Windows & Energy Efficiency

A Window on Energy Efficiency

With heating and cooling costs continuing to rise, it makes sense to look at one of the leading causes of energy inefficiency in the home: windows. Installing energy-efficient windows can mean increased comfort as well as savings on utility bills in any climate.

The transmission of air and light is generally the most important function of windows. However, this can mean heat loss in the winter, overheating in the summer, and higher energy bills. In fact, a typical home may lose up to 30% of its heat or cooling through windows. Properly installed, energy-efficient windows can go a long way toward improving this situation.

There are many factors that affect a window’s energy efficiency. Whether they are single- or double-paned, gas filled, Low-Emittance (Low-E) coated, and even the material of the window frame all contribute to a window’s performance. Online resources such as www.efficientwindows.org provide detailed information on these specifications and how to select windows appropriate for various climates. An experienced window contractor can also be a good source of information and recommendations.

Homeowners should check with their local utility company to find out about possible rebates and other incentives for the purchase of new, energy-efficient windows. Window contractors and may also have information on incentives, but be sure to verify any information before committing to the purchase.

Of course, replacing windows is not always a viable option. However, there are steps homeowners can take to improve their energy savings without replacing windows. Making sure windows are properly caulked, keeping weather stripping in good repair, and using storm windows will help. Window coverings are another good way to reduce heat loss in winter and avoid overheating in summer.

Improving energy efficiency throughout the home means cost savings to the homeowner. Energy-efficient windows are a significant step toward that goal.

Article courtesy of Pillar To Post Professional Home Inspection
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CRS Consumer Article
HANDYMAN HELP

HELP FOR HOMEOWNERS: CHOOSING A HANDYMAN

Whether it’s a big project such as a bathroom remodel, something small like putting up shelves, or repairs and routine maintenance, many homeowners turn to handymen to get the job done. It used to be that everyone knew “a guy in town who can do everything”, but these days finding a qualified, professional, and reliable handyman can be a real challenge. Here are some tips to ensure that you choose the right person for the job:

1. MAKE SURE THEY ARE QUALIFIED FOR THE WORK
Certain projects require specific skills that all handymen may not have. You will of course want to know that they have the qualifications and experience to do the job. In addition, many states and provinces require persons performing certain work to be licensed; electrical and plumbing often fall into this category.

2. ASK FOR REFERENCES
Request at least two local references from previous customers. The handyman should be willing to do this without hesitation. Then, contact those references! Ask about the quality of the work, timeliness, professionalism, and how the handyman handled any changes that may have occurred during the course of the project. Also ask how satisfied they were with the work overall.

3. CHECK ON INSURANCE COVERAGE
Liability insurance is always a good idea. If the handyman or another worker is injured while working on your property, you may be held liable for medical costs. Ask for evidence of coverage before agreeing to any work. Uninsured handymen often charge less for their services because they lack the overhead expense of insurance, but it could cost you in the long run.

4. GET WRITTEN ESTIMATES AND A CONTRACT
Ideally, ask three handymen for written estimates for the work you have in mind. Be sure that each estimate contains enough detail so that you can make a comparison between them. For example, are the specified materials of the same quality? Does the cost include cleanup and hauling away any debris or old/broken items? Read all contracts carefully and be sure to ask about anything that you are unsure of.

5. DETERMINE THE PAYMENT SCHEDULE BEFORE YOU SIGN
Beware if you are asked to pay for the entire job up front – this is not an accepted business practice and could leave you open to fraud. Handymen will often ask for 50% when the contract is signed, which will allow them to purchase materials for the job and assure them that you are committed. Be sure to request receipts for all payments.

Article courtesy of Pillar To Post Professional Home Inspection
Pillartopost.com

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CARBON MONOXIDE

CRS CONSUMER ARTICLE
January 30, 2012
CARBON MONOXIDE


CARBON MONOXIDE: AVOIDANCE AND PREVENTION

Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless gas produced by the combustion of fuels such as natural gas, oil, and propane in devices including furnaces, water heaters, and stoves. These items are normally designed to vent the CO to the outside, but harmful interior levels of CO can result from incomplete combustion of fuel, improper installation, or blockages, leaks or cracks in the venting systems. Very high levels of CO can lead to incapacitation or death, with victims sometimes never having been aware they were being poisoned.

Homeowners can take action against potential carbon monoxide poisoning by taking the following steps:

• Have all fuel-burning appliances professionally inspected annually, preferably before the start of the cold-weather season when heaters and furnaces are first used.
• These appliances include gas stoves and ovens, furnaces and heaters, water heaters, generators, and clothes dryers.
• All such devices should be properly installed and vented to the outside whenever possible.
• If repairs are necessary, be sure they are performed by a qualified technician.
• Always use the proper fuel specified for the device.
• Have flues and chimneys for fuel-burning fireplaces or wood stoves inspected regularly for cracks, leaks, and blockages that may allow a buildup of CO to occur.
• Never use gas stoves or ovens to heat the home, even temporarily.
• Do not start or idle a vehicle in a garage, even with the garage door open.
• For additional protection, purchase a CO detector (either battery operated or plug-in) and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for proper location and installation. Installation of working CO detectors in residential properties is now required by law in many states.
• Learn what to do if the CO alarm activates: If anyone in the home experiences symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness, blurred vision, nausea, or confusion, everyone should leave immediately and seek medical attention. If no symptoms are felt, open doors and windows immediately and shut off all fuel-burning devices that may be potential sources of CO.


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WORDS TO LIVE BY...ENCOURAGEMENT CORNER...

ENCOURAGEMENT CORNER...
By: Unknown

The most destructive habit.........................Worry
The greatest Joy..................................Giving
The greatest loss..................................Loss of self-respect
The most satisfying work......................Helping others
The ugliest personality trait...................Selfishness
The most endangered species................Dedicated leaders
Our greatest natural resource.................Our youth
The greatest "shot in the arm".................Encouragement
The greatest problem to overcome..........Fear
The most effective sleeping pill.................Peace of mind
The most crippling failure disease.............Excuses
The most powerful force in life..................Love
The world's most incredible computer........The brain
The worst thing to be without.....................Hope
The deadliest weapon.................................The tongue
The two most power-filled words................"I Can"
The greatest asset........................................Faith
The most worthless emotion.........................Self-pity
The most beautiful attire................................Smile!
The most prized possession...........................Integrity
The most contagious spirit..............................Enthusiasm

WORDS TO LIVE BY...

If you're not using your smile, you're like a man with a million dollars in the bank and no checkbook.
Les Giblin

Thanks to my manager, Joan Pittroff for these.

2012 Mortgage rates on the rise as expected.

Tax Cut Extension Has Begun To Raise Mortgage Rates
Jan 4th, 2012 (Mortgagenewsdaily.com)

As part of the temporary resolution to the recent battle over the Tax Cut Extension that took place in the last weeks of December, Congress decided that mortgage borrowers should foot part of the bill. Technically, Congress increased the "Guaranty Fees" that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac charge to lenders that securitize MBS (Mortgage-Backed-Securities) with the Agencies, but ultimately, this cost must either be absorbed by lenders, passed on to consumers, or some combination of the two.
From the official release on 12/29/11:

"On Dec. 23, 2011, President Obama signed into law the Temporary Payroll Tax Cut Continuation Act of 2011. Among its provisions, this new law directs the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) to increase guarantee fees charged by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the Enterprises) by no less than 10 basis points from the average guarantee fees charged by these companies in 2011 on single-family mortgage-backed securities. This requirement is effective immediately, meaning that the average guarantee fees charged in2012 need be at least 10 basis points greater than the average guarantee fees charged in 2011."

Which Home Improvements Pay Off?

Which Home Improvements Pay Off?
by SmartMoney.com Staff
June 9, 2006
Project Type:
• Kitchens
• Creating New Space
• An Extra Bathroom
• Decks
• New Windows
• Swimming Pools
• Manicured Gardens
• Basic Improvements

GENERALLY SPEAKING, there are two ways to go about making home improvements. Either you splurge for something purely for the sybaritic pleasure of having it — the Italian marble bathroom you've dreamed about; that skylight that your spouse has been hinting at for the last six years — or you take a pragmatic approach, buying an energy-efficient furnace or repairing a leaky roof because you want to increase your home's market value.

Don't expect to score on both counts. "Just because you pour $20,000 into your home doesn't mean that your house is worth $20,000 more," says Frank Dell'Accio, a real-estate broker in Lindenhurst, N.Y. "I had a guy who invested $100,000 in a $130,000 home after he lived there for four years. He put it on the market at $225,000. He was offered $170,000." His mistake: spending money on amenities that were only peripheral to the value of the house. "He wanted phones in the bathroom," says Dell'Accio, "but [who else is] going to pay for them?"

Exactly how much you'll recoup in costs depends on several factors, including the direction of the broader housing market, the value of the homes in your neighborhood, when you plan to sell the home and the nature of the project itself, explains Jim Cory, senior editor of Remodeling magazine. In the hottest housing markets, you could indeed earn more than your investment back on a remodeling project. A new deck in San Francisco, for example, recoups 152% of its costs, according to Remodeling magazine's latest survey (which assesses the cost recouped should the house be sold within one year of project completion). But you shouldn't count on those types of returns. In Columbus, Ohio, the same project is likely to only recoup 45% of its costs.

And keep in mind that the longer you hold on to your home after a remodeling project is completed, the less likely you are to recoup its value. That's in part because design tastes can shift significantly over time. Remember when avocado green was all the rage? Also, there's little reward for having the fanciest house on the block, warns certified financial planner Dee Lee of Harvard, Mass. A house that's priced higher than its neighboring homes could be perceived as overpriced — even if it does have more value.

This section examines a few improvements that pay off more often than not — and some that rarely make a difference when it comes time to sell your home.

Kitchens:

Even a few basic improvements to your kitchen can pay handsome dividends, says real-estate agent Michael Murphy in his book "How to Sell Your Home in Good or Bad Times." Murphy writes: "For most buyers, [the kitchen] is the heart of the house. Paint, wallpaper, and even refloor the room if necessary. Consider sanding, staining or painting dingy-looking cabinets. Replace old cabinet hardware — a low-cost improvement that makes a big difference in appearance." Just be sure to go with a classic design and, if possible, use high quality materials, says Remodeling magazine's Cory. After all, good taste endures.

The average amount spent on a major kitchen-remodeling job in the U.S. is $42,660 for a mid-range update; an upscale designer makeover averaged $75,206, according to Remodeling magazine. The mid-range kitchen overhaul nationally recouped 79% of its cost, the upscale makeover was valued at 80%.

Creating New Space:

As a rule, improvements that increase the functional space of a home hold their value longer than ones that just make a house look better. It's also significantly cheaper than adding an addition to your home. Converting an attic into a bedroom suite, for example, usually costs about $35,960 and returns about 83% of its cost, according to Remodeling magazine. Turning your basement into a room for socializing will set you back, on average, $47,888, and allow you to recoup 76% of your costs.
An Extra Bathroom
Adding an extra bathroom with all the trimmings — marble vanity top, molded sink, bathtub with shower and ceramic tile — almost pays for itself. At an average cost of $21,087 a full bath recoups 86% of its price tag.
Decks
Installing a deck may be the most cost-efficient way to add square footage to your house, and of all the outdoor home improvements except painting, it may be the most reliable value. Decks average $6,917 and generally recoup 87% of their value. That may not sound terribly impressive, but other touted outdoor improvements fare much worse.
New Windows
The savings on your utility bill might make up for the spotty resale value. Replacing 10 three-by-five-foot windows typically costs $9,273 and recovers 85% of its costs at resale, according to Remodeling magazine. "A good window arrangement, as long as they're standard, will make money back," says William Eccleston, a broker in Coventry, R.I. But, he warns, "as soon as you get into customizing, with fancy shapes, bays and bows you can't see from the street, you're throwing money down the drain."
Swimming Pools
It's commonly agreed that a swimming pool has no resale value at all. "I've had clients spend $300,000 and fill in the pool," says one agent. The main reason pools repel more prospective buyers than they attract is that they require expensive upkeep. Running a close second is the fear of liability: Pool accidents are a quick way to end up the subject of a negligence suit. "A lot of people don't want the responsibility," says Remodeling magazine's Cory.
Manicured Gardens
Fancy gardens — which will require time and money to tend — usually won't add to the offering price. "Landscaping is for your own enjoyment," says New Jersey agent Frank Dell'Accio. "It may be a $40,000 investment, but there's no way it'll add $40,000 to the value of your house." The same goes for expensive fences and stone walls. They look nice, but buyers don't pay up for them.
Basic Improvements
It may not be all that enjoyable, but it's the basic improvements that may have the greatest return on your home's value. "You could have a beautiful new kitchen, but if your roof is leaking, you have a real problem," says Cory. So if you're thinking of putting your house on the market in the next year or so, be sure to tackle any problems with the home's structure or mechanical systems before you, say, install that hot tub you've always dreamed of.
Updated on August 5, 2005.