ThermaPureHeat is a completely chemical-free new process called Structural Pasteurization that utilizes clean, pure heat to kill mold and bug infestations of any size without harming pets, plants or people.

Used effectively in difficult infestations such as bed bugs, it leaves no residues or smell behind. The treated areas can be safely occupied right after the treatment by anyone, including pets and small children.

The process is also scalable: it can be applied to a whole house, to a single floor or even a single area or room and the concept is very simple. Giant heaters — 500,000 bpu each — blast hot air into the house until it reaches the desired temperature. Different infestations require different heat settings but the treatment will kill the mold or bug infestation, with the added bonus of killing many harmful bacteria and viruses as well.

Here’s a Discovery Channel Video about the process:

This Bob Vila article explains the ins and outs of tree landscaping. They write that carefully positioned trees can save up to 25% of a household’s energy consumption for heating and cooling. The U.S. Department of Energy also reported that the proper placement of just three trees will save an average household between $100 and $250 in energy costs annually! A well-planned landscape can reduce an unshaded home’s summer air-conditioning costs by 15% to 50%.  Trees help during the winter, too, by acting as windbreaks to protect your house from bitter, low-wind chill breezes.

This is also great for the environment.  Bob Vila writes, “Trees and vegetation control erosion, protect water supplies, provide food, create habitat for wildlife, and clean the air by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen.”

Planting trees is a relatively affordable and easy way to gain long-term protection of your house.  Not only do trees provide privacy, but they can save you some money on your energy bills!

While newer homes were being built more and more eco-friendly, retrofitting an existing home  just to make it more energy efficient was something very few would consider. Environmentally responsible technologies were scarce, and not exactly cost effective.

But, all of that has changed.  Today, there is a myriad of green remodeling solutions for just about every application. From home finishes, insulation and sealing to energy-efficient appliances, and green heating and cooling technologies.

In addition, the economic downturn, the housing slump and the energy crisis are slowly changing the way we think about green technologies. Implementing them is no longer only the responsible thing to do to preserve resources and save the planet’s future. Going green is actually the smart thing to do today because it allows you and your family to live better, more comfortably and for much less money.

In other words, homeowners begin to understand that going green pays off. How much?

This article explains how much, helps you understand the ratings used by the industry to rate the efficiency of different solutions, and shows you exactly how much you can save by adopting them.

Improvements such as replacement windows, insulation and sealing, as well as upgrades on heating and cooling systems are eligible for the tax credit. The adoption of energy-saving technologies such as geothermal heat pumps, solar water heating, small wind generators and photovoltaic systems is also eligible.

If you are planning an energy-efficient remodel, this  New York Times interview with Kateri Callahan, president of the Alliance to Save Energy, a nonprofit group that advocated some of these credits, will help answer many of your questions you might have and show you the ways in which you can take advantage of these incentives.