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Annabelle and Holter visit Mike and Julie's dream house which is sapping their savings with huge energy costs and family habits that need to change. Mom, Dad, four kids, and even their three dogs and two cats, take on Annabelle's family challenge to reduce waste and earn some cash.
Don't miss the video of Holter making dog food that was featured on this episode.
Products featured in this episode:
Green Home Improvements You Can Take with You When You Move
Make Your Own Eco-friendly Dog Food
How to Get the Most From Your Tankless Hot Water Heater
Laundry Dropps
Nalgene
Oxygenics
Seventh Generation
Sage Green Bags
Belkin
OXO
Sustainable Solutions Inc.
Busch Systems International
Black & Decker
Azul conservation Products
Rheem
Next Gen Pet Products
The Warm Company
Solio (c/o Max Borges Agency)
Eco Tips from this Episode:
- Nonbiodegradeable, clay based cat litter contains crystalline silica, a known carcinogen.
- 85 percent of the 2.5 million tons of clay used in the US is used for absorbing pet waste.
- Places to check for air leaks are: windows, doors, dryer vents, chimneys, fan vents and recessed lighting.
- Uncover southern facing windows in winter to increase solar heat gain.
- Up to twenty-five percent of a home's heat loss is from windows.
- Thermal curtains are 5 times more effective at insulating windows than conventional curtains.
- Homemade pet food can be cooked in large quantities and stored in the freezer.
- Conventional water heaters keep water constantly heated, so energy is wasted even when hot water isn't running.
- Tankless water heaters last over 20 years. Storage water heaters last 10 to 15 years.
- For homes that use a lot of hot water, tankless water heaters can save 8 to 14 percent on energy bills.
- Ecofriendly, biodegradeable cat litter can be made of: recycled paper, wheat starch, corn, sawdust and pine.
- A yurt is a portable, felt-covered, wood-framed dwelling used by nomads.
Don't miss this episode of Wa$ted! Check the TV schedule for listings.
To learn more about the science behind the Ecological Footprint, visit Global Footprint Network and BioRegional Network.
