Weatherization Programs Available
Filed under: Air Sealing, Doors, Energy, Insulation, Windows
DTE Energy, MichCon and Consumers Energy are offering several programs including rebates for energy efficiency upgrades. For example, DTE offers up to a $750 rebate for having your windows replaced with qualified, energy efficient windows or up to $500 for attic insulation. Consumers Energy has similar offers to its customers including up to a $750 rebate for installing a high-efficiency, natural gas boiler.
Some other offers include:
· Appliance Recycling – The utility will pick up your old, working refrigerator and pay you for it.
· Instant, in-store rebates on lighting at participating retailers.
· Free, online energy audits including a free gift just for using the service.
And these are just a few.
There is also energy efficiency assistance for those who qualify and always programs to help with the bill. Want to get started? Visit:
http://dteenergy.com
http://consumersenergy.com
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Update Your Home Safely with a Lead Safe Certified Remodeler
Filed under: Bathroom Remodeling, Doors, Home Remodeling, Kitchen Remodeling, Lead Safety, Sunrooms, Windows
P & B Finishers is a Lead Safe Certified Firm
You’ve made the decision to finally remodel the outdated kitchen and living room of your home. But if you live in a house built before 1978, a new federal law regulating the removal of lead paint may affect your home remodeling project. In 1978, the use of lead paint was officially banned from residential construction. Before that, however, lead paint was used in more than 38 million homes, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Beginning in April 2010, contractors performing renovation, repair and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in homes, child care facilities, and schools built before 1978 must be certified and must follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination.
The Dangers of Lead Paint
During a renovation or remodel, dust from lead paint removal can fill the air and be breathed in or small children could ingest lead paint chips that fall from the wall. For young children, lead poisoning can cause learning disabilities, hearing loss and behavior problems. In adults, lead poisoning can lead to hypertension and high blood pressure. Pregnant women run the risk of passing the poison on to their unborn child.
It is important that you find a remodeler who is trained in lead-safe work practices rather than try to do the work yourself. To ensure the safety of the home’s occupants, the EPA’s new regulation requires that any major renovation to homes built before 1978 must be performed by a certified remodeler or renovator.
What are Lead-Safe Work Practices?
EPA has a free brochure on its website called “Renovate Right” that provides guidance to home owners and contractors about the safe removal of lead paint. Your contractor should follow specific work practices, including these three simple procedures:
1. Contain the work area so that dust and debris do not escape. Warning signs should be put up and heavy-duty plastic and tape should be used to seal off doors and heating and cooling system vents and to cover the floors and any furniture that cannot be moved.
2. Minimize dust. There is no way to eliminate dust, but some paint removal methods create less dust than others. For example, using water to mist areas before sanding or scraping; scoring paint before separating components; and prying and pulling apart components instead of breaking them. Methods that generate large amounts of dust and should not be used include open flame burning or torching; sanding, grinding, planing, needle gunning, or blasting with power tools and equipment not equipped with a shroud and high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter vacuum attachment; or using a heat gun at temperatures greater than 1100°F.
3. Clean up thoroughly. When all the work is done, and before taking down any plastic that isolates the work area from the rest of the home, the area should be cleaned up using special cleaning methods . These include using a HEPA vacuum to clean up dust and debris on all surfaces, followed by wet mopping with plenty of water.
How Do I Find a Certified Firm?
To become lead-safe certified the firm must submit an application to the EPA and complete a federal or state-administered eight-hour class with two hours of hands-on training.
To find a lead-safe certified contractor or firm near you visit EPA Certified Firm Locator.
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EIA: Cold January Temperatures Affected U.S. Use of Power and Natural Gas
Filed under: Air Sealing, Doors, Energy, Home Remodeling, Insulation, Windows
Colder-than-normal U.S. temperatures in January, particularly in the Southeast, drove up the use of electric power and natural gas, according to DOE’s Energy Information Administration (EIA). In the South Census Region, where about 60% of households use electricity as their primary space heating fuel, residential electricity sales increased by about 12% in January, relative to January 2009. Most of that increased power probably came from natural gas, and the cold further north also increased the use of natural gas for heating. That double-whammy caused natural gas spot prices to peak at $7.51 per million Btu on January 7, but as temperatures eased, the spot price fell to about $5.30 per million Btu by the end of the month. The spot price averaged $5.83 per million Btu for all of January, about 49 cents higher than December. Despite the potential for price spikes, natural gas spot prices are expected to average only $5.37 per million Btu in 2010. The nation should also see some energy cost relief this summer, as temperatures are expected to be about 2.5% cooler than last summer. See the EIA’s “Short-Term Energy Outlook,” published on February 10.
Reduce your energy costs! Call P & B today for windows, doors and insulation solutions.
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