Easy Eco Blog.com

PG&E Energy Upgrade California (EUC) Rebates

easy eco blog — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 07:00:19 +0000

A new limited time PG&E energy efficiency rebate where you can receive up to $3,500 in rebates from PG&E’s Energy Upgrade California pilot program. Limited to first 500 homes. San Francisco, Berkeley, San Mateo County, and other parts of the SF Bay Area and Northern California are in the PG&E service territory. SMUD of Sacramento has its own similar program.

Qualification:

You must own a single-family home or duplex and be a PG&E customer.
You must be current on property taxes and liens.
The amount of the rebate you get is based on energy modeling software that shows how much energy your home will save after an energy upgrade remodel.
A home energy audit which includes energy modeling must be completed by a certified energy auditor.
The rebate amount is based on how much less energy your home will use after the energy upgrades. A minimum 20% energy reduction receives $2,000 in rebates. Each additional 5% reduction beyond that earns another $375, up to $3,500. (see chart below)

California Building Performance Contractors Association is certifying contractors working within the EUC PG&E Home Performance programs.

Contact your local Home Energy Audit firm today.

Hire a home performance firm to perform an energy audit of your home.
Work with your specialist to choose and implement cost-effective improvements to achieve your desired energy use reduction.

Be sure to take advantage of the Federal Tax Credit too!

Federal Tax Credit on Furnaces and Boilers

easy eco blog — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 07:00:34 +0000

A reminder that there is a 30% upto $1500 Federal Tax Credit on Qualifying Furnaces and Boilers. If you have been thinking about replacing these items, you might as well upgrade now and save some money. Furnaces 15 years old or older can be replaced with much more efficient units. New models with electric ignition are the most efficient models.

Natural Gas or Propane Furnaces must have Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency or
AFUE >= 95% to qualify for the tax credit. Oil Furnaces and as, Propane, or Oil Hot Water Boiler must have AFUE >= 90%. Not all ENERGY STAR products will qualify for the tax credit.

Gas fired furnace list. Here is a list of qualifying oil furnaces and oil boilers. Also consider installing radiant floor heating instead of using a furnace.

Energy Star has a store location finder to help you find local dealers.

This credit reduces the amount of tax you owe for 2009. The credit is a reduction of total income tax at the bottom of your return, up to $1500. This tax credit is a non-refundable tax credit. Consult your tax adviser for details. Use it or lose it! Credit details.

Products must have been purchased between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2010. Solar water heater purchases are covered through 2016.

The tax credit is an aggregate, i.e., the total $1500 can include other energy efficient items. For instance, if a consumer claims $900 on a qualifying item, then they will have the remaining $600 rebate available for purchases of additional energy saving products in the same tax year.

$1500 seems like the total credit for both 2009 and 2010 combined. Beware that those affected by the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) in 2010 may not qualify for the rebate unless Congress passes an AMT patch.

Double dip: Many local utilities provide financial incentives for purchasing ENERGY STAR qualified items. To find out if rebates or other incentives are available in your area, visit the ENERGY STAR Rebate Finder.

Egg Recall – Egg Farm Practices and Organic Eggs

easy eco blog — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 07:00:23 +0000

The recent recall of half a billion eggs from 2 large farms in Iowa is shining a spotlight on our food chain. Are factory farming practices of increasing profits by squeezing hens in close quarters causing these problems? Having just a handful of food producers due to industry consolidation add to the problem. California has new regulations taking in effect in 2015 requiring cage-free treatment of hens. It also bans all eggs coming from outside the state that fail to comply with this battery-cage rule.

Confusing Egg Terminology

Cage-free - Most cage-free hens live in very large flocks that can consist of many thousands of hens who never go outside. However, unlike battery hens, cage-free hens are able to walk, spread their wings and lay their eggs in nests.

Organic - As certified by the USDA, this label requires some outdoor exposure.

Pasture-raised - This and other classifications indicate outside forage on vegetation and insects.

Certified humane - Endorsed by the Humane Society, this does not require access to the outdoors but has standards for air quality and lighting.

Organic Eggs

Organic Eggs have better flavor and the chickens laying them have been feed organic feed. Eating them is a good way to help minimize risk of exposure to antibiotics, or synthetic hormones and pesticides while obtaining a healthy dose of nutrients. We could not find studies that validate these suggestions though.

Egg Cooking Tips

Eggs need to be fully cooked properly to prevent food poisoning and salmonella contamination. Bacteria can exist inside an uncracked, uncooked whole egg. Avoid eating raw cookie dough with egg or making ice cream with egg or Caesar salad dressing with raw eggs. Cook eggs until the egg yolk and the egg white are firm. Cook egg custard used in eggnog, homemade ice cream, and quiches to at least 160 degrees. Bake egg meringues at 350 degrees for at least 15 minutes on the lower rack of your oven.

Be sure to read our Healthy Food Options to avoid Chemicals

Federal Tax Credit on Energy Efficient Water Heaters

easy eco blog — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 07:00:40 +0000

A reminder that there is a 30% upto $1500 Federal Tax Credit on Qualifying Gas, Oil, Propane Water Heaters as well as Electric Heat Pump Water Heater and Solar Water Heaters through 12/31/2010. If your water heater is on its last legs, you might as well upgrade now and save some money. New water heaters require less energy and time to heat water. Reduce waiting time between showers and doing laundry.

Gas, Oil, Propane Water Heaters must have Energy Factor >= 0.82 or a thermal efficiency of at least 90%. Newer Hybrid water heaters are also available.

Consider an on demand Tankless Water Heater if your situation allows for it. They need ready access to a good size gas pipe and exhaust vent for many models.

Electric Heat Pump Water Heater requirements are the same as ENERGY STAR: Energy Factor >= 2.0.

Solar Water Heaters are covered if at least half of the energy generated comes from the sun and the system is certified by the Solar Rating and Certification Corporation (SRCC).

AO Smith makes the Vertex 100 water heater that is very efficient but requires PVC pipe venting not normal metal venting. Also consider installing radiant floor heating instead of using a gas furnace as these newer water heaters support radiant heating.

Products must have been purchased between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2010. Solar water heater purchases are covered through 2016.

The tax credit is an aggregate, i.e., the total $1500 can include other energy efficient items. For instance, if a consumer claims $900 on a new stove, then he will have $600 to purchase additional energy saving products in the same tax year.

If a taxpayer uses the entire $1500 tax credit on a competing product then they cannot use it for a biomass stove in that same tax year.

Double dip! Local utilities like PGE have their own rebates for Energy Efficient Appliances purchased in 2009. PGE has a $30 rebate for energy efficient water heaters. Gas water heaters with Energy Factor 0.62 or greater or Electric ones with Energy Factor 0.93 or greater.

Note: It is difficult to find larger sized water heaters with Energy Factor’s this high.

Be sure to check out our reduce water heater use, water saving tips and ways to save energy.

SDGE Rebates, SDG&E, or San Diego Gas and Electric Rebate for Energy Efficiency

easy eco blog — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 07:00:03 +0000

New rebates have been added for 2010.

San Diego’s power utility San Diego Gas and Electric rebates are here. SDGE or SDG&E has a bunch of cash SDGE rebates and ways to go green for energy efficient refrigerators, older refrigerator recycling, attic or wall insulation, Central Natural Gas Furnace, dishwashers, Whole House Fan, water heaters, pool pumps and motors (Variable speed), room air conditioning, and more. You can print rebate forms out online and then send in proof of purchase.

Instant rebates are available select retailers including:

B&B Appliance
Costco
Home Depot
Humphrey Appliance
La Mesa Appliance
MCAS Miramar Home Center
The Navy Exchange 32nd Street
Phillips Maytag

Check your local utility’s web site for similar deals before you buy a new item. Most rebates run through December 31.

We recently bought a new dishwasher that had a $50 rebate that was not advertised by the vendor. The rebate in only 2 weeks. Green your home and get cash back.

You can also call San Diego Gas and Electric at 800-411-7343 and ask about San Diego Gas and Electric rebates, SDG&E rebates, or SDGE Rebates.

Be sure to also take advantage of the 30% Federal Energy Tax Credit which expires 12/31/2010.

Ways to Save Energy, Money on your Energy Bill is full of tips to save you money.

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

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

Airplane Fuel Efficiency and Airplane CO2 Emissions Calculator

easy eco blog — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 07:00:13 +0000

Summer vacation? Traveling on a plane or car?

A recent article analyzed the fuel efficiency of airlines and found they get 60 to 75 seat miles per gallon of fuel in 2009. Better than the 50 mpg of a Toyota Prius hybrid automobile. Alaska, JetBlue, Southwest, and Continental were best. The most fuel efficient planes were the Boeing 777-200ER wide body at 82 mpg and Boeing 737-900 at 99 mpg. The Airbus A320 at 77 mpg is their best.

Want to go a step further? We noticed a Climate passport kiosk in the airport. You can pay to offset your airplanes emissions. A 2,000 Miles (4 hr flight) generates 1,869 lbs of CO2, and costs $11.44 to offset. The money goes toward:

“The Carbon Offsets purchased through the Climate Passport Carbon Footprint Calculator are sourced from the Garcia River Forest, a conservation-based forest management project located in Mendocino County, California. The project achieves multiple goals including: increased sequestration and storage of carbon in native redwood forests, wildlife habitat restoration, and a sustainable supply of certified wood products.”

Tripbase has a CO2 Emissions Calculator that’s been made to help people out with being a bit more green and socially responsible when it comes to flying.

Natural Hair Lice Treatment – Eco Friendly, Green

easy eco blog — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 07:00:00 +0000

photo credit: goldberg

Back to school… Having Lice in your hair is not fun. Schools encountered kids with this problem all the time because Lice can easily spread in schools. To remove the lice, most people essentially use toxic pesticides in their kid’s hair which include Permethrin, Pyrethrum, and Lindane. Hair lice has slowly become resistant to these chemicals.

We found a non toxic product called Licefreee! that uses the naturally occuring mineral Sodium Chloride USP to kill lice.

You can whip up your own Pediatrician’s home remedy using 2 ounces of vegetable oil with 20 drops of 100 percent tea tree oil and 10 drops of essential oils of rosemary, lavender and lemon. (Apply to the inner arm for about an hour to test for hypersensitivity first.) Rub oils into scalp and hair and leave for one hour covering with a towel. Comb out nits with a nit comb and use a hand-held blow-dryer for 10 to 15 minutes, before washing out oils. Repeat in seven to 10 days.

Other suggestions include:

Covering hair with a show cap and heat with a hair dryer.
Soak head in salt water for a few minutes or swim in the ocean
Apply olive oil in your hair for about 30 minutes

SCE Rebates or Southern California Edison Rebate for Energy Efficiency

easy eco blog — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 07:00:19 +0000

New rebates have been added for 2010.

Southern California’s power utility Southern California Edison rebates are here. SCE has a bunch of cash SCE rebates and ways to go green for EnergyStar refrigerators, $50 Old Refrigerator or Freezer rebate, Energy efficient Electric Water Heater, Pool Pump & Motor Rebate, ENERGY STAR Qualified Room Air Conditioner Rebate, Whole House Fan Rebate, Energy Efficient Evaporative Cooling Rebate, and more. You can print out rebate forms online and then send in proof of purchase.

SCE’s Operation Light Exchange allows residential customers to exchange halogen torchiere floor lamps and incandescent floor/table/desk lamps/night lights for new ENERGY STAR® labeled lamps.

Check your local utility’s web site for similar deals before you buy a new item. Most rebates run through December 31.

We recently bought a new dishwasher that had a $50 rebate that was not advertised by the vendor. The rebate in only 2 weeks. Green your home and get cash back.

You can also call Southern California Edison and ask about an Southern California Edison rebate or SCE Rebates at 800-655-4555.

Be sure to also take advantage of the 30% Federal Energy Tax Credit which expires 12/31/2010.

Ways to Save Energy, Money on your Energy Bill is full of tips to save you money.

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

Recycle Everything – Recycling Tips

easy eco blog — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 07:00:04 +0000

Here are some non obvious recycling tips from our local garbage carrier, Allied Waste. Check with your local company to verify how they handle recycling.

1) Rinsed coated milk and juice cartons. Plastic caps and plastic pour spouts must be removed before recycling.

2) No Pizza boxes

3) No black plastic (any type)

4) No nursery plant containers – See Recycle Plastic Nursery pots

5) No Toys

6) No Plastic Clam shells. Tetra Pak can be recycled.

7) Cardboard boxes like detergent ones cannot be recycled unless they are thoroughly cleaned.

Allied Waste recycles single use batteries if you place them in a plastic bag on top of recyclables. Best Buy has recycling bins for rechargeable batteries. Earth911 can help you find local battery recycling.

Harder to Recycle Items

Most supermarkets have bins that recycle plastic bags. Recycle Wine Corks.

Recycle CFL – compact fluorescent light bulbs at Home Depot.

TerraCycle makes affordable, eco-friendly products from a wide range of different non-recyclable waste materials. Capri Sun – Honest Kids juice pouches can be recycled at Terracycle as Candy Wrappers, Starbucks Coffee bags, Zip Loc Bags, Cookie Wrappers, Colgate toothpaste, and more.

Recycling styrofoam is a challenge. Recycle Tyvek Envelopes. Recycle Shrink Wrap. Recycle Gift Wrap and Holiday Cards. Recycle Gift Cards.

Recycle Bike Tires.

Recycle Clothes. Recycle Eyeglasses

Recycle Carpet.

Cell phones and Electronics can be readily recycled or donated. Recycle Appliances.

Earth911 has recycling options for other products. Get paid to recycle.

Be sure to donate unwanted items.

Burt’s Bees Herbal Insect Repellent – Natural mosquito Repellent – Deet vs Picaridin vs Herbal

easy eco blog — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 07:00:22 +0000

We recently traveled to Asia and needed to find a reliable, yet safe insect repellent or natural mosquito repellent. DEET is a strong effective repellent but looking at a toxicology report on DEET makes one squirm and the NRDC has some warnings on it. Recent research shows that DEET is a neurotoxin and could have long-term effects. Moreover, DEET may increase the toxicity of other chemicals to which people are exposed. EPA lists it in Toxicity Category III for eye, dermal and oral.

If you must use a DEET containg Insect repellant choose one containing 30% of DEET. The protection afforded by 30% is sufficient for almost all circumstances. In Canada, 30% is their legal limit.

Another alternative is Picaridin, also known around the world as KBR3023, or Bayrepel (trademark of Bayer AG). It was developed by Bayer. EPA ranks its toxicity as Toxicity Category III for acute oral and acute dermal. Toxicity Category IV for primary eye and skin irritation. Several insect repellents use this chemical.

We choose to use Burt’s Bees Herbal Insect Repellent as or Natural mosquito Repellent. Rosemary, Lemongrass, and Citronella oils mix with 5 other oils that bugs hate. The proof was that it worked well on our trip and prevents all the bug bites our fellow travelers got. Different insects work in alternate ways, so this may not be potent in other regions.