Angry Birds Everywhere... Why Parents Let Their Kids Play So Much.

Angry Birds are everywhere! Kids and some adults can't get enough of them. There are children playing Angry Birds that can't tie shoe laces, and can't read a word.

Why are parents letting their children play angry birds so much? Well for one thing, while parents are driving it keeps children quiet (when they aren't fighting for your smart phone).

The game is, in essence a babysitter, while parents go about their daily errands on the run. A time when normally whining from children is at a peak and parents patience is at a low, in swoops the Angry Birds game to the rescue of everyones sanity. Everyone is happy!

As the beginning of school approaches, demand for Angry Birds merchandise is increasing. Some items your children will love are:

Angry Birds Shoe Charms


Rovio Angry Birds 5" Plush Set


Angry Birds Backpack Clip Assortment


Angry Birds Shirts for Kids


Angry Birds Lunch Box Pigs


Angry Birds Backpack, Lunchbox and Pencil Case


Angry Birds Party Pack (Birthday Party Angry Birds Theme)


Pick up your child a little surprise! There is one surprise they would absolutely love and so will you because your phone can become your phone again! Apple iPad (First Generation) MB294LL/A Tablet (64GB, Wifi) perfect for playing Angry Birds!


My other hobby is a website about how to make your home energy efficient
so that you can save money and spend it on your children!

Angry Birds are Hot, Hot, Hot in Back to School Must Have Items !

Angry Birds have seemingly becoming the popular thing for this years back to school must have items.

If you have a smart phone and / or children you probably know about Angry Birds by now.  The minute my eight year old girl saw a plush angry bird for sale, she had to have it, and was willing to use every last penney of "her money" to buy it.    (Much to my disgust)

As a parent I always dread the next "must have theme," because it never ends with just one item. Kids just want to collect anything that has that theme on it, and they use it as a status symbol amongst each other to show off their angry birds items.

Why do I dread it?  Because it costs money!  It is seemingly so important to your child yet, you can't waste money on their every passing whim, because you know that in a short time it will be discarded for the next must have theme!

I usually try to get my children just a few items that don't break my wallet, that way they are somewhat content and I can live with the money spent.

Below is one of the Plush Angry Birds (some come with sounds)



Below is an Angry Birds backpack clip.


Angry Birds T Shirts.


There is also an Angry Birds Lunch Bag, Angry Birds Backpack, Angry Birds Soft Plush Shoulder/Handheld Bag.

More Angry Birds Items

Get your Angry Birds Items now before they sell out! Surprise your kids with a gift they will love!

Where Oh Where is Casey Anthony?

You know that the media just can't wait to find Casey Anthony so that they can keep this story alive as long as possible. I think it is time to move on with our lives, if only the media would stop talking about her.

The media has turned her into a celebrity. Public opinion remains mostly against her, understandably so, but I wish they would just quiet down on the story, so as to not give Casey Anthony any more attention than she already has had.  People like her don't mind negative press, as long as they are the center of attention.

Stop giving her more attention! Stop talking about her. Nothing brings innocent little Caylee back.  I do agree with people who want to voice their opinion that they will boycott books or TV interviews.  But really do you think the general public won't watch if she gives an interview on TV?  Everyone seems to be obsessed with her.  Enough already!

When I am not discussed with the Casey Anthony TV coverage I am working on my website http://www.homes-energy-efficient.com/

Media Must Assist in Closure of Casey Anthony Trial.

The discussions continue in the media about the verdict in the Casey Anthony trial, yet many of us have Casey Anthony trial fatigue!  How long will the media keep it fresh and keep discussing it?  I feel bad that no justice was done for little Caylee, and disappointed in the verdict, but now it is time to move on with our lives.

If you are truly up in arms and full of frustration about this verdict, then why not put this energy to good use and help other suffering children.  There are children all around us that are being neglected, who need food, shelter, clothing and the like.

Caylee will be remembered in our hearts forever, but the verdict can not be changed. Casey Anthony will be free on Sunday July 17th, 2011.  Ill will toward jurors and the Anthony family does not change the situation at all.

The media continues to discuss and dissect the case, especially Headline News (HLN) evidently because us  viewers are still watching it.  The media needs to talk about other news events and stop covering all the dissection of the case!  We viewers need to stop watching  it and move on as well!

After the verdict I decided to watch significantly less coverage because it was depressing being upset about something that I have no control over.  All the lying was upsetting me as well.

It was time for me to move forward with my own life, with my own children, and put the Casey Anthony trial behind me. Time to get back to raising my children and teaching them right from wrong, and not to lie, so that they end up being good people.

As a mother, it is scary to see the dysfunctional relationship between Casey and Cindy Anthony.  I can only hope that my daughter and I have a better relationship as she grows up! 

When I am not commenting on the Casey Anthony trial, I am working on my website.... http://www.homes-energy-efficient.com/

Casey Anthony Trial Verdict A Disappointment To Many.

People are just completely shocked at the outcome of this trial. How do we know Casey didn't just hold her daughter underwater then later call it an accidental drowning? 

Even if we believe the defense and it was an accidental drowning, why on earth did she have law enforcement, and many others looking for a live child?  There should be some penalty above and beyond the giving false information to a law enforcement officer, for having all kinds of financial resources directed at finding a believed to be alive, but missing child?

Weren't hundreds of thousands of dollars spent on this wild goose chase?  She is getting away with too much! Not charged with murder, and not punished for causing the false alarm of looking for an alive child, knowing the child was dead.  To bad the prosecution can't come back with a charge related to failure to report an accidental death and improper disposal of a body (since the jurors must have believed that theory.)

She should be sentenced to 10 years of community service and paying a fine or the like, since not found guilty of murder.   I wondered why there were things the jury didn't get to hear because it may be inflammatory?  Wasn't it all vital information they needed to make a decision?

Casey Anthony Found Not Guilty Of Murder.

Casey Anthony found not guilty of murder after the jury having the case for just over a day.  She was found guilty on four counts of providing false information to law enforcement. The media it seems had already tried her and found her guilty judging upon their reaction.  Everyone seems to be in shock.

I think there may have been jurors who were suspicious that she did kill her daughter, but there just wasn't enough evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt to convict her.  Unfortunately there were more questions than answers, and with several witnesses having obviously lied on the stand it must have been hard to guess the truth.

Did she get away with murder? There certainly is that chance.  I think the fact that George and Cindy Anthony did not go over to her prior to leaving the room, speaks volumes. 

I am sad to say, I believe justice was not done for Caylee Anthony.

Casey Anthony Trial - Sex Abuse Allegations... Are They True?

The Casey Anthony Trial has many people trying to figure out the truth of what exactly happened to this precious little girl Caylee Anthony. We all want to see justice for this little innocent girl who's life tragically ended much too soon.

If you have been closely watching Casey Anthony's reaction to testimony, there has been very little reaction. In fact surprisingly little emotional reaction even when testimony was on the subject of  her daughter's remains.  She looks like she just doesn't care about her daughter quite frankly.

Watching tape again, of Jose Baez giving his opening statement, I was surprised at how emotional Casey looked during the part where Jose Baez brought up the alleged sex abuse by her own father, compared to the emotional reaction on her face during the rest of the trial.

Is there some truth to the allegations?  Casey having to act normal at school, when things might have been quite abnormal at home, would explain her acting in a completely inappropriate, covering up way when things went wrong with her daughter, if it was an accident.

I think it is suspicious that Cindy never took Casey to a gynecologist appointment prior to her being pregnant.  Really why not? Was she afraid they would find something out?  What would they find out? Was Cindy thinking Casey was not sexually active? Or did she know she already was with her own father and not want that found out? That is gross and I hope not true! Everyone is being torn apart with speculation in this case which is unfortunate.

As a mother, if I had a teenage daughter, and if I had any inkling of  her being sexually active, I would absolutely want her to go to a gyn appointment and get birth control, and make her understand the consequences of such behavior.  STD's, Aids, Pregnancy, Heartbreak.... etc.

To me it seems abnormal that Cindy Anthony did not take her to a Gyn sooner. Even if she was sexually abused, did that make her kill her own daughter?  I see no connection there. But if it was a pool accident and Casey felt responsible for the accident by not watching her daughter, and tried to cover it up because she was afraid of what would happen as a consequence of someone finding out, then I can see some of the odd behavior making sense. 

If she used chloroform and killed her daughter, then she deserves the death penalty. The problem is that we may never know the actual truth of what happened.  In my mind there has to be more evidence to make a decision.

I invite you to comment below.....

Cindy Anthony appears to have willfully given false evidence and is caught!

The web of lies spun by the Anthony family just seem to keep growing. Cindy Anthony in an attempt to cover for her daughter, Casey Anthony seems to have perjured herself on the stand today as proven by computer experts who testified she (or someone using her user name, but why would they?) was entering information into her computer at work, at the times she claimed she was a home searching on the computer.

Casey Anthony has had her mother covering for her bad behavior for years it seems. Parents that keep covering and helping their adult children are enablers that cause more problems for their grown children by preventing their child from facing consequences for their actions. 

I feel sad that Cindy lied for her daughter Casey.  If no perjury charges are filed against Cindy then what message are we receiving?  It's okay to lie under oath?  Granted the whole family has been through a terrible, horrible time with the loss of Caylee but I think she shouldn't completely get away with it. 

Ironically her attempt to cover for Casey and getting caught, may be the very thing that seals Casey's fate as far as premeditation goes. It certainly puts premeditation back on the table for the jury to consider.

Krystal Holloway appeared believable yesterday, making me believe George was capable of lying as well.  Although I thought most of his testimony was believable except for the part about the affair.

I have heard the suggestion that perhaps the Anthony dogs were sleepy a lot because Casey Anthony was experimenting with the Chloroform on them first!

Parents out there... don't lie for your children! Bring them up right, let them face the consequences of their actions from an early age, and they will hopefully learn to be responsible and make wiser decisions through their own experiences!

Unfortunately innocent Caylee is no longer here and that appears to be the consequence of  Casey's behavior.

Please feel free to comment below........

Casey Anthony Trial - Did she do it? or was it an accident?

Casey Anthony trial updates June 30, 2011




Krystal Holloway seemed quite credible on the stand today. Later on an interview with Vinnie Politan she clarified the testimony more regarding the “this was an accident that snowballed out of control” statement made by George Anthony. She admitted not asking more questions, so she was unsure exactly if the statement meant that he knew it for a fact or suspected it.



In my opinion, it was an odd statement because an accident is out of control. If one had control of an accident then one would prevent it in the first place. If he knew it was an accident and Caylee was already dead then why hadn't he told law enforcement unless he had something to do with it or the cover up somehow? He didn't appear to be protecting Casey, so why didn't he just come forward if he knew something?



George Anthony's credibility was definitely questionable regarding the existence of an affair with Krystal Holloway. His manner even changed when he answered the questions finding the questions “funny”? I can't see where any of it was funny. I wonder why no further texts were entered into evidence?



The Casey family pet burial methods used over the past years suggest that someone in the family dumped Caylee's body because she was dumped much the same way. In a cloth laundry bag and two plastic garbage bags. They probably thought they were doing it the “right” way. Had Casey ever attended a funeral before? It's not like you can run out and buy a coffin for your child is missing when you are trying to convince people she is alive and kidnapped.



Casey was involved and if a pool accident why hide it? A pool accident is not usually considered a criminal act. BUT if the death involved accidental overuse of chloroform then Casey's cover up makes more sense because she obviously didn't want to get caught.



Prosecutors say the mother drugged her daughter with chloroform and then pressed duct tape over her nose and mouth and suffocated her on June 16, 2008. They say Casey hid the body in the trunk of her car for several days before dumping it in a wooded area a quarter-mile from the family home.



I think that this could very well be what happened, or that the child was drugged while in the trunk, while Casey partied and then died.



I invite you to comment with your opinions below. It is such a sad case.

Casey Anthony trial hanging on the testimony of Crystal Holloway

Wow Crystal Holloway had some powerful testimony today. Personally I believe George Anthony and her did have an affair.  I don't know why the defense did not subpoena the gate records to see how many times George Anthony visited Crystal Holloway and what times he visited.   That would give the jury an idea who might be telling the truth. She claimed he went there about 12 times, while he claimed just a few times.

Crystal Holloway seems to be telling the truth. During her testimony George Anthony sat there as stiff and unemotional as Casey has been throughout the trial. So now I am doubting his testimony with regard to the affair. 

The real question though is did George Anthony know there was an accident, or did he believe there may have been an accident that snowballed out of control?  At the time did he believe or know Caylee was dead or alive? Why would he make that statement if he thought she was still alive?

Casey Anthony Trial - who do we believe? Add your opinion here!

The Casey Anthony trial has been twisting and turning with contradictory testimony which leaves me wondering "don't they know that they have to tell the truth?" and "don't they know that when two people say two opposite things one of them must be lying?"  The jury has a tough job ahead of them.

What is the point of testimony in a trial if people just lie?  I have been frustrated at trying to figure out who is lying and who isn't out of the Anthony family members who have testified so far.

I have decided to keep an open mind about Casey Anthony's guilt or innocence on the premeditated murder charges. However I don't have a good opinion of her, and think poorly of her lying, tattooing, partying ways while her daughter was supposedly "missing", or perhaps already dead.  Clearly Casey Anthony is an odd person with some sort of problems because the way she behaved just wasn't even close to normal.

Sadly I am not sure we will ever know exactly how, when or where Caylee died because no one seems to be able to be truthful.  So many things don't add up.  How could no one know where she was? Someone knew.

I am just hoping for some heated questioning from the lawyers that gets someone to admit something so that the truth comes out.

Today June 28th 2011, Lee Anthony's testimony contradicted Cindy Anthony's testimony about her sending the investigators to search the wooded area based on a psychic tip.  The area they searched by the way, was not exactly the same as the area where Caylee's remains were found. Same general area, but not the same spot.  


I want to invite comments below where you can give your opinion as the trial goes forward.

If you want to take a break from the trial and do something productive please visit my website at http://www.homes-energy-efficient.com/    it's full of information on how to make your home more energy efficient!

Which Cracked Feet Products Work? Read before you buy!

Cracked feet or more commonly cracked heals can be embarrassing and annoying to deal with. When the cracks get deep enough they form a fissure and can be very painful and even bleed.

At times people give up trying to solve the problem partly because they have already tried so many lotions, creams, oils and pastes that all claim to work wonders, but many of them make no significant difference at all! After spending so much money on things that don't work, one becomes afraid to waste more money on yet another lying miracle cure.


The manufacturers loosely throw around claims like “guaranteed and clinically proven,“ and other terms that, in my experience simply aren't true. The picture shows all the products I presently have on the side table next to my bed. I have used more products in the past as well, so the pictured products aren't an exhaustive list of what I have tried.

Miracle Foot Repairs directions are to apply 3-4 times per day. Who has that kind of time? Amlactin, Heel Rescue and Blue Goo Cracked Heel Foot Softener all have the same directions to apply twice a day. That is much more reasonable.


I recommend the Blue Goo Cracked Heel Foot Softener because in just one application in the evening with socks pulled over your feet for the night I see a marked difference in the morning. I recommend continued use once a day, or twice a day as needed.


The product is made of emu oil and beeswax and goes on like a thick yellowish paste. It has an odd smell and doesn't wash off your hands as easily as the other products, but it works for me. So if you are still looking for a product that may work for you, give it a try!


Please feel free to comment below or post your recommendations. I have not tried heeltastic so if you have tried it please comment on your experience with it!


I also have a website about how to make your home more energy efficient

Tips for surviving your family trip to Universal's Islands of Adventure this summer.

Follow these tips and feel free to add more tips in the comment section below!

1. Wear comfortable shoes!

2. Wear upper clothing that is light colored rather than dark colors to stay cooler.

3. Wear clothing that dries easily (You will get soaked on the water rides).

4. Apply sweat proof/water resistant or water proof sunscreen to all skin exposed to sun prior to going
(don't carry it along unless you think you will have to reapply it).

5. Take Advil or Tylenol or something like it, with you in case your feet really start to hurt

6. Take anything extra that you don't need out of your purse prior to going (it gets heavy).

7. Don't take back packs with extra clothes or towels unless you have a stroller.

8. Keep a towel or two in your car for when you return at the end of the day, you may be wet from water rides.

9. Take a camera and don't forget to use it!

10. Sit for brief breaks often in an air conditioned building.

11. Drink fluids before getting there (cheaper elsewhere) and then keep hydrated while there. Yes you will have to spend money there on some food and drinks.

12. Eat a big breakfast prior to going so that you aren't so hungry there (food is expensive there) unless you are likely to feel queasy if you eat too much and go on a roller coaster etc.

13. Sneak in some fruit snacks packets or granola bars in a small paper bag, because even if you aren't that hungry you will feel tired and that will pick you up a little. (costs less than their food)

14. People who are prone to inner thigh chafing should apply powder prior to going, and ride water rides only at the end of the day.

15. Even though it is very tempting to go on water rides between noon to 4 pm, don't go on water rides until the end of the day because walking in wet shoes and clothes isn't real comfortable.

16. Don't bother using the large body dryers that cost $5, it will dry your hair and skin but most clothes will stay wet.

17. After water ride don't immediately go to an indoor attraction, the air conditioning on wet clothing is uncomfortable. Some people catch a cold that way. Another reason do the water rides last.

18. Don't buy your children or self gifts/souvenirs until the end of the day so you don't have to carry them all day. Carrying a large stuffed animal around with you all day gets very hot and is inconvenient when trying to go on rides.

19. Before getting in a long line to wait for a ride, ask if any of your children have to use the restroom first.

20. Two adults should accompany two or more children in case one child wants to go on a ride and the other doesn't. One adult can be with ones riding and one adult with those not riding.

21. Be patient with your children, remember this is something special you are doing with them.

22. Some children may not be ready for the aggressive rides. (personally I don't think kids age under 7 would enjoy it as much as Magic Kingdom)

23. Avoid fighting, especially with your significant other or spouse. Let the day be happy!

How to keep MOLD growth out of your home!

The occurrence of mold in homes is common in humid climates. Energy efficient homes constructed with an air tight building envelope to help prevent energy loss, are also prone to having mold problems.


Newer homes seem to have increasing incidence of mold problems, perhaps due to poor ventilation and other factors such as building materials used, poor HVAC planning, failing to control humidity and so on.


Molds are a group of organisms from the fungi kingdom. Their role in nature is to break down organic matter. Mold requires moisture to grow. Molds digest the wood, paper, carpet, foods and whatever they are growing on.


Mold in homes can cause allergic reactions like itchiness in the eyes, nose and throat, chronic sinus infections,and increased asthma rates, along with other health problems such as shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, rashes, fever and headaches, nausea, and fatigue.


If a household member is suffering from some of the above mentioned symptoms, which then dissipate when they leave the home, and you notice a musty smell in you home you may have a mold problem. You can look for evidence of moisture on carpet, drywall, wood, insulation, in attic and also look in 'hidden' places such as behind baseboards, under carpeting, or in the ventilation system.


Some types of mold produce harmful mycotoxins and other types are not as hazardous to healthy individuals but can still cause irritation. Exposure happens most commonly through inhalation. One can also be exposed to mold by touching it or accidentally ingesting it. (Eating bread with mold on it)


Mold is reproduced by tiny spores or “seeds”, that float through the air both indoors and outdoors, and are invisible to the naked eye. Mold spores can be found in the general dust in a home. Mold begins growing when mold spores land on wet or damp surfaces. Excess moisture is the main cause of problem mold in homes.


Once mold has become a problem to a home it can be costly to remediate. One must correct the conditions which enabled the mold to grow, then repair the damage to the home. Leaking water problems must be addressed quickly because the moisture spreads to affect a larger area, thus causing more damage as time goes on. Insurers limit their coverage for mold damage because potential losses could be huge.


Below are some ways to help avoid mold growth in your home:

1. Fix any water leaks immediately


2. Keep humidity inside your home to below 60% by:


a).Using air conditioners and dehumidifiers as needed.


b).Making sure moisture sources are vented to the outside such as bathroom vents, clothes dryer vent, exhaust fans when cooking and so on. Don't forget to turn on the vents in kitchen and bathroom as needed.

For further helpful tips for homeowners please visit   http://www.homes-energy-efficient.com/

Pet Dander Awareness - So You Can Be More Sensitive To Friends With Allergies!

Ask someone who is allergic to pet dander and they will tell you that pet dander is a big indoor air quality problem and they will avoid entering a person's home because of it.

Pet dander is tiny microscopic flecks of skin shed by pets of all varieties. The fur or feathers of a pet are not the dander, but can contain some of the flecks of skin. Dander is so tiny and light weight that it easily floats in the air to places where your pet may not even go. Dust on a high ledge will contain dander in a home with a pet. Dander can include proteins in saliva, urine and feces as well. When dried these can fleck into small pieces and become airborne.


Airborne dander can be inhaled by the allergic person and cause a reaction. Pet dander remains suspended in the air for a long time, and can stick to bedding, furniture, drapes, and even clothing that is worn out of the house into another building or home. Pet dander hitchhikes its way around on fabrics so easily because the edges are jagged. Cat dander is said to be the stickiest. That means pet dander can be in buildings, homes, schools, offices and anywhere indoors, even when no pets actually live there!


Lung function declines for people who are allergic to pet dander and they experience nasal congestion, sneezing, runny nose, wheezing and chest tightness, and even, swollen glands and hives. They also experience watery, itching eyes and rashes or eczema. People experience different reactions at different concentrations of pet dander. Some are more sensitive than others. Pets can trigger asthma.


Pet dander, sometimes called pet pollen can even stick to walls and ceiling and become airborne again. Pet dander enters our bodies through our eyes, nose and mouth. It touches our mucous membranes and bronchial tubes. It's the protein in the skin and and saliva that it the allergen.


Washing and HEPA vacuuming of interior surfaces helps remove dander. Also air duct cleaning, commercial steam cleaning of carpet and wiping down walls and dusting surfaces with a damp cloth rather than a dry duster may help.

Pet dander is also food for dust mites who's fecal matter adds to indoor dust causing allergic reactions too. High humidity further adds to the problems.


In conclusion, pet dander has a bigger effect on indoor air quality than most non-allergy suffering people realize. It's hard to completely get rid of because it is airborne and sticks to fabrics and other materials. Even in public buildings that are well cleaned, pet dander will return on clothing of people who have pets at home.


Pets are popular even when their owners are mildly allergic to their dander. Removing a pet from a home and doing a thorough cleaning including air ducts, washing clothing and fabrics, steam cleaning carpeting, wiping down walls, replacing air filters and so on will help improve the indoor air quality for someone who suffers from pet dander allergies.

Please visit my website packed with good information on how to make your home more energy efficient.  http://www.homes-energy-efficient.com/

Do I Need My Air Ducts Cleaned? - The Answer Will Surprise You!

Air duct cleaningsounds good and sanitary and is advertised as almost a necessity, however even with indoor air pollution becoming an issue of growing concern it may not be right for you.  I used to think everyone should have it done if they can afford to, but I never actually read further about it until recently.  Now my opinion has changed.

There is no substantial evidence that points to air duct cleaning in and of itself, as having a great impact on the energy efficiency of your home. There are some circumstances though that call for air duct cleaning. If your home suffers from one of these situations, you may wish to consider air duct cleaning.  Anything super gross in your air ducts, other than some dust should trigger some desire to get your air ducts cleaned.

Air duct cleaning is recommended if there is visible mold growing on hard surfaces in and around air ducts. Keep in mind it is hard to see inside the air duct for visible mold so you many want to contact a professional if you suspect there might be mold in there.  Also if air ducts are infested with rodents or insects or if they show excessive amounts of dust and debris. If particles are released into your home from your supply register, that would indicate a need for cleaning as well.

Much of the dirt or dust adheres to the inside surface and does not necessarily enter the living space. Dirt and dust build up sound gross, but unless it is coming out of the supply register it isn't causing a problem. Mold growth inside air ducts can be dangerous if the mold is toxic. Inhalation is the most dangerous way that humans come into contact with toxic mold. Even though not all mold is toxic, it is safer to treat it as though it is, until lab tests prove otherwise.

If you have insulated air ducts and the insulation gets wet and moldy, it should be removed and replaced. The conditions causing the mold growth must be corrected or the mold will recur. 

Presently the EPA does not recommend that air ducts be cleaned routinely, but rather only as needed. There is also the question of what chemical biocides will be applied to the inside of air ducts to kill bacteria and fungi and whether these biocides are safe or whether they can cause more problems than the contaminants themselves.

Ozone, which is a lung irritant, is sometimes used instead of biocide. A light amount of household dust in your air ducts is normal and does not warrant cleaning with biocides or ozone.

Preventing water and dirt from entering the duct system is the best way to prevent contaminated air ducts. Use high efficiency air filters, and change them frequently as needed. Have your air conditioner cooling coils and drain pans cleaned or checked yearly if possible. Vacuum your carpet with a HEPA filter vacuum.

Keep moisture out of air ducts by repairing any leaks or damage. If you see standing water and debris in the condensate pan that isn't draining have it checked right away. Air ducts running through attics, crawl spaces and other non-air-conditioned spaces should be sealed and insulated. Steam cleaning and any method involving moisture should never be used to clean air ducts.


Some companies advertise application of a sealant to prevent release of dust and dirt particles inside the air duct to the air. There are still questions about the safety and even the effectiveness of sealants. Also how they perform over time and do they disintegrate under different conditions is still questionable. More evaluation and research is needed before this type of procedure should be widely recommended.


Methods of cleaning air ducts are different depending on what the air ducts are made of. Sheet metal air ducts may be cleaned differently than flex duct, fiber glass duct board or fiber glass lined air ducts. Clean air ducts sound great, but don't just get your air ducts cleaned with dangerous chemicals without doing research and understanding that there are likely risks involved, that haven't been fully discovered yet.

If you suffer from allergies, or have other health problems your evaluation may be different than other peoples evaluation.  Look up the EPA website at http://www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/airduct.html#Should  before calling someone to clean your air ducts.

For more discussion and information on how to make your home energy efficient and cut your electric bills  please visit my website at   http://www.homes-energy-efficient.com/ 

Please feel free to share your opinion and comments below!

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What Will It Take To Get Other People Involved In Energy Efficiency?

The notion of energy efficiency just isn't sexy enough to get people's attention it seems. How can we make the topic more urgent and interesting in order to get more people to participate in energy efficiency measures?


When people hear about energy efficiency ideas they usually like them, but do little or nothing about it. People tend to stay in their habit ruts unless something drastic pushes them to do something different. If you can't afford your electric bill then maybe you will take some measures to reduce it to an affordable level.


In the past policymakers have used a price-based approach such as greenhouse gas emissions taxes, and rebates for trading old appliances for energy efficient appliances, as incentives to encourage consumers to make better energy efficiency choices. Research in psychology and behavioral economics suggests that non-price approaches can be as powerful in influencing consumers choices.


Regularly sending each consumer an energy use report, which compares their consumption to similar nearby households along with a description of the social norm are better at reducing energy use than other appeals such as saving the environment and social responsibility. The report would also include energy conservation tips. Most people deny social norms will influence them, but trials done by Opower when partnering with several utility companies showed that social norms will influence behavior even though people claim it does not.

Find out more about energy efficiency by visiting my website at http://www.homes-energy-efficient.com/



Share your ideas by commenting below.

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Smart Grid - What is it? What does it mean to you?

Smart grid is an electrical power distribution network that includes two-way, digital communications between suppliers and consumers. Smart grid works with a smart meter installed at the consumer end.


A plain electrical grid uses technology to deliver electricity from power plants to consumers. A Smart grid uses information technology to improve how the electricity travels to consumers, allowing consumers to interact with the grid, and offers benefits such as better response to electricity demand, better management of outages, more integration of renewable forms of energy, and storage of electricity.


The overall goal is optimization of consumer use of electricity, improving energy efficiency and controlling the flow of power to maintain reliable service and stable operation. Widespread use of this technology would reduce blackouts, which cost consumers, both individuals and businesses, millions of dollars. Also the increased efficiency of this system would drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions and be more environmentally friendly.  If everyone efficiently used electricity the reduction in pollution would be astounding. It is hard to get people to care enough to do something about it though. If everyone was on a smart grid and had a smart meter would the use it?


So what does this gobbledegook mean to you? Don't feel bad if is seems confusing, as even many employees at the electricity companies wouldn't be able to answer many questions about it. The overall idea will have to be put in simpler terms for consumers to be interested. People fear what they don't understand. Many people never figured out how to program their VCR's before they became obsolete and have yet to program their programmable thermostats because it seems complicated.  Are some people too lazy to read? 


One part of this system will be that consumers will use more electricity during off peak hours and less during peak hours. For example, your dishwasher and clothes washer might run their loads during the middle of the night based on the most efficient time. If you have a smart appliance it will communicate with the electricity provider as to what time that will be, based on what electricity is being used all over that night and how many other consumers have their machines ready to run that night.


There will be more planning and scheduling of electrical use, but you won't have to be the one planning it, because the electricity provider and your appliances could figure it out for you, and your electricity bill should go down as a result, and you'll be helping the environment by conserving energy.


Another benefit would be, for example, your hot water heater malfunctions and uses huge amounts of electricity that you don't know about until you get your massive bill and are shocked. This situation will be prevented with smart grid, because you will know how much electricity you are consuming as often as you want to know, and you would somehow be alerted almost immediately by your hot water heater or electricity provider, perhaps via a text to your phone that there is a problem. Your hot water heater may even shut itself off or be smart enough to self diagnose its problem and fix itself.


The interaction between consumer and supplier would be quick to point out problems within your home system. Once your home has a smart meter and is hooked up to smart grid it might reveal that your heating and cooling electricity use is way higher than normal in comparison to other similar homes. This would warrant further investigation and may uncover problems like air ducts improperly installed or not fully connected. As a consumer you may have continued to pay your electricity bill not realizing it was higher than it should be, because that was the usual monthly bill ever since you have lived there. You would have wasted electricity and money indefinitely without even knowing it.  Incorrectly installed air ducts are not so uncommon, so this situation could be going on right now in your home without your knowledge. An energy audit would uncover this situation.
Smart grid can help consumers by tracking energy costs, identifying problems and reducing harm to the environment, but some wonder, is this yet another way you are giving up your freedom? It may increase energy efficiency but is it another way you are being controlled by “Big Brother”?   Would you care if you were required by the utility company to have a smart meter?  In some places they have been installed.

For more interesting information about energy efficiency please visit  http://www.homes-energy-efficient.com/

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Have you heard of Smart Appliances? Find out about them now http://ping.fm/KjK5C

Smart Appliances on the Horizon- Here is the scoop for you.

Smart appliances were unveiled at the 2011 International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Companies showed how their newest line of appliances, which when connected to the internet via Wi-Fi will be able to automatically do some very interesting functions, more efficiently for the consumer.

These appliances will be able to monitor their own energy use and operate more efficiently. For example, you can decide when to do laundry, or the washing machine can decide if it is more efficient to do laundry now or wait until a later time. This technology comes from LG's, new line of smart appliances called “Thinq” brand, pronounced “think-you”.

LG's newest refrigerator when internet connected will be able to text a shopping list to you based on what is low in the fridge and what is about to expire. LG also showed off its Smart Access system, which will let consumers operate their web-enabled appliances remotely from their smart phones or tablet computers. Now imagine what time that could save you! LG didn't say when these appliances would be available or what they would cost.

The Thinq concept centers around a WiFi grid built around a smart meter in order to be able to take advantage of the most cost-effective time to perform tasks such as laundry. The consumer could also choose the most convenient time rather than the most cost effective time to perform functions.

LG's HOM-BOT robotic vacuum cleaner will be able to clean, view the house and feed the dog, so they claim, as controlled by you and your smart phone or tablet computer. Do you want to know how often the fridge is opened during the day, or if the door is left open, and how much energy it is consuming? Your daily, weekly or monthly report will be able to tell you.

A smart appliance oven with Thinq technology may send a text message to its owner saying a roast is ready and the owner could remotely lower the temperature to keep the food warm. I wonder who would put the roast in the oven? Will the HOM-BOT  put the roast in the oven while the owner is at work or busy out and about, or does the owner have to come home to put it in?

The arrival of Smart Appliances may put an end to the traditional service call for a malfunctioning appliance, because the ability for remote diagnostics would also be a part of these connected appliances.

There is still more education needed in the area of smart grid meters and smart grid. Many people are unaware of these concepts, so it is unlikely they will be eager to spend more money on appliances because of the energy saving and earth friendly benefits. Even once people are educated about these concepts, will they care enough to go and buy these appliances because of those reasons, or are they more likely to buy them for more shallow reasons such as their “WOW” factor?

People are likely to spend money for increased convenience and to have the latest previously unheard of novelty features a smart appliance offers. Just like in the case of iphones, they didn't become all the rage because existing phones didn't work, but rather because they were something new that did new, previously unheard of things, and many people wanted to be the first to own them.

Driving sales by marketing their “WOW” bells and whistles features may make more sense than spending money on education about smart meters and smart grids and how these smart appliances play their role in energy savings and in saving the environment. Smart appliances may have originally been conceived to save energy and the environment, but in concept quickly evolved to also have some very cool features, which are more likely to be the reason consumers purchase them.

South Korea based Samsung and Korean manufacturer LG have high aspirations to rapidly take over market share, with regard to large household appliances from Whirlpool, Electrolux and General Electric (GE). Whirlpool, GE and and Electrolux are also working on creating their own connected appliances.

With this race to market taking place now look for early versions of smart appliances to start arriving in stores in late 2011 or 2012. Most likely these appliances will further evolve beyond present imagination and become more commonplace in the next 5 years.

For more details on energy efficiency at home please see http://www.homes-energy-efficient.com/

For information about energy efficient appliances please see  http://www.homes-energy-efficient.com/energy-star.html
References:

http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/04/lg-thinq-linqs-your-smart-appliances-with-wifi-and-smartphone-ap/

http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/jan2011/tc20110126_265727_page_2.htm

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Dual Flush Toilets - What You Need to Know & Why

Dual flush toilets are a great way to conserve water and make your bathroom more environmentally friendly. Flushing toilets is a major use of water and an expected part of bathroom hygiene, however, many toilets waste way more water than is necessary.

Dual flush toilets were invented by an Australian, Bruce Thompson in 1980. They are widely used in Australia, Asia and Europe and Israel. In some places it is mandatory that all new toilets are made that way.


Presently the US requires newer toilet designs to flush at 1.6 gallons per flush (gpf) maximum, however there is no widespread requirement for the dual flush option, which is lower volume flush. It's too bad we don't push dual flush toilets more to save water.  Perhaps we feel it fringes upon peoples freedom to require something like this.  To conserve water though it would make sense to require new toilets to have this feature

One is a full flush for solid waste and the other ½ flush is for liquid waste. Dual flush toilets are available for purchase in the US, but they just aren't as commonplace as in some other countries.

If you aren't in the market for a new toilet, you can purchase a retrofit conversion kit and install it in your existing toilet. Imagine how much water and money schools, and multi-family dwellings could save if they installed dual flush retrofit conversions.

For the ultra economic, no frill way to save water you can fill a water bottle or slightly larger plastic bottle with sand or little rocks, put the lid on and put it in the toilet tank away from the interior components to take up some of the space the water normally occupies. The water will still fill to the same line in the tank but will be less water than before you put the bottle in the tank.

Early water saving toilet models occasionally had some problems with flushing, however since then the design of the trap and flushing mechanism has improved to where they are becoming more popular in America. In other words maybe you heard about some dissatisfaction in the past with these type of toilets, however, that is no longer a reason to avoid them now, because now they work better. 

High efficiency toilets (HETs) can be single flush or dual flush. Some are power-assisted or pump-assisted or vacuum-assisted. The maximum performance scores (MaP) range from 250 to 1100. The EPA Water Sense Program requires 350 MaP as the minimum standard. That means the toilet must be able to flush 350 grams of waste in one flush. A MaP of toilet fixtures can be found here. http://www.cuwcc.org/WorkArea/showcontent.aspx?id=14058

Dual Flush toilets use a larger trap to remove waste with less water pressure. The larger trap helps to prevent your toilet from clogging! Yes say goodbye to clogged overflowing toilets!  Now that you have heard that good news don't forget to call your water provider or municipality to see if they offer a rebate for purchase of a high efficiency toilet.

When you are shopping for a new toilet, first narrow it down to ones that are EPA Water Sense compliant. Then decide if you want a one or two piece toilet. One piece may be easier to clean, but more expensive and harder to install. Toilet bowls also come in two heights, and two shapes - either round or elongated. With changes in the trap size and shape most gravity toilets today work as well as the pressure-assisted toilets. Pressure-assisted toilets have a louder flush.

By purchasing a dual flush toilet you are conserving water, a precious resource. Less than 3 percent of the water on earth is fresh water. We can't easily reach most of that water because it it located in glaciers, icecaps or below the earth. You can do your part to conserve water by purchasing a dual flush toilet or installing a dual flush conversion retrofit in your existing toilet and telling others about it.  Some people have never heard of them so lets help educate the public about the benefits of using a dual flush toilet.

For information about energy efficiency and conservation in your home please see  http://www.homes-energy-efficient.com/

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Energy Efficiency Not Sexy Enough To Get Attention

The notion of energy efficiency just isn't sexy enough to get people's attention it seems. How can we make the topic more sexy and interesting in order to get more people to participate in energy efficiency measures?

When people hear about energy efficiency ideas they usually like them, but do little or nothing about it. Is it laziness, apathy, or why is it that some very easy energy saving measures that would save people money are just ignored? People tend to stay in their habit ruts unless something drastic pushes them to do something different. If you can't afford your electric bill then maybe you will take some measures to reduce it to an affordable level.
 
I was happy when my daughter brought home a conservation challenge sheet home from elementary school.
It listed ways to conserve energy, combine transportation, reduce waste, recycling, water conservation and gave all kinds of tips. Then the sheet asked you to go over these tips with your child and decide which ones your family would like to commit to doing.  I thought it was an excellent idea.  More tips here
 
When I went to school there was no such thing as conserving to save the planet.  Kids enjoy that though, so while they are young and motivated and truly believe they alone can save the planet we should truly encourage their conservation efforts. Eventually some will rub off on the adults around them and more  people will start to care. More about going green
 
As a parent I probably care more about what happens to the earth than your average person because I care about my children and their future.  So rather than trying to get uninterested people involved in energy conservation, why not start with people that are more likely to care like children and parents and try to build social pressure outward to include other people an encourage them to jump on board the energy conservation train.

recycle symbol

Children's shows on TV seem to feature the occasional promotion of earth friendly habits like recycling which is nice to see. I would like to see more advertising along those lines featuring children our kids watch on TV. They have a lot of influence. Who would pay for such promotional efforts?  Perhaps the US Department of Energy could kick in a  few dollars and other waste management companies that want to promote recycling. More about recycling

 

 

Energy efficiency is a topic that requires someone to DO something in order to participate. Are we too caught up in our lives, jobs, TV shows and the like, to care about the future?  What people fail to realize is that these energy efficiency habits save you money. Who doesn't need some extra money?
 
Energy efficiency consists of many habits that are free to learn and do. Other energy efficiency measures involve spending some money such as doing home improvements and upgrading appliances, but you can start where you feel comfortable.  Once you start some of these measures you will become conscious of more that you can participate in and you'll have that warm fuzzy feeling that you are doing your part to help save the planet.  More about energy conservation
 
One individual effort alone may not make a big difference but when added together with everyone elses' individual efforts does make a huge difference. So where ever you are help out in your own way with energy efficiency and conservation of water, and natural resources by recycling.
 
More about energy efficient appliances
 
Please visit my other website at  homes-energy-efficient.com
 
Any thoughts on how to make getting involved more interesting or sexy or trendy? Any thoughts on how to increase social pressure to get involved?  I would love to hear them!

Conservation for Kids- prepare our children for caring for our planet.

Below is some content I created for my other website which I think might be of interest to you so I am reprinting it here.

Conservation for kids is being taught in some elementary schools today, however it is also up to parents and care givers to help educate children about what they can do to help look after the Earth. It used to be easier when all we had to do was ask them to pick up their trash and throw it out, but now we should be teaching them about recycling as well.

Children love a cause and are often eager to help out with saving the Earth because it sounds so noble.

Green kids love to tell parents when their actions aren't earth friendly. They also like to tell other kids who are not being earth friendly what they should do. Since the Earth will be passed on to them why not teach them while they are young to care for it? Tell them they are part of the go green kids club.

Here are a few tips you can teach them:

turn lights off when leaving a room

turn off the water while brushing teeth

don't take extra long showers

don't hold open the fridge or freezer door too long

don't stand in the exterior doorway letting heat or air conditioning escape

turn off TV when not watching (don't leave it on in the background)

turn off the computer when done using it

turn off video games when done using them

take only the amount of food you will eat

help recycle

Conservation for kids may involve some occasional sacrifices such as less water play with the hose or limited water play. At least have them play on lawn that needs water rather than on the driveway.

Kids enjoy washing cars so if you are going to let them, do it on the grass that needs water, not the driveway. Commercial car washes use less water than hand washing in many cases. Some car washes reuse the final rinse water in the cycle for the initial water on the next car wash.

Green kids like to recycle. Have them help you out by sorting into the various bins for curbside pickup, or if you take recycling to a facility have them sort items as needed in advance.

Have kids take off their shoes before walking on the carpet to decrease the amount of dirt and debris brought inside and reduce the amount of times you have to vacuum.

Children, especially girls sometimes change clothes many times a day. If she had it on for only 10 minutes and dropped it on the floor, it probably doesn't need washing yet. Have her wear it another time before washing it.

Help your children to go through their closets and sort out clothing that is too small for them so that they can be donated or given to a friend. Teach them to take care of their clothing and toys so they don't break and end up in a landfill, but can be given away to less fortunate children.

If you live close enough to school, and weather or climate permits, let your children ride a bike to school. Or, rather than drive them individually, car pool with neighbors or have them ride the bus.

Obviously, you don't want to deprive our children of their childhood, so use your best judgment with these ideas. It is much easier to get them involved at younger ages than older ages.

Please visit my other website for many more tips by clicking Here.

Also amazon.com has some excellent books amazon's energy efficient homes

A Residential Energy Audit and Why It is For You.

Residential energy audits look at the house-as-a-system and find out all the ways you could make your home more energy efficient.  If you have drafts, high electric bills, uneven temperatures, mold, mildew and the like, then you probably have many improvements that could be done to make your home more efficient.

A home energy audit will indicate the findings and suggest improvements you could make to increase the over all efficiency of your home. This will help you lower you energy bills and save you some money.

Once you know where the energy is being lost and what changes you can make to improve the systems in the home you will be able to improve your comfort and lower your electric bills.

Look for Energy Star appliances to save you money as well. They are more efficient than non energy star labeled appliances. You can read all about energy star and home efficiency here.

Have you ever had a residential energy audit or a home energy audit?  If so I'd like to hear about it. What was the most interesting thing you learned from the process?