. They are now required in certain states.
5. Seal air leaks, add insulation, fix leaky air ducts. Also insulate any exposed outdoor plumbing
6. Clean your gutters and drain pipe
7. Tune your sprinkler system or install a Smart controller
8. Take advantage of the Federal Tax Credit for Energy Efficiency for wind, geothermal, solar, and more.
9. Cut back any tree branches or foliage that is in danger of falling
10. Check and fix your deck for leaks, cracks, and nails in need of repair
11. If you live in the North and have a lawn, it may be time to fertilize your lawn

Going green makes the cold season more bearable and easier on the wallet.

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Summer is rapidly approaching, it is time to clean up your place. Getting ready for summer can generate a lot of waste. The warmer weather opens up the opportunity to get outside more often as well as requires us to cool down the home.

EWG has a nice list of tips to help you clean your house the green or more eco-friendly way.

• When traveling on vacation, try to carpool, take public transportation, or walk as much as possible
• Check the exterior of your home and repair any cracked or flaking paint,. Time to apply caulk, weatherstrip and paint.
• Check and clean gutters, downspouts again
• Remove and clean storm windows (if you have them)
• It is time to work on your garden, sprinkler system, and rejuvenate your lawn
• Check your water heater for leaks and sediment, turn down its temperature if possible
• Check your garden’s irrigation system and outdoor taps
• Look for termites, ants, and other pests
• The heater will get a rest, so it’s time to check and clean your air conditioner and its filters. Have a HVAC professional do seasonal maintenance
• Check your roof and patch or replace any damaged areas. This is the time to fix leaks
• Check and clean chimney if necessary
• Consider a solar electric system and/or battery backup
• If you live in a windy area, consider a wind turbine
• If you your car needs replacement, consider purchasing a hybrid or all electric car

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April 27, 2004 10am local time, is National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day.

The DEA is promoting this day for people to turn in your unused or expired medication for safe disposal. They have a local collection site locator on their website. Over 5600 sites will take back items. Several cities near me are participating with most drop of locations at police stations. Last year 324 tons was taken back and recycled.

It is important to recycle drugs and recycle medicine properly!

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Happy Earth Day, Monday April 22, 2024. It’s great that more attention is being paid to eco friendly, green causes. Earth Day started slow, but has gained momentum every year. We celebrate it everyday as do many of our readers. Look for local events in your community.

It was first celebrated in 1970, and since then it has grown to become a global movement involving more than 1 billion people in over 190 countries. The day is marked by various activities such as tree-planting, recycling campaigns, and educational events aimed at promoting environmental conservation and sustainability.

Take time to help educate friends, neighbors, family members, and strangers about ways to lead a more eco friendly or green lifestyle. Only through extended enlightenment, can the cause succeed. Read the rest of this entry »

Spring is rapidly approaching, it is time to clean up your place. EWG Has a nice list of tips to help you clean your house the green more eco-friendly way.

• Check the exterior of your home and repair any cracked or flaking paint
• Check and clean gutters again
• It is time to work on your garden and rejuvenate your lawn
• Inspect and test your sprinkler system. It will be needed soon
• Clean out your garage and closets. The holiday season is over and it is time to donate useless items and recycle other things
• Bad weather is over. Your car needs some TLC. Change its oil if necessary, get an inspection, clean and wax its exterior
• Check and clean chimney if necessary
• The heater will get a rest, so it’s time to check your air conditioner and its filters
• Check your roof and patch or replace any damaged areas

Spring cleaning is a yearly tradition that involves deep cleaning and decluttering the home in the springtime. It is a time to refresh the living space, get rid of the old and make room for the new

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Having an Eco Friendly Green Valentine’s Day or any holiday, is more and more desirable these days. How can you green your Valentine’s Day?

• Instead of a Valentine’s Day card, send a virtual Valentine’s Day card or make your own card
• Dark Chocolate has been found to have worrisome levels of dangerous heavy metals. How about some other treat?
• If you must send flowers, try to purchase flowers that were grown locally to your area or ones that are Fair trade Certified
• Why spend a large amount of money and resources eating out, when a romantic dinner is even better?
• Buy your meats and vegetables for your big meal from a local farmers market or from local sources
• Buy any new garments from a high-quality used clothing store
• Utilize reusable bags to hold gifts
• Compost any meals leftovers, flowers, cards etc.
• Give out green oriented treats like handwritten poems, homemade scents, and handmade arts and crafts.
• Observe eco-friendly romantic relations

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Last Update: 8/20/2024

Before Considering Recycling

Lets get real, recycling is the last resort for getting rid of waste.  The vast majority of items do not get recycled. Plastics break down into microplastics that pollute our environment and animals. We’ve grown to understand that REDUCE is far more important.

We should instead: Read the rest of this entry »

Everyone wants to look good and feel good about their body!

• Did you know that many cosmetics that women use on a daily basis may contain toxic ingredients?
• Most cosmetics don’t even have an ingredients list on them!

It’s time people know what they are putting on their body.

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New TXU Energy rebates have been added.

Utility Company TXU Energy has a bunch of programs and incentives to help save energy, go green, and save money. They serve the Texas area and are the Number 1 Electricity Provider in the State.

• Solar Buyback Credits
• Sign up for renewable energy in Texas

Questions, call TXU Energy at 1-800-883-6060.

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New PG&E rebates have been added for 2024. Most expire December 31.

Our local utility Pacific Gas and Electric – PG&E has cash rebates and ways to go green and save money. Here are some PG&E Energy Efficiency Rebates

PG&E Rebates

• Rebate Catalog
• California Clean Vehicle Savings – Rebate Project
• Business Rebate Catalog
• Upgrade our AC and more with financing support by the state of CA
• Solar Water Heater rebates up to $4366 7/31/2020 is last application date
• Multi-Family Property PG&E Rebates

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