Moonworks Home Improvement Blog

Insulation: Owens Corning Advances Recycling Throughout Supply Chain

Recently, Owens corning announced the company has made great strides in its quest to be a more sustainable. Currently, Owens Corning Fiberglass insulation products have the highest certified recycled content in North America. This month, Owens Corning added 10% more recycled content to their fiberglass insulation products, resulting in a minimum of 50% of every batch containing recycled glass materials. In addition to keeping glass out of landfills, melting down the recycled glass requires less energy to produce the final product.

Owens Corning works closely with the recycling industry to increase participation in recycling programs. The company has recently formed a strategic alliance with Ripple Glass. This alliance will allow Owens Corning to use the recycling processor's facility to locally produce the fiberglass insulation material on-site, eliminating the need for material transportation.

Owens Corning is certainly thinking out of the boxing and an example of a progressive green company. In addition to large corporations doing their part, we also need homeowners to do their part to slow global warming. Luckily, now is the perfect time to go green and save some green. If you insulate today you can take advantage of the perfect storm of savings.

Insulate now to:

• Instantly recognize up to a 20% savings on your heating costs (Helping the environment and saving you money every day.)

• Take advantage of a 30% Tax Credit and let the government pay for part of your insulation.

• Take an additional $100 off when you mention this blog article!

Contact Moonworks Today to receive a Free Estimate. Or...if you are interested in learning more about insulation check out our 4 Part Inuslation Blog Sereis

Green Countertops: IceStone

 One of the most popular home improvement projects are kitchen remodels. When you think of a kitchen remodel, what first comes to mind? Of course, the new shiny counter top! Traditionally, homeowners were limited to granite, ceramic tile, and laminates for counter materials. Well now you have more options to choose from with IceStone. 

IceStone is a durable surface made from 100% recycled glass and cement to create a green concrete surface. It is the first and only durable surface to receive Cradle to Cradle certification. The material can be used for backsplashes, table tops, flooring, and even commercial application. IceStone comes in a variety of colors and would look great in any home application. If you are interested in your building becoming LEED Certified, this counter top could even help you earn some LEED points!

This is truly an original and practical sustainable idea. The company definitely practices what it preaches with regards to sustainability. The factory is day lit and the manufacturing process is environmentally friendly.

Moonworks does not provide kitchen remodels but is dedicated to educating the public about all subject matter surrounding home improvement. Thanks to the GreenLifeSmartLife Blog for bringing our attention to this great building material.

 Source: IceStone

Energy Savers Booklet: U.S. Department of Energy

Recently I stumbled upon the Energy Savers Booklet distributed from the U.S. Department of Energy. This handy little guide provides tips on saving energy and money in your home.

Did you know the typically American home spends $1,900 a year on utility bills? That is equivalent to a nice family vacation, 50 Family dinners, or (a New England favorite) 760 Dunkin Donuts coffees! The Savers Booklet details every imaginable area you could save money in your home. Some of the areas of improvement are focused around actual consumption (use energy efficient light bulbs), while others are focused on home improvements. Be sure to checkout this guide ASAP and get yourself a few extra coffees from being green!

Check out our Resources Page to learn more or download the Guide Directly Here.

Moonworks strives to help New England homeowners save money on their energy bills while increasing the value and appearance of their home. We can help you save energy every day through several of our energy efficient products.


Solar Hot Water
Energy Efficient Renewal by Andersen Windows
Cellulose or Fiberglass Insulation
Energy Efficient Doors
Green Roofing Solutions

Green Investment: Where to place your money - Green Stocks, Green ETF's, Green Mutual Funds

Do you consider yourself to be a green individual? Do you foresee a green future for renewable energy and want to get a piece of the fiscal returns? 

Well, you have several paths to green investments. Not only do you have your choice of investment vehicle (Stocks, ETF's, Mutual Funds), you also have a choice of green focus. By green focus I am referring to two different categories:

Environmentally Proactive Companies: A company, regardless of industry, that focuses on performing their daily business with green practices. This includes companies like Apple and Google, which strive to reduce their carbon footprint and are environmentally friendly.

Green Energy Companies: A company that is directly involved in the generation of green energy or helping the environment as their core business strategy.

If you are an investing veteran and have considerable confidence in your ability, you could invest in individual company stocks. Usually, investing in individual stocks carries more risk and requires a large amount of time and research. To avoid this burden, many average investors prefer to invest via ETF's or Mutual Funds. For those who aren't familiar, an ETF, exchange traded fund, is a security that is tied to an index, holds a basket of stocks like a mutual fund, and trades like a stock on the exchanges. To save you some legwork we list several green ETF's and mutual funds below.

ETF's

Alternative Energy ETF's (companies and products that use renewable sources of energy):
First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy QCLN
iShares S&P Global Clean Energy Index ICLN
Market Vectors Glb Alternative Energy ETF GEX
PowerShares Global Clean Energy PBD
PowerShares WilderHill Clean Energy PBW 

Two solar ETFs:
Claymore/MAC Global Solar Energy TAN
Market Vectors Solar Energy ETF KWT

Two wind ETFs:
First Trust Global Wind Energy FAN
PowerShares Global Wind Energy PWND

Mutual Funds:

MF invest in both energy generating and environmentally proactive companies:
Alger Green SPEGX
Portfolio 21 PORTX

MF Invest directly in green energy production:
Calvert Global Alternative Energy CGAEX

Additionally, you could directly invest in renewable energy for your home. Here at Moonworks, we install solar hot water systems for homeowners across the North East through our sister company, Repower Home. The relatively modest cost and high energy savings make solar hot water a great longterm investment. Once you deduct many of the federal and state incentives, the solar hot water system cost is generally around $6000. A typical two-panel system generates enough power to save you $800 a year in utility costs. Our system has an average life of 25 years. So if you look at the system from an investment perspective, that's over 13% per year ($800/$6000) for 25 years - a lot more than you'd get at the bank if you were to take that same $6000 and invest in a CD.

Whatever route you take, it is important to do your research and feel comfortable with your ultimate investment decision.

 

*Moonworks is not an investment advisor. The above article is strictly for entertainment.

Source: CNBC

Moonworks Listed as #65 of 100 Top Remodelers in the Country

Moonworks makes great strives every year but this year we outdid ourselves. Moonworks was recently listed as #65 out of 100 Top Remodelers in the country by Replacement Contractor Magazine.

Prevent Ice Dams: Everything You Need to Know About Ice Dams

In the Northeast, we are accustomed to inclement weather and by this I mean SNOW. Snow isn't only annoying to shovel, but it can cause damage to our homes through the creation of ice dams. An ice dam is a region of ice that forms at the edge of a home's roof. It prevents the drainage of water (melting snow) from flowing off the roof. Ice dams usually cause water to back up resulting in water damage to your home. Damage usually occurs in walls, ceilings, roofs, and insulation.

Ice dams are formed when roof temperatures fluctuate at different roof locations. The graphic below will aid us greatly in our description.

 

 

Ice dams begin to form when ice and snow melt on a high point of a roof. Water then flows down the roof until it crosses a roof surface that is 32° F or lower. At this point, the water refreezes and forms an ice barrier. The barrier blocks and freezes future water flow creating a water backup. The dammed water then enters your home through cracks and imperfections in your roof causing internal water damage.

The key to stopping or slowing ice dams is controlling roof temperatures. This can be achieved several different ways. Sealing air leakage paths in the ceiling is very important. Additionally, installing the appropriate amount of attic insulation is essential. Attic insulation keeps the warm air in your home and allows the attic to remain at the external temperature. This results in an even roof temperature across the entire surface.

Proper home ventilation is equally important. Bathroom and kitchen exhaust vents should be venting outside the home and not into the attic (adding heat and melting snow). Natural roof ventilation can also help maintain uniform roof temperatures as well as reduce the chance for mold and condensation to form.

Bloggers Note: It is important to note that it is very difficult to completely avoid ice dams on a home but the above suggestions have been known to help with the problem.

Source: Univeristy of Minnesota

Outdoor Spaces Affect Indoor Living

When you set out to build, remodel or decorate a home, you need to consider more than simply the interior of the home. A home's exterior plays a major role in the feel of the interior. This is especially true of homes that have many windows and have a constant view of the home's exterior. While many homeowners set out to design a room from the interior perspective, some fail to consider what they see through their windows and how that affects the space.

Outdoor garden décor can have a big impact on interior décor. Focus on making your yard or garden a beautiful and well maintained space and the resulting view can be enjoyed not only while sitting outside on your deck or patio, but while sitting on your living room couch as well. Everything from the trees and flowers that you plant to the type of patio umbrella that shields you from the sun can add interest to your home's décor.

When designing your outdoor space, you should first consider what you see from the inside. If you have a view to the backyard from a main window in a room, you should consider designing the space in such a way so that you can enjoy it from indoors. Whether you are considering building a deck or patio, or you are digging up the ground for some new flower beds, take a look from the inside out at what your perspective of the space will be. 

For example, if you have a large picture window in your living room that looks out onto a currently open backyard space, you may want to consider building a beautiful garden pond or adding an attractive bench among a bed full of colorful flowers, rather than installing a shed in that space. While you may need a shed in your backyard for storage or other purposes, it does not need to be what you look at when you look through your living room window. 

Even color is something to consider when designing your exterior space with an interior perspective. While you do not necessarily have to coordinate colors between the inside and outside of your home, you should consider any colors that you see that are in plain view out the window and how they will look from indoors. For example, if your dining room is designed in serene blue and brown tones accented by creams and beiges, do you want to look out the window at the new bright orange patio umbrella you just had to buy?

While the exterior of your home doesn't have to "match" your interior décor, it is wise to keep in mind what you see when you look through the windows and how the view looks from that interior perspective.

This guest post was written by Samantha of http://backyardsandgardens.com/

Repower Home Hits the Airwaves

Tune in this week to hear Repower Home's, Matt Weiner, on the Radio.

Money Matters to Matt
Matt Weiner, Repower Home's President, is famous! Well not quite yet, but he is on his way. On Wednesday November 11, 2009 at 11:00AM, Matt will be making a guest appearance on Money Matters with Chuck Nilosek. Be sure to tune in to hear Matt describe why going green can save you green.

Money Matters will be broadcast Wednesday November 11, 2009 at 11:00AM on WBNW AM 1120, WESO 970 and WPLM AM 1390. You can also find the live audio and video stream at www.moneymattersradio.net

About Money Matters:
www.moneymattersradio.net
For over 10 years, Barry Armstrong has hosted "Money Matters with Barry Armstrong," which has become the top rated daily financial radio program in New England. With this credible foundation, a second "Money Matters" now hosted by Chuck Nilosek has been added to the daily programming.

EnviroSCAPE: Gorgeous Eco-Friendly Landscaping

People have been recycling glass bottles for decades. I remember lugging old Coke bottles back to the bottling company for my nickels - nickels earmarked for the sole purpose of padding my personal candy stash.

Today, a very different and exciting fate awaits your old bottles. Newly formed eco manufacturers turn your trash into creative treasures, or in this case, breathtaking home landscapes.

 Photo Credit: EnviroGLAS 

Without a doubt, recycled glass mulch is a beautiful enhancement to the garden landscape. EnviroGLAS uses 100% recycled products in their mulch and other new innovations. The glass pieces can also be used to line indoor aquariums and outdoor fish ponds. Naturally, you'd want to use the glass mulch in places that are off the beaten path, but EnviroGLAS ensures that there are virtually no sharp edges to speak of. The beautiful shards catch the sun and glisten. They can become a feature all their own, lending glory to your garden and complementing the colors of your flowers and greenery. 

 Photo Credit: EnviroGLAS  

 There are actually many benefits to using glass mulch over wooden mulches. Because glass does not absorb moisture, it filters water into the soil beneath for the benefit of the plant roots. It essentially protects the plants from excess moisture and rotting. Glass mulch also reduces water evaporation. 

 

While humans journey from "dust to dust," EnviroSCAPE glass has a cycle that's literally from sand to sand. The company designed a system to turn recycled glass products back into sand. EnviroSAND can be used for any sand-filled project: golf traps, beaches, play yards, landscape pathway, border and accents. Pure genius.

 

This guest post was written by Jennifer Heyns of CalFinder Remodeling. View more of her articles here.

 

LEED Building in Rhode Island

As we move closer to 2010, it is interesting to see more businesses jumping on the green movement voluntarily. One of the most surprising industries jumping on is the luxury homebuilder. The Providence Journal ran a story on this phenomenon in the Sunday paper this weekend.

 "Luxury greenhomes are the new it house for the wealthy; they are fast replacing the Hummer houses or starter castles that we started to see in the '80s and '90s." - Nick Downes

Photo Credit: Projo

Nick Downes, a Rhode Island luxury home developer, discusses one of his most recent projects planned to be built on Block Island. The 3,000 square foot home will attempt to achieve the LEED Gold Standard. LEED standards are determined based on a point system. Points can be earned by gaining efficiency in several areas of the home including: water efficiency, construction waste management and use of renewable energy (Downes has included 14 solar panels in the design.)

 

Another home that we are following closely at Moonworks is the Green Smart Life Project. This project embraces modern design and green building. You can track the progress of the home's construction on the Green Smart Life Blog and view pictures on the Green Smart Life Gallery. Be sure to check out this website and the progress being made on a regular basis - they are always working!

 Photo Credit: GSL

Some of my favorite blog articles include: Top Ten Reasons To Choose Reclaimed Wood Floors and Reducing and Centralizing Wiring for a LEED Home (just search for the posts in the search bar on the top right hand corner.) While many of us cannot take on a project of such proportion, it is inspiring for us to consider green options when we tackle our next home improvement project.