KITCHEN FIXES AND UPGRADES ON A BUDGET – FRESH PAINT, STAIN, NEW FAUCETS, & CABINET HARDWARE

” …today’s American kitchen — no longer a place to simply cook and eat, it’s now the “real” living room — a place for living, working and entertaining.

Given the current recession, it’s no surprise that consumers are saving rather than spending. And when they do spend, they’re doing so from cash on hand; rather than credit,” said Jack Suvak, senior director of research and insights, Moen. “This change in spending behavior has had a dramatic impact on remodeling projects. Most homeowners are choosing to perform ‘room lifts’ — small updates to personalize a room — rather than undertake major remodels.

…Plus, homeowners are choosing to personalize renovations to fit their needs, rather than update a room for the next family that will be living in the house. In the kitchen, this might include everything from creating solutions that better integrate the management of electronic devices…to creating ‘kid level’ storage areas…to adding safety features for aging boomers.”

Except from: MOEN… New Research Finds Homeowners are Renovating to Create “Live-In Value;” Rather than to Sell – April 26, 2011

Here’s a Handyman Tip: Whether you Do-it-Yourself or decide to hire a professional handyman, carpenter, plumber, electrician, painter, tile installer or general contractor…

Create a Plan and a Realistic Budget.

The plan should be influenced by your lifestyle and your personal style (Look at images in publications for ideas until you have a heartfelt “yes. that’s it!”) Creating a realistic budget does not necessarily mean sacrifice… often it means being a smart shopper. ( Shop sales in stores in person or online as well a internet sites such as ebay.com, Amazon.com, lowes.com, homedepot.com and more).

If you plan to Do-it-Yourself ( DIY) be honest with yourself about your skills and do what you can and get help with the rest.

 

Go Green, Get Green – Energy Upgrade California

In recent years, falling home values and skyrocketing energy costs have inspired homeowners to find ways to reduce energy use and maximize their investments. Using eco-friendly building materials in your home improvement project is one option that can help conserve resources, improve indoor air quality, and increase the value of your home.

For example, proper insulation can save up to 50% of the energy used for heating and cooling. Going one step further and choosing non-toxic insulation made from recycled cotton, wool or formaldehyde-free fiberglass, keeps resources out of the landfill and harmful chemicals out of your lungs.

Eco-friendly materials can also increase the value of your home.

Recent studies in Seattle and elsewhere have found that eco-friendly and energy efficient homes sold for as much as 8.5% more than other homes. In addition, homes receiving official environmental certification by a third party group such as the U.S. Green Building Council sold for as much as 25% more than regular homes.

Although some environmental building practices may be more expensive, many building professionals believe that the lower utility bills and increased home value offset those higher up-front costs.

Energy Upgrade California offers energy efficiency upgrade packages tailored to your specific needs. Visit your local county pages to find out more about steps you can take to conserve natural resources and increase the value of your home.

Excerpt: https://energyupgradeca.org/news/go_green_get_green-105

 

Spring into Action with a Home Energy Saving Plan Now

Flex Your Power – Stay Cool Save Money

Ways to Save Energy and Money on Cooling

In an uncertain economy investing a little time and money in home efficiency is one way to yield guaranteed returns. By taking just a few minutes to read Flex Your Power’s tips on summer efficiency you can be on your way towards saving money and protecting the environment.

Spring has sprung here in California and the hot days of summer are right around the corner. Air conditioning is a big expense in many parts of California, but by spending a little time on energy efficiency now you can save big when the heat is on. Many of these tips are free and can continue save you money after the dog days of summer are gone.

The Best No Cost or Low Cost Tips to Prepare Your Home For Hot Weather

• Setting your air conditioner 5° higher will save up to 20% on cooling costs.¹
• Use fans to make indoor temperatures feel cooler, most ceiling fans use less energy than a light bulb.
• Have your air conditioning unit serviced to cut 15% of cooling costs. ²
• Don’t try to cool the great outdoors — Seal cracks, gaps, leaks and add insulation to save up to 20% on home cooling costs.²
• Keep windows and doors shut and shades closed during the day, to keep your house cool and reduce air conditioning needs.

» Get more energy-saving tips.

The Best Investments for Summer Energy Savings

• Have your heating and cooling ducts professionally sealed to save up to $190 per year. ³
• Install a programmable thermostat and only cool the house when you’re home — It can save up to $160 per year and pays for itself in 6-9 months. ³
• Replace incandescent light bulbs with CFLs to save on lighting AND cooling bills. 90% of the energy used by old incandescent bulbs produces heat, not light.
• If your old air conditioner breaks down, consider a high efficiency replacement. Replacing a 10-year-old central AC unit with an ENERGY STAR qualified model can cut 20-40% off your cooling costs.

For more tips on keeping cool this summer see Flex Your Power’s air conditioning tips.

Get Rebates, Incentives & Services

Excerpt From: http://www.fypower.org/res/summersavings/

 

This Winter Keep the Heat Indoors with Five Easy Energy Star Tips

http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=new_homes.hm_index

With winter quickly approaching, U.S. homeowners are looking for ways to heat their homes while reducing their energy bills to save money. Five easy energy saving tips can help keep families warm while keeping money in their wallets. The average family spends $2,200 a year on energy bills, nearly half of which goes to heating and cooling. In addition to saving money, reducing energy use at home can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help fight climate change.

Heat Smartly With ENERGY STAR

Winter is almost here and homeowners are looking for ways to heat their homes without breaking the bank on energy bills.  The average family spends $2,200 a year on energy bills, nearly half of which goes to heating and cooling. Depending on where you live, replacing your old heating and cooling equipment with equipment that’s earned the ENERGY STAR can cut your annual energy bill by more than $200.  In addition to saving money, reducing energy use at home can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help fight climate change.

ENERGY STAR offers the following five tips to help you save money on heating bills, keep your home comfortable, and protect the environment:

1. Assess your home @ energystar.gov. Start with the Home Energy Yardstick to see how your home’s energy use measures up compared to similar homes across the country. Then, use our Home Energy Advisor to get recommendations for energy-saving home improvements for typical homes in your area.
2. Seal air leaks in your home. Sealing air leaks with caulk, spray foam, or weather stripping will have a significant impact on improving your comfort and reducing energy bills. If you are adding insulation to your home, be sure to seal air leaks first, to ensure you get the best performance from your insulation.
3. Maintain heating equipment. Dirt and neglect are the number one causes of heating system failure. Maintain heating equipment by checking your system’s air filter every month and changing it if it is dirty. At a minimum, change your filter every 3 months. Also, schedule pre-season checkups of your equipment with a licensed contractor to make sure your system is operating at peak performance.
4. Use a programmable thermostat. Regulate your home’s temperature while you’re away or asleep by using one of the convenient pre-programmed settings on a programmable thermostat. When used properly, programmable thermostats can save you up to $180 every year in energy costs.
5. Look for ENERGY STAR qualified products. Whether you are replacing light bulbs or appliances in your home, ENERGY STAR qualified products can help you save energy and reduce energy bills. The label can be found on more than 60 types of products ranging from heating and cooling equipment to compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). Also, look to EPA’s ENERGY STAR program for advice on other ways you can save at home such as using power strips as a central ‘turn-off’ point for electronics and office equipment, making sure computers  and monitors are “powered down” when not in use and reversing the blade rotation on ceiling fans to help spread warm air around a room.

If every American household serviced their heating and cooling systems, changed their air filters, sealed and insulated heating and cooling ducts in unfinished areas, and programmed their thermostats for energy savings while they are away or asleep, we would save $14 billion in annual energy costs and prevent more than 160 billion pounds of greenhouse gases, equivalent to the emissions from 14 million cars.

Excerpt from: http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=products.es_at_home