Home Energy Audits: Boy, are they worth it!
They arrive promptly every month in your mailbox. However, many people will quickly tuck them away, conveniently forget where they are, or do whatever is possible to put off opening those inevitable utility bills. Well, fear no more. Homeowners in Connecticut are extremely lucky because of the many opportunities available for conserving energy and the...
New book profiles energy-independent homes across the country
Sheri Koones, an award-winning author from Greenwich, released this month her latest book “Prefabulous + Almost Off the Grid: Your Path to Building an Energy-Independent Home,” published by Abrams. In the book, Koones profiles more than 30 of the most energy-efficient homes in the United States. The book is described as a “user-friendly guide” revealing...
Mile-A-Minute vine is spreading in state
Mile-a-minute vine, the fast-growing and rapidly spreading invasive plant now found in many Connecticut towns, continues to move throughout the state. Fortunately, a tiny beneficial insect that feeds on this invasive vine is also following closely behind. This year, new populations of mile-a-minute were found in Groton, Madison, Middlefield, Milford, Old Saybrook, Prospect, and Stratford...
Four alternatives to consider before throwing out unwanted stuff
There are many ways to reuse or recycle items that are no longer of use to us in our homes. As residents of Connecticut, reusing or recycling these items can reduce the amount and toxicity of the garbage that is disposed in our state. Some alternatives to disposal that you should think about include: Fix...
Beware of barberry, a ‘scaffold for ticks’
Barberry is a vigorous and prolific plant — so fruitful, in fact, that the state has forbidden plant nurseries from selling varieties that seed too heavily. Although some less abundant barberry plants remain popular and legal among plant merchants, including the yellow, purple, dwarf, and pigmy varieties, the straight-green variety has been statutorily pulled off...
Avoiding conflicts with coyotes
The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) offers the following information on reducing contact with coyotes, predators known to kill house pets. “As coyotes have become more prevalent in the state, incidents of conflict with humans and animals have also become more common. The risk of a coyote attacking a human is low,...
Green living
New Canaan residents Cliff and Lauren Chanler wanted to lower their home’s environmental impact by harnessing the power of renewable energy. Their project provides some lessons in making green improvements. Installing solar panels on ground supports rather than on the roof of the house preserved the home’s architectural character, while also allowing for a larger...
