Tips of the Month
Welcome to Autumn! Now that the weather is getting cooler, house plants that were moved outside in the Spring will be brought back inside. Many house, and garden plants, are poisonous to our pets. To make sure that you are protecting your pet against harm, it is a good idea to check which plants should be kept out of reach of your pets. As you add new plants to your home, be sure to pick plants that are dog and cat friendly!
For more information on poisonous houseplants, visit the FDA's website or the Department of Health & Human Services.
From the City's Animal Control
Install a heat pump: save money and reduce carbon pollution!
If you’re looking to update the heating or cooling in your home, consider installing a heat pump. Heat pumps are all-in-one electric appliances, handling cooling, heating, and dehumidification for an entire house. They can cut your electricity bill by half compared to traditional furnaces and baseboard heaters, and they also outperform air conditioners, saving money and reducing carbon pollution. And because they don’t burn gas, you can reduce harmful pollution inside your home that has been shown to cause health issues like asthma.
Rebates can cover part of the cost of a new heat pump, as well as other energy-efficient appliances. The state of Maryland currently will reimburse you $3000 for geothermal heat pumps through the Residential Clean Energy Rebate Program. Starting sometime in 2023, the new Inflation Reduction Act will reimburse up to $8000, covering the full cost if you earn less than 80% of the area median income, or half the cost if you earn less than 150% of the median income.
If you have heard concerns about heat pump performance in cold weather, rest assured that properly installed, modern heat pumps are more than sufficient for Maryland winters.
Even before installing a heat pump, consider conducting an energy assessment of your home. At no cost to you (this is funded by energy bills through the EmPOWER program), PEPCO can send a professional to inspect your home and recommend customized steps to improve energy efficiency. Low-income homeowners may receive extra assistance.
From the City's Committee for a Better Environment