En un mundo perfecto, reemplazaríamos todos nuestros electrodomésticos por modelos con mayor eficiencia energética. Lamentablemente, esta no es una opción realista. En cambio, la mejor alternativa realista es asegurarnos de que los electrodomésticos que tenemos estén funcionando bien.

Aquí incluimos la información que usted necesita saber para poder usar mejor los electrodomésticos que ya tiene:

Refrigerador/Freezer

• Ubique el refrigerador a cierta distancia de una fuente de calor como por ejemplo un horno, un lavavajillas o la luz del sol directa que entra por la ventana.
• Para que el aire circule por las serpentinas del condensador, deje un espacio entre la pared o las alacenas y la heladera o freezer, y mantenga limpio el condensador.
• Asegúrese de que los burletes de la puerta sean herméticos. Simplemente ponga una hoja de papel entre la puerta y la caja del refrigerador. Si la hoja no se mueve, excelente; si se sale, tiene que reemplazar el burlete de goma.
• Mantenga el refrigerador entre 35 y 38 grados Fahrenheit (entre 1.7 y 2.4 grados Celsius) y el freezer a 0 grados Fahrenheit (-17.8 grados Celsius).
• Minimice la cantidad de tiempo que mantiene abierto el refrigerador.

Lavavajillas

• Siempre use el lavavajillas con carga completa. La mayoría de la energía que consume el lavavajillas se utiliza para calentar agua. Como no se puede reducir la cantidad de agua usada en cada ciclo, llene el lavavajillas para aprovechar al máximo la energía utilizada para hacerlo funcionar.
• Evite usar las funciones de secado con calor, enjuagar y retener y pre-enjuague. En cambio, use la opción de secado con aire del lavavajillas.

Lavaropas

• Llénelo, porque los lavarropas usan más o menos la misma cantidad de energía independientemente del tamaño de la carga, por eso úselo con carga completa siempre que sea posible.
• Lave en agua fría siempre que sea posible. Cambiar la opción de temperatura de caliente a tibio puede reducir a la mitad el uso de energía. Usar el ciclo frío reduce aun más el uso de energía.
• Siempre que tenga espacio y tiempo, deje secar la ropa al aire en lugar de usar una secadora. Use un tendedero o cuelgue las ropas al aire libre.
• Si su lavarropas tiene opciones de centrifugado, elija una velocidad alta de centrifugado o la opción de centrifugado largo para reducir la cantidad de humedad que queda en la ropa después del lavado. Así se disminuye la cantidad de tiempo necesario para secar la ropa.
• Deje la puerta abierta después de usarlo: cuando la lavadora no está en uso, el burlete puede retener humedad en la máquina, lo que puede generar moho. Deje la puerta entornada durante una o dos horas después de cada uso para que se evapore la humedad. Cuide que sus hijos no se metan en el lavarropas mientras la puerta está abierta.
• Enjuague el lavarropas una vez al mes poniéndolo a funcionar en un ciclo normal con 1 taza de lavandina para ayudar a reducir el riesgo de formación de hongos o moho. Consulte el manual de uso y manutención del producto antes de intentar este paso.

Aires acondicionados

• Para tener un mejor control de la temperatura, use timers (relojes automáticos). Esto le permitirá usar la cantidad mínima de energía que necesita para refrigerar su espacio.
• Asegúrese de que cada aire acondicionado de su casa tenga las dimensiones adecuadas para la sala en la que se encuentra.

Ventiladores de techo

Los ventiladores de techo se usan para agitar aire durante los meses de verano, pero ¿sabía que conviene hacerlos funcionar también durante el invierno? Un ventilador de techo puede hacerlo ahorrar cerca del 30% en los costos de refrigeración y un 10% en los costos de calefacción cuando se usa en combinación con un ajuste de dos grados en la temperatura del hogar.

• Asegúrese de que su ventilador esté al menos a 2.13 metros del suelo y asegúrese de que haya espacio suficiente para que las hojas giren cómodamente, a una distancia de al menos 61 cm de la pared más cercana.
• Recuerde que un ventilador con juego de luces aumenta su versatilidad. Los ventiladores que no vienen con luz son adaptables en caso de que quiera agregarle luz en el futuro.
• Si va a reemplazar un ventilador que ya tiene, compre el ventilador más grande que quepa en la sala. Un ventilador más grande mueve el aire a menor velocidad, lo que reduce el ruido y aumenta el ciclo de vida del ventilador, porque no tiene que trabajar tanto.
• Revise la instalación de sus ventiladores. Un montaje bien hecho maximiza el efecto de refrigeración. Si el cielorraso es bajo, asegúrese de que el ventilador sea de montaje empotrado y/o semiempotrado. Si el cielorraso es alto, asegúrese de que se ha usado una vara de metal (vástago). Para que la circulación quede más baja en la sala, y para cielorrasos inclinados, se debe usar un montaje en ángulo, que suele venderse por separado.
• Si tiene un ventilador de exteriores, asegúrese de que el motor esté diseñado para resistir a la humedad y los cambios de temperatura y que las hojas estén hechas de un material artificial que no se combe con la humedad.
• ¿Quiere disfrutar de la máxima comodidad? ¡Agregue un control remoto! Algunos controles remotos incluso tienen sensores especiales que encienden y apagan el ventilador en forma automática o ajustan la velocidad del ventilador en función de la temperatura de la sala. Qué bueno, ¿no?

Calefones

• La mayoría de los calefones duran entre 10 y 15 años, así que antes de que el suyo llegue al fin de su ciclo de vida, prepárese investigando para su próxima compra. Si actúa con anticipación, tendrá un mayor control de su compra y podrá empezar a ahorrar dinero enseguida.
• Desagote el calefón cada seis meses. La acumulación de sedimentos en el tanque puede reducir la eficiencia energética de su calefón y también puede obstruir las tuberías de agua.

Aislamiento

Los propietarios, en especial los que viven en casas viejas, pueden reducir los costos de calefacción y refrigeración hasta un 20% (hasta un 10% de los costos totales deenergía) sellando su casa y agregando aislamiento en altillos, suelos, entresuelos y entretechos y en las vigas de borde accesibles del sótano.

La causa principal del desperdicio de energía en el hogar es el aislamiento incorrecto y las fugas de aire. Comience por revisar su altillo. ¿Tiene aislamiento? ¿Es suficiente? Si no, agregue aislamiento para mejorar la calidez de su hogar. En segundo lugar, revise el sótano. Si no está terminado, use un material de aislamiento en mantas con revestimiento de polipropileno ignífugo; si está terminado, use paneles de aislamiento precortados con o sin revestimiento entre los tabiques de una pared con armazón.

Pero antes de emprender estos proyectos, asegúrese de inspeccionar toda su casa para detectar señales de daños provocados por el agua o pérdidas de agua. Si no soluciona estos problemas antes de insular su casa, puede correr el riesgo de que se produzca una acumulación de moho y/o una mala calidad del aire en el interior. Tómese el tiempo de inspeccionar la casa con cuidado. También asegúrese de usar el equipo adecuado, por ejemplo una máscara facial o máscara de oxígeno, ropa protectora, anteojos de seguridad, y una luz de trabajo para hacer la inspección, ya que la fibra de vidrio que levanta el aire irrita los ojos, la piel y los pulmones. Tenga cuidado y siempre lea las instrucciones antes de empezar un nuevo proyecto. Disfrute de su hogar.

Las opciones de eficiencia energética pueden hacerle ahorrar a una familia aproximadamente un tercio de sus costos de energía –con un ahorro similar en emisiones de gases con efecto invernadero– sin sacrificar funciones, estilo ni comodidad. ENERGY STAR lo ayuda a optar por las opciones con mayor eficiencia energética.

ENERGY STAR es un programa conjunto de la U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (Agencia de Protección Ambiental de los Estados Unidos) y el Departamento de Energía de los Estados Unidos. Nos ayuda a todos a ahorrar dinero y a proteger el medio ambiente mediante productos y prácticas con eficiencia energética.

Ayude a proteger el medio ambiente y visite ENERGY STAR.Gov

With winter in full swing heating bills are on the rise for many families. Would you like to lower your home energy costs this season?  One of the best places to find savings is your home’s furnace.     

David Coulson of Napoleon Fireplaces explains why, “When I talk to people that are experiencing higher than expected heating bills, they are always surprised when they think back to how old their furnace actually is. For furnaces 10 to 15 years old, you are looking at older, inefficient technology that is sucking the money right from your wallet.”    

Inefficient Old Furnace

New State-Of-The-Art Model

If you are looking to replace an older one it’s really important to educate yourself before buying, as choosing the right furnace will save you money in the long run and keep the house at the perfect temperature.  

What To Consider When Buying A New Furnace

Size Matters

One of the most important factors when buying a furnace is to have a professional installer examine the size of the house and then determine the size of the furnace necessary for the space. A furnace that is too large leaves gaps in temperature as it turns on until it overwhelms the thermostat. The house ends up cooling down until the next cycle and creates an inconsistent temperature. A furnace that is the right size for the space, however, will be able to better regulate a constant temperature.    

Fewer Emissions

Being energy and environmentally conscious does not have to stop at the furnace. With Napoleon’s HYBRID 150, the fuel comes from three different sources – wood, oil or electric. This furnace is one of the cleanest and most efficient combination solid fuel-burning furnaces on the market today. The furnace switches from wood to oil or electric automatically and if the furnace runs out of wood a second thermostat will keep the house nice and toasty even if you are not at home.    

Don’t Buy On Price Alone 

Always be sure to ask a professional installer, contractor or reputable salesperson about annual operating costs for whatever furnaces you may be looking at. While there are a variety of factors to consider, price should not necessarily be number one. Efficiencies, however, can vary drastically depending on price, which means that if you pay more up front now, you’ll still enjoy lower heating bills 10 or 15 years later.    

Get The Right Documentation

Any reputable installer or manufacturer will be sure to not only include the purchase agreement and warranty information but also explain exactly what you are getting. If you feel confused or unsure about anything don’t be afraid to ask.    

Correct Installation And Maintenance

Furnace installation should be done by a trained professional as not only can it be a safety hazard but if anything is off it can severely impact your efficiency and therefore your heating bill. Regular maintenance, generally in the fall, will keep the furnace performing like it should, keeping your family warm and your wallet a little fuller.    

Above all, Coulson recommends that anyone looking to replace an old, inefficient furnace first explore all of their options and consult with a professional manufacturer or installer to find the right fit for their home.

Eco-Friendly Alternatives 

If you dread the thought of cleaning up the heaps of shredded wrapping paper your extended familia will joyously scatter throughout your living room, it might be time replace the paper and plastic bows in favor of greener options.  Harmful dyes, excess paper waste and plastic ribbons that pets eventually get a hold of are just a few of the holiday wrapping paper issues many of us are not even aware of. But what are the alternatives? Dont’ worry, you don’t have to deprive abuelita of her gift in order to go green this year.

Our friends Andrea Donsky and Randy Boyer -the green living experts behind NaturallySavvy.com – have a great list of 5 quick and easy options for cutting down on wrapping paper this holiday season.

Box It Up

Hat boxes, fabric-wrapped storage boxes and photo boxes are great for “wrapping” gifts for any occasion, but are great options for winter holidays. They can be used for storage later on and they stand up to a few flurries better than paper. Add some fabric ribbon tied in a bow and you have a lovely package.

Basket Case

Do you have stack of wicker baskets lying around collecting dust? Pile a bunch of small items into a banana leaf or wicker basket, and finish off with fabric ribbon secured with an ornament or a broach picked up from a second-hand store.

Textile

Wrap gifts in fabric remnants. You can pick up remnants at most fabric stores, often at 50 to 66 percent off the regular price. Fold the fabric around the gift and secure with raffia or a fabric ribbon, or sew a simple sac to hold anything from an iPod to a bottle of wine.

The Old World

Use out-of-date maps to wrap gifts you’re giving to travel lovers. It’s a great way to reuse a paper item before it hits the recycling bin.

Jar Head

Use a glass container or large mason jar for giving homemade treats.  If you’re sharing your favorite recipe, layer the dry ingredients in the jar, and attach the recipe to the jar with a ribbon.

One Final Tip For The Road

If you truly can’t resist the urge to tear away at a paper-wrapped gift, look for recycled wrapping paper. (Just say no to foils and sparkles.) And be sure to use every last scrap!

 In a perfect world, we would replace all of our household appliances with more energy efficient models. Unfortunately that is not a realistic option. Instead, the next best approach is to make sure the appliances we have are functioning properly.

The following is what you need to know about how to better use your existing appliances:

Refrigerator/Freezer

• Position your refrigerator away from a heat source such as an oven, a dishwasher, or direct sunlight from a window.
• To allow air to circulate around the condenser coils, leave a space between the wall or cabinets and the refrigerator or freezer and keep the coils clean.
• Make sure the door seals are airtight. Simply place a piece of paper between the door and the refrigerator box, if the paper does not move great, if it slices out then your rubber sealant should be replaced
• Keep your refrigerator between 35 and 38 degrees Fahrenheit and your freezer at 0 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Minimize the amount of time the refrigerator door is open

Dishwasher

• Always run your dishwasher with a full load. Most of the energy used by a dishwasher goes to heat water. Since you can’t decrease the amount of water used per cycle, fill your dishwasher to get the most from the energy used to run it.
• Avoid using the heat-dry, rinse-hold and pre-rinse features. Instead use your dishwasher’s air-dry option.

Clothes Washer

• Fill it up, clothes washers use about the same amount of energy regardless of the size of the load, so run full loads whenever possible.
• Wash in cold water as much as possible. Switching your temperature setting from hot to warm can cut energy use in half. Using the cold cycle reduces energy use even more.
• Where and when possible, air-dry clothes instead of using a dryer. Use a drying rack or hang clothes outside.
• If your clothes washer has spin options, choose a high spin speed or the extended spin option to reduce the amount of remaining moisture in your clothes after washing. This decreases the amount of time it takes to dry your clothes.
• Leave the door open after use, when the machine is not in use, the seal can trap moisture in the machine which can lead to mold. Leave the door ajar for an hour or two after every use to allow moisture to evaporate. Make sure your kiddies do not climb into the machine while the door is open.
• Rinse your washer once a month by running a normal cycle with 1 cup of bleach to help reduce the risk of mold or mildew buildup. Consult the product owner’s manual before attempting.

Air Conditioners

• For better temperature control, use timers. This will allow you to use the minimum amount of energy you need to cool your room.
• Make sure each air conditioner in your home is properly sized for the room that it is in.
  Water Heaters
• Most water heaters last about 10-15 years, so before your’s goes caput, research your next purchase. By acting early, you have more control of your purchase and can start saving money right away.
• Flush the water heater every six months. The buildup of sediment in the tank can reduce your water heater’s energy efficiency and also clog your water lines.

Water Heaters

• Most water heaters last about 10-15 years, so before your’s goes caput, research your next purchase. By acting early, you have more control of your purchase and can start saving money right away.
• Flush the water heater every six months. The buildup of sediment in the tank can reduce your water heater’s energy efficiency and also clog your water lines.

Ceiling Fans

Ceiling fans are known for stirring up air during the summer months, but did you know that they should be doing the same thing during the winter months? A ceiling fan can actually save you about 30% on your cooling costs and 10% on your heating costs when run in combination with adjusting your home’s temperature by two degrees.

• Make sure your fan is at least seven feet from the ground and make sure there’s ample room for the blades to spin unencumbered, at least 24″ from the closest wall.
• Remember that a fan with a light kit increases its versatility. Fans that don’t come with a light are adaptable in case you ever want to add one.
• If you are replacing an existing fan, purchase the largest fan your room will allow. A larger fan moves more air at lower speeds, which reduces noise and increases the fan’s life span, since it doesn’t have to work as hard.
• Check how your fans have been installed. The right type of mounting maximizes the cooling effect. For a low ceiling make sure it is a flush mount and /or semi-flush mount fan. For a high ceiling make sure it’s a downrod. To bring the circulating action down into the room and for a sloped ceilings an angled mount is required, usually sold separately.
• If you have an outdoor fan be sure that the motor is designed to withstand moisture and temperature changes and that the blades are constructed from a man-made material that won’t warp with humidity.
• Want the ultimate convenience? Add a remote control! Some remotes even have special sensors that will turn the fan on and off automatically or adjust fan speed based on room temperature. Pretty Cool.

Insulation

Homeowners, especially those who live in older homes, can reduce heating and cooling costs by up to 20% (up to 10% of total energy costs) by sealing their homes and adding insulation in attics, floors, over crawl spaces and on accessible basement rim joists.

The leading cause of energy waste in the home is inadequate insulation and air leakage. Start by checking your attic. Is there existing insulation? Is there enough? If not add insulation to improve the warmth of your home. Second check the basement. If unfinished, use a blanket insulation with a flame-resistant polypropylene facing; if finished use a faced or unfaced batting insulation between studs in a framed wall

But before taking on these projects make sure to inspect your home thoroughly for any signs of water damage or water leakage. If these problems are not addressed before insulating your home, you may run the risk of long term mold growth and/ or poor indoor air quality. Please take the time to inspect carefully. Also be sure to use proper gear, such as a face mask or respirator, protective clothing, safety glasses, and a work light when inspecting, as airborne fiberglass is irritating to the eyes, skin and lungs. Please be careful and always read instructions before starting a new project. Enjoy your home.

Energy efficient choices can save families about a third on their energy bill — with similar savings on greenhouse gas emissions — without sacrificing features, style or comfort. ENERGY STAR helps you make the energy efficient choice.

Help protect the environment and visit ENERGY STAR.Gov

Our planet is all we really have; without it we will cease to exist. Yet we continue to abuse our greatest gift. Some (large companies) pilfer our planet simply for greed; others (mankind in general) pilfer it because they do not know any better. The clocks are chiming and the wake up calls have been sent out, we just need to stop long enough to hear them ringing. Our planet is in desperate need of our help. We cannot accomplish this on our own or within a day, but by starting at home, one step at a time, we can make a difference.

The term Energy Efficiency should not be a phrase we hear only on the News, it should be a lifestyle that we choose to adhere to. It should be your home’s new fashion statement. With the economy being what it is, the excuses are over; if you want your dollar to last longer then you should definitely find the time to adjust your lifestyle at home.

The following is a list of products you can integrate into your home. All these products can be picked up at your local Home Depot and installed in one weekend, saving you money and helping our planet.

Light Bulbs

• You can start by replacing the existing light bulbs in your home to CFL Bulbs. CFL stands for Compact Florescent Light. CFL bulbs consume up to 75% less energy and they last up to 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs. They will reduce your energy cost at the end of every month. If all homeowners in this country were to change their five most frequently used light fixtures with energy star qualified fixtures and/or bulbs there would be a savings of about $8 billion in energy cost to this country.

Thermostat

• The second most efficient way to save on both cost and energy is by replacing your existing thermostat. You may say to yourself, “the one I have at home is fine and I do not need to spend time or money on replacing something that is not broken”. That is where you are mistaken. Replacing your manual thermostat to a programmable thermostat can save you $150 or more on your energy bill at the end of the year. A programmable thermostat allows 4 program periods per day (each day of the week can be different) and can regulate your HVAC according to your schedule and lifestyle.

 Motion Activated Light Control/Sensor

• My children have a habit of going into the bathroom, turning on the light and leaving it on after they finish. Obviously this is a waste of energy. With a motion sensor, the light turns on when they enter the room and turns off when they leave. If you need to have the light on for an extended period of time, the ON/OFF switch permits normal ON/OFF operation.

Eco Dimmers

Replacing switches with dimmers conserves energy and adds fewer light bulbs to landfills. In eco mode, you can save at least 15% on energy and extend the life of your bulb as compared to using a standard switch. You can install a dimmer in as little as 15 minutes.

Timers

Timers are convenient and save you money. You can automatically control the time your air conditioner, holiday lights, indoor lamps and even lawn and garden lights turn on and off without being at home.

• If you do not have central air conditioning, you can program your air conditioner to turn itself on a half-hour before you get home so that it is cool when you walk in from a long day of work.
• You can also program it to turn off during the early morning hours. It’s also useful to use with door lamps when you are away on vacation to give the illusion that someone is home. Best of all, when utilized correctly timers are sure to save you money on your energy costs.

Shower Heads

• To save our planet’s precious resources while also saving on our monthly utility bills, Moen now provides water-saving faucets. These environmentally friendly faucets, which are offered in both standard and upgraded KB Home kitchens and baths, are designed to conserve water in everyday use without compromising performance

Sealant

• Sealing your home is not just for keeping the cold out during winter, but for keeping the cold in during summer. Check all your doors, windows and moldings for cracks

EnviroCitizen.org considera que, generalmente, si algo es seguro para el medioambiente, también es seguro para usted. Si usa un químico abrasivo para limpiar sus pisos, puede asumir que los riesgos y advertencias asociados con dicho químico sólo se aplican a sus pisos. Pero en realidad, luego de limpiar sus pisos, esos químicos permanecen en la superficie. Cuando usted camina, esparce los químicos por toda su casa. Si tiene un hijo pequeño, es posible que levante algo que se le ha caído al suelo. Ahora, su mano también está contaminada con esos químicos.

Actualmente, muchas personas siguen la regla que indica que, si no puede tomarlo, no debería usarlo. Esto no quiere decir que debería beber una botella de detergente. Se trata simplemente de una idea que sostiene que los productos que usa en su hogar deberían ser lo suficientemente seguros para ingerirlos, ya que, de una manera u otra, también terminarán siendo absorbidos por su organismo. De hecho, EnvironCitizen.org ha descubierto que muchas alternativas a los limpiadores y productos domésticos convencionales que son seguras para usted y el medio ambiente, ¡realmente se pueden beber sin problemas!

Veamos el ejemplo de dos limpiadores clásicos que han sido usados por décadas: el bicarbonato de sodio y el vinagre. El bicarbonato de sodio es completamente comestible; es un ingrediente que se usa en cocina y pastelería. Es un producto increíblemente abrasivo, lo que significa que puede ayudarle a deshacerse de manchas difíciles o alimentos pegados. Por ejemplo, ¡si mezcla bicarbonato de sodio con suficiente agua para formar una pasta, podrá limpiar eficientemente costras de grasa de su cocina!

El vinagre también es completamente comestible y se usa en muchas recetas comunes. Puede limpiar casi todo con una solución de vinagre y agua. Debido a su acción desinfectante, funciona muy bien para limpiar mesadas, pisos y vidrios. Para asegurar que sus vidrios queden sin marcas luego de lavarlos, termine frotándolos con papel de diario humedecido con la mezcla de vinagre.

There’s no need to uproot your life in order to make your home more green and energy-efficient.  It can be easy.  Experts at leading window fashions manufacturer Hunter Douglas, which pioneered energy efficiency at the window with the introduction of the world’s first honeycomb shade, offer the following tips:

Do Add Insulation to Your Windows

Remember that up to 50 percent of a home’s heating and cooling energy is lost through them.  Highly insulating Duette® Architella® honeycomb shades can more than double the energy efficiency of a window and reduce heating and cooling costs.  Additionally, under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, federal tax credits for energy-efficient products are available for 30 percent of the cost of most Duette Architella® shades, up to a maximum of $1,500 in total, when purchased and installed through December 31, 2010, provided the expense meets the tax guidelines.  These are the first and only window shades to qualify for the tax credit without add-on insulation systems.  More information on the tax credit is available at hunterdouglas.com/taxcredit.

Do Go On a Power Strip

Power strips aren’t just for your computer gear.  Use them for TV’s, VCR’s and appliances – electronic “vampires” that suck electricity to tune of $1 billion a year when not in use.  Turn them off with one quick click.

Do Improve and Maintain Your Mechanical Systems

Service and clean your gas or oil furnace at least once a year.  Keep your heating and air conditioner filters clean and replace your fiberglass filters with reusable, washable ones. Invest in a programmable thermostat that lets you set temperatures for different times of the day. 

 In summer, set your thermostat as high as possible without sacrificing comfort.  The less difference between outdoor and indoor temperatures, the lower your overall cooling bill will be. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, in colder months turning the heat down from 72 to 65 degrees for at least eight hours a day can reduce heating bills by 10 percent.

Do Watch Your Air Conditioning Units

Remove air-conditioning units in the fall because they invite drafts.  Or, use an insulated jacket on the exterior.  Keep in mind that an air conditioning unit in the shade uses as much as 10 percent less electricity than the same one operating in the sun.  

Also consider using an interior fan instead of an air conditioner or in conjunction with your window air conditioner to spread the cooled air more effectively throughout your home without greatly increasing your power use.

Do Replace Conventional Incandescent Light Bulbs with Compact Fluorescent Ones (CFL’s) and Make the Most of Natural Light  

CFL’s cost a little more, but last up to 10 times longer, use two-thirds less energy and give off 70 percent less heat.  Turn off lights and electronics when you leave the room. 

And, utilize natural light and realize savings on electricity bills by means of “daylighting.” Hunter Douglas window fashions offer several ways to optimize natural light while diffusing it to reduce glare and UV rays that can harm furnishings.  Products with sheer fabrics – such as Silhouette® window shadings, with the Signature S-Vane™, Pirouette® window shadings and Luminette® Privacy Sheers – allow homeowners to draw natural light deeper into the room, illuminating homes with the warmth and beauty of softly diffused light 

And a Few Don’ts

 Don’t Place Lamps or TV Sets Near Your Thermostat

The thermostat senses heat from these appliances, which can cause the air conditioner to run longer than necessary

Don’t Block Heat in Colder Months

Be sure floor registers, baseboards or radiators aren’t blocked by rugs, furniture or other items.  If you have ceiling fans with a reverse setting, turn them on low and reverse when using a lot of heat.  Warm air rises and often gets trapped near the ceiling; the reverse air flow from the fan will help circulate the warm air around the entire room.

Don’t Try to Speed Up Heating or Cooling By Raising the Thermostat Beyond the Desired Temperature

In winter, the popular notion that the higher you set your heater’s thermostat, the faster your home will warm up is not true.  In reality, it takes the same amount of time for the temperature to reach 70 degrees F whether the thermostat is set at 70 or 90 degrees.  Setting the thermostat all the way up only increases your heating costs.

The same is true for summer, setting your thermostat at a colder setting than normal when you turn on the air conditioner will not cool your home any faster.  According to the Department of Energy, it could result in excessive cooling and, therefore, unnecessary expense.

Incorporate these simple do’s and don’ts and make a contribution into saving energy and the earth’s resources.

Hunter Douglas Inc. is a national sponsor of Habitat for Humanity, covering windows in every Habitat home built in the U.S. and Canada.  Headquartered in Upper Saddle River N.J., the company is the leading manufacturer of custom window fashions in North America. For more information, visit www.hunterdouglas.com or call 1-800-274-2985

Did you know that Americans will spend approximately $51 BILLION dollars on pets this year?  As a Latina pet lover I find this amount staggering, especially in a down economy.  What’s more, many of those billions of dollars contribute to a ton of waste and harm to the environment. At Casa Latina we are always interested in ways we can be more environmentally conscious and take small steps in our daily lives to “go green.”  Big changes made to quickly can become overwhelming.  But pet owners can make small, convenient, inexpensive changes that greatly benefit the environment. 

Heidi Ganahl, CEO and Founder of Camp Bow Wow, the nation’s largest pet services company, has come up with several ways that you can help reduce your dog’s carbon paw print and eliminate some burdens that dogs naturally impose on the environment.

Tips on Reducing Your Dog’s Carbon Paw Print

Make Waste More Eco Friendly

 A well-known fact is that it takes 1,000 years for a plastic bag to decompose. There are more eco-friendly options available at the grocery store, such as biodegradeable bags made of corn husk that are made specifically for picking up after your dog.

Premium Puppy Chow

When buying dog food and dog treats, always look for organic and/or natural products, which are easier on your dog’s stomach, and helps reduce waste overall. Be sure you recycle the packaging that is used for dog food, such as cans and food bags. To go the extra step, make your own dog food.

Break out the Fine China

 For your doggie dishes, purchase stainless steel or ceramic bowls instead of plastic. These materials last longer and don’t have to be replaced as often, eliminating waste.

Groom Green

Use grooming products that are made with natural ingredients instead of chemicals that are harmful to the environment. You should also support groomers that use natural products or ask that your groomer switch to more eco-friendly products. Consider donating some green products so the groomer can see how much better they are than the toxic ones. These organic products are safer for the planet AND Fido. At Camp Bow Wow, dogs are bathed with all natural shampoo and conditioners. In fact, most locations also use “The Bathmaster Animal Bathing System”, which cuts bath time and product usage amount in half.

Help Reduce the Population of Homeless Pets

You’ve heard Bob Barker say it before but here it is again: Spay or neuter your dog. This is not only beneficial for your dog’s health but the planet’s health as well. Humanely reducing the pet population helps to reduce the stress that dogs place on the environment.  Instead of purchasing a dog from a breeder, you should strongly consider adoption. Sadly, there are a lot of homeless dogs out there. Camp Bow Wow’s charity, The Bow Wow Buddies Foundation, works with Camp Bow Wow franchisees throughout the county to provide foster care and facilitate adoptions for homeless pets.

Are your monthly energy bills climbing?

According to the US Department of Energy, up to 45% of a home’s energy loss is through the attic, though the amount of heat actually lost will depend on where you live and how cold your attic gets.

It is not difficult to figure out home much energy you are using, and just as importantly, losing. When auditing your home, keep a checklist of areas you have inspected and problems you found.

This list will help you prioritize your energy efficiency upgrades.

Locating Indoor Air Leaks

First, make a list of obvious air leaks (drafts). The potential energy savings from reducing drafts in a home may range from 5% to 30% per year, and the home is generally much more comfortable afterward. Check for indoor air leaks, such as gaps along the baseboard or edge of the flooring and at junctures of the walls and ceiling.

Check to see if air can flow through these places:

• Electrical outlets
• Switch plates
• Window frames
• Baseboards
• Weather stripping around doors
• Fireplace dampers
• Attic hatches
• Wall- or window-mounted air conditioners.

Also look for gaps around pipes and wires, electrical outlets, foundation seals, and mail slots. Check to see if the caulking and weather stripping are applied properly, leaving no gaps or cracks, and are in good condition. Inspect windows and doors for air leaks. See if you can rattle them, since movement means possible air leaks.

Locating Outdoor Air Leaks

On the outside of your house, inspect all areas where two different building materials meet, including:

• All exterior corners
• Where siding and chimneys meet
• Areas where the foundation and the bottom of exterior brick or siding meet.

You should plug and caulk holes or penetrations for faucets, pipes, electric outlets, and wiring. Look for cracks and holes in the mortar, foundation, and siding, and seal them with the appropriate material. Check the exterior caulking around doors and windows, and see whether exterior storm doors and primary doors seal tightly.

Use Caution When Sealing Leaks

When sealing any home, you must always be aware of the danger of indoor air pollution and combustion appliance “backdrafts.” Backdrafting is when the various combustion appliances and exhaust fans in the home compete for air. An exhaust fan may pull the combustion gases back into the living space. This can obviously create a very dangerous and unhealthy situation in the home.

In homes where a fuel is burned (i.e., natural gas, fuel oil, propane, or wood) for heating, be certain the appliance has an adequate air supply. Generally, one square inch of vent opening is required for each 1,000 Btu of appliance input heat. When in doubt, contact your local utility company, energy professional, or ventilation contractor.

Check Attic Insulation

Heat loss through the ceiling and walls in your home could be very large if the insulation levels are less than the recommended minimum. When your house was built, the builder likely installed the amount of insulation recommended at that time. Given today’s energy prices (and future prices that will probably be higher), the level of insulation might be inadequate, especially if you have an older home.

If the attic hatch is located above a conditioned space, check to see if it is at least as heavily insulated as the attic, is weather stripped, and closes tightly. In the attic, determine whether openings for items such as pipes, ductwork, and chimneys are sealed. Seal any gaps with an expanding foam caulk or some other permanent sealant.

Make sure that the attic vents are not blocked by insulation. You also should seal any electrical boxes in the ceiling with flexible caulk (from the living room side or attic side) and cover the entire attic floor with at least the current recommended amount of insulation.

Check Wall Insulation

Checking a wall’s insulation level is more difficult. Select an exterior wall and turn off the circuit breaker or unscrew the fuse for any outlets in the wall. Be sure to test the outlets to make certain that they are not “hot.” Check the outlet by plugging in a functioning lamp or portable radio.

Once you are sure your outlets are not getting any electricity, remove the cover plate from one of the outlets and gently probe into the wall with a thin, long stick or screwdriver. If you encounter a slight resistance, you have some insulation there.

Heating/Cooling Equipment

Inspect heating and cooling equipment annually, or as recommended by the manufacturer. If you have a forced-air furnace, check your filters and replace them as needed. Generally, you should change them about once every month or two, especially during periods of high usage. Have a professional check and clean your equipment once a year.

If the unit is more than 15 years old, you should consider replacing your system with one of the newer, energy-efficient units. A new unit would greatly reduce your energy consumption, especially if the existing equipment is in poor condition. Check your ductwork for dirt streaks, especially near seams. These indicate air leaks, and they should be sealed with a duct mastic. Insulate any ducts or pipes that travel through unheated spaces. An insulation R-Value of 6 is the recommended minimum.

Lighting

Energy for lighting accounts for about 10% of your electric bill. Examine the wattage size of the light bulbs in your house. You may have 100-watt (or larger) bulbs where 60 or 75 watts would do. You should also consider compact fluorescent lamps for areas where lights are on for hours at a time. Your electric utility may offer rebates or other incentives for purchasing energy-efficient lamps.

How’d You Do?

Once you make your home or office as energy efficient it’s time to start thinking about a solar energy system that will protect you against further increases in energy prices. And, where applicable, your solar system allows you to feed the energy you don’t use from your solar power installation back into your local utility power grid for even more energy savings on your energy bills. 

Think: Energy Independence!

Visit to www.solarday.com for their Home Energy Audit.  It’s easy and you do it yourself.

Gas prices are at the highest average ever for this time of year.  With Memorial Day weekend quickly approaching and summer right around the corner, road trips and travelling will put more of a dent in the wallet this season. However with some planning and preparing, it’s possible to maximize your fuel mileage so that you can have cost effective road trips in the coming months.

Max Bohbot, President of penny auction site Beezid.com, offers Casa Latina tips on how to get the most out of what you’re paying for at the pump:

Drive Consistently and Carefully

 Avoid braking hard or accelerating unnecessarily quickly, you waste gas each time you accelerate just to brake a few seconds later.

Do Your Research

Calculate how much a trip will cost in gas (you can use AAA’s gas calculator) and then compare it to bus, train or air fares.

Cash Not Credit

 Pay for gas with cash instead of charging it to a card, you’ll save a few cents per gallon. Sometimes you can buy gas cards at a discount on sites like Beezid.com.

Fill ‘em Up

Check that your tires are inflated according to the manufacturer’s recommended pressure. By maintaining well-inflated tires, you ensure your car is getting better mileage than on under-inflated tires.

Invest In A GPS

Using a GPS cuts down on the chances of getting lost while driving to your destination which can waste time and gas. You can check out Beezid.com for deals on the latest GPS models.

The More, The Cheaper

Try and carpool to destinations and split the costs of transportation costs.

The One Minute Rule

If you’re going to idle your car for more than a minute, it’s worth turning off the engine. If it’s going to be under a minute, just leave the car running.

Quality Goes A Long Way

Make sure to have your car or motorcycle inspected before you take a road trip, it’ll save you money to fix anything that might need repairs before your trip instead of potentially breaking down on the road which can become a costly inconvenience.