Posted by Caitlyn Colombi on Wed, Jul 29, 2009
In the summer we want to keep our house as cool as possible, and whether it's the windows open or cranking up the air conditioner, our windows play a crucial role. We want to be able to keep in that cool A/C or let the nice breeze flow in. But what happens if your current windows are actually causing you to lose money?
Windows are not only a decorative feature in most homes, they also provide views and ventilation, offer a natural light source and act as solar heaters in the cooler months. However, they can also account for 10% to 25% of your heating bill! During the summer, your air conditioner needs to keep that hot air coming in cool, and therefore has to work even harder! So what better time than now to replace your windows with ENERGY STAR approved windows?
Installing high-performance windows will improve your home's energy performance. While it may take many years for new windows to pay off in energy savings, the benefits of added comfort and improved functionality may make the investment completely worth it.
What qualifies a window as "efficient"? Efficient windows may have two or more panes of glass, warm-edge spacers between the window panes, improved framing materials, and low-e coatings, which are microscopically thin coatings that help keep heat inside during the winter and outside during the summer.
Luckily, Renewal by Andersen windows ARE approved to help you move towards a more energy efficient household. Andersen Corporation has been committed to making environmentally responsible products and conducting "green" manufacturing methods, and was the first window manufacturer to receive Green Seal Certification for Environmental Stewardship.
On top of helping you save money, a new set of windows throughout your house can qualify you for as much as a $1,500 tax credit under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. By making the choice to switch the windows in your house to energy efficient windows, you are adding value to your property while receiving money to do so!
So why wait? Go green by making your house aesthetically pleasing and saving yourself a little green!
Posted by Damien Cabral on Mon, Jul 27, 2009
So many people think a roof is merely shingles applied to the top of their house.
When in fact, a properly installed roof is actually a “roofing system” with many more components then just shingles.
One of the most important components of a “roofing system” is balanced ventilation.
This means there is an equal amount of intake and exhaust, allowing your home to continually breath. There is actually a mathematical formula, that quality roofers will use to determine exactly how many square inches of intake and exhaust are needed for the specific home that they are installing a roofing system on. The intake occurs through soffit vents, and the exhaust through a ridge vent. When a balanced ventilation system is properly installed, cooler air is constantly entering the soffits, it rises up pushing warmer air out through the ridge.
Why is balanced ventilation so important? There are several reasons. First of all it will extend the life of the roofing shingles. Additonally, it will reduce cooling costs, by keeping your attic cooler in the summer. Perhaps most importantly, it proper ventallation will help keep moisture out of your attic reducing the risk of unhealthy mold and mildew developing in your attic. Recent research indicates that there are many health risks associated with mold in homes. And if it does develop it is very costly to have removed.
Posted by Damien Cabral on Wed, Jul 22, 2009
This month Moonworks participated in the Arnold Mills July 4th Parade in Cumberland Rhode Island.
Posted by Caitlyn Colombi on Mon, Jul 20, 2009
As prices seem to be rising in nearly aspect of our life, Americans are constantly hoping to catch some sort of break. Well, little do many know, solar-powered conversions are a great start to making that catch. By changing from a conventional water heater to a solar-powered water heater, not only are you helping save the environment - you're helping to save yourself money!
According to mechanical engineers at the University of Wisconsin's Solar Energy Laboratory, an average four-person household with an electric water heater needs about 6,400 kilowatt hours of electricity per year to heat their water. Assuming the electricity is generated by a typical power plant with an efficiency of around 30 percent, it means that the average electric water heater is responsible for about eight tons of carbon dioxide annually, which is almost double that emitted by a typical modern automobile. The same family of four using either a natural gas or oil-fired water heater will contribute about two tons of CO2 emissions annually in heating their water.
Surprising as it may seem, analysts believe that the annual total CO2 produced by residential water heaters throughout North America is roughly equal to that produced by all of the cars and light trucks driving around the continent. Another way of looking at it is: If half of all households used solar water heaters, the reduction in CO2 emissions would be the same as doubling the fuel-efficiency of all cars.
Having half of all households use solar water heaters might not be such a stretch. According to the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI), there are 1.5 million solar water heaters already in use in U.S. homes and businesses. Solar water heater systems can work in any climate - even that temperamental New England weather, and EESI estimates that 40 percent of all U.S. homes have sufficient access to sunlight, such that 29 million additional solar water heaters could be installed right now!!
Another great reason to switch to a solar water heater is financial savings. With savings in electricity or natural gas, solar water heaters pay for themselves within four to eight years. And solar water heaters last between 15 and 40 years - the same as conventional systems - so after that initial payback period is up, zero energy cost essentially means having free hot water for years to come.
Additionally, in 2005 the U.S., including Rhode Island and Massachusetts, began offering homeowners tax credits of up to 30% of the cost of installing a solar water heater. The credit is not available for swimming pool or hot tub heaters, and the system must be certified by the Solar Rating and Certification Corporation.
So after all these reasons, why not look into installing a solar-powered hot water system into your house? Check local companies, such as Repower Home Energy Solutions, today!
Posted by Damien Cabral on Tue, Jul 14, 2009
On Friday, Moonworks held it's second Moonworks event of the year, a Moonworks BBQ, at its headquarters in Rhode Island. The Moonworks BBQ was organized and brought to fruition through employee volunteers - thank you everyone for your time and cooking skill. Everyone brought a variety of tasty food and kicked back in the middle of the workday to enjoy a few laughs with some burgers and side salads. It was a nice break from the fast paced environment of the home improvement industry. We enjoyed everything from deviled eggs to chocolate chip cookies. Additionally everyone enjoyed a nice sunny day - which has been hard to come by lately!
Fred manning the grill
Moonworkers enjoying the fruits of their labor
Moonworkers soaking up the sun
Posted by Martina Zepter on Thu, Jul 09, 2009
Helping others that are less fortunate is an important part of our RI home improvement company's philosophy and our employees take pride in supporting the local community. Recently Moonworks made a major contribution to the Rhode Island Foodbank, earlier this year we supported the annual fundraiser of the Boys and Girls Club of Cumerland - Lincoln, and we've made a donation to Make A Wish Foundation.
Every year we support Rhode Island PBS with it's fundraising efforts. In addition, whenever South County Habitat for Humanity is providing housing for a deserving family, Gutter Helmet delivers gutters and downspouts and oftentimes our employees volunteer to intall the materials. This is Moonworks - Your Home Improved in action in and around RI.
Posted by Damien Cabral on Mon, Jul 06, 2009
As a new homeowner in Rhode Island, I spent my weekend working on several home improvement projects. One project I did not tackle myself was an electrical problem we were experiencing. My power was switching on and off sporadically every 5 minutes during a rainstorm; it turns out that water was getting into my circuit breaker box. To find a trustworthy electrician, I turned to the Yellow Pages online and chose the first electrician that was
Better Business Bureau accredited. In the end, I consider myself lucky that this problem occurred because our electrician discovered several safety hazards in addition to our existing problem - which included wiring that was not tied into the breaker at all!
Lesson of the story - before you hire anyone to do work on your home, whether its electrical, roofing, siding, replacement windows etc... be sure that they are BBB accredited (Moonworks has been BBB accredited for years). I am sure the electrician that worked on my home previously was not BBB accredited and probably did the work at a discount. With home improvements- it is worth paying a little extra to make sure the work is done correctly so you and your family can sleep easily.