Hanover, Ma: Earth Day 2012 - Tips for Your Home

by: Allison Q Guido, CS (Hanover Ma)

Yesterday was Earth Day 2012. Earth Day is a celebrated each year, and events are held worldwide to increase awareness and appreciation of the Earth's natural environment. 2012 was the 42nd anniversary of that mission which was attributed to John McConnell staring in 1969.

In honor of Earth Day Almar Building & Remodeling, Hanover Ma wanted to share some tips and information about how you can make changes in your own home to improve the earth’s and your personal environment.

1.      Replace leaky Faucets: gallons of water can be wasted each day from what appears to be a minor leak.  Need helping finding the right faucets for your home? Stop in and see our friends at Snow & Jones in Norwell to get a Kohler faucet.

2. Choose the Right Cabinets: “Many cabinets are made from particle board, hardwood plywood paneling, or medium density fiberboard glued together using a formaldehyde-based adhesive. To avoid exposure to harmful chemicals, purchase cabinetry made with formaldehyde-free adhesives and finishes.”*1 Almar installs Huntwood Custom Cabinets which offers us Green Manufacturing.  

3.      Choose Flooring that has environmentally friendly attributes without sacrificing style.

a.       Sustainable Grown/Harvested Materials

b.      Reclaimed materials

c.       Recycles materials

d.      Reduced Toxicity 

4.      Water Filtration: Although the EPA enforces national standards for taps water approximately 4 out 10 American homes also have a water filtration system.  

5.      Replace old toilets: Toilets account for almost 30% of your homes water usage. In 1992 the Energy Policy Act was enacted which mandated water efficient toilets use up to 3.5 gallons of water per flush. By replacing your old toilet with a to high-efficiency toilets can save a family of four, on average, $2,000 in water bills over the lifetime of the toilets.*2 

6.      Upgrade Insulation: By insulating your house or sealing up air leaks you can your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. Installed correctly, insulation can deliver comfort and lower energy bills during the hottest and coldest times of the year. 

7.      Weatherize with Windows, Doors and Skylights: Leaky unites allow warm air to escape which makes your heating/cooling units run more. By installing Energy-Efficient Windows and Doors (Like Harvey Classic or Alside Excalibur Windows) you can reduce energy costs.  

8.      Low-VOC Paint: When choosing paint opt for Low-VOC products to reduce air pollution.  

9.      Choose low-maintenance Exterior Finishes: “When choosing the finish for your home, look into recycled-content materials that are locally manufactured. High-maintenance materials (such as wood) should be avoided to reduce repair, replacement, and upkeep costs (e.g., repainting). Brick, concrete, stucco, steel, aluminum, and fiber-cement offer superior longevity, and resist cracking and other deterioration.” *3 

     10.  Choose a Cool Roof: Most people choose dark roofing shingles. But if you choose a lighter roof shingle (or one of Certainteed’s Solaris Shingles) that have high reflectance and emissivity you can keep your roof up to 70degrees cooler than traditional shingles. Which can help save you money on air conditioning costs.

You can also get information about programs and incentives for renewable energy in Massachusetts please visit: http://www.dsireusa.org The Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency.  “DSIRE is a comprehensive source of information on state, local, utility and federal incentives and policies that promote renewable energy and energy efficiency. Established in 1995 and funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, DSIRE is an ongoing project of the N.C. Solar Center and the Interstate Renewable Energy Council.”

*1. http://www.epa.gov/greenhomes/Kitchen.htm

*2. http://www.epa.gov/greenhomes/bathroom.htm

*3. http://www.epa.gov/greenhomes/WholeHouse.htm

Selecting and Maintaining Your Water Heater

Most homeowners don’t give a second thought to their water heater—until the hot water stops flowing. Here’s what you need to know when selecting a new one and maintaining the one you have.

Storage tank water heaters have an insulated tank where water is heated and stored until it's needed. They're available in electric, propane and natural gas models.

1. Tank size is an important consideration.
Base your decision on household size. One to two people will need a
30-gallon tank. Three to four people will use a 40- to 50-gallon tank.

2. Also think about the recovery rate — the number of gallons of water the water heater can heat in an hour. The greater your demand for hot water, the higher recovery rate you need.

3. Know the dimensions of the space where your water heater will be stored and ensure that the one you want will fit.

Tankless, or on-demand, (Like the Rianni Systems) heats water as it passes through a series of coils in the unit instead of storing it.

1. These units only heat water as you use it, so they are usually more energy-efficient than a traditional storage tank water heater.

2. They’re available in electric, LP and natural gas models.

3. Most tankless units can provide up to 3.5 gallons of heated water per minute. They are best for homes that demand only one or two areas of water use at one time, say the shower and the dishwasher or the kitchen sink and the washing machine.

Energy-efficiency
Whichever fuel source you use, a water heater can be the third largest energy user in your home, so you’ll want a unit that offers energy and cost savings. Research the energy-efficiency and yearly operating costs of a water heater before you decide which one is right for your needs. You can find this info listed clearly on the Energy Star label.

Maintenance tips
Many new water heaters come with a self-cleaning feature that automatically fights
lime and sediment build-up to lengthen tank life and maintain peak efficiency
for a longer period of time.

As water is pumped into your water heater tank, sediments settle on the bottom. Depending on the water quality, these materials can rob your water heater's efficiency. If left unchecked, they can not only make your water heater work harder but also allow your tank to rust and slowly be corroded until you need to replace the entire unit.

Almar Building & Remodeling Co Inc, was started in 1959. For over 50 years our third generation family business has been serving homeowners on the South Shore Ma (Hanover, Pembroke,
Scituate, Hingham, Norwell, Duxbury, Cohasset, Hanson, Abington, Rockland, Plymouth and more) For more information about on how you can work with Almar Building on your upcoming Renovation (Addition, Kitchen, Bathroom, Basement, Sunroom) then please give call us at 781-826-2577

Request more information: Click Here

Pembroke Windows: National Window Safety Week: Important Safety Tips to Protect Your Child.

April 1 – 7, 2012 has been deemed National Window Safety Week. Windows are great they provide ventilation, emergency escapes and natural light but windows can also pose a risk of a fall
in the home if safety measures are not followed.

Massachusetts Building Codes are designed to require that at least one window in each room is large enough to act as an escape route if necessary. In addition window manufactures now design replacement windows to open easily, and so that screens an be removed without any special tools or knowledge if you need to utilize it as an escape route.

According to the National Safety Council’s 2011 Media Kit National Safety Week is important because, “Windows are one of the few things we enjoy both inside and outside our homes and business. Windows serve an important role in our lives by letting in natural light and soothing fresh air as we open them and by keeping out the elements when they’re closed. Some windows ─ larger units called egress or emergency escape and rescue windows ─ can take on an even greater role if we need to escape quickly in the event of a fire or other emergency, or if rescue workers need to enter through them in emergency situations.”

The National Safety Council also recommends reviewing the following tips about window safety:

1. Doors serve as the primary exits. Windows provide a secondary means of escape from a
burning home or for other emergencies. Determine your family's emergency escape plan and practice it. Remember that children may have to rely on a window to escape in a fire. Help them learn to safely use a window under these circumstances.

2. When performing spring repairs, take care to make sure that your windows are not painted or nailed shut. You must be able to open them to escape in an emergency.

3. Keep your windows closed and locked when children are around. When opening windows
for ventilation, open windows that a child cannot reach, or in the case of a double-hung window, open the top sash only.

4. Set and enforce rules about keeping children's play away from windows or patio doors. Falling through an insect screen, open window or glass can be fatal or cause serious injury.

5. Keep furniture - or anything children can climb - away from windows. Children may
use such objects as a climbing aid.

6. If you have young children in your home and are considering installing window guards or window fall prevention devices, be aware that the window guards or devices you install must have a release mechanism so that they can be opened for escape in case of a fire or other emergency. Consult your local fire department or building code official to determine proper placement for window guards and window fall prevention devices.

7. Some homes may have window guards, security bars, grilles or grates already covering
their windows. Those windows are useless in an emergency if the devices on them do not have a functioning release mechanism. Time is critical when escaping a fire. Take time to update these devices to make sure they comply with industry standards and have appropriate release mechanisms.

8. Do not install window air conditioners in windows that may be needed for escape or
rescue in an emergency. The air conditioning unit could block or impede escape through the window. Always be sure that you have at least one window in each sleeping and living area that meets escape and rescue requirements.

9. The degree of injury sustained from a window fall can be affected by the surface on
which the victim falls. Shrubs and soft edging like wood chips or grass beneath windows may lessen the impact if a fall does occur.

***

About the Window Safety Task Force
The Window Safety Task Force of the National Safety Council was formed in 1997 to promote greater awareness of window safety. This group is composed of members representing the American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA), the Window and Door Manufacturers Association (WDMA) and the Screen Manufacturers Association (SMA), in cooperation with the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and other organizations, as well as leading manufacturers of windows, doors and screens. More information can be
found at nsc.org/windowsafetytaskforce.

Almar Building & Remodeling Co, Hanover Massachusetts (781-826-2577) is proud to be a
member of NARI and is committed to uphold the standards that all NARI members
represent. Almar’s entire team is ready to work with homeowners from all over the south shore of Massachusetts like Hanover, Pembroke, Hingham, Norwell, Scituate, and Cohasset. As a full service Design/Build remodeler Almar can handle all phases of remodeling: Additions, Kitchens, Bathrooms, Basements, and Sunroom projects.

*Photo Courtesy of Harvey Building Products: Tribute Premium Double Hung Window