Posted by Damien Cabral on Fri, May 28, 2010
We start Memorial Day Weekend a little early here at Moonworks. Check out the pictures below!
Posted by Damien Cabral on Fri, May 28, 2010
In respect for Memorial Day, we thought today's blog subject would be very appropriate. Anheuser-Busch has gone SOLAR! Yes that is right folks, now while you are enjoying a crisp beverage over the holiday weekend, you can smile because you know you are indirectly saving the planet with every sip.
On May 19th, Anheuser-Busch breweries announced the company plans on 
installing a 3,000-panel solar energy system on top of the Newark, New Jersey brewing facility. The solar array is projected to produce 525,000 kilowatt hours of electricity annually, or 5% of the brewery's energy needs. Budweiser's parent company is following suite with the rest of industry. Recently Belgium Brewing Co., based in Fort Collins, announce their plans to install the largest privately owned, on-site, solar energy system in Colorado.
"Our dream is to be the ‘Best Beer Company in a Better World,' which comes to life through our environmental efforts, promotion of responsible drinking and investments in our communities. Whether it's a new solar panel array or our employees' passionate support of World Environment Day in June, we are committed to making a difference and improving the world around us." - Kristopher Scholl, the General Manager of Anheuser-Busch's Newark Brewery
Photo Credit:
AB
Want to learn more about Solar Power? Download our Solar White Paper: Residential Solar Technology Made Simple
Posted by Damien Cabral on Mon, May 24, 2010
Home improvement is a very broad subject with many different areas of a home
included under this one umbrella. As homeowners, we all know that the list of improvements/repairs never ends. Many of us are challenged with stretching our hard earned dollars further than ever due to strenuous economic times. Long lists and budgetary concerns drive many of us to Do It Yourself or (DIY). The real question is when is it appropriate to DIY?
Don’t DIY When: It Affects Your Building Envelope
A building envelope is the barrier between the interior and exterior of a building, in this case your home. What is included in the building envelope? Your roof, vinyl siding, windows, and doors. Any time you are looking at a home improvement that affects airflow in and out of your home or an improvement that shields your home from the elements, it is a good idea to hire a professional. Below are a few reasons:
Roofing – Did you know your roof needs to breath just like you? If your roof doesn’t have the correct amount of ventilation, several problems can occur including ice dams and mold to name a few. Additionally, your roof shields the rest of your home from rain and snow. Wouldn’t you rather rest assured that water won’t damage the rest of your home?
Siding – This is tricky stuff to install correctly, the keyword here is correctly. Good Vinyl Siding installers are more like artists than contractors. The material is difficult to install and concurrently ensure your home will remain watertight.
Windows – What good are energy efficient windows if they aren’t installed correctly and air sealed? Ultra-efficient double paned glass only matters when the window is installed correctly and air isn’t flowing through the window frame.
Doors – Have you ever tried to install a door in an older home? While it is doable, it is not a pretty job. Most older homes have door openings that are no longer true. This means the door installed can’t be truly square and needs to be measured to 1/8th of an inch to fit correctly.
DIY When: No Harm Can be Done
Here at Moonworks, we encourage homeowners to DIY whenever possible. There are many jobs around your home that you can easily handle and save money by accomplishing them yourself. Some of these jobs include:
Painting – Painting is one of the most inexpensive home improvements you can do yourself and achieve drastic results. Nothing freshens up a room like a clean painting job. Often you can finish an entire room in half a day.
Landscaping – If you are in good health and have the time, why not do all of your landscaping yourself? Many homeowners enjoy doing work around their yard on a sunny day while enjoying a crisp beverage at the same time.
Small Repairs – Need to repair the caulk around that window? Stain the deck? Repair 1 cracked bathroom tile? Go for it! Jobs like these aren’t worth calling in a professional. Do a Google search before you start and go for it.
It is important to weigh the cost and reward for each home improvement project before you start. Be sure to keep in mind the cost, risks, and of course the value of your time before determining to go pro or do it yourself!
Interested in getting one of your projects started and crossed off you list? Contact Us today to learn more.
Photo Credits: Here and Here
Posted by Damien Cabral on Tue, May 18, 2010
New lead laws, what new lead laws?
Exactly! Many homeowners do not know that new home lead laws took effect on April 22, 2010. Moonworks has put together
this guide to condense the large amount of information into a short, easy to read document, to help
keep you and your family safe and up-to-date. (see below for a preview)
Learn what type of home improvements the new laws affect (windows, doors, etc), why you should care about lead, and the chances of having lead in your home. Also included, the three steps the new law requires contractors to practice while renovating your home. Download the New Lead Laws: What You Need to Know now.
SNEAK PREVIEW:
Why Should I Care About Lead?
Lead can affect a child's brain and developing nervous sysetm causing reduced IQ, learning disabilities, and behavioral problems. Additionally, lead can be harmful to adults. In adults, lead has been linked to numerous health problems including high blood pressure, hypertension, and physical fatigue. Pregnant women should be forewarned that lead has been shown to be hazardous to both pregnant women and the fetus.
If you are concerned that you or a family member has been exposed to lead poisoning, call your local physican and request a blood test. For more information on lead poisoning, please call 1-800-424-LEAD (5323) or visit www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/leadinfo.htm.
Posted by Damien Cabral on Mon, May 17, 2010
We have been very busy this year creating new and unique resources to help New England homeowners make good home improvement decisions. We have also discovered other companies dedicated to the same cause!
Below is a list of different resources that you may find useful as a homeowner in New England:
1. This Blog! Some of our favorite articles include:
- HomeStar Bill (Cash for Caulkers) Update: May 6th
- Monitor Energy and Save Energy: Picowatt is your Smart Grid at Home
- Want to move from your Home? Check out a Yurt
2. RemodelQA - RemodelQA provides expert answers to your home improvement and remodeling questions. Get free advice from contractors and other experts specializing in kitchens, bathrooms, additions, outdoors, flooring, decor & interior design, new construction, and going green.
3. Guide: Residential Solar Technology Made Simple - We explore the difference between Solar Photovoltaic Systems (electricity) and Solar Thermal Systems (hot water). Moonworks carefully breaks down the technologies utilized, upfront cost, tax credits, and lifetime money savings for the consumer.
4. Guide: Home Improvement Tax Credits Explained - Learn the difference between a "tax credit" and "tax deduction." Additionally, explore tax credits from your national and state government that can save you money on energy-efficient products like windows, doors, roofing, insulation, water heaters, solar energy and more.
5. Guide from US Department of Energy: Energy Savers Booklet - A free guide to saving energy and money at home from the U.S. Department of Energy.
6. Our Sister Blog : Renew My Home - Our other home improvement blog filled with useful information and tons of articles on window replacement.
7. Moonworks Photo Gallery - Our very own photo gallery will inspire you with great ideas to improve your home.
8. Handyguys Podcast - The Handy Guys are a couple of guys who know a lot and have distinct opinions on the rest with real experience to back it up.
9. Calfinder Remodeling Blog - An excellent home improvement blog that features helpful articles always filled with great pictures.
10. Backyards and Gardens Blog - The Backyards and Gardens Resource Guide provides design advice, do-it-yourself instruction, and product related information about anything and everything related to backyards and gardens, helping homeowners transform their outdoor space into a personal oasis.
Did you enjoy this Blog? Be sure to Subscribe to this Blog by Email (top right corner) or RSS Feed (Click Here).
Posted by Damien Cabral on Mon, May 10, 2010
On Thursday, May 6th, the House passed the Home Star Bill with a 246-161 vote! Passing the bill authorized $5.7 billion in funding over a 2-year period for energy-efficient home renovations. Many supporters estimate the bill will encourage 3 million homeowners to take part in the program and will save them over $9.2 billion in energy expenses over the next 10 years. For more details on the bill's past progression, check out our First HomeStar Bill blog post as well as our Second HomeStar Bill blog post.
Some key changes were made before the final house bill passed which include:
1) The bill will be terminated if no way to pay for it is presented.
2) Rebates will now go directly to the homeowner. In a previous version of the bill, rebates would be instant and deducted from the purchase with contractors applying to the government for the rebates.
3) A sample of all projects will be inspected to help prevent fraud.
Next Steps:
The House and Senate now need to combine their two versions in the bill and reach a compromise. To get the latest information on the HomeStar Program, be sure to subscribe to the Moonworks Blog by Email in the top right hand corner or click here to subscribe by RSS Feed.
Photo Credits:
Here and
Here
Posted by Damien Cabral on Wed, May 05, 2010
In the fashion world, they say pink is the new black. Well in home improvement, small is in and big is out. Large $100,000 kitchen remodels, 1,000 square foot additions and $80,000 master suites are being phased out. Yes, we are emerging from the recession and businesses are hiring again, but America has changed. What is driving this trend? Read on….
Credit is Tight
Let’s face it, credit is hard to come by now. Most banks are in a difficult 
position. Yes, they have access to historically low rates and have a consolidated industry. But…lending regulations are much tighter. The demands for low LTV (loan to value), spotless credit records, and sufficient monthly income make it more difficult than ever for homeowners to qualify.
What does this mean for you? It means you need to have excellent credit and have a healthy amount of equity in your home to borrow any money for home improvements. Banks will no longer lend on the value of your home based on the value after completion of the project. These stringent guidelines suggest it makes more sense than ever to take on smaller home improvement projects than in the past. (Moonworks offers a variety of financing options including 0% credit cards and can direct you to HELOC (home equity line of credit) providers.)
People Aren’t Moving
Harvard economist Jeremy Stein says it best, "People have seen their down payments kind of wiped out. They are locked into their house. They can't really move, even if they thought the other house was cheap and a good deal."
Because people may be locked into their existing homes longer than they planned, they are making this extended stay more comfortable and installing home improvements that not only increase the value of their home for the future when they do sell, but improvements that they enjoy. (What could possibly make your home more enjoyable than some new Renewal by Andersen replacement windows?)
Don’t Commit a Home Improvement Faux Pas!
Even with the credit crunch and smaller appetite for high spending, remodeling spending is projected to increase by 5% this year nationwide. The same home improvement projects of the past are popular, but on a much smaller scale. Homeowners are looking to revitalize or expand their existing space vs. a full addition. New kitchens remain the same size but gain new cabinets and appliances. New bathrooms are touting low-flow toilets instead of Jacuzzi tubs.
Additionally, homeowners are looking to cash in on the 2010 energy tax credits by adding energy-efficient windows, cool roofing shingles, home insulation, and even solar power. Contact Moonworks today to learn how you can tax advantage of these tax credits before they expire. Additionally, you can also read more about, which home improvements qualify for the tax credit in our new guide: Home Improvement Tax Credits Explained.
Photo Credits: Credit Crunch, Cape Home, Faux Pas