Winter time brings on the bugs, seemingly at the same time every year. The ants in our area seem to love to visit our kitchen when the first heavy rains hit. Almost everyone has to deal with pests.  Whether indoor or outdoors, we need to think about eco friendly, green alternatives to toxic pesticides. Here are some Winter Pest Control Tips that we have found from trial and error.

Access control – Finding Where Ants are Coming From

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The holidays are here!  The media has reported that the average person gains 7 to 10 pounds between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Ouch. Big dinners, more alcohol, more snacks, more finger foods, tempting desserts, and appetizers. How can we work to combat those pounds?

Small Packages of Food

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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. Read the rest of this entry »

Buy Safe cookware!

We are concerned about chemicals in our food, but another source of toxins is from the cookware that we use in our kitchens. It is important that we understand the different types of cookware and possible dangers. There has been significant media coverage on problems with different non-stick coatings off gassing, especially when subject to high heat.

A leading consumer magazine recently reviewed green pan cookware. Our eyes are always looking for highly rated green cookware. We have covered Teflon coatings on cookware in the past. EWG has plenty of information on Teflon dangers. Ski wax also contains PFOA.

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Many of us have Inkjet Printers that require expensive ink cartridges. They seem to run out fast or dry out after periods of inactivity. Here are some tips to fight back.

Inkjet Cartridges Get more Expensive

In September 2016, HP issued a software update to various printers that PREVENTS them from using non HP Ink! Do not install this.  They reversed course in October 2016 to update the software again and remove this restriction.

The printers affected by the firmware upgrade are HP Officejet Pro 8610, HP Officejet Pro 8615, HP Officejet Pro 8620, HP Officejet Pro 8625, HP Officejet Pro 8630, and HP Officejet Pro 6230 ePrinter, HP Officejet Pro 6830 e-All-in-One Printer, HP Officejet Pro 6835 e-All-in-One Printer, HP Officejet 6812 e-All-in-One Printer, HP Officejet 6815 e-All-in-One Printer

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New PG&E rebates have been added for 2023. 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

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New rebates have been added for 2023

Southern California’s power utility Southern California Edison rebates are here.  SCE has a bunch of cash SCE rebates and ways to go green and save money.

• Smart Thermostat Rebate up to $75
• $1000 rebate heat Pump Water Heaters
• Up to $300 per ton on Central HVAC Heat Pumps
• It pays to drive electric
• $50 rebate on Power Stations
• You may be eligible to save $1,500 or more for purchasing or leasing a new electric vehicle.

You can print out rebate forms online and then send in proof of purchase.

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Last Update: January 2023

Get a Free Solar Power Estimate from a local vendor by clicking the link to the right.

2023 continues the very popular residential Solar Federal Tax Credit or Investment Tax Credit first enacted in 2009.  With the new credit, you can claim up to 30% of solar power costs for a new solar electric system off your Federal taxes. Existing homes & new construction qualify. Both principal residences and second homes qualify. Rental properties do not qualify. 

In August 2022, Congress passed an extension of the ITC, raising it to 30% for the installation of which was between 2022-2032. (Systems installed on or before December 31, 2019 were also eligible for a 30% tax credit.) Read the rest of this entry »

Seaspiracy

In 2021 a documentary called Seaspiracy hit Netflix. It definitely presents all the problems with the commercialized fishing industry. Trawling nets destroying kelp and coral, over fishing, chemical dye and more. Illegal fishing is depleting fish stocks all over the world. There isn’t a simple solution, but awareness is the first step. Even fishfarming generates a lot of toxic waste.

The problem is, it’s only solution was to STOP EATING FISH. Some would combine it with stop eating meat and just eat vegetables.

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