End the Year with a Weekend Project that Pays You Back

If you’re looking for an easy home improvement project to tackle during your upcoming holiday break, why not choose one that pays you back? Adding insulation in your attic not only helps reduce your heating and cooling bills for years to come, but if you purchase qualifying insulation products before December 31, 2007, you may be eligible for a federal tax credit of up to $500. When was the last time one of your weekend projects gave you that kind of return?

Before you spend any money, you’ll first need to determine how much insulation is needed. To do so, make a trip to your attic and take a look around. If the wood beams of your attic floor are visible, it’s a pretty safe bet that you don’t have enough insulation. But even if you can’t see the beams, it’s no guarantee that there is adequate insulation to achieve optimal energy efficiency. It’s best to measure the insulation. If it’s less than 15.5 inches deep, your attic is probably under-insulated. Although the amount of insulation needed varies depending on the region of the county you live in, the U.S. Department of Energy recommends most attics be insulated to R 49.

R values represent thermal resistance to heat flow and achieving R 49 in your attic requires 15.5 inches of fiberglass blanket insulation (which is commonly sold in rolls or pre-cut lengths called batts), or about 18 inches of blown insulation. To check the recommended R-values for your region and to calculate the amount of insulation you’ll need to purchase, use the handy calculator at www.InsulateYourAtticNow.com. This Web site was created by Owens Corning, known worldwide for its PINK Fiberglas insulation, and features installation instructions, a project checklist and a search function for finding the nearest insulation retailer. Although adding insulation is a simple do-it-yourself project, the site also has a contractor locator if you’d rather hire someone to do it for you.

If you intend to apply for a federal tax credit, make sure you purchase a product that qualifies under the Energy Policy Act of 2005. To find products that meet the requirements of the Energy Policy Act, visit www.owenscorning.com/insulationfedtaxcredit. If you use qualified insulation, you’re entitled to a tax credit worth 10 percent of the purchase price, up to $500. Other requirements of the tax credit include:

* The insulation must be used in your primary residence.

* Homes, condominiums, mobile homes and cooperative apartments qualify.

* Installation costs are not included.

* The insulation must be expected to last five years, or have a two-year warranty.

* Use IRS Form 5695 “Residential Energy Credits.”

* Keep the receipt for the insulation and the Manufacturer’s Certification Statement for your records, but you do not have to submit them with your tax return.

* The Energy Policy Act of 2005 expires on December 31, 2007.


In addition to the federal tax credit, many states and local utilities offer rebates or incentives for homeowners who make energy improvements, so be sure to check locally for region specific information. For more information on how to qualify for the federal energy tax credit, visit www.owenscorning.com/insulationfedtaxcredit.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Angie's List Offers Homeowners 9 Home Maintenance Tips for Fall

Angie's List (www.angieslist.com), a consumer organization that helps homeowners nationwide find reliable help in more than 280 categories of service, conducted a poll of its members and found that nearly a quarter of them don't keep up on routine home maintenance. Of those that don't keep up, 44 percent say they just don't know what to check and when. Of those that do keep up, nearly 70 percent say their efforts save them money.

Putting off routine home maintenance nearly always results in headaches, wasted time and sometimes major expenses. While it's called "routine" maintenance, many homeowners don't know where to start when trying to plot a home maintenance course.

"Making a list of items to check around the home each month or season can really benefit homeowners," says Angie Hicks, founder of Angie's List. "Our poll found 78 percent of respondents take steps to maintain their home. Of those respondents, 68 percent say it's helped them save a few bucks down the road on repairs."

Angie's List went to the experts to develop a fall home maintenance checklist to help homeowners do what it takes to keep those home-related headaches at bay.

• Continue to mow your lawn until the first frost. Remove the leaves when your grass has stopped growing.
• Those falling leaves will eventually clog your gutters and downspouts. Not cleaning your gutters can damage your homes foundation. Schedule gutter cleaning with a professional before winter arrives.
• Clean your outdoor furniture, and refinish it if necessary, to prevent rust and damage from freezing. If you store your outdoor furniture inside for the winter (which is recommended, if at all possible) allow for some airflow. Encasing the furniture tightly in plastic could lead to moisture damage.
• Schedule any indoor painting you need done. The weather is usually ideal for leaving windows open for ventilation.
• Properly discard or store paint, caulk or adhesives in a heated area to prevent them from freezing. Call your local hazardous material removal service for instructions on discarding products that could be toxic. Drain all gasoline containers, including lawn mowers and other gasoline-powered tools.
• Check insulation in your attic, basement and other areas for any dirty spots, which often indicate air leaks into or out of your home. If you find any holes, seal them with caulk.
• You can save 10 percent or more on your energy bill by reducing air leaks in your home, so take a look around for drafts around doors and windows and seal those you find. One easy way to test for air leaks is to hold a lit stick of incense around windows and doors. Drafts will cause the smoke to drift with the current. Pay special attention to any airflow beneath your doors, as opening and closing often causes door sweeps to wear out.
• With dark days ahead, exterior lighting is very important. Check all your bulbs and consider using timers to turn lights on at dusk and off in the morning.
• Before you light the first log, get your chimney cleaned and make any necessary repairs. Fireplaces that are used regularly during the season should have an annual cleaning to prevent chimney fires.

*1,334, Angie's List members took our poll. Responses are representative of Angie's List members, but not the general public.

Angie's List is where consumers turn to get the real scoop on local contractors and companies in more than 280 different categories. Currently, more than 600,000 consumers across the U.S. rely on Angie's List to help them find the right contractor or company for the job they need done. Members have unlimited access to the list via Internet or phone; receive the Angie's List magazine, which includes articles on home maintenance and improvement, consumer trends and scam alerts; and they can utilize the Angie's List complaint resolution service. Get more home maintenance information and consumer tips at www.angieslist.com. Learn more about Angie's List founder, Angie Hicks, at www.angiehicksbowman.com

Source: PRWeb

Seven Tips to Slash Soaring Home Heating Bills

Consumers will likely pay record prices to heat their homes this winter, up an average of 10.5 percent from last winter, says NEADA, a group of state energy aid officials. Now is the time to give your home a “check-up.” Here are seven tips from the Comfort Institute to make your home an energy sipper instead of a gas guzzler.

1. Ask your HVAC contractor to test your duct system for air leaks. Many assume that windows and doors are the major cause of a home’s energy wasting air leaks. But according to recent research by the Department of Energy (DOE), gaps, joints and disconnections in the typical home’s duct system are much more significant. The DOE states that the typical duct system loses 25 to 40 percent of the energy put out by the central furnace or heat pump. Authorities recommend sealing ducts with a brushed on fiber-reinforced elastomeric sealant. Duct tape usually dries out and fails. It turns out duct tape is great for many things, but sealing ducts isn’t one of them.

2. Ask your contractor to perform an Infiltrometer “blower door” test. The blower door is a computerized instrument originally invented by the Department of Energy. It pinpoints where your home’s worst air leaks are, such as duct leaks, and also measures how leaky the overall house is. Most homes have the equivalent of an open window in combined air leaks. Many heating contractors offer an Infiltrometer test as part of a “Home & Duct Performance Checkup” that also checks insulation levels and overall duct performance.

3. Have your heating system cleaned and tuned. A pre-season tune up is a great investment. It reduces the chances of breakdowns on cold winter nights, improves safety and more than pays for itself through more energy efficient operation. For a free report: “How to Identify a Good Heating and Cooling Contractor,” go to www.comfortinstitute.org.

4. Replace your furnace or heat pump air filter (or clean it if it is an electronic unit). Most systems need this done every month to ensure safe and efficient operation. Keep forgetting to do it? Ask your contractor for an extended surface area central air filter that only needs to be replaced once a year. It also does a far better job of keeping your equipment and the air in your home clean.

5. Close your fireplace damper. Did you remember to close it last time you used the fireplace? Shut it now or waste precious warm air all winter long.

6. Install a programmable set-back thermostat. Turning down the thermostat eight degrees for eight hours a day will save 8 percent on home heating costs. An easy way to take advantage of these savings is to lower the thermostat temperature while away from home or sleeping. Ask your heating contractor about new models which are much easier to program.

7. Consider replacing your old furnace or heat pump. Just like a car, heating and cooling equipment doesn’t last forever. Is your system more than 12 years old? Planning to stay in your home more than a few years? Many authorities recommend replacing it before it fails permanently. New units can pay for themselves over time as they are up to twice as energy efficient. However, government and utility research has found that over 90 percent of newly installed high efficiency systems have energy wasting mistakes. Today’s new equipment is drastically compromised if it is hooked up to bad ducts.

Do some homework before talking to contractors. For more information, visit www.energystar.gov and www.comfortinstitute.org. Print out the free Comfort Institute report “Tips and Secrets to Buying A New Heating and Cooling System.”

Courtesy of ARAcontent

ENERGY STAR Qualified Replacement Windows and Doors May Earn Homeowners Up to $500 Tax Credit

Homeowners may be eligible to receive a one-time credit of up to $500 on their 2007 federal income tax if they purchase and install ENERGY STAR® qualified windows and doors before December 31, 2007 .

In addition to the tax savings, energy efficient replacement windows can also significantly reduce heating and cooling costs. With rising energy costs and the return of cooler weather fast approaching, many homeowners are actively looking for ways to reduce their monthly heating bills.

According to ENERGY STAR, the average American household spends $1,900 annually on energy bills and as much as half of that energy cost goes to heating and cooling your home.

Homeowners who want to make a big impact on reducing their energy bills can start by looking out the window. Or rather, at the window. Traditionally, poor performing windows and doors have been the weak energy link in homes, often accounting for up to 40 percent of a home's heat loss during the winter.

Craig Evanich, president of Renewal by Andersen, suggests homeowners look at key energy efficiency designations from their replacement windows such as product certification and labeling via the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) and qualification by ENERGY STAR, a voluntary program issued by the US Department of Energy (DOE) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

NFRC's goal is to provide a credible certification and labeling program providing consumers a reliable way to make product comparisons. NFRC ratings are provided for the entire product (glass, frame and sash/panel) and not just glass only. Evanich says, "When comparing windows, be sure to check a window's U-Factor on the NFRC label. A window with a lower U-Factor has better insulation properties, reduces heat loss during the heating season and provides more comfort. U-Factors can range from 0.15 to 1.20. In colder climates, a factor of 0.35 or lower is recommended."

The ENERGY STAR program sets energy efficiency requirements for heat loss and heat gain based on different climate zones. The ENERGY STAR label is designed to help homeowners make energy efficient choices and achieve substantial savings in heating and cooling costs. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, replacing inefficient single pane windows with ENERGY STAR qualified windows could save up to 15 percent on your energy bills.

Homeowners are increasingly seeking products that not only help reduce their energy consumption, but do so in an environmentally responsible manner. This means taking into consideration the full product life-cycle, from materials to manufacturing and use to recycling and disposal.

According to Evanich, every Renewal by Andersen® window frame is manufactured using a patented composite material that is a blend of 40 percent reclaimed wood fiber and 60 percent thermoplastic polymers by volume. This low-maintenance framing material never needs painting or scraping, reducing waste created by ongoing maintenance.*

Wood fibers used in this composite material are reclaimed directly from manufacturing processes, helping to minimize the overall impact on the environment. In fact, in 2001 Renewal by Andersen became the first replacement window manufacturer to earn Green Seal certification, and continues to be the only replacement window manufacturer to be Green Seal certified today. This designation identifies a product as environmentally preferable, demonstrating it meets energy efficiency requirements and is manufactured in an environmentally conscious manner.

Evanich says that a window's durability is key to making energy efficient windows an investment for the long term, and avoiding future waste. He suggests shopping for quality windows that are supported by a strong warranty and that shoppers look for long-term value over price. "Saving a few dollars now could mean another replacement project just a few years down the road," said Evanich.

About Renewal by Andersen
Renewal by Andersen is the start-to-finish replacement window division of Andersen Corporation. The company offers homeowners a replacement process that includes in-home consultation, manufacturing, and installation through one of the largest nationwide networks of window replacement specialists spanning coast to coast.

For a complimentary in-home consultation, or to view more information about Renewal by Andersen, visit http://www.renewalbyandersen.com

** Most Renewal by Andersne windows and doors with High-Performance™ Low-E4® glass will qualify when used for remodeling or home improvement. Please consult your tax planner and review all IRS guidelines. Rnewal by Andersen is not a tax advistor and bears no responsibility in the validation of obtaining the tax credit
*See the Renewal by Andersen limited warranty."ENERGY STAR" is a registered trademark of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
"Renewal by Andersen" and all other marks where denoted, are trademarks of Andersen Corporation.
©2007 Andersen Corporation. All rights reserved.

Source: PRWeb

Choosing Caulk

Don tells you how to choose the right caulk to protect the interior and exterior of your home.

How to Fix a Poor Seal on the Bottom of a Door

In this video, learn how to use the adjustment screws to improve the fit on door sills.

How to Avoid Big Homeowner Headaches This Winter

Labor Day signifies that summer is quickly drawing to a close and that colder weather will soon be setting in over many parts of the country. For homeowners, the holiday also means they’ll soon be facing a long list of home improvement and maintenance activities in preparation for winter.

Already time-starved homeowners can spend countless hours working on fall fix-up projects rather than enjoying what’s left of the warmer weather. Add this to the increasing day-to-day activities Americans are facing, such as longer work hours, less vacation time and increased family and personal commitments, and you can you see why there’s a growing trend toward finding creative ways to balance work, family and the demands of owning a home.

If homeowners can’t find the time to do the projects themselves, it’s still best to take some preventative measures or consider hiring a professional now rather than waiting until a problem occurs in the dead of winter.

To help homeowners make the best use of their time and streamline their home winterizing tasks, Mr. Handyman, the largest employer of handymen with 250 locations nationwide, offers the following tips for improving your home’s efficiency and avoiding costly winter problems:

Proper Insulation Is Key

Knowing the adequate amount and type of insulation for a home’s attic and walls can save homeowners a significant amount of money. Seventy-percent of the average homeowner’s energy bills during the winter are spent on electric heating costs, so it’s easy to see why one of the biggest mistakes many homeowners can make is not taking the time to properly insulate.

Determining how much insulation you need is the first step. You’ll want to consider, among other things, if your home is more than 10 years old, what type of home you live in, whether or not you have cathedral ceilings, if your home has a basement or if it’s built on a slab, and how you heat and cool your home.

Also know that not all insulation is created equal. Insulation is identified and labeled by R-value. "R" stands for resistance to heat flow. The higher the R-value, the greater the insulating power so the colder the climate you live in, the greater the need for a higher R-value.

Crack Open the Caulk

Investing your money in extra insulation for the attic and walls can be a waste of time and money if you fail to properly winterize your windows and doors. Once you’ve checked for any air leaks or drafts in your windows, apply caulk to seal any potential air leaks. Re-caulking your windows will help keep moisture out of your home. Snow and ice that thaw and then refreeze can wreak havoc if the water seeps into windows and settles on sills and ledges. A fresh lining of caulk will drastically reduce the potential of damaged windows. After caulking, you might want to take one step further and install weather stripping on the windows and doors. This will help further reduce drafts and also protect against water and moisture.

Make Plumbing Paramount

While failing to adequately winterize your windows and doors can potentially cost you a few hundred dollars a year, neglecting to insulate exposed piping can lead to burst pipes, which would cause significant damage to your home. Heating tape should be applied to all pipes that are at risk of freezing. Additionally, all exterior faucets should be drained and have their water source turned off.

Don’t Forget the Furnace

One of the simplest tasks that many homeowners overlook is changing the filter in their furnaces. A new, clean filter will help the furnace run more efficiently, allowing more warm air to reach all the rooms in a home and saving homeowner money by reducing heating costs. Because the furnace can run all winter long, make sure to check the filter at least once a month. The simple motto “change the filter on the first” is a great way to develop a pattern for checking the quality of the filter.

While these tips don’t cover all the tasks that need to be completed to properly winterize your home, they should give you a good head start this fall. Remember, sufficiently winterizing your home does take time and money, however it will not only improve your quality of life in the short term, but in the long run will add value to your home.

For more information on Mr. Handyman services available in your area, log onto www.mrhandyman.com, or call (877) 674-2639.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Tips To Make Your Home More Energy Efficient

Homeowners everywhere are giving inefficient windows and doors the cold shoulder this year.

According to a recent study commissioned by JELD-WEN, a leading manufacturer of windows and doors, nearly 26 percent of homeowners say what they dislike most about their existing windows and doors is that they are drafty and inefficient. As the temperature outside drops, homeowners notice that these inefficiencies quickly turn into rising utility bills.

As much as half of the energy used in a home goes toward heating and cooling, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. To minimize the energy and dollars spent to heat a home this winter, it’s essential that windows and doors are energy efficient.

“Energy efficient windows and doors are crucial to maintaining a home’s comfort during even the coldest months,” says Brian Hedlund, product marketing manager for JELD-WEN. “Homeowners who replace single-pane glass windows with ENERGY STAR qualified products can save $125 to $450 on energy costs annually, according to ENERGY STAR.”

To maximize a home’s energy efficiency, consider the following tips:

1. Start at the front.

A home’s front door can play a vital role as one of the first lines of defense against the elements. If a door does not close properly or lets in a draft, a homeowner’s utility bills can pay the price. Homeowners should check the weather-stripping and any gaps around the door that can let heat escape. If these features cannot be easily fixed, it may be time to replace the door.


2. Glass matters.

Choosing windows with insulated Low-E glass is an important step in making a room more energy efficient because the special coating helps reflect some of the interior heat back into the home. These double-paned windows also greatly enhance energy efficiency, compared to single-paned windows.

Vinyl windows have become exceedingly popular because of their low maintenance and energy efficient features. For homeowners who prefer wood windows, manufacturers like JELD-WEN have introduced “pocket” replacement windows that come with Low-E glass and are designed for installation into existing window frames, which makes the process simpler, quicker and less damaging to a home’s structure.


3. Drive home efficiency.

The garage is often forgotten when it comes to energy efficiency, but it’s one of the largest entry points of the home. The temperature of a garage greatly affects the overall temperature of the entire home. For energy savings in the garage, find a proper-fitting garage door and make sure that the door leading from the garage to the inside of the home is also energy efficient.


4. Energy efficiency pays off.

Beyond the initial purchase price of a product, consider the long-term value that energy efficient products offer in terms of annual measurable savings. Homeowners who make energy efficient updates to their home, including windows and doors, can qualify for up to $500 in federal tax credits if installed by Dec. 31, 2007.

Specifically, the tax credit for replacing exterior windows is 10 percent the product cost, up to $200. The credit for exterior doors is 10 percent of the product cost, up to $500. The maximum amount of homeowner credit for all improvements is $500.

For more information about energy efficient windows and doors, visit www.jeld-wen.com or call (800) 877-9482.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Winterizing Your House

TipVision host Charlie Stone and Thompson Water Seal expert Jeff Wilson prepare the house for the cold months.

Home Insulation

This is an excellent video describing high efficiency insulation for green building and sustainable homes.

Foam Insulation

Foam insulation can now be used around doors and windows without causing them to jam. New spray foam insulation remains flexible after curing. Tim Carter of AsktheBuilder.com explains this do it yourself spray foam insulation.

Exterior Door Insulation

Exterior door insulation is essential to keep out the elements. Tim Carter of AsktheBuilder.com walks you through the steps to ensure that your exterior door is insulated properly. Your exterior door will be sealed tight if you follow Tim's insulation tips about fiberglass insulation, spray foam insulation and flashing tape.