How to Reduce Energy Use in Your Home

Summer is here and it is important to make sure your home can handle the heat!

Decreasing your energy bill doesn’t only save your pocket but, it will also help in the fight against our over reliance on fossil fuels to power our homes. These tips will help you decrease your energy usage and ultimately lead to a decrease in your energy bill:

Seal Your Home

When the mercury climbs, you’ll be using your air conditioner a lot more. If you have air leaks, you force your AC system to work harder. Sealing the leaks in your home will save you up to 30 percent on your energy bill. Leaks are typically found on doorways and windows, but make sure to check lesser-known culprits like electrical outlets and dryer vents. Once you find the holes, use caulk and weather-stripping material to seal them. You can also hire professionals to do a complete house audit.

Upgrading Your Home’s Lighting

Change out energy-sucking incandescent and CFL light bulbs to more efficient LEDs. CFLs are fairly efficient, but contain mercury, which is harmful to the environment. A single LED will last you 40 to 50 years, and a household with 25 LED bulbs will incur a savings of round $6,700 compared to incandescent bulbs. Go a step further by using natural light. If you have space to install larger windows that will help increase the amount of light that goes into your home, you can also regulate the amount of light (and heat) that comes with shades from a company like the Shade Store to help.

Harness the Energy of the Sun

Switching to solar is another way to reduce your energy bill. Although startup costs are high, you will see the savings relatively soon. You will also have the peace of mind that you are cutting down on your carbon footprint by using the rays of the sun. Elon Musk recently made an announcement that his company, SolarCity, is purchasing solar panel maker Silevo in an effort to create more solar panels and ultimately make solar energy more cost efficient.

Upgrade Home Appliances

It may be time to upgrade your home appliances, as well. Energystar.gov has a comprehensive list of the most energy efficient appliances, including everything from DVD players to air conditioners to refrigerators. Energy Star appliances will cost more than those that are not certified, but you will notice the savings on your next energy bill. Also, remember when you are upgrading your appliances to get rid of old ones. Refrigerators are the most common appliances that residents keep once they have gotten a new one; they also waste the most energy.

What other tips do you have? Make sure to keep add any more energy saving tips below in the comment section!

Dog Urine Odor Removal – How Is It Done?

Does your dog have accidents in the house?

Dog urine odor is one of the strongest and toughest odors to get rid of. Most products on the market are wet and must come into contact with the urine to remove the odor.

This means if you have urine that has soaked into the carpet you must pull up the carpet and pad and soak the carpet, pad and floorboards. What a mess!

With Clear The Air Cat & Dog Urine Odor Eliminator just sprinkle the granules on top of the carpet leave on overnight and vacuum in the morning and the odor is completely eliminated. Works well on all surfaces pulling the odors out of tile and concrete. If your dog or cat has an accident, don’t worry…Clear The Air can eliminate the odor!

Mutt Monday’s Success Story – Dakota

Another sweet dog find her forever home!

The San Diego Humane Society helps many homeless animals find their “furrever” home. Here is yet another success story about Dakota who is very happy with her new family:

Dakota (formerly Tomato)
“Perfect Dog!”

This is the best dog ever!  She sits, lays down, fetches and drops it at your feet, sleeps in her crate and poops and pees outside, even goes to the sliding door and scratches to go out to pee!

She’s great with our 5 year old daughter and gentle with our 2 year old daughter.

It’s like she’s an angel sent from heaven just for our family!!  Took her to puppy class at Petco and the lady was teaching her third and fourth week stuff, smart dog.

I am so very thankful we got her!!  PERFECT DOG! 🙂

With great appreciation!!
The Snow family

Bring the Green Into Your Home

Beyond the aesthetics, plants provide a multitude of benefits when brought into your home.

A study done at Virginia Tech found that the water vapor transpired by plants makes for a great natural humidifier and reduces dust by up to 20 percent.

The study also found that plants emit substances that can reduce airborne bacteria by 50 to 60 percent. Here are some other reasons to consider putting plants in your home:

Plants Improve Your Mood

Numerous studies done by the American Horticultural Therapy association have found that being around plants lifts your spirits. Many of the studies have shown that plants have the power to increase your well-being. Some health benefits include:

• Lowered blood pressure
• Increased productivity
• Increased relaxation
• Higher self-esteem
• Improved memory and concentration
• Healthy skin

All these benefits assist in not only increasing and improving brain function but also improving your overall health. If you are less stressed, your heart and other vital organs will have improved functions. Plants absorb carbon dioxide and increase oxygen levels, which can also assist in your lung and heart health. The extra moisture in the air can help people with dry or sensitive skin, and the increased humidity can improve lung function as well as helping you avoid colds and dry coughs. Overall, a better, stress-free environment in your home also is sure to increase the stability and strength of your family.

Plants Knock Out Toxins

Adding plants to your home, in combination with other tactics, will assist in removing all the airborne toxins that sneak into your home. Unfortunately, adding plants alone will not completely remove bacteria, so consider purchasing odor removers to take out any stenches left by cats or cigarettes. Clearing out these smells will assist in reducing bacteria and set the stage for the new, healthy plants that will cover your home.

Plants will also aid in cleaning the air by removing toxins from your home including the three main culprits: benzene, formaldehyde and trichloethylene. The plants use their foliage and soil to suck the toxins out of the air and, more importantly, out of the lungs of you and your family.

Plants That Clean Your Air

Many of these plants can be purchased online and delivered directly to your home. Here are some of the top plants to bring into your home:

• English Ivy: Perfect for small places, this hearty vine is great for climbing around in rooms of little light. The ivy is known for absorbing formaldehyde.

• Lady Palm: The beautiful palm brings the scenery of a beach to your home while eliminating ammonia, used in many cleaners around the home.

• Wax Begonia: A beautiful plant that yields red flowers in the summer, and helps in eliminating toluene used in many paints and adhesives.

These are just a few of the plants you can put into your home. There are so many great options, all you have to do is find a plant that fits your tastes and needs!

Happy Fourth Of July – Keep Your Pets Safe!

Did you know the Fourth Of July is the biggest day of the year that pets get lost?

The animals shelters receive the most lost and scared pets on the Fourth Of July than any other day of the year.

Please keep your pets safe at home and read our blog to make sure you are doing everything for your pet’s safety:

• Don’t leave your pets outside. Even if your pet is used to being outside, the loud noises from fireworks may make them break free from their restraint or jump the fence if they are trying to find safety from the noise.
• Keep alcohol away from pets. Pets can become dangerously intoxicated, go into a coma or even die from respiratory failure.
• Leave your pet at home if going to watch fireworks. The combination of too many people and loud fireworks will cause your pet to freak out and do anything they can to seek shelter. Do not lock them in the car either!
• Microchip your pet and make sure he or she has ID tags. If your pet does manage to get loose, an ID tag with your name and phone number on it will help your dog find his way back home. You also want to make sure your pet is micro-chipped.
• Never use fireworks around your pet. Lit fireworks will not only scare your pet but they can cause severe burns, trauma to the face or paws and even death. They also contain toxic substances even when unused.
• Don’t feed your pet from the table. Avoid giving your pet table food while you are barbequing or enjoying a backyard party. Onions, coffee, avocado, grapes, raisins, salt and more are all hazardous to your pets.
• Oils, citronella candles, insect coils and other insect repellant products are toxic to your pet. Inhaling these toxins can result in respiratory illness such as pneumonia and indigestion which can harm your pet’s nervous system.

What do you do to keep your pet safe and secure on the Fourth? Comment on our blog.

Mouse And Wifi Are Ready For Adoption!

Have you heard about Mouse and Wifi?

A Cox Communications employee was shocked after he opened a box at work and found two newborn kittens clinging to life inside.

The two kittens have now recovered after they were found inside a box packed with fiberglass equipment that arrived from Hollywood and are available for adoption from the San Diego Humane Society!  after they were found inside a box packed with fiberglass equipment that arrived from Hollywood.

Here’s their latest update:

Mouse and Wifi are ready to find their new home!

We’re so happy to tell you that Mouse and Wifi, the kittens who made the treacherous journey from LA to San Diego in a Cox Communications box, are officially ready for adoption! Orphaned, newborn kittens have such a struggle to stay alive, and their rough start made the first weeks of their lives even harder. They have been through many ups and downs as they have grown into the kittens they are today…and they did it together. Both kittens are now happy, healthy and growing strong, and we would like them to be adopted together. They have developed such a bond of friendship and support and it would be a shame to split them up!

If you’d like to open your heart and home and adopt Mouse and Wifi, please apply in person at our 5500 Gaines Street location in San Diego. We will be accepting applications through Thursday, July 3 at 6 p.m. Please include in your application a paragraph of no more than 250 words about why you would be the best pet guardian for Mouse and Wifi. We will contact the lucky adopter by July 8th.

Read more about Mouse and Wifi from the San Diego Humane Society.

Mutt Monday’s Success Story

Meatball – A heart of gold and a gentle spirit!

Happy Mutt Monday! Check out Meatball’s story…he has found his forever home from the San Diego Humane Society. Looking for a new four legged family member? Adopt from the San Diego Humane Society!!

My husband and I want to thank you and everybody at your facility for taking such good care of our new boy and for being so thoughtful in making sure he was a good fit for us and vice versa.  I’m super happy to report that he seems to already feel quite at home in his new house and has been nothing but a joy since we brought him here.  Chico and he seem to be getting along quite nicely and Chico is much more interested in him than he was yesterday.

Meatball has already gotten accustomed to having a cat around and seems sort of indifferent towards LuLu which we’re taking as a good sign.  They’ve sniffed each other and they pass in the hallway without any signs of excitability….just a little bit of tail wagging.  That harness that we got him must be working too since walking him is super easy and he doesn’t pull at all!  He’s house trained and loves going into his crate since all his best stuff is in there.  He whines a bit if i leave the room or when we go to bed at night but within about two minutes all is quiet and we hear him working on his kong.

I really can’t tell you how much we love him already…I’m getting teary-eyed just writing this.  He seems to have a heart of gold and a gentle spirit and an obvious enthusiasm for life and we can’t wait to get to know him more!

Thanks again for bringing us together!!!!!

The Burke Family

Cotton Is Looking For His Furrrrrever Home!

Cotton – the Purrrrfect Choice!

Cotton is a “Hidden Gem” at the San Diego Humane Society. Check out his story…he is looking for a forever home. If you or someone you know is looking to adopt a kitty, please consider Cotton from the San Diego Humane Society:

Look up the word “sweet” in the dictionary and it’s altogether possible that the definition you find will simply read: “Cotton the cat.” Of course, the same can easily be said for any similar such words, e.g. “Lovable,” “Affectionate,” “Loving,” etc. And you could rest assured that you were being given completely accurate information (from a crazy awesome type of dictionary no less).

You see, this 7-year old Himalayan/Domestic Longhair mix is the epitome of all such words and sentiments. Truly. Like seriously, you have no idea. Cotton has managed to take all of our collective hearts, steal them, and also melt them simultaneously. All he wants is to nuzzle, purr, and affectionately knead his way into your arms.

Want to hold him like a baby?
Guess what? He wants you to, too!

Looking for a feline who isn’t afraid to express his sweeter, softer side?
Well, you’re in luck because he just so happens to be looking for you, too!!

Now, it is perhaps worth mentioning that the aforementioned feline is the sweetest and most loving and adoringly adorable kitty you have ever met… just so long as you are a human being. Or at least not another male cat. He seems okay with the ladies. Might even do well with a doggie. He just ain’t too keen on other male kitties so much. But boy-oh-boy with this boy, and the abundance of love he has to share, you will never find yourself lacking in the love department with him by your side!!

Cotton is also FIV positive. What does that mean? Sound scary?? It really isn’t, it just means that it’s harder for him to fight infection. Many FIV+ cats live long and happy lives! They can live as an only cat or with other FIV+ cats.

Cotton is currently available for adoption at our San Diego campus but is residing behind-the-scenes, so you will need to be sure to ask for an introduction! His adoption fee of only $65 is such a small price for the ginormous amount of love that he will introduce into your life! It also includes his neuter, current vaccinations, permanent microchip identification, a certificate for a free veterinary exam, and a license if residing in Oceanside or Vista! For more information about this lovable gem of a kitty, or if you’d like to meet him, please contact Customer Service at (619) 299-7012 or stop by our Gaines Campus. Animal ID 140626

Potty Training Tips For Your Dog

Need help potty training your puppy?

Clear The Air knows all about potty training. We had to go through it with our youngest dog, “Z”!

If you experience any accidents in the house, make sure to use Clear The Air Pet Odor Eliminator. Click on the link to learn how to eliminate accidents from your puppy.

Here are some helpful potty training tips:

• Restrict your dog’s access to the house. Making his environment smaller makes him less apt to have an accident. This same process can also be used for crate training.
• Keep your dog with you, or keep an eye on him. Dogs usually like to sneak off to have accidents, if you can’t see him, he might be getting into something he shouldn’t be.
• Go outside with him when teaching your dog to potty train. If you don’t see him urinating and defecating outside he might just be playing and not taking care of business. Plus going out with him teaches you about his routine.
• Quietly praise your dog for going potty outside. Don’t reprimand him for making a mistake, just distract him and get him outside as soon as you can.
• If you have a dog that likes one particular area specifically, you can put his food near that area and he will not urinate or defecate where he eats. But be careful, this sometimes doesn’t address the problem and the dog finds a new spot.
• Utilize a crate, or a baby gate, or an exercise pen when you are not home. If you are diligent about keeping your dog with you when you are home, but he pees or poops as soon as you leave it is defeating your hard work. Crates are a wonderful tool for potty training.
• Do not use puppy pads or indoor aids when potty training if you want your dog to potty outside. Encouraging potty indoor sometimes, but then wanting them to go outside is confusing. Choose one or the other and stick with it.

Adopt A Bunny!

Did you know bunny rabbits usually end up without a home often throughout their life?

Unfortunately people get a rabbit thinking it will be a pet they don’t have to worry about or maintain like you would a dog. Please think twice before getting a rabbit and make sure you have the time and care available for him or her that is needed.

The San Diego Humane Society shared a success story from a bunny rabbit adoption they did. If you are looking for a new bunny, please adopt! There are many that need homes!

Howard – Sweet as sweet can be

Well, HELLO!
Thanks so much for checking in on us!!! Howard is fabulous and settling in rather swimmingly. He has become the apple of all our eyes!! He is a free roaming bun here in the Lilien casa – however he does have his little nook in my office. We’ve ordered him all kinds of gear that should be arriving any day so that his area is a bit more bunny official. In the meantime he chills with me in my office which will probably be his favorite spot of all.

He is truly sweet as sweet can be. He loves his long, indulgent petting sessions – he’s taken to bunny purring!!! He’s been so amazing with and for our kids and just loves their company and their pets. We’ve taken him outside in his play pen and sat in the middle with him and he loves that! All in all I think everyone is pretty darn happy!!

Thank you all again for all of your help and support!!

Kisses,
The Lilien Family