Loosing Energy and Money? Seal Leaks – Re-insulate Your Attic with EcoTouch Insulation ( 70% Recyled Material )

Video by: New Owens Corning EcoTouch™ PINK™ FIBERGLAS® Insulation with PureFiber™ Technolgy helps you save money and energy while helping save the planet. Using sustainable manufacturing processes this new EcoTouch™ PINK™ FIBERGLAS® Insulation is made with natural* materials and a formaldehyde-free formulation delivering peace of mind. And it has a minimum of 70%** recycled content, the highest in the industry. – http://insulation.owenscorning.ca/ecotouch/ Excerpt from YouTube

Tips from Energy Star: Below Excerpt From:
http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=diy.diy_getting_started

Sealing and Insulating are often the most cost-effective ways to make a home more comfortable and energy efficient — and you can do it yourself with guidance from ENERGY STAR.

Attic air sealing and adding insulation are do-it-yourself projects if your attic is accessible and not too difficult to move around in. The projects recommended in this guide can usually be completed in a day or two and will provide benefits for years to come. If upon inspection of your attic you find any of the conditions listed to the left, we recommend you consider hiring a contractor to correct these problems before proceeding.

Wet or damp insulation indicating a leaky roof
Moldy or rotted attic rafters or floor joists indicating moisture problems
Kitchen, bathroom, and clothes dryer vents that exhaust moist air directly into the attic space instead of outdoors
A history of ice dams in the winter (an indication of serious air leaks)
Little or no attic ventilation
Knob and tube wiring (pre-1930), which can be a fire hazard when in contact with insulation
If you have many unsealed and uninsulated recessed “can” lights, special care must be taken when insulating around these fixtures

Have a Plan in Place
The key to any successful home improvement project is adequate planning. Gather all your tools and supplies before you begin to minimize trips in and out of the attic. Be sure that the work area is well-lit by using a drop light, and keep a flashlight handy.

Prepare to Get Dirty
The entire process of sealing your attic will be made easier if you take the time and effort to wear the right gear. Wear knee pads to help prevent pain associated with crawling on attic joists. Additionally, a lightweight disposable coverall, gloves, and hat can keep itchy and irritating insulation off your skin.

Above All — Be Safe
Take precautions to avoid a dangerous working environment in the attic. During hot weather start working early, as attics heat up as the day moves on. Drink plenty of water and use an OSHA-approved particulate respirator or double-strap dust mask to prevent inhalation of hazardous substances. Also remember to watch your step. Walk on joists or truss chords, not exposed ceiling drywall or insulation. In addition, watch out for sharp nails sticking through the roof deck!

Materials Checklist for Sealing Attic Air Leaks
Batt or roll of unfaced fiberglass insulation and large garbage bags (for stuffing open stud cavities behind kneewalls and in dropped soffits)
Roll of reflective foil insulation or other blocking material such as drywall or pieces of rigid foam insulation to cover soffits, open walls, and larger holes
Silicone or acrylic latex caulk & caulk gun for sealing small holes (1/4 inch or less)
Several cans of expanding spray foam insulation for filling larger gaps (1/4 inch to 3 inches) Special high-temperature (heat-resistant) caulk to seal around flues and chimneys
Roll of 14-inch wide aluminum flashing to keep insulation away from the flue pipe
Retractable utility knife and sheet metal scissors
Tape measure and staple gun (or hammer and nails) to hold covering materials in place
Safety glasses, gloves, and dust mask (for insulation work as well)
Flashlight or portable safety light
Boards to walk on, if needed
Large bucket to haul materials

 

Painting Your Home – A Homeowners Dilemma Explored – “To DIY or not to diy”

In these challenging economic times many more homeowners are finding themselves needing to save money on home improvements. Many homeowners succeed and save, many say they did not know what they were getting themselves into.

Whether to Do-it-Yourself is actually a simple question to answer if you start with honest self inquiry.

Am I really handy with repairs and decorating? Do I have the time? Do I have the skills to do a professional job? Is this going to be too time intensive relative to what I can earn doing my own work. Is this going to be fun or a drudge. Is DIY really going to save me money in the end.

Being honest at this stage will save you money and frustration. Once you have your answer – which is not going to be a black or white one – then move into planning, educating yourself, budgeting, staging, and purchasing materials.

Once you get to this point in your thinking an planning most homeowners realize that they cannot do it all.  It at this point you take another moment to reflect and plan thoughtfully. Can you do it all or do you need some help. If you decide you need some help take the time to make good decisions about how much and from whom. Do you need a handyman, a general contractor, or a painter to get you project done right and on time.

So, if you are going to do it yourself, the main project you want to begin with is painting. This is a great place to do a diy project if you have the time and patience. Do yo have experience painting. If not find a good “how-to” blog or website. Imagine yourself doing what is being suggested. Are you excited.? Concerned?

The answer often depends on what needs painting. The outside of a house, or hard to reach places, has a lot more challenges than painting a bath or a key color wall in a room.

Do you know about painting products and supplies? If not “read” and learn.

Tip: Always use the best quality rollers (appropriate to pain and task), brushes, special repair tools and paint products.

Tip: Use the best quality paint. I recommend using NO VOC paint products that allow you to work without toxicity to yourself and your family. Choose a high quality product, pay a little more, and your paint will cover better, go on more smoothly, take less time to apply, clean up faster and last longer.

Good prep is key to a professional looking job. Remember that you need to: prepare walls; windows and doors; protect floors; fixtures; and cover furniture. You will need to clean, fix cracks, dings, holes, baseboards, door frames etc. as needed.

If you are already tired or concerned just reading this you have two choices: 1) be courageous and just do it, or 2) save yourself time. money and stress and get a pro to do it for you.

Video Excerpt from YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIv9m16Wz4k

 

Home – What is Sustainable Flooring? Materials. Qualities. Ideas. Why use it? Wikipedia.

Sustainable flooring

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sustainable_flooring

Sustainable flooring is produced from sustainable materials (and by a sustainable process) that reduces demands on ecosystems during its life-cycle. This includes harvest, production, use and disposal. It is thought that sustainable flooring creates safer and healthier buildings and guarantees a future for traditional producers of renewable resources that many communities depend on. Several initiatives have led the charge to bring awareness of sustainable flooring as well as and healthy buildings (air quality).^[1][2][3] Below are examples of available, though sometimes less well-known, eco-friendly flooringoptions.^[4][5][6][7] The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America recommends those with allergies to dust or other particulates choose flooring with smooth surfaces – such as hardwood, vinyl, linoleum tile or slate.

The Building for Energy and Environmental Sustainability (BEES) program of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) ^[8] provides a one-stop source of life cycle assessment-based information about flooring options. Life cycle comparisons of flooring alternatives by research groups around the world consistently show bio-based flooring products to have lower environmental impacts than other types of flooring. The life cycle environmental impacts associated with producing and using flooring alternatives such as cork, linoleum, and solid wood are clearly lower than other alternatives. Wool carpeting and composite marble exhibit the greatest impacts, and impacts linked to typical carpeting used in residential structures are higher than those shown in the BEES system due to the use of a pad under the carpet layer.^[9]

Wood

The development of life cycle assessment methodology in the early 1990s has shown the environmental advantages of wood and wood-based products.^[10]

Wood is a unique and renewable material. Trees absorb carbon during their growing cycle, and this carbon remains stored in products like wood flooring during its service life, thus keeping it out of the atmosphere. At the end of its service life, wood can be reused (in which case the carbon continues to be stored in the wood) or used for fuel.^[11]

A life cycle assessment of flooring materials made of solid wood, linoleum and vinyl found the wood flooring had lower energy use and carbon dioxide emissions. It also performed better in environmental impact categories such as resource use, environmental toxin emissions, air pollution emissions and waste generation.^[12]

Solid wood products, particularly flooring, are often specified in environments where the occupants are known to have allergies to dust or other particulates. Wood itself is considered to be hypoallergenic; its smooth surfaces are easy to clean and prevent the buildup of particles that are common in soft finishes like carpet.^[13]

These technological advances have made many types of hardwood floors easier to install. They can be ordered pre-finished so there is no need to finish or seal the floor before or after installation – they can be installed straight out of the box.^[14]

Bamboo flooring

Bamboo flooring is made from a fast growing renewable timber (technically grass). It is natural anti-bacterial, water-resistant and extremely durable. DIYinstallation is easy, as bamboo flooring is available with tongue-and-groove technology familiar in hardwood/laminate alternatives. Bamboo flooring is often more expensive than laminate, though it is generally cheaper than traditional hardwood flooring. Some bamboo floors are less sustainable than others, as they contain the toxic substance formaldehyde (rather than natural-base adhesives).^[15]

Cork Flooring

Cork flooring is made by removing the bark of the Cork Oak (Quercus Suber) without harming the tree (if harvested correctly); as such, it is a renewable and sustainable resource. It is naturally anti-microbial and has excellent insulation properties, ensuring minimal heat loss and comfortable warm walking surface. Cork is resilient and ‘springs back’ preventing imprints due to heavy traffic and furniture, it also provides excellent noise insulation. Cork is low involatile organic compounds (VOC) emissions, however it is important to check the finish applied. Cork is not suitable for bathrooms, as it absorbs moisture.^[16][17]

Linoleum

Linoleum is made from dried and milled flax seeds mixed with other plant material (pine resins, wood flour, ground cork) with a jute backing, all completely natural materials which come from renewable sources and are 100% biodegradable. All by products and waste is milled and used. Linoleum does not fade, as the pigments are embedded in the structure. It is anti-static, repelling dirt, dust and other small particles, making it hypoallergenic – for this reason it is often used by people with respiratory issues (asthma, allergies). It is also fire-resistant and does not require additional fire-retardants finish.^[18]

Rubber Flooring

Rubber flooring is made from a rubber tree, a 100% renewable resource. It is easy to install and maintain, is anti-static and provides effective sound insulation and vibration reduction. Rubber flooring is also resistant to fading and cigarette burns. Some rubber flooring is made from synthetic rubber, this is not a sustainable product.^[19]

Natural and Recycled Carpet

There are carpets that are sustainable, using natural fibers such as sisal, wool, jute and coconut husk. It is also possible to have carpet made completely from recycled polyethylene terephthalate used for food/drink containers. This is sustainable and it reduces material sent to landfill; further it uses dyeing methods that are less polluting and require less energy than other flooring. This flooring is sustainable when used alongside eco-friendly adhesive as some products may have toxic finishes added (stain/fire proofing) that are not considered to be sustainable.^[20]

Coconut Timber Flooring

Coconut timber is a hardwood substitute from coconut palm trees. Coconut palm wood flooring is cheaper than teak but the wood hardness is comparable to mahogany. Coconut palm wood is made from matured (60 to 80 years old) coconut palm trees that no longer bear fruits. Coconut trees can grow quickly within 5 to 6 years.

Excerpt from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sustainable_flooring

 

 

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

 

Tip 1: Save Water Save Money – Also Learn About the California Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance

View a Map of Affected Areas
Local News Coverage
Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, 03/15/11
DiamondBarPatch, 03/15/11
Los Angeles Times, 03/15/11
Los Angeles Daily News, 03/15/11
Pasadena Star-News, 03/02/11
altadenablog, 02/28/11
San Gabriel Foothills Examiner, 2/28/11
San Gabriel Valley Tribune, 01/18/11

Shutdown Update, March 21, 2011

More Information

Many cities and communities have drought or water conservation ordinances in place that govern such things as day and frequency of landscape watering and prohibited use of water (e.g. to clean home driveways). These ordinances vary from city to city, and county to county, so always check with your local government agency for the latest information. Don’t know who your local water agency is? Find your member agency by entering your zip code below.

In addition to drought ordinances, as of January 1, 2010, all California cities and counties must have adopted water efficient landscape ordinances governing water use in new and existing landscapes.

For general information about the Water Conservation in Landscaping Act of 2006 (Assembly Bill 1881, Laird), which required cities, counties and charter cities and charter counties, to adopt landscape water conservation ordinances by January 1, 2010, please visit:
California Department of Water Resources Updated Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (statewide)

For More Information also see: Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance

California Code of Regulations

Title 23. Waters

Division 2. Department of Water Resources

Chapter 2.7. Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance

490.1 Applicability

(a) After January 1, 2010, this ordinance shall apply to all of the following landscape projects:

(1) new construction and rehabilitated landscapes for public agency projects and private development

projects with a landscape area equal to or greater than 2,500 square feet requiring a building or

landscape permit, plan check or design review;

(2) new construction and rehabilitated landscapes which are developer-installed in single-family and

multi-family projects with a landscape area equal to or greater than 2,500 square feet requiring a

building or landscape permit, plan check, or design review;

(3) new construction landscapes which are homeowner-provided and/or homeowner-hired in singlefamily

and multi-family residential projects with a total project landscape area equal to or greater than

5,000 square feet requiring a building or landscape permit, plan check or design review;

Excerpt from see this for more information:http://www.water.ca.gov/wateruseefficiency/docs/MWELO09-10-09.pdf

Also see: http://www.water.ca.gov/wateruseefficiency/landscapeordinance/

 

 

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/

 

What Kinds of Projects Does a Handyman Do?

Wikipedia Defines a Handyman as…

A handyman, increasingly known as a handyperson or handywoman, is a person skilled at a wide range of repairs, typically around the home. These tasks include trade skills, repair work, maintenance work, both interior and exterior, and are sometimes described as “odd jobs”, “fix-up tasks”, and include light plumbing jobs such as fixing a leaky toilet or light electric jobs such as changing a light fixture.

Handyman projects

The term handyman increasingly describes a paid worker, but it also includes non-paid homeowners or do-it-yourselfers. Tasks range from minor to major, from unskilled to highly skilled, and include painting, drywall repair, remodeling, minor plumbing work, minor electrical work, and furniture assembly (see more complete list below.) The term handyman is occasionally applied as an adjective to describe politicians or business leaders who make substantial organizational changes, such as overhauling a business structure or administrative division.^[1][2] In the past, handypersons have usually been men, and home repair tasks have been seen as a male-oriented activity, but handywomen are becoming more prevalent as well as women using the term handypersons to describe themselves.

List of handyman jobs

The list of projects which handymen can do is extensive, and varies from easy-to-learn tasks which take little time such as changing a light bulb, to extensive projects which require multiple steps, such as kitchen remodeling. Here is a partial list:

Air conditioner installation Appraising of property Barbecue pit maintenance Cabinet refacing Carpentry Ceiling repair Ceramic tile repair Cleaning Concrete work Countertops Curtain hanging Decks Door installation Door repair Drain cleaning Dryer repair Dryer vent cleaning Dryer vent installation Drywall Installation Drywall repair Electrical wiring Energy Updates Fan installation Fence fixing Fireplace cleaning Flooring Installation and Repair Foundations

Framing Garage door openers Garage doors General Maintenance Gutter Cleaning Gutter Repair Heating system tune-up Home inspections Home security systems Hot tubs and spas Insulation installation (batts) Insulation installation (blown-in) Lamp repairs Landscaping Lawncare Lockset adjustment Molding installation Moving Paint removal Painting Patio stone installation Pest control Photography Plumbing repairs Porches Remodeling basements Remodeling bathrooms

Remodeling kitchens Safety modifications Sealing driveways Senior Living Modifications Septic system repair Shelf installation Shelving Skylight installation Solar panels Soundproofing Sprinkler repair Sprinkler system installation Stain removal Staining furniture Stone work Storage area construction Storage area repair Swapping a toilet Swimming pool maintenance Tiling Wall building Waste and junk removal Water purification Water softening Window cleaning Window installation Window repair

Note: this is a partial list

Excerpt from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Handyman