Many homeowners don’t know how much damage extremely cold weather can put on their plumbing systems until it is too late.  Following a harsh winter in most parts of the country where heavy snowfall and low temperatures were somewhat never-ending, some of our readers have horror stories to share about pipes in their home, which turn into lessons learned for other readers.  When you are in a particularly bad winter, you need to take preemptive measures to make sure that you protect your pipes from cracking or rupturing.  A few dollars and a few minutes of your time in a proactive and preemptive way can potentially save you tens of thousands of dollars down the road.

The first step is to protect your most exposed pipes.  These are the ones that are most likely to be damaged.  Simply wrapping them with cloth or plastic will help keep them warm.  If you can put foam around them that will be even better.  Just do everything you can to reduce their exposure to cold.

Make sure that you have drained any water sources that you aren’t running.  I take it you aren’t using your swimming pool when it is 20 degrees below freezing.  Drain the circulation system for the pool so that you don’t have to worry about the water freezing while it circulates.  Make sure that your sprinkler systems have been thoroughly drained as well.

You also need to be watch your daily routine and be mindful about how it may affect your house.  Many people get into bad habits because they think they will be saving money.  First of all, don’t turn your thermostat off just to save money on heat.  You may think there is no point turning the thermostat on when you aren’t around, but you need to keep your house heated a little in order to prevent damage to your pipes.  You may also try to save a little money on your water bill by making sure your faucets don’t drip, but it is actually better for your pipes if you leave them alone.

If you are going to be gone for extended periods of time (i.e. more than a few days) you may want to think about turning off the water.  All you have to do is make sure that you turn the shut-off valve after turning the faucets off.

No matter what precautions they take, homeowners may still face the possibility of their pipes freezing.  Before it has a chance to burst, thaw it out with a warm heating source.  Something as simple as a towel soaked in hot water may be all you need.  Slowly move towards the coldest part of the pipe and be careful not to focus all your attention on one spot.  Sudden heating and cooling is traumatic and can cause a pipe to shatter.

If your pipes do burst, turn off the water and call a plumber immediately.  The last thing you want to do is cause thousands of dollars in water damage on top of what is already going to be an expensive project.  You can consider replacing the pipes yourself, but I personally recommend leaving that up to the professionals.

Extreme weather can be a huge problem for homeowners.  Make sure that you know the risks to your pipes and take appropriate precautions.  Plumbers will charge a lot of money for their services and the material costs alone can be devastating.  Your best solution is to keep your pipes warm and focus your attention on the pipes that are most likely to be exposed to the elements.  And now…onto summer 2011!

Kalen Smith writes about insurance, finance, home improvement and similar topics for Homeowners Insurance.

If you are concerned with the energy efficiency of your home, you can quickly and easily conduct your own energy assessment to check for potential issues. By locating problem areas, you can make the necessary repairs, which will save you money on monthly utility bills and increase your home’s energy efficiency, getting your home closer to the efficiency you’ll find in many of today’s new homes.

To begin your home energy efficiency assessment, grab a pen and paper and begin at one end of your house. Carefully walk through each room and make a detailed list of any air leaks/drafts you encounter. Leaking air can cause your home to be up to 30% less energy efficient, resulting in a hard hit on both the environment and your wallet. You need to look carefully for both indoor and outdoor air leaks, even in some of the unlikeliest of places—baseboards and electrical outlets are just as likely to leak air as window frames and door frames. Write down any leaks you find, so that they can be repaired.

Next, inspect the insulation in your attic. Insulation requirements and recommendations have changed drastically over the years, so your home, particularly if it’s older, may lack adequate amounts of insulation. Research the recommended insulation levels for your area and compare them to the insulation present in your home. You may need to hire a professional to check the insulation levels in your walls, as adding intra-wall insulation is a more complicated process that should not be attempted if you are unfamiliar with construction and electrical wiring.

Inspecting your heating and cooling units is another key step in your energy usage audit. It is recommended that HVAC units over 15 years old be replaced, as newer models are much more efficient. Make sure the unit is functioning properly and is clean. You should hire a professional to clean your furnace once per year to maximize its functionality. Make sure to also replace the unit’s filters regularly, which keep the unit running more efficiently.

Lastly, check all of the light bulbs in your home to ensure you’re using the correct size and wattage for each light. Trade out the bulbs in your house until you’re sure all lights are using the recommended wattage, and consider investing in CFL or LED bulbs. These light bulbs last longer and use less energy than traditional incandescent lights.

Did you know?

“If every American home replaced just one light with a light that’s earned the ENERGY STAR, we would save enough energy to light 3 million homes for a year, save about $600 million in annual energy costs, and prevent 9 billion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions per year, equivalent to those from about 800,000 cars.” source www.energystar.gov.

When it comes to heating your home, there are many options available. Each system has its own advantages and disadvantages. Which system will work best for you should be based on considerations such as home design, installation requirements, fuel costs, personal preferences, and budget. Recent innovations in heating provide more selection, with renewed focus on efficiency and alternative energy. Some of the more common types of home heating include oil burning furnaces, gas burning furnaces (which fall under the common category of “forced-air”* systems), electric heat, solar heat, wood burning stoves, radiant heat, geothermal heat, and alternative fuel burning stoves. Let’s take a general look at each of the aforementioned systems.

Oil Burning Furnaces – (*Are “Forced Air” systems, in which air is heated in a furnace and distributed throughout the home via ductwork and piping. Forced air systems are very common and carry the extra advantage of being able to use the same system for cooling the home as well.) Systems that use oil as fuel for the furnace are generally less expensive than gas furnaces and tend to last longer, both very appealing positives. As recent times have proven, oil prices are unpredictable – which is not ideal if your concern is stable and consistent heating costs. Oil furnaces are not considered a “green” method of heating because they run by burning oil, a non-renewable resource.

Gas Burning Furnaces – Are also forced air systems, where the furnace is equipped to burn either propane or natural gas. Both are cleaner than oil, which is a plus in the green category. They also provide odorless heat, a unique, and for some folks, very important benefit. Natural gas prices have risen in recent years however, and propane in particular can be very expensive for the extensive heating required for a home.

Electric Heat – If efficiency is your concern, electric heat trumps them all. 100% of the power generated is converted into heat with no waste (*). Electric heats up fast, which allows homeowners to fine tune levels with ease and eliminating the dreaded “warm-up” time associated with entering a chilly house. Remember this (*) when we said no waste? Electricity can be generated from a coal-burning plant, thus canceling out the “green” benefit of 100% efficiency. Electricity has seen dramatic increases in price in recent years so electric heat is not considered the most economical option in today’s market.

Solar Heat – Uses the ultimate renewable resource, the sun, to provide warm air and hot water to homes. In addition, no harmful emissions are produced, making solar heat arguably the cleanest and most environmentally friendly way to heat (and power) one’s home. Solar is a rapidly evolving technology, one in which critics argue is not perfected enough to be relied upon as a primary source of home energy. Because retrofitting a home to run on solar power is a costly enterprise, some argue its cost-effectiveness. However proponents of solar power are confident that when implemented, the monthly savings will culminate into revolving long-term savings.

Wood Burning Stoves – If inexpensive (or free) firewood is available then a wood burning stove can be very cost-effective method for heat. Using salvaged wood from your own property is extremely environmentally friendly because it eliminates any sort of shipping or production of raw materials. Wood burning stoves really don’t have the capacity to heat an entire house, so one cannot rely entirely on a wood burning stove, adding to cost. Wood smoke is also an air pollutant and can aggravate respiratory conditions. Odor can sometimes be an issue depending on personal preference.

Radiant Heat – Works through the process of transferring heat from a hot to a cold surface. Baseboard heating can be considered a radiant heat. Radiant heat typically involves hot water tubing embedded in the floor, baseboard, or even panels in the ceiling. A water boiler heats water which is then run through the tubing providing the heat. A more dated version of radiant heat are steam radiators found in older homes which operate on the same principal but are generally considered unsightly and not space-effective. Radiant heat provides arguably the most comfortable and balanced heat. Boilers are also very energy efficient. Disadvantages include a very slow heating up cycle that’s difficult to fine tune. If maintenance is required it can sometimes be difficult and costly to access hidden heating pipes.

Geo-Thermal Heat – Utilizes the heat from the Earth’s core to heat one’s home. The temperature below the earth’s surface remains a constant renewable resource. Geo-thermal heating systems consist of underground piping installed with a special fluid to absorb heat. This fluid is then pumped into the home and the heat distributed through a fan. This is another extremely environmentally-friendly home heating option using a readily available, renewable natural resource with no waste. Geo-thermal heating is a relatively new technology however, which carry the disadvantages of being expensive and difficult to maintain.

Alternative Fuel Burning Stoves – Are enjoying increasing popularity. These stoves use fuel from corn, wood pellets and other natural resources. By using a commodity that is produced locally, such as corn, these stoves are very cost effective, support local industry, and cut down on waste due to production and importation of goods. Like a wood burning stove, critics say that alternative fuel burning stoves are incapable of heating an entire house, providing the need to supplement this system with another, thus driving up cost and waste.

When it comes to heating your home, you’ve got a lot of choices! It’s important to remember that each home is unique, making certain systems better for certain homes. It’s best to consider the existing design of the home, the surrounding environment, and then take into consideration personal preferences with regards to cost, sustainability, and environmental effects.

About the Author: Dylan Taft is the Broker/Owner at Taft Street Realty, a professional real estate firm serving the Ulster County real estate market. Dylans’s focus is assisting families and individuals in the buying and selling of Ulster County homes. For more information visit www.taftstreetrealty.com.

It’s a fact that homeowners are looking to green home decor solutions for inspiration today. Not only are the number of available options increasing, but there are also more affordable options that offer incredible value for money. One such option is cork flooring. Sustainable, beautiful and very comfortable, cork flooring is becoming popular with homeowners and renters alike for a variety of reasons, not least of which is because it is incredibly hard wearing and a cheaper alternative to other traditional wood flooring options.

Cork is undoubtedly a sustainable form of flooring because it comes from the Cork Oak, the only tree that can regenerate after the removal of its bark. As such, there is no need to chop trees down to make it. Trees can remain standing and can oftentimes be harvested again in ten years without inflicting damage. However, this amazing fact is by no means the only benefit of cork floors, others include:

1. Cork flooring is particularly durable. It is not the same type of cork as that used in wine bottles, which chips away easily and is relatively soft.  Cork flooring is incredibly tough, does not wear easily and can actually take heavy traffic over a sustained period of time. If maintained well, there is no reason why it cannot last in excess of fifty years.
2. Unlike other types of wood flooring, cork floors are actually resistant to fungus, mold and mildew so it will not degrade easily. It is also hypoallergenic and thus is ideal for homeowners with pets and children.
3. Cushion for your feet.  Most wood floors do not give but cork flooring is different. It is comfortable for those walking on it barefoot and gives a little to cushion your steps, which is actually a strange but lovely sensation.
4. In keeping with its eco-friendly makeup, cork can help you save on your heating bills. It insulates any room well and resists temperature fluctuations so it remains a comfortable temperature all year round.
5. Cork flooring does not require any special DIY knowledge because the tiles or planks are very easy to install

Although many individuals still choose to go for traditional wood flooring, more and more experts are beginning to recognize the value of cork floors and so are actively recommending them to homeowners. It is actively considered to be an upgrade on other flooring types because of the advantages outlined above and the fact that it is just a affordable as other types of flooring, if not more so. For example, it is more sustainable than bamboo and yet not as expensive. Furthermore, it comes in a variety of colors and is not limited by the use of an individual room – it can be suitable for all rooms in the home.

In short, cork floors give you a fantastic option that checks all the boxes at once. No trees have to be cut down to create it and it can last for years. As a durable, healthy, affordable and comfortable choice, it offers every member of your household significant advantages. It also ups the value of your home so it is an all round winner.

This article has been written by Dylan Taft, an experienced Hudson Valley real estate professional, working in home sales and purchases. You can visit Dylan’s website for more information on property taxes, and details on the Ulster County real estate area.

The US currently uses about a third of the planet’s annual energy production, and only contains 6% of the world’s population. It is time to make a change. As stated in my previous article (see Upgrade Energy Efficiency with Government Money), there are plenty of tax credits and incentives out there right now to make improving the energy efficiency of your home a worthwhile investment, but where should the downtown condo owner start? With no giant roof to replace or huge attics to insulate, often condo owners have a difficult time deciding where to start on the path of energy efficiency upgrades; I can help.

As with a home energy upgrade, a condo energy upgrade should still begin with an energy audit. A qualified home energy auditor will use high output blowers, thermal imaging cameras and a variety of other specialized tools to determine where and when heat and energy loss is occurring in your condo. The best advice I can give you is to go with a company that strictly focuses on energy audits, not a company that also does energy improvements, as they may be tempted to sell you upgrades based on their profit incentive.

From my experience and research, the top three areas of energy loss for condominium owners, and thus, the focus for environmentally friendly upgrades, should be:

1. Building envelope
2. Water heating
3. Heating and cooling system

When most people think of building envelope, the first thing that pops into their head is windows. They are the most visible and most frequently talked about energy upgrade. Additionally, they are a very sellable upgrade and are profitable for contractors to replace, but they don’t always need to be replaced! Take a look around your condo and estimate what percentage of the wall surface area is windows; I’m guessing it’s less than 20%. The other 80% of the area is where I recommend starting your energy upgrades. With today’s blown-in insulation technology, entire wall cavities can be insulated with cellulose though very small holes drilled in the wall. A better-insulated exterior wall can work wonders on the comfort of your condo. Better air quality, lower noise levels and less room for unwanted critters to sneak in are all great side effects. Keep in mind that new windows can and do increase energy savings, they just don’t always give you the best return on investment.

The next area of upgrade is your water heating system. If you live in a condo complex where hot water is included in your HOA fee you may need to petition other homeowners to have the system upgraded, if not, the process is pretty straightforward. Water heating bills typically account for 15%-25% of your monthly energy costs. The options available for hot water heating today are much more efficient and affordable than systems available even a few years ago. I recommend going with an on demand or tankless hot water system. These systems only fire up when hot water is needed and avoid the unnecessary expense of storing hot water. A great side benefit is the extra storage space you will gain when you rid yourself of that huge hot water tank!

Lastly, and typically the most daunting area of energy upgrades, is the heating and cooling system. Your heating and cooling expense typically accounts for the largest part of your energy bills, however they are also typically the most expensive to upgrade. As with the hot water system, if this is a building wide system you will have to get the association involved to make any changes. Most heating and cooling systems over 10 years old are inefficient and worth replacing. Today there are many options to choose from, both gas and electric and many different configurations based on the type of heat delivery mechanisms present in your condo. If you have a boiler configuration, the most impressive systems I have seen are the gas hydronic condensing systems. These boiler systems are extremely efficient, in the neighborhood of 95%, and can even be used as your source for hot water, killing two birds with one stone is always a plus. There are even hydronic systems such as the Honda FreeWatt that can also produce useable electricity for your condo, while providing heat and hot water; that’s about as eco-friendly as you can get. HVAC systems have also come a long way and today’s energy star rated units are highly efficient. If you do have an HVAC system, be sure that before you replace the unit, you have your ducts cleaned and inspected for leaks, as this can often be a major part of energy loss. The least you can do for your heating and cooling system is to invest in a programmable thermostat. This upgrade alone can save you hundreds of dollars per year in energy costs.

After undergoing upgrades in these sections of your condo, I wouldn’t be surprised to see your monthly energy bills cut in half!

The combination of rising fuel costs, increased environmental awareness, and the greater availability of affordable eco-friendly upgrades present homeowners with a great opportunity to upgrade their residence. Both state and federal governments are offering fantastic programs to help offset the cost of such energy upgrades.

Homeowners interested in improving energy efficiency should start with an energy audit. An energy auditor will come to your residence and perform a service very similar to a home inspection; however, focused solely on the efficiency of your heating system, windows, insulation, and appliances. The net result will be a detailed report giving your home an energy efficiency rating on the Home Energy Rating System (HERS) scale – be sure to ask for an explanation as there is one scale for pre-2006 and one scale for post. The energy audit will give you a clear picture of where your money will reap the best return on energy efficiency upgrades, as well as set a baseline for the “as-is” state of your home, and eventually, the efficiency of the “to-be” state.

The most common areas of deficiency are windows, insulation, and appliances, all of which can be upgraded with assistance from state and federal government programs. When considering which upgrades to undertake, keep in mind that the upfront cost is only part of the equation, years of discounted utility bills should also be considered in your analysis. For example, an energy star rated refrigerator costs less than half as much to operate per month as a 10 year old refrigerator, so you need to amortize the costs. As always, make sure that any upgrade is done by a reputable, licensed and insured company.

Once your upgrades are done, the next step is to apply for your tax credits. The most pertinent programs for common consumers are the Federal Residential Energy Efficiency Personal Tax Credits and the proposed Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources Energy Star Rebate Program. The Federal program credits you up to 30% of your upgrade cost with a $1,500 maximum.  The Massachusetts DEOR program is slated to receive $6.2 million in funding under the American Recover and Reinvestment act, to give consumers rebates for energy star appliance purchases. The DEOR is a program to recycle old appliances and replace them with new, energy star rated ones. At this time, there are no specifics on exactly what the limit per household would be and how it would be distributed – I would estimate it would be for one to two appliances, the major energy eaters such as refrigerators and washer/dryers, additional details and program logistics are forthcoming following the program’s announcement in late October 2009.

The net result of any energy efficiency upgrade will be hundreds of dollars per year in tax savings and energy costs, as well as a more valuable and marketable home.