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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Last Update: 2/18/2019

Is this Okay to Eat?

Every year it seems that a new study comes up telling us that another popular food is unhealthy or causes cancer. The latest controversy in 2015 was over processed meats and the WHO declaring that bacon, hot dogs, etc cause colorectal cancer. It seems what is good this year, is bad the next.  Is Kale next?

Everyone knows about the major food groups, eating a balanced diet, and following USDA’s My Plate. Here are some healthy  food options that we have read about that help people avoid harmful chemicals.

Plant Based Diets

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The sun is finally out again. I did not realize that finding an eco friendly or green sunscreen was a difficult task, especially when one is on vacation.  EWG reports that UV filtering ingredients in sunscreen have been proven to cause bleaching in the algae that lives on coral, thus killing the entire structure. EWG only recommended 8% of the sunscreens they tested.

The Food and Drug Administration revamped sunscreen rules in June 2011. The new rules should help demystify the sun blocking properties of sunscreens.

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Last Update: 8/2/2018

Why an Electric Vehicle (EV)?

• They are more green. EVs convert 77% of electrical energy into power at the wheels.  Gas cars only efficiently use only 12-30% of energy in gas.
• Driving the average EV using grid-supplied energy creates carbon emissions equivalent to a 122MPG gas car in California.
• EV charging for home owners is easy. Those in apartments and multi-family dwellings need to ask owners to install chargers, otherwise you will need to charge at a public facility.

Tesla Delivery Center – Fremont, CA

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Seasons are changing, just in time for a crazy good rebate on air conditioners, heaters, insulation, and more. A very lucrative, new limited time California energy efficiency rebate is available where you can receive rebates from Energy Upgrade California program. PG&E, SCE, San Diego Gas & Electric – SDG&E, or BVE are covered by their home upgrade incentive. Energy Upgrade California is focused on a whole house approach to saving energy, measuring the actual savings. San Francisco Bay Area information line 855-464-8484. This program ends when funding dries up.

The goal of the program:

• Get rebates, financing, and incentives to reduce the cost of your home upgrade
• Reduce energy use
• Live in a more comfortable home

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Recently I found a friend who was using Chinese Miraculous Insecticide Chalk otherwise known as Pretty Baby Chalk, Ant Chalk, Roach Chalk and Chinese Chalk.  Tres Pasitos is a Spanish name for this product.

The product is illegal and dangerous. The EPA has a warning on it too. We tried it in the past and found that it didn’t really work. I found this stuff being sold all over San Francisco’s Chinatown and it is for sale on eBay.

It does kill bugs because it contains toxic chemicals but are hazardous around kids.  Did you know that plain old chalk also works!

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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
• 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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New rebates have been added.

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

• Con Edison has $20 rebate on eligible Dehumidifiers. $35 rebate on eligible Washing Machines. $50 rebate on eligible Dishwashers
• $30 rebate on Energy Star A/C
• Up to $1000 rebate on energy efficient heating and cooling equipment. Exp 12/31
• Get a free programmable thermostat for your central air conditioning system.

Questions?, call 1-877-870-6118.

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New AEP Ohio rebates have been added.

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

• Free Home Energy Profile
• Have AEP Ohio haul away that old refrigerator or freezer energy hog for FREE and get $50
• $50 rebate for buying energy Star qualified washing machine, freezer, refrigerator, electric water heater
• Instant discount on qualified ENERGY STAR compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) you purchase at participating retailers.
• Solar energy fund grants are also available for solar panel installations.

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Rebates

PG&E customers can get a big $500 back for EV ownership!

• $500 Clean Fuel Rebate for Electric Vehicles

This is in addition to the $7500 Federal Tax Credit on New Qualified Plug-In Electric Drive Motor Vehicles. Tesla will hit the limit on this credit in 2018.

BMW

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