Do you believe in global warming? I do. Now, admittedly I don’t know how much of it is attributable to humans and greenhouse gases or just a normal cycle for the earth. But I do know that our environment deserves protection and anything we can do to help in that regards is for our own benefit. A lot of us have been going green for years. To this day, I still hang certain clothes to dry rather than put them in the dryer. I enjoy washing my comforters in the summer simply because I can hang them outdoors to dry. Every homeowner should have a clothesline out back to take advantage of an inexpensive and healthy alternative to running a clothes dryer.
Next, as we look at houses like my bungalow that were built in the 1920s, those houses were built when heating costs were cheap. Many of our bungalows and two-flats have nothing but lathes (wooden strips) behind the plaster. Then you have about an inch of room before the bricks start.
I have been investigating what I can do to insulate my bungalow. One of my neighbors had a firm who came and ‘blew’ in insulation in her walls. They made a number of small holes in the plaster and then added the insulation using those holes. As a senior, the city did it for free. So if you’re a senior call 311 and ask them about getting insulation for your homes.
I am going to investigate having a foam-based insulation system sprayed on my walls. Yes, it will require me to take out the plaster walls, but it is something that I wanted to do anyway. I’m hopeful that the result will be a space that is well-insulated as well as qualify me for a tax credit.
Tax credit? Yes! There is a federal law, the 2005 Energy Policy Act, that took effect last year. As a homeowner, the most important part about the law are the tax credits we can get if we purchase and install specific products in our homes, such as energy-efficient windows, insulation, doors and heating and cooling equipment.
There are also additional credits if you buy a hybrid vehicle or new Energy Star appliances. Of course, you should consult your tax advisor before buying anything to ensure that you can benefit from the credits.
Here’s another thing we can do to help the environment. We can not only get our community clean by picking up litter around where we live, but I would like to see a campaign to help the environment by eliminating all the sources that are breeding grounds for flies.
I have noticed in the past couple of weeks that we have a proliferation of flies. I know I am not the only one seeing a swarm of flies. Not only are those flies filthy, they feed on the proliferation of garbage when it is left to rot in the open. I understand that there are a number of fly traps that use water and a bait lure to trap as many as 20,000 flies in a jar or bag. It can then can be disposed.
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