Green Home Tips 2 - Mylene Merlo - North County San Diego Real Estate Advisor

San Diego Wildfires, Part 3 of 4: Fireproof Your Property – Defensible Space

Once you have taken steps to fireproof your house, the next level of preparation is protecting the land surrounding your house. Fireproof your property by: removing flammable objects, and creating a defensible space of hydrated and maintained natural vegetation. UPDATE: Please click the link below to read Greg Rubin’s response to the 2025 Los Angeles Wildfires – Response to 2025 LA Wildfires by Greg Rubin There are conflicting opinions about what kind of defensible space

Native Plants in San Diego – Join Us at the CNPS 2019 Native Garden Tour

Photo credits: Torrey Neel and Judie Lincer Have you thought about improving your landscape with native plants? Learn how to do it at the California Native Plant Society’s 2019 San Diego Garden Tour on April 13 & 14. First, here are five reasons: Why Native Plants Are Awesome Native plants need very little water. They require very little maintenance, so no weekly mow-and-blow service needed. Native gardens attract wildlife, including songbirds. No need for fertilizers in

SDG&E Smart Thermostat Program – Get $50 for Upgrading Your Thermostat

UPDATE: The Reduce Your Use Program will end on December 31, 2018. You may still be able to take advantage of rebates on smart thermostats. Check with SD&E for the latest programs. SDG&E Reduce Your Use Smart Thermostat Program You will need: An SDG&E approved smart thermostat. An SDG&E account with a smart meter. Wi-Fi network compatible with your smart thermostat. Working central air conditioning unit controlled by your smart thermostat. No current participation in

FREE Irrigation Checkup for San Diego County Residents – program ends in December!

San Diego County residents are eligible for a FREE Irrigation Checkup. Both homeowners AND renters are eligible! A professional will come to your home and help you increase your system’s efficiency, and check for any leaks or other issues. You could save $$$ on your water bill. WaterSmart’s Free Irrigation Checkup WaterSmart San Diego currently offers free irrigation checkups. Certified irrigation specialists will come to your home and test your irrigation system. They can make site-specific recommendations, increase

FREE Home Energy and Water Tune-Up for San Diego County Residents

Sign up for your FREE Home Energy and Water Tune-Up, before the program ends on December 31! I just had my tune-up done on my home, and I’m amazed that I didn’t pay a penny for it! Who Is Eligible for the Home Energy and Water Tune-Up? This is a FREE program, funded by the Center for Sustainable Energy. You don’t have to own your home. Renters and homeowners alike are eligible for the Home

Why You Should Consider a Heat Pump Water Heater

If you need to replace your water heater, you should consider an electric heat pump water heater. I used to think that they were too expensive, but things have changed. This is an especially awesome choice if you have solar panels to power it. Hot water production, on average, accounts for 18% of your utility bill. You could save $$$ by upgrading to a more efficient water heating system. Get $ Back When You Buy a Heat

$250 Off HERS Home Energy Audit for Home Buyers

“Most people would never buy a car without knowing the mpg ratings, yet many buy and live in their homes with no idea how efficient their home is, or how easily efficiency and comfort can be improved.” – Mark Pulis, HERS rater

Recycle Batteries and CFL Bulbs – Hazardous Waste Disposal

Why Should We Recycle Batteries and CFL Bulbs? Keep Mercury Out of the Trash Mercury is a heavy metal that is found in many rocks. When we break down fossil fuels, such as burning coal at a power plant, we release large amounts of mercury into the atmosphere. When we throw a battery or bulb containing mercury into the trash, rain leaches mercury from the landfills into the oceans. Once in the oceans, the fish eat it.

San Diego Native Plants – Garden Native Tour 2016

Ready to add San Diego native plants to your landscaping? Learn about how to go native at the California Native Plant Society’s 2016 Garden Native Tour in San Diego on April 2-3. Here are 5 reasons: Why Native Plants Are Awesome They need very little water. They require very little maintenance. No weekly mow-and-blow service. They attract wildlife, including songbirds. No need for pesticides or fertilizers in a native garden. They can help protect your home from wildfire. San Diego native plants

Native Plants in San Diego – Garden Native Tour 2015

Want to add native plants to your own garden? Learn how to do it at the California Native Plant Society’s 2015 Garden Native Tour in San Diego on March 28-29. First, here are five reasons: Why Native Plants Are Awesome They need very little water. They require very little maintenance. No weekly mow-and-blow service. They attract wildlife, including songbirds. No need for pesticides or fertilizers in a native garden. They can help protect your home from wildfire. Native plants create a

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