HomePointe Referrals

Energy Efficiency Tip: Electronics

admin — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 12:26:41 +0000

Electronics account for 8.1 percent of your home’s energy use. Cut costs by plugging items into a power strip, and turning the strip off when not in use. “Smart” power strips are another good option – when one master device like a TV is turned off, it cuts power to other selected items (DVD players, gaming consoles, stereos, etc.) SOURCE: U.S. Department of Energy

Caring For Your Windows, Doors, and Skylights

admin — Sun, 29 May 2011 10:05:50 +0000

Caring for your doors, windows and skylights will keep them beautiful and optimize their performance and efficiency. Windblown dust, airborne contaminants and grime can cause damage to glass surfaces if not properly removed and cleaned. Maintaining our windows can help prolong their life span which can mean quite a bit of savings in the long-term. Considering our homes are most likely our most valuable asset, proper care and maintenance is well worth it.

Why Hire A Professional To Clean Windows?

Professional Window Cleaning Specialists are trained, skilled, experienced and they have the proper equipment for their trade. Most offer full service cleaning for interior, exterior, sills, screens, frames, etc. They use the right solutions and methods for glass surfaces, frames, sashes and other components. They effectively clean difficult to reach windows such as skylights, cathedral-ceiling style and extra high windows. Most cleaning companies will clean chandeliers, ceiling fans and gutters as well.

It is recommended that you inspect your windows and doors annually. Environmental factors and conditions can affect their performance and may require more frequent inspections. Be sure to check the sealant/caulking to be sure there is a water tight seal.

Remember, clean, sparkling windows look beautiful in all seasons!

Freshest, Cleanest Water Possible

Terri — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 09:36:52 +0000

Is having the freshest, cleanest water possible a priority for you and your family? It is very important to our family. We’ve had a reverse osmosis treatment system for over a decade and love the taste, purity, and peace of mind from the quality of water. My husband is thrilled about the low cost and convenience. As he always says “I don’t have to purchase, haul, carry and store bottled water. I always have the freshest and cleanest water possible right here at my kitchen sink.”

If you are interested in learning more about water quality and filtration systems, our service provider will be happy to share with you information about water quality and filtration systems.

Federal Tax Credits For Energy Efficiency

admin — Mon, 17 May 2010 02:45:13 +0000

These days we are all looking for ways to save money. Just today I was
devising a plan to find a way to cut my ever growing grocery bill, among
other things. The last thing we want is to throw our money out the
window or to see it go right out the door. Unfortunately, that is what
many of us are doing, literally, without even realizing it.
Many homeowners have doors and windows that are in need of
updating and we all have these “replacements” on our seemingly
endless to do list! Despite our good intentions there always seems to
be some financial crisis that shows up unexpectedly and those new
windows/doors get relegated once again to the bottom of our priority
list.
There are, of course, low cost ways to improve energy efficiency such
as adding weatherstripping to doors and windows. These things are
good, however, the government has come up with various conservation
incentives that may just motivate you to move those replacements up
to the top of the to do list once again!
There are now tax credits available at 30% of the cost, up to $1500
total for existing homes. One way to take advantage of the credit is for
the purchase of qualifying windows or doors. This particular credit
does not apply to new construction or rentals and must be for your
existing home.
There are certain requirements, for instance, windows, doors and
skylights must have a U-Factor and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient less than
or equal to .30. You can find the U-Factor and SHGC on the National
Fenestration Rating Council Label. Not all windows/doors qualify.
You must have a manufacturer Certification Statement which is a
signed statement from the manufacturer certifying that the product or
component qualifies for the tax credit.
As for anything tax related, always check with your advisor but now is
the time to take action as this particular credit expires 12/31/10! Call
us today for an estimate with one of our specialists.