Eco-Friendly Water Heating

When it comes time to replace the water heater, homeowners have an opportunity to save money and significantly lower their carbon footprint by choosing more efficient appliances. In the U.S., most homes are equipped with water heaters that require a large storage tank. The water has to be heated continually, leading to $400 to $600 water heating bills every year.

A tankless model requires less space, lasts longer and costs less to operate. Because it does not hold water, cold water flows into the unit and is heated only when needed. This can save energy because the unit does not need to heat gallons of water that aren’t being used.

One drawback is that tankless devices may require a gas line and may be a challenge for older homes because of the necessary permits and electrical upgrades. Whether it has a tank or not, choose an Energy Star-certified model, which is deemed to be more efficient and often comes with a rebate or tax credit. Visit EnergyStar.gov for more information.

Some people may opt for a solar water heating system, which can cut annual hot water costs in half. Homes that generate their own power with solar panels may eliminate the annual cost altogether.

Another option is a heat pump water heater that uses 70 percent less energy than standard water heaters and is currently eligible for a $300 federal tax credit. According to Energy Saver, a U.S. Department of Energy consumer resource (Energy.gov), heat pump water heaters use electricity to move heat from one place to another instead of generating heat directly.

After installing a new unit, be sure to recycle the old water heater. Ask the retailer of the new appliance if they participate in a take-back program, or coordinate with the installer to arrange for proper recycling.

If the water heater doesn’t need replacement yet, consider that for every 10-degree decrease in the temperature setting on a conventional tank there is a corresponding 3 to 5 percent energy savings. Lower temperatures also reduce mineral buildup and corrosion in the tank and pipes.

Keep in mind that the easiest way to lower a household’s water heating is simply to use less hot water. Look for ways to decrease the family’s use of hot water by taking baths or shorter showers, washing laundry with cold water and running the dishwater on the energy-efficient setting.

Ketamine Finding New Applications

by Martin Miron

MindScape Ketamine & Infusion Therapy provides customized ketamine therapy specifically directed to optimize success while being mindful of the cost, emotional, mental and physical needs of patients. Dr. Michael Ho, a board certified anesthesiologist with more than 36 years of teaching and working experience, says, “Through this innovative way of treating depression, we hope to see patients reap the benefits of ketamine therapy and lead happier flourishing lives.”

He delivers Concierge IV Ketamine Therapy for off-label use in treatment-resistant depression, mood disorders and chronic pain conditions affordably. Ketamine has been used as an anesthetic for 50 years. “Today, we utilize experimental ketamine infusion therapy to help alleviate the side effects of depression, anxiety, PTSD, chronic pain and so much more,” says Ho.

Ho serves as the director of Safe Sleep Anesthesia and course director of Anesthesiology Consultants, in Houston, with more than 20,000 hours of anesthesia instruction to his credit. After graduating from Cornell University and earning a medical degree from the Washington University School of Medicine, He was a staff physician at the University of Texas Department of Anesthesiology at Memorial-Hermann Hospital for 10 years and has received many awards for excellence in teaching at the Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Texas Medical Branch. Ho has published 15 publications, seven onsite courses and 17 webinars.

Ketamine has had an ongoing presence in the clinical industry since the 1960s and is an essential component of the anesthesiology field because it can maintain cardiorespiratory stability in patients who need to be sedated, while also offering a certain level of numbness towards pain.

Other treatments for depression such as traditional drugs focus on regulating serotonin in the brain, which has an effect on an individual’s moods, anxiety, and other cognitive abilities. However, these medications can take a while to begin working regularly and they come with a laundry list of side effects.

Antidepressants can be ineffective for about 30 percent of people, and the most common side effects of traditional antidepressants include constipation, dry mouth, skewed or blurred vision, increased anxiety or aggression, dizziness, weight gain, nausea, diminished sex drive, drowsiness and insomnia.

Off-lable ketamine treatment is different from classic forms of medication because it focuses on interacting with the neurotransmitter glutamine, a converted amino acid that is crucial in supporting the central nervous system. Glutamic acid can have an effect on balancing out emotions. With careful administration, ketamine can be used to treat PTSD and other forms of depression and anxiety.

MindScape Ketamine & Infusion Therapy is located at 2211 Norfolk St., Ste. 215, in Houston. For appointments and more information, call 346-439-9600, email Info@MindscapeKetamine.com or visit MindscapeKetamine.com.