Posted by Rebecca Langley on Thu, Dec 31, 2009
Patriot Place is installing a 525-kilowatt solar power system, which will generate approximately 30% of the complex's power. The panels will be installed across seven roofs, one of which is The Hall at Patriot Place presented by Raytheon. The Hall is an interactive museum dedicated to the history of the New England Patriots. The panels will be visible to fans attending the Patriots football games at Gillette Stadium. Each year, the system will remove 8,800 metric tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, the same amount generated from 1,600 passenger cars. Over the next 20 years, over 12 million kilowatt hours of electricity will be generated from the system.
This is not the first green project for Patriot Place, which was constructed using low-emitting construction materials and white roofs which reflect the sunlight and absorb less heat. The trash receptacles are solar powered, which can hold over 5 times the amount of waste as a normal trash receptacle of the same size, therefore reducing the amount of collection trips. They also reduce emissions of pollutants and greenhouse gases. Patriot Place also uses an on-site waste water reuse system that treats wastewater and recycles it throughout the facility.
Moonworks carries the Repower Home Solar Thermal Energy System. These solar panels can be installed onto your home's roof and help you lower your utility bills.
Photo Credit.
Posted by Damien Cabral on Mon, Dec 28, 2009
Your home's roof represents a large portion of your home's curb appeal. Below are 5 pictures of contemporary and modern roofs that we thought you would find interesting.
You would not need to purchase much
vinyl siding for this home.
Ultra sleek contemporary roof
Glass
roof from a British Museum with organic curves.
Posted by Damien Cabral on Mon, Dec 21, 2009
It seems like everyday new and exciting green options are emerging in home
improvement. Recently, I was listening to
NPR on my drive into the office and was intrigued by a segment on a new type of insulation,
Greensulate. Greensulate is constructed from organic materials,
including mushrooms. To create the green insulation,
Ecovative Design utilizes agricultural waste products like
cotton gin trash and rice husks. They add mushroom roots, or mycelium, to act as glue and let the products form into strong bio-composites over time.
Greensulate features a class 1 fire rating offering the upmost protection for your home and family during a fire. The material will not allow any growth in your walls 
and should last the life of the structure as long as it is not exposed to moisture. Greensulate offers similar R-values to conventional insulation materials and can be used in a variety of applications. This novel idea is setting a new standard for the green home improvement. Greensulate is still in it's prototype phase, but I know at Moonworks we are eagerly awaiting it's release.
The past few days have definitely
felt like winter here in the North East.
Moonworks wants to make sure you and your families stay warm this winter and
save money. Be sure to book your
free insulation estimate and find out just how much we can save you in yearly energy costs. We currently offer both
Fiberglass and Cellulose blown-in insulation in Rhode Island and Massachusetts.
Posted by Damien Cabral on Wed, Dec 16, 2009
I hope you enjoy our play on Home Improvement during this holiday season.
If you are interested in receiving a Free Estimate on one of our non-confectionery products feel free to Contact Us.
Renewal by Andersen Replacement Windows and Doors
Gutter Helmet Gutter Protection
Roofing and Siding
Fiberglass and Cellulose Insulation
Repower Home Solar Hot Water
Posted by Rebecca Langley on Tue, Dec 15, 2009
The federal program of cash for caulkers would allow each household to get a 50% rebate, up to $12,000, for making energy efficient repairs and improvements to their home. While it is still uncertain how the program will be structured, many believe that it will be based on the home energy efficiency program currently in place in New York State. If so, you would hire a contractor to come into your home and conduct an energy audit to check how much energy is being wasted. The audit consists of using a giant fan to draw the outside air into the home, showing leaks in siding, windows, insulation and doors. They will also look at your appliances and determine how much energy is being exerted. Then, a checklist will be compiled of items that need to be improved, how much savings in your monthly bills you can expect and how much it will cost upfront. It is up to the homeowner to determine which of the repairs they would like to make and negotiate the price. Once the improvements are completed, paperwork is submitted by the contractor and the homeowner would receive the 50% rebate (up to $12,000).
One notable question with this program is, what if I don't have enough money to pay for the improvements outright? Currently in New York, you can opt to take out a low interest loan instead of receiving the 10% rebate. Considering the federal rebate will be much greater, financing options are a must. The financing guidelines in terms of credit, income, etc are also a concern because financial institutions have become strict in their lending requirements. Also being considered is partnering with large home improvement stores to help offset the homeowners upfront costs.
It is also important to note that due to the large amount of money being allocated to this stimulus program, fraud is a huge concern. Therefore, it is unclear if the program will cover DIY projects. In the New York State program, you must hire a contractor that is licensed through the Building Performance Institute, a third party certification program. Currently, over 27 states have programs similar to New York. Due to the fact that over half of the states have some rebate program in place, the most time efficient solution would be covering the rebates and licensing on the state level. As with the tax credits that are currently in place, there will be stringent guidelines to be sure the product is indeed energy efficient.
Moonworks supplies New England homeowners with several of these qualifying products including: energy efficient Renewal by Andersen windows and doors, cool roofing technologies, Repower Home solar hot water systems, and Ownes Corning blow-in insulation. We also hire our own installers, making quality control and professionalism a priority.
Photo Credit: Photo courtesy of Flickr member: energy.circle.
Posted by Damien Cabral on Fri, Dec 11, 2009
Recently in Melbourne Australia, fire authorities have witnessed an
increase in fires 
caused by incorrectly installed insulation. 13 house fires this year have been blamed on incorrectly installed
cellulose insulation. Many of these installations were fund by the Federal Government through its Home Insulation Program in February. The root cause of the fires was insulation material being placed over lights. Over time, the lights heated up and the insulation held the heat until a fire ignited. The correct way to
install insulation is to box off anything that could release heat, allowing proper ventillation.
With every large government spending program comes the "gold rush". Untrained individuals rush to the newly cash-infused industry to make a quick buck with little or no knowledge of the product. (We have seen this before - remember the hoards of inexperienced Loan Brokers pre-real-estate bubble pop?) Often, these individuals don't have enough training and don't perform the job correctly - putting families at risk.
To keep yourself and your family safe follow these rules when choosing an insulation contractor:
Make sure the contractor has proof of insurance and appropriate licenses.
Be sure they are BBB Accredited.
Make sure you ask for references.
Permits are a must - don't work with anyone that won't pull one.
Be sure to have a signed contract in place before you hand over your deposit.
These points should allow you to weed out the insulation professionals from the novices.
Moonworks has been in business for over 16 years. We offer both cellulose and fiberglass insulation in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Book a Free In-Home Insulation Estimate Today!
Photo Credit:
FedFireGuy
Posted by Rebecca Langley on Thu, Dec 10, 2009
With the current housing market, many people are trying to find ways to make improvements to their current home. One of the most important things to consider when choosing which home improvement project you are going to take on, is your return on investment. You want to be sure that the improvements you are making increase your home's value in addition to making it a more enjoyable place to live. Most improvements that add value to your home are ones that become part of the house such as, adding a room, replacing your current roof, if needed, renovating the kitchen with new counter tops & cabinets and getting new windows.
Adding a room allows you to increase the square footage of your home, which increases your home's value. While this project will require you to obtain building permits and updating your information with the recorder's office, it also gives you the opportunity to add a room that you have always wanted or needed. For example, if you have a house with 3 or more bedrooms and only 1 bathroom, adding a bath or half bath could make your home more desirable to someone in the future should you decide to sell. If you don't want to add a new room, you could renovate a room that needs to be updated. One of the most common is the kitchen. Adding new counter tops and cabinets gives the room a fresh look that will increase your home's value. Be sure that the updates you make in regards to style and color are not too trendy and flow with the style of your home.
If your current roof is over 20 years old, it may be time to replace it. This is one project may not directly increase your home's value but will prevent major home repairs that ultimately could save you money in the future. If you wait too long to replace your roof, it could let water into your home and over time cause structural damage and mold. This is also an opportunity to make your home more energy efficient by adding shingles that slow heat build up by reflecting the sun's light and will save you money in the future. Another way to make your home look like new is by adding new windows. Like the roof, these windows over time will save you money by making your home less drafty and more energy efficient. Up to 30% of your home's energy is lost through the windows. By installing new energy efficient windows, they hold the heat in during the winter and keep the cooler air inside the home during the summer.
If you are considering replacing your old roof or windows, Moonworks offers a wide variety of shingles and windows that will save you money over time by increasing your home's value and making it more energy efficient.
Posted by Damien Cabral on Tue, Dec 08, 2009
Harvard Business School (HBS) is known for creating some of the greatest business
minds in America. Now they are educating these minds in green structures. Recently, HBS
completed the construction of a green roof on Shad Hall. The 5,200 square foot roof incorporates several green technologies including live plants, "dirt", solar panels, and reflective surfaces.
The "living" area of the roof includes 64 cubic yards of shale, a gravel like material that won't compact or blow away. The shale retains enough water for the plants to live but drains well enough that the plants will not die from saturation. Planted in the "dirt" is 9,000 perennial plants that will spread over the roof throughout the next two years. Green roofs are actually made of two separate layers. The lower level is an impermeable 
membrane covered with insulation, a water retention and drainage system. Included in this layer is a leak sensory system that can pinpoint a leak within a one-foot radius. Next is the layer of shale and plants, which will bloom into a beautiful rooftop garden. Additional technologies utilized in the construction include sheets of white PVC and Solar Panels.
How do these technologies help Harvard to save money while simultaneously making it green?
- The plant cover absorbs much of the heat directed at the building, which keeps it cooler in the summer (a high of 90 degrees vs. 160 degrees.) Additionally, the multiple layers on the roof insulate the building keeping it warmer in the winter months. The plant cover absorbs 75% of the annual rainfall, decreasing the drain off.
- The white PVC covering deflects the sun's rays, keeping the roof cooler in the summer.
- The Solar Panels generate electricity for the building year round.
We are lucky to have this very interesting technology right in our backyard in Massachusetts. Did you know can integrate part of this technology into your own home? While Moonworks can't plant flowers on your roof, we can offer you a wide range of shingles (Solaris Shingles and Cool Colors Shingles) that have reflective properties, decreasing your roof temperature in the summer and saving you on cooling cost. Some of these shingles even qualify you for up to a $1500 tax credit!
Photo Credits: HBS
Posted by Damien Cabral on Thu, Dec 03, 2009
Usually I try to stay away from shameless self-promotion on this blog, but the 
below Renewal by Andersen window customer testimonial was too good not to post. She verbalizes everything that we strive to be and will continue to be here at Moonworks. Enjoy.
“Dear Allan:
Everything you promised has happened. From the initial presentation to the final clean up – everything was perfect. The windows look fabulous – some of the neighbors on the street have even remarked on the new look. I especially like the fact that I can now open every window in the house! And the screens are amazing – you can hardly tell there is a screen in place. The brass locks look nice as well – I’m glad I made that choice.
The installers did a fabulous job. They were polite, neat, quiet, and very efficient. Is has been a pleasure to meet all of you and I am certainly happy that I picked Anderson! I would happily recommend you and your product.
Best Regards,
ECL"
Posted by Rebecca Langley on Wed, Dec 02, 2009
Renewable energy is a hot topic currently due to our dependency on fossil fuels. One of the biggest concerns with renewable energy is the ability to store the energy for future usage given the unpredictability of Mother Nature. Donald Sadoway, a professor at MIT, has developed an answer to that very issue with creation of the liquid battery. This would allow the energy that is captured during ideal conditions- daylight, periods of excessive wind/sun off-peak energy times, etc. to be contained for use during peak energy times, nighttime and periods of cloudy weather.
The battery is comprised of three liquid layers, which are naturally formed given the difference in densities between the metal alloys and the electrolyte. The liquids are constantly kept at a temperature of 700 degrees Celsius to allow renewable energy to be stored until needed. While charging, the liquids collect energy from exterior power supplies (such as solar panels) and when in use carry the electrons to the electrical grid for electricity.
The liquid battery's cost would be less than 1/3 of today's batteries due to the inexpensive materials used and simple manufacturing required. Since there are no solid active materials that can corrode, the lifespan of the battery would also be greater. But, the most exciting aspect of this battery is that the electrodes of the battery operate with electrical currents at a rate of ten times greater than today's battery allowing it to rapidly absorb a large quantity of electricity. Given what information has been released surrounding the liquid battery's proposed cost, longevity and large capacity, the future of being able to depend on solar energy seems bright.
Luckily for us (while we wait for these batteries to be brought to market), some of the technologies in today's solar energy market don't require energy storage. Moonworks carries the Repower Home Solar Hot Water System, which can be adapted to your existing hot water tank and allows you to take advantage of Solar Energy without needing to store it.