Over 11 million tons of textiles went into landfills in 2018.  Few people equate fashion with environmental issues, but it is a big problem.

Did you know that making clothes is a dirty process?  Per the Wall Street Journal April 2019:

The textile industry has generated about 380 million metric tons of plastic—more than other individual sectors such as electronics or consumer and industrial products or building and construction, according to a 2017 study in the journal Science Advances. Plastic accounts for 63% of the materials used to make clothes, according to a 2017 report by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, and 73% of those materials end up being incinerated or put in a landfill each year.

Most people do not want to negatively affect the environment with their clothing picks. Shockingly, there are several gotchas with even this simple Choice. Read the rest of this entry »

Indoor Air Quality

Indoor Air Quality refers to how clean the air we breathe indoors is. We spend 90-95% of our time indoors. Often times the air outside is cleaner. This leads to health problems like allergies, asthma, etc.

Consumer Product Safety Commission and EPA has a good guide on how to improve indoor air quality. EPA has an extensive list of items that affect indoor air quality.

Major air quality problems include: Smoking, Fireplaces, Mold, Dust, Radon, Stoves.

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Electric Car Federal Tax Rebate

• “All electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles that were purchased new in or after 2010 may be eligible for a federal income tax credit of up to $7,500,” according to the US Department of Energy.
• Your tax bill needs to exceed $7500
• Phased out by cars a company sold. 200,000 cap
• Includes plugin hybrids (Lower $)
• No more rebate: GM, Tesla, Toyota (Soon)

Cars with rebate as of April 2022

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Last update: January 2, 2020

Interested in Solar Power but don’t have tens of thousands of dollars? Free Solar Panels?

Tesla Solar, and most other solar power installers, have an interesting program where you lease solar equipment and pay a monthly lease. The Solar Lease payment and lower electric bill will be less than your current electric bill. The company owns the solar panels and you rent them by paying the cost of the power.

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Looking for a new water heater?

AO Smith makes the Vertex 100 water heater that is very efficient at 96% thermal efficiency. The 50-gallon Vertex delivers hot water output that exceeds a 75-gallon atmospheric gas water heater. The Vertex can deliver continuous hot water flow of over 4 gallons per minute. It has a LCD display allowing precise temperature control. The Vertex 100 has a dedicated loop for radiant hot water heating systems. Dimensions are similar to a standard 50-gallon power-vent water heater. 100,000 BTU input per hour. Jay Leno and Ed Begly Jr have these units.

Vertex 100 does requires PVC, CPVC or ABS pipe venting not traditional metal venting. It also requires a separate intake PVC airline. The unit requires AC power to run its fan. This fan makes this unit’s operation a bit noisy.  It is probably best suited for a garage. Vertex 100 water heaters cost roughly $2000+ installed minus the Federal and any local utility rebate. Our local utility PG&E has a $50 rebate.

How does it compare to a ‘normal‘ energy saving water heater? AO Smith’s Conservationist series 50 Gallon model has an Energy Factor of 0.62. and 40,000 BTU input per hour. Approximately 80% efficient. It costs about $1300.

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Last Update: January 2, 2020

Spring is a time to start thinking about solar power. The sun is finally shining, and the rainy season has passed. Solar Panels produce green clean energy from an abundant energy source that shines on us everyday. Solar Electric Systems also called photovoltaics or PV convert the sun’s radiant energy into electricity.  Unlimited renewable energy that is guilt free and at no cost once our panels are paid for. Enjoy energy independence.

Google Project Sunroof helps you determine if Solar is cost effective by examining your location, usable sunlight per year, and roof. Read the rest of this entry »

Last Update: August 23, 2018

The Earth receives more energy from the Sun in one hour than the whole World uses in a whole year.  Time to tap into that. Solar power is used to power everything from calculators to Coast Guard buoys to highway signs to the International Space Station.

You have read Are Solar Panels for me? and Solar Panel Installation – Planning and are ready for more details. Photovoltaic Solar panels were invented at Bell Labs in 1953. They have evolved over the years and several different types of solar panels exist, and choosing between then is confusing.  No one vendor will have access to all products, so you will have to do some shopping around to find the best solar panels.

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New rebates have been added for 2019

Utility Company ComEd (An Exelon Company) has a bunch of rebates, programs and incentives to help save energy, go green, and most importantly save money.

• $50 ComEd rebate on select top-loading ENERGY STAR qualified clothes washers
• $50 Rebate for Electric Clothes Dryer ≥ 4.4 Cubic Feet
• $50 rebate on Energy Star Refrigerators ≥ 7.75 Cubic Feet
• $50 rebate on Freezers ≥ 7.75 Cubic Feet
• $25 rebate on Room Air Conditioner
• Smart Thermostat $100 on certain models
• $50 rebate on Air purifier
• $10 on Advanced Power Strip
• $500 rebate on Heat Pump Water Heater (when purchased through your retailer)
• Up to $600 rebate on Central Air Conditioning Cycling to save money. Also covers Air Source Heat Pump and Ductless Mini Split Heat Pumps
• Instant discounts on CFL Light bulbs
• Attic Insulation Rebate
• Air Sealing Rebate
• Wall Insulation Rebate
• Duct Sealing Rebate
• $50 back on old working Refrigerator and Freezer recycling

Questions about ComEd Energy Efficiency Rebates, call 1-877-928-8776.

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Electronics eventually break down.  The dilemma is then repair or replace the item. If you item is under warranty, the decision is easy – get it fixed. Recycling electronics does not address the issue.

• China stopped taking our waste
• Irresponsible recyclers add to toxic waste problem
• Fix, do not replace

Remember that many credit cards will double your manufacturer’s warranty.  Check your credit card’s fine print.

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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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