Three green trends for home remodeling

For some homeowners,

remodeling projects are regular occurrences to keep their homes looking fresh. Sometimes, that means smaller changes like a new coat of paint or changing a light fixture. Other times, more substantial changes are needed. Determining those changes can be a challenge, but looking at the potential return on investment is a great way to prioritize.

Bathroom remodeling offers a 68.7 percent return on investment, according to a National Association of Realtors survey. One way to add value to a bathroom remodel is to pick bathroom fixtures that are more efficient than what you currently have installed. People are going green in many areas of life, whether with more energy-efficient light bulbs, hybrid cars or by recycling more regularly. Bathroom fixtures are no different.

Here are three reasons why you should consider going green with your bathroom modeling project:

1. Products may be outdated. Toilets made before 1994 use anywhere from 3.5 gallons to 8 gallons per flush (gpf), while new EPA WaterSense labeled high-efficiency toilets can work beautifully on a modest 1.28 gpf. Not sure of your toilet's vintage? Look at the underside of the tank lid - the date of manufacture is often stamped into the porcelain. In the shower, the typical showerhead installed in California homes built after 1994 uses as much as 2.5 gallons per minute. At that rate, your eight-minute shower consumes a whopping 20 gallons of water.


2. Compared to 3.5 gpf toilets, TOTO's Aquia One-Piece Dual Flush High-Efficiency Toilet has a flushing system that enables homeowners to select the level of water used each time the toilet is flushed - 1.6 gallons for bulk waste or .9 for liquid. The approach provides exceptional water savings paired with outstanding performance. A family of four can save more than $90 annually on their water bill, and $2,000 over the lifetime of the toilet.


3. If you replace a typical 2.5 gpm showerhead with a TOTO high-efficiency Trilogy Showerhead, you will experience the same luxurious shower, yet consume a responsible 14 gallons, saving 20 percent of the water used by older models.

Even something like a faucet can contribute to water savings. TOTO's Silas Widespread Lavatory Faucet is a WaterSense labeled lavatory faucet that consumes a responsible 1.5 gallons per minute without sacrificing an ounce of performance. Its design has a classic contemporary elegance with a graceful, curved spout.  

* Be a trendy homeowner. A whopping 68 percent of builders surveyed by the National Association of Home Builders say that energy-saving technologies and features including low-E windows, energy-efficient appliances, and LED lighting will be common along with other green features like engineered wood products, and water-saving plumbing fixtures such as dual-flush toilets and low-flow faucets by 2015. Start now and you'll be ahead of the curve.

Protect natural resources, utilize solar electric power

Solar energy, wind energy, geothermal energy, hydropower and biomass are some examples of renewable sources of energy. Using renewable sources of energy is good because these sources offer a more environmentally friendly option than utilizing fossil fuels. There will be an improvement in energy security and energy independence if people use renewable sources of energy. Also, renewable sources of energy are the cleanest and safest energy sources.


One well-known source of energy, solar energy, is an environment-friendly and endless renewable source. Also, solar power doesn't result in the emission of harmful carbon dioxide, unlike the use of fossil fuels. The sun will be the unlimited source of energy and with the right technologies can provide sufficient electricity that could be used in every single household or even in commercial and industrial properties. 


The use of solar power has a positive effect on the environment because taking advantage of solar energy does not contribute to climate change, acid rains or any kind of pollution. When transformed from solar radiation, solar energy may be converted to thermal energy or electric power. This may also be employed in a number of applications like in agriculture and technology. At present, solar power is being utilized in two areas, namely for the production of thermal energy which can heat up water and producing of electric power by utilizing the photovoltaic cell.


Photovoltaic cells, or PV cells, capture solar energy then transform it into electricity. These cells convert sunlight into electricity by employing the energy developed when photons from sunlight push electrons into greater state of energy. Yet solar power is not limited to thermal energy and electricity because there are numerous devices which are powered by solar energy already existing in the market.


Solar energy is an excellent source of power for homes and companies, and by utilizing solar power you're not merely protecting the environment from becoming polluted, but  you are also saving the rest of the earth's natural resources.


One of the factors why many individuals are still hesitant to make use of solar power is because it is expensive. The initial investment of installing a solar power system for a home is not cheap. The need for a large amount of space is another reason why people aren't considering solar power. But it is definitely worth the investment.


by: John Daviz


 Article Source:

http://www.articlecity.com/articles/environment_and_going_green/article_1156.shtml

Tips for making moving day easier

Using your truck will make the move much easier, as you shuttle belongings - both large and small - from your old home into your new abode. Be sure your truck is equipped to handle the big move by scheduling a tune-up the week before and checking that all accessories like elastic cords are handy for use. Also consider purchasing a truck bed cover to help make your move easier by securing and protecting your belongings while they are in transit to your new home. Made of heavy-duty, double coated vinyl, the ACCESS truck bed cover installs quickly and easily with a clamp-on installation and is designed specifically to fit your truck.

Put the following tips to good use in organizing your move, and be sure to reward your helpers for all the hard work they do when the day is done with a fun dinner out or a gift certificate for a favorite store.

* Secure parking - If your new home is on a busy city street or part of a large condominium complex, you will want to reserve parking for your truck ahead of time. Contact the association or the city and register for a parking permit to block off space in front of your new home for your moving day.

* Divide and conquer - Give your helpers tasks they can do unassisted. Have one helper monitor the loading of your truck with boxes, making sure each is marked with its correlating final room destination. Another helper can be based at the new home, making certain all belongings end up in the proper rooms. If you have additional help, assign them the tasks of unpacking boxes - like kitchen dishes. Put sticky notes on the cupboards where you want dishes to be located to make this task easier. Having your helpers assigned to specific jobs allows you to handle any last-minute packing, or other jobs only you can handle.

* Keep your belongings secure en route - Whether you're stopping overnight and leaving your truck parked in a hotel lot, or pausing for gas, leaving items open to view in the bed is an invitation for theft. A locking truck cover, like the ACCESS truck bed cover, allows you to shield the bed contents from the elements and the eyes of thieves.

* Provide nourishment - Keep plenty of food and water available at both homes to provide fuel and nourishment for all workers. Also encourage short breaks to help keep energy levels going strong throughout the entire day.

* Encourage communications - Provide your helpers with cellphone numbers or two-way radios for a quick way to communicate during the day. Keeping communications open allows for a quicker moving process, and also helps to prevent any confusion on where belongings will go once they arrive at the new house.

* Keep children and pets occupied - Having pets or small children around can distract your helpers, and potentially make it dangerous for everyone involved in the moving process. Consider hiring a babysitter or pet-sitter for the day, or ask a family member to watch over them during the moving process in lieu of helping you out with the move.

Most importantly, keep calm during the chaos of moving day. Your calm demeanor will influence your helpers to stay relaxed, which encourages everyone to move more efficiently and safely. And just know, at the end of the day, while you may still have belongings in boxes, you're in your new home and ready for future adventures to begin.

Roof insulation makes your home more comfortable

If you are considering taking the plunge and having your home insulated, you may want to consider roof insulation. Just what is roof insulation? It is a product that lives up to its name, and could be called the hidden insulation, because many people do not even know that an outdoors form of it exists- they do research about the best kind of insulation for their home, and make a choice without becoming informed about roof insulation.


Roof insulation works silently to make your living space more comfortable. It has been tested and found to reduce the overall cost of heating your house by an astonishing 13%! This type of insulation can also help to keep your house a great deal cooler during the summer months. That can add up to a nice amount of money in a few years time, perhaps even enough to pay for your roof insulation and installation!


There are two types of roof insulation. One of these types goes on the outside of your home in the area between the roof's shingles or tiles, and the sheathing used on top of the rafters as a place for the roofing. Normally, a type of foam board is stapled to the sheathing, and the roofing material is then installed on top of the foam board. This gives you a layer of protection from hot and cold air drifting into your home's attic and then into your living space. Rigid fiberglass insulation can also be used for this purpose. It is a lot easier to install this type of insulation when you are also replacing your roof shingles or tiles, but it can definitely be used on a roof that is already in place or a flat roof as well.


It may only be necessary to place roof insulation in your attic space, which some contractors will call loft insulation. This is the more common type of roof insulation, and you will find that more people have heard of this alternative. Rafter vents are needed to keep any build up of moisture from getting the insulation wet. Once this has been accomplished, the space between the rafters can then be filled with insulation.


Spray foam insulation is one choice that the homeowner has for roof insulation in their attic space. A smaller attic, such as one you cannot stand up in, is a good candidate for this type of insulation. Professionals spray the foam into all the spaces, cracks, and crevices, and it does an excellent job of keeping out air.


Another type of attic roof insulation is that familiar pink colored roll that looks a bit like a huge roll of carpet. These are known as batts, and are usually made of fiberglass, but can also be made from rock wool. The pink batts are flexible, and it is easy to cut and fit them into the needed spaces. It is best to leave this type of installation to a professional, for fiberglass can be rather tricky to work with. It is easy to get some of the fibers embedded into your skin, or even in your eyes. As you might imagine, this is quite painful, and potentially dangerous to your eyesight. There is also the risk of breathing in the glass fibers.


The various types of roof insulation that are available will make your home a comfortable place to live, whether it is winter or summer.


 by: Simon Shannon


http://www.articlecity.com/articles/home_improvement/article_3754.shtml

Remodeling your home? Start from the outside in.

The kitchen and bathroom are at the top of most home remodeling project lists. But homeowners intent on remodeling should also consider investing in the exterior of their homes - maybe even start there.
 

That's the advice of Sarah Susanka, one of the nation's leading voices for redefining the  home, and author of the Not So Big House series, a collection of nine books focusing on home design, architecture and remodeling.
 

The reason for investing in the exterior is simple. The exterior should set the tone for your home's interior look and feel. Also, first impressions really do count to the long-term value of a house, especially when it comes time to sell it.
 

"I firmly believe that the experience we have in living in our homes can have a profound impact on the way we look at life," Susanka says. "That experience begins the moment we walk, bike or drive up to it, and extends through the transitions we make as we move between the landscape, the exterior and the interior of the home."
 

The feeling of satisfaction that comes from making your house look good on the outside is experienced at many levels - from the colors and textures of your home to the quality of the materials used to build or remodel it, to the benefits of those materials in the long term, such as the character they lend, or the ease of maintenance they offer. The good news is that if you haven't remodeled your house in a long time, there are a number of new, sustainable products that are helping homeowners create exteriors that are both beautiful and green, such as APEX siding and Integrity windows, both made with pultruded fiberglass, a tough, low-maintenance, sustainable material offering a rich selection of colors.
 

"A Not So Big House is not only built better rather than bigger," adds Susanka. "It is also designed to be a good custodian of the planet's resources. It's built to last. Finding green products that also make it easy for homeowners to maintain the home is a big step toward true sustainability. If a house isn't both beautiful and practical, no matter how green the materials used, it won't live up to its sustainability goals. People only look after what they love, and beauty is a big part of that picture."

If you're thinking about remodeling in the near future, here are several more ideas to make the most of your remodeling budget:

Create a master plan. Many homeowners cannot afford to do a complete remodeling. Most do it in chunks. Before you lift a hammer, hire an architect to create a master plan for your home, which will guide your remodeling efforts for years to come.
 

Connecting inside with outside. The interior and exterior of your home need to work together. They need to be integrated and harmonize with one another as you move from the surrounding landscape to the interior, or as you look out from inside your home to the garden beyond. To enhance this connection, think about the first impression you want to give a visitor. Do you want it to communicate comfort? Connectedness to the outdoors? Creativity? Or tradition? All these can be accomplished with thoughtful detailing of the home's exterior, as well as landscaping.
 

Small changes; huge impact. Small changes to the exterior, such as adding another color to the exterior palette, adding texture such as stone, brick or lap siding, or framing the windows with wider trim boards, can have a huge impact on the look of your home, and make it feel both more expressive and more inviting.
 

Choose sustainable products. It's important not only to the environment, but to the overall maintenance and longevity of your home. Consider remodeling your house with some of the new, high quality sustainable products that are entering the remodeling marketplace, such as APEX Siding, Susanka's current favorite find, which is made from pultruded fiberglass, derived from sand.
 

Reduce maintenance and future repairs. Another key to remodeling is to use materials and building methods that are resistant to wear, tear and the elements (rain, sunlight), which reduce the likelihood of needing to make expensive repairs in the future, as well as reducing the amount of time spent on maintenance. Knowing that your home is well protected from the elements is an important part of the overall satisfaction with your home.
 

Mix it up. Many people are afraid to use more than one color on the exterior of their home. That's why so many houses appear dull and lifeless. Consider using two colors of siding and a third color for your trim boards to add personality and vitality to the exterior. Products like Apex fiberglass siding and trim, and Integrity windows, for example, are available in a palette of rich and attractive colors. Also, consider adding a trim band, or belt line, below main level windows of your home, and using a contrasting color of siding below that band to help ground the house and connect it in with the surrounding landscape.
 

Invest in quality over quantity. Even with a limited budget, try to invest in high-quality products that will look good for the long haul, and will stand the tests of time, rather than buying lower-quality products that may offer the short term benefit of getting a greater share of your remodeling projects done, but which end up looking dilapidated and unattractive in short order. You'll feel better about the integrity of your home by focusing a significant part of your budget on the bones and outer clothing of your home - the roof, siding, windows, electrical, plumbing and HVAC systems.

Get smart about buying insurance

From home and health to auto, life, disability and more, it's important to be smart about how you buy coverage to limit costs, purchase the right coverage and avoid redundancies.

The best place to start is on your state's official government website, says FindLaw.com, the nation's leading website for free legal information. There you will find a list of licensed insurers so you can be assured that you're dealing with a legitimate company.

"Work with a reputable insurance agent who represents a financially sound, highly-rated company," advises Ed Susolik, an attorney who specializes in insurance law at Callahan & Blaine in Santa Ana, Calif. "As is often the case, you get what you pay for. You don't want to add to a tragedy by discovering that you're underinsured or that the policy you've purchased from a little-known company is fraught with loopholes."

Here are some additional tips from FindLaw.com on purchasing insurance coverage:

Follow the law. Check the laws of your state. You may be required to carry certain types of insurance, such as liability insurance to operate a car, motorcycle or boat. This also applies on the federal level, for example, with the passage of the Affordable Care Act, all Americans will be required to carry health insurance as of 2014.

Read your policy. Many Americans don't read their insurance policies and hastily sign contracts without considering the implications. For example, if your health insurance covers 90 percent of all medical bills and you require significant medical attention, the 10 percent for which you're responsible could add up. If you have trouble understanding what a policy proposal covers, don't hesitate to slow down and ask your agent for clarification or get a quote from a different company. Remember: you're buying insurance to ease, and not trouble, your state of mind.

Plan for major milestones. Major events will trigger the need to purchase insurance or increase your existing coverage. With the birth of a first child, parents should consider purchasing term life insurance. It offers a benefit to a spouse and child to cover living expenses if one parent dies before the child reaches adulthood.

Inspect your home insurance. Carefully review your home insurance policy. Are you insured for your home's market value or replacement value? The replacement value is the cost of rebuilding your house, while the market value is based on an appraisal of its value in relationship to surrounding homes. Your agent should be willing to work with you to sculpt the policy that meets your needs.

Consider flood insurance. Standard homeowners insurance typically does not include flood insurance. First, determine the level of risk for flooding in your area. There are a few options online, including the Federal Emergency Management Agency's website (www.fema.gov), where you can search your address and assess flooding risk. Your insurance agent also should have access to this information and can explore your options with you.

Add an umbrella policy. It's not a bad idea to purchase an umbrella liability policy to provide additional coverage above and beyond your homeowner's insurance. This helps in situations where you could be at fault for accidents, such as your dog biting a mail carrier or a tree in your yard falling onto a neighbor's car.

Research renter's insurance. Apartments can be burglarized or damaged like any other property. If you rent, consider purchasing renter's insurance to cover assets such as computers, furniture and other significant items.

Inventory your belongings. Take photos or videos, with audio descriptions, of your property so you and the insurance company have an accurate record of your belongings in the event of a fire or other accident. Capture your home, prized possessions and high-value items such as cars, boats, jewelry and collections. Store the files on a portable hard drive in a secure and safe location, such as a safe deposit box.

To learn more about insurance and the law, visit FindLaw.com.