VACHI.INFO BLOGS :: Gary Smith's BlogIf A is success in life, then A = x + y + z. Work is x; y is play; and z is keeping your mouth shut.
Albert Einstein (1879 – 1955), Observer, Jan. 15, 1950
News Talk 1180 AM
From Gary N Smith.net – Home Inspections and Energy Ratings- Deep Energy Retrofit March 11, 2010Lisa Cohn of Energy Efficiency Markets interviews Jeff Smith, a host for HDTV and the DIY Network, about deep energy retrofits. How are they different from energy audits and what are their benefits? Check out his website at www.thegreenedhouseeffect.com. […]Gary Smith
- New Homes Getting Smaller March 8, 2010“Home buyers are finding that they would prefer to spend their housing budget on lower energy costs and features, rather than sacrificing that quality for more space,” said Central MS energy rater and home builder Gary Smith. This sentiment was mirrored in the 2007-2008 Consumer Preferences Survey conducted by the National Association [...] […]Gary Smith
- State Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program March 7, 2010ARRA allocated $2.8 million to Mississippi to develop and administer a residential rebate program for the purchase of ENERGY STAR-rated appliances. MDA's Energy Division will partner with utility companies and retailers to promote the program statewide, encouraging Mississippians to replace existing, energy inefficient appliances with new ones. This reb […]Gary Smith
- Deal or No Deal? 7 New Home Sales Tips – Podcast February 24, 2010Most of us are familiar with the popular TV show, Deal or no Deal. The show has a good formula for how to negotiate: There is pressure, tension, drama and expectation; it follows a lot of the patterns of [...] […]Gary Smith
- Green Verified vs Green Certified February 16, 2010There is no doubt about it. Green is hot! It’s everywhere! But with respect to housing what’s the difference in “Green Verified” and “Green Certified”? If you talk to 10 different people you’ll most likely get 10 different answers to “What does green mean?” You’ll hear everything from “Yes, we’ve gone green at my office by buying [...] […]Gary Smith
- CGP – Certified Green Professional Course Returns to Jackson February 15, 2010The home builders association is bringing the CGP – Certified Green Professional designation course back to Central MS next month. I got this notification from Spence over at the association: This is Spence Tribble from the Home Builders Association of Jackson and we are excited to announce that the NAHB approved Certified Green Professional (CGP) designatio […]Gary Smith
- Booby Trapped Garage Door February 7, 2010It's always a good idea to inspect the garage door "before" you attempt to operate the door from the push button. You may have a booby trap waiting to "spring into [...] […]Gary Smith
- Green MLS Listings January 30, 2010I few months ago I spoke with Jo Usry, Excutive directory of JAR about the idea of adding an option for Green or/and Energy Efficient homes to be showcased in MLS. This past fall the option's were [...] […]Gary Smith
- How to Install Rigid Foam Insulation January 26, 2010Installing rigid foam on the outside of a house is a great way to double the R-value and eliminate air leaks. Large sheets of foam insulation, screwed and sealed to the walls or roof, can cover or replace conventional sheathing and create a continuous barrier to heat loss or gain—something you don't get with cavity insulation alone. We wrapped the house […]Gary Smith
- Gary Smith Named One of the Top Green Building Verifiers in the Country January 26, 2010The National Association of Homebuilders recently published a list of their most active Green Building Verifiers from across the country. I’m proud to say, we made the list! With 13 green home verifications located from the MS gulf coast to the TN state line we’re named one of the top verifiers. By encouraging and promoting green [...] […]Gary Smith
- Deep Energy Retrofit March 11, 2010
Headed out today for inspections of new …
Headed out today for inspections of new construction foundations for Randy Berg Construction.
Chimneys: Warm and Cozy or Easy Exit for Your Heat?
Both of my childhood homes featured fireplaces. If you’ve had one, you know how terrific they can be—great places to bask on cold winter nights, an easy opportunity to toast marshmallows, picturesque, undeniably a pleasure in the house that has one.
However, fireplaces have chimneys…and chimneys can be problems when it comes to home energy efficiency. Read more here: http://erhom.com/blog/2010/01/12/chimneys-warm-and-cozy-or-easy-exit-for-your-heat/
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How Saving Energy Might Be Contagious
I was wondering the other day if saving energy might be, you know, contagious. And yes, that’s an awfully dorky thing to think. But I found myself wondering that because I really was being a bit of a dork.
You see, before I started working at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, I never thought about saving…read more: http://erhom.com/blog/2010/01/11/how-saving-energy-might-be-contagious/
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Home Rehab Business Strong in Central Mississippi
Rehab it! There are literally hundreds of homes in need of attention in the Jackson, MS metro area. I’m a 203(k) consultant and help home owners find and rehab their dream homes.
The 203(k) loan program is an FHA backed loan for rehabilitating a home.
Tips for Hiring a Heating Contractor – Size Matters
Many factors affect a home’s heating or cooling requirement, or “load.” A good heating and air contractor will measure the walls, ceilings, floor space, and windows to determine the room volumes, and will assess the R-value of [...]
After the Home is Built…
What ever happened to customer service?
Today, simple respect and responsiveness seems to be more the exception than the rule … especially after the sale. How a homebuilder manages after-sale service, also called warranty service or call-backs, is a key indicator of the company’s overall professionalism and ability to meet (and ideally exceed) a homebuyer’s expectations.
The goal of the professional builder is to quickly and completely respond to and resolve issues that come up during the time a home is under warranty. As a critical part of providing great housing value and achieving customer satisfaction, professional builders encourage questions from homebuyers and respond to their concerns in a timely and respectful manner.
Typically, a builder’s warranty addresses specific issues with a home related to its structural components (such as the foundation and frame), basic electrical and other mechanical systems, and the quality of workmanship for a set time period. How a builder responds to warranty service inquiries varies depending on the policy offered and sold with the house: some are defined and managed entirely by the builder, while others are defined, at least in part, by independent agencies (such as an insurance company) and administered by the builder.
Specific warranty language and procedures benefit both the builder and the homeowner. Simply, a well-defined and properly communicated warranty service policy helps eliminate confusion about who is responsible for issues, concerns, and other call-back items that may occur in the first year or so of occupancy.
While there are specific differences among builders, a superior warranty service program includes:
Documentation. A documented process for responding to call-backs and customer service inquiries creates a “paper trail” that ensures that questions and concerns are properly communicated, managed, and resolved. A professional builder will document the details of the warranty policy and keep track of inquiries, response time, and specific types of service calls from the first call to follow-up to ensure the homeowner’s ultimate satisfaction.
Response time. Responding to a service call is more an issue of timing than time; the key is to understand which calls will be addressed immediately, and which may require or allow more time. No one likes to wonder if or when a call or email will be answered; if homeowners can depend on getting a reply from their builder within a reasonable (or better still, stated) time frame, chances are better that they’ll be satisfied with how the issue is resolved.
Collective calls. Even if a builder responds to a warranty service call within a day or so, making a visit to the house to resolve a non-emergency situation may be timed to coincide with other scheduled work at the house. This “collective call” minimizes the number of times an owner needs to be at home to make the house available to the builder’s warranty service team. Of course, emergency calls demand immediate attention, but collective calls can be a more convenient and reliable way to address a variety of concerns or maintenance issues at the same time.
Scheduled visits. Professional builders are becoming more proactive in how they address scheduled service and other routine maintenance work while a house is still under warranty. In many cases, a builder will schedule a visit and “walk through” (or tour) a new home within a month after occupancy. These visits are opportunities for homeowners to ask questions and for the builder to document or schedule service work covered by the warranty. Such visits also help builders refine their warranty service processes based on a homeowner’s feedback.
No builder follows exactly the same policies and procedures for warranty service, inquiries and incidents. Our goal as building professionals is to provide each client with the best new home buying and living experience possible. How builders refine and improve their after the sale process goes a long way toward delivering superior customer service and buyer satisfaction.
Lawson Has Answers For Your Questions
Q: Why do builders sometimes send another company on a service call?
A: Increasingly, new-home builders rely on a variety of trade (or specialty) contractors, such as electricians, plumbers, and heating and cooling experts, to help build your new house. Part of their contract is servicing their work; who better than the person who installed your faucet to fix a leak? While the builder is ultimately responsible for making sure warranty work is documented and performed, he will rely on trade contractors to make warranty service call on his behalf, to his standards, and to your satisfaction.
If you are in need of a job tested and homeowner approved tradesman for home maintanance please do not hesitate to call us for a experienced based referal. We have a list of tradesmen and handy men who need work and have a record of reliability that has been proven over the years. I want to do all that I can to keep them in business and welcome your call. Regardless the size of the job we probably have someone who can do it professionally and make you happy. My cell phone (770-231-4003) is the best way to catch me these days. Give me a ring.
Hope you have a wonderful New Year.
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Social Media and other Marketing Tools
- Image by .Andy Chang. via Flickr
One of the things that I value is privacy. This is getting tougher and tougher with the ever increasing ways one can invade and/or disclose one’s personal privacy.
I recall reading an interview or two or ten where the author/speaker says “anyone without a website will not be in business by the end of the decade.” Well we are ending a decade and you would be surprised at the number of business that still do not have web pages and those with web pages but no business anymore.
How significant a web page was in driving business is something I would like very much to see numbers on. For years business people were told without a presence in the Yellow Pages you would lose significant business. Again numbers like that would have to be measured and analyzed and most small businesses rarely do that type of cost benefit analysis.
I actually do ask every client how they found me. You would be surprised how few actually recall but most found me through a flyer, brochure or some actual physical contact with my information. I get some who found me from googling a yellow page ad which still lists my construction business but NONE who ever found me via googling “green consultant” and then going to my website reading the information and in turn contacting me that way. Few actually read my website and what is interesting is that they are sure I am still a contractor despite the information to the contrary.
Now admittedly I do perform a unique service and most people think all contractors and speciality contractors (roofers, etc) are fully educated and informed about current building science, green build, etc and in turn will inform they, the customer, about all those options. As you read in a previous blog we know that it is not the case and its why I thought education or coaching would be a beneficial niche. However being unique doesn’t mean you are the only one. There are many in my field and many who do different things under the same “green” umbrella.
It is extremely challenging to be a small provider in business and spend the money getting new training, education and also supporting, marketing and running a business. So you get what we have in the field – those who have vested entirely in green build and those who are struggling to find the balance. The have and have-nots I call them. Like banks it appears that small single shingle businesses will dissolve in the wake of bigger better financed companies/builders who can ride this out by taking on remodeling while in turn driving out their competitors. Its going to get a lot worse on the construction front in the years ahead as they fight over the “cash for caulkers” program that Obama is proposing.
So how do you market your business in ways that is affordable and reaches a number of heads that will actually utilize your services?
1. Advertising. Through both conventional print, television and radio. Well I have done varying print options and I can assure you NONE of them brought me any business. I tried transit advertising and it did bring me one call for something so out there I can’t even say what to say about it but it did get a call. But almost ALL of the calls were other advertising and marketing firms looking to further their business.
2. Networking. From joining varying groups – BNI, LeTip, Chamber of Commerce. Well those are fine if that is what you are looking for expensive organizations that are almost pyramid schemes to keep them in business. I have participated in the free meet and greets and frankly have NEVER gotten any business from them in anyway but hits from them to get their members business.
3. Google Ads. I have no idea if these work at all. Again what clients say is they don’t recall exactly how they found me; I am thinking they probably don’t want to admit that this is the way the found me. I spend very little on this and my belief is that it is not really the most successful way of advertising but it is a great way of building brand/name recognition. But as I don’t “click that link” I think most consumers are like me and would prefer to research it further thinking of course that those not paying for advertising are not trying as hard and in turn are ones who business I support. If anything it is almost a reverse logic or at least inherent skepticism.
But again I try to think like my customers and my market and this is Seattle a notoriously “thrifty” city that prides itself on being green so they also don’t think they need my services as much as they think. And in this economy people are not realizing how much they actually need me so going for word of mouth is not something I can rely on when there are few mouths.
4. Trade Shows. These are great again at building a brand. Ironically I got more out of state clients from a local trade show than local ones. Why? Because where they live they don’t have this kind of service, I am affordable and accommodating.
In those cases I did much of the work via Skype and E-mail and sent them what they need in an easy report with samples and product specs. In that case they if they are seeking LEED or other certs, I will find out if these qualify for points and in turn they can find someone at “home” who will sign off at that time when they ultimately make the final decision.
Trade shows are great at finding partners for that endeavor, however, who share your these are extremely expensive and I will not do them again unless I can find a co-operative venture or small neighborhood/community ones that are affordable and on single weekend days or in summer months.
5. Guerrilla Marketing. These are the flyer’s, brochures, etc that you literally spread throughout your community. This is small business but it builds your business in your area. You will have to do this alone or with help but this was and still is my larges and most affordable marketing tool.
6. Social Media. This is the MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, Blogging, etc. I have a business Facebook page and a LinkedIn profile and guess what NOT a call or customer. Why that doesn’t shock me. Again my odd niche of what I do attracts numerous “greenies” wanting to connect with me but mostly they are time consuming and distracting. My LinkedIn profile is so generic and vague with details and specifics that I get few inquires or “links.”
I do not have a personal Facebook nor do I Twitter. I was highly reticent about blogging as there are so many enthusiastic bloggers about green building and the like I frankly did not want mine to become GBA or Jetson Green as that is not who I am nor have plans to be.
In real life I have no need to Facebook anyone. I can call them or email them and speak to them directly. I text only when I need to and do not use that as a substitute to actually pick up a phone and call. And guess what I have personal stationery and still send thank you cards and mail when I can. I think there is something meaningful about a personalized note. I do not need people from 20 years ago getting in touch with me because we went to grade/high school together. I am sorry but its not 1977 anymore and if we were such great friends then why weren’t we still friends now and well its not 1977 anymore so I am not sure I care to relieve the time period thanks. I never looked good in clingy palazzo pants.
I read that you will have to have a Facebook to survive and Twitter if you want your business to succeed. What.Ever. I think like many millions of small business people the mundane details of our daily lives and business is not something for the masses. Do I think a Facebook page with my photos and personal information will find my business or a job that has meaning? I have no idea because given what I know about people and the marketplace I don’t think so. I think its largely a fad and a way to not be alone. To find people like you and to distract you from yourself or your poor work. I don’t think real business people are using the site to find like business minds, employees or business (and I don’t and I don’t think I am all that unique either) I think they are using it to check up on employees or prospective employees and what they are up to. I don’t think its a good thing.
I also don’t think its a good thing to put up too much personal information. With hackers and identity theft on the rise do you really need anyone and everyone to know when and where you went to school, your past employment history and your personal details to the nth degree? What are you thinking. I have had two very odd encounters from online information and now no longer even use Craigslist to buy or sell anything. Think about it recall the power of Ebay? We stick with nothing long enough anymore to really measure its true meaning or longevity. Its only a matter of time before Craigslist is replaced. Too many frauds, scams and killers have destroyed its usefulness.
I received a call from someone who said he saw my profile on LinkedIn and was my classmate at the UW. I knew immediately he was lying because the dates I listed are current ones not actual ones but he said he wanted to talk about what I do. So I met him at a Starbucks far from my home in the midday. Sure enough a suburban dad arrived sat down said “you aren’t who I think you are” and left immediately. That is another reason why my photo is obama-ized. You have to be careful regardless.
I was listening to Howard Stern this morning and he said this is further proof that we are de-evolving and are infantalizing ourselves. We have Apps (I am sure that will be the next MUST for business) that basically do everything now so we don’t have to ever be home and when we are out its like being at home so its not so lonely. Next time you are in a coffee shop, bar or restaurant watch how many people are texting, surfing, listening to anything but the people around them. Its stranger danger but without the strangers or the danger right?
If you really believe your business thrives and your resume is attracting legitimate offers than I commend you. I just find that well businesses grew way before the Internet and they are the ones oddly still here. They understand the need for flexibility but one cannot underestimate the power of the past and what experience it brings to the table.
I am not set in my ways I just have divisions of what is personal and what is business. I respect my privacy and more importantly why I advocate transparency in business I don’t feel the same way about that in person.
Related Articles
- 5 Reasons Why Businesses Should Like Birthdays on Facebook (windmillnetworking.com)
- How to Use Your Email Signature as An Effective Marketing Tool (sendblaster.com)
- Social Media Approval Ratings 2009: Getting Paid and Getting… (mashable.com)
- Social Media Outsourcing: Good Business or Fake Dialogue? (socialwebschool.com)
- Creating A Social Media Plan (slideshare.net)
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Meeting on new gas plant in Mississippi
Image via Wikipedia
MOSS POINT, Miss. (AP) – The U.S. Department of Energy and Mississippi Gasification, which has planned a $2 billion energy project in Moss Point, will hold a public meeting on the facility.
The meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Pelican Landing Conference Center in Moss Point.
The meeting will kick off a lengthy federal environmental impact assessment needed to secure $1.7 billion in DOE loans for the synthetic natural gas facility.
Mississippi Gasification, owned by New York-based Leucadia National Corp., wants to build a plant on the former International Paper Co. property to turn petroleum coke, a byproduct of crude oil refineries, into substitute natural gas for industrial customers across the Southeast.
Construction would take 36 months, and the plant would begin full production by mid-2015.
Housing Crisis Escalates
In my business forecast for next year I have to decide how I will market my business, the budget, the target audience, the type of marketing and overall rate of success from each method. So I look to Home Shows, Trade Fairs, mailing, print and other forms and ways to build my brand and sell my services.
I get calls but so few want to actually pay or the kinds of calls I get are for services I don’t offer. In that case I have to decide if I want to build those services and skills or continue to turn them away as it may not be a sufficient enough trade off for the time and expense to garner those skills.
Since my long term goals are to move into commercial retrofitting I have decided to take the necessary steps that will aid that including relocating to find the kind of work I am seeking. That decision is based on the need to have meaningful work and financially supportive work but also the desire to live in a city that offers more than I have in the way of social and personal interests. This almost seems antiquated but I still believe in the idea that work is there if you work to find it and that is the major reason for the switch.
I would have liked to continue helping those in the residential fields but that likelihood seems dim due to the current economic situation (aka the “jobless recovery”) and the fact that 1 in 10 Homeowners are currently delinquent on their mortgages. Today’s article in the New York Times discusses the bleak future regarding the state of foreclosures and housing market. I, like many others, believe that the extension of the tax credit will do little to stimulate house sales, the October build stats are at the lowest in decades and the amount of surplus build both in residential and even multi-family (apartments) are at glut levels. So it doesn’t appear I along with many of my colleagues will be doing much in that field for quite some time. So I am using that time to build new skills and get out of the residential market – for now.
U.S. Mortgage Delinquencies Reach a Record High
by DAVID STREITFELD
Published: November 19, 2009
The economy and the stock market may be recovering from their swoon, but more homeowners than ever are having trouble making their monthly mortgage payments, according to figures released Thursday.
Nearly one in 10 homeowners with mortgages was at least one payment behind in the third quarter, the Mortgage Bankers Association said in its survey. That translates into about five million households.
The delinquency figure, and a corresponding rise in the number of those losing their homes to foreclosure, was expected to be bad. Nevertheless, the figures underlined the level of stress on a large segment of the country, a situation that could snuff out the modest recovery in home prices over the last few months and impede any economic rebound.
Unless foreclosure modification efforts begin succeeding on a permanent basis — which many analysts say they think is unlikely — millions more foreclosed homes will come to market.
“I’ve been pretty bearish on this big ugly pig stuck in the python and this cements my view that home prices are going back down,” said the housing consultant Ivy Zelman.
The overall third-quarter delinquency rate is the highest since the association began keeping records in 1972. It is up from about one in 14 mortgage holders in the third quarter of 2008.
The combined percentage of those in foreclosure as well as delinquent homeowners is 14.41 percent, or about one in seven mortgage holders. Mortgages with problems are concentrated in four states: California, Florida, Arizona and Nevada. One in four people with mortgages in Florida is behind in payments.
Some of the delinquent homeowners are scrambling and will eventually catch up on their payments. But many others will slide into foreclosure. The percentage of loans in foreclosure on Sept. 30 was 4.47 percent, up from 2.97 percent last year.
In the first stage of the housing collapse, defaults and foreclosures were driven by subprime loans. These loans had low introductory rates that quickly moved to a level that was beyond the borrower’s ability to pay, even if the homeowner was still employed.
As the subprime tide recedes, high-quality prime loans with fixed rates make up the largest share of new foreclosures. A third of the new foreclosures begun in the third quarter were this type of loan, traditionally considered the safest. But without jobs, borrowers usually cannot pay their mortgages.
“Clearly the results are being driven by changes in employment,” Jay Brinkmann, the association’s chief economist, said in a conference call with reporters.
In previous recessions, homeowners who lost their jobs could sell the house and move somewhere with better prospects, or at least a cheaper cost of living. This time around, many of the unemployed are finding that the value of their property is less than they owe. They are stuck.
“There will be a lot more distressed supply entering the market, and it will move up the food chain to middle- and higher-price homes,” said Joshua Shapiro, chief United States economist for MFR Inc.
Many analysts say they believe that foreclosures, instead of peaking with the unemployment rate as they traditionally do, will most likely be a lagging indicator in this recession. The mortgage bankers expect foreclosures to peak in 2011, well after unemployment is expected to have begun falling.
There was one sliver of good news in the survey: the percentage of loans in the very first stage of default — no more than 30 days past due — was down slightly from the second quarter. If that number continues to decline, at least the ranks of the defaulted will have peaked.
“It’s arguably a positive, but it doesn’t undermine the fact that there are still five or six million foreclosures in process,” Ms. Zelman said.
The number of loans insured by the Federal Housing Administration that are at least one month past due rose to 14.4 percent in the third quarter, from 12.9 percent last year. An additional 3.3 percent of F.H.A. loans are in foreclosure.
The mortgage group’s survey noted, however, that the F.H.A. was issuing so many loans — about a million in the last year — that it had the effect of masking the percentage of problem loans at the agency. Most loans enter default when they are older than a year.
When the association removed the new loans from its calculations, the percentage of F.H.A. mortgages entering foreclosure was 30 percent higher.
The association’s survey is based on a sample of more than 44 million mortgage loans serviced by mortgage companies, commercial and savings banks, credit unions and others. About 52 million homes have mortgages. There are 124 million year-round housing units in the country, according to the Census Bureau.
Maintenance for Major Appliances
Major kitchen and laundry appliances are among the most reliable products in a new home. As professional builders, we select appliances to provide the best balance of performance, energy efficiency and budget to ensure the maximum satisfaction for our new home buyers.
But the performance and durability of these items doesn’t happen by accident. It’s true that appliances are built better these days but they are also more complex. Periodic care and maintenance by homeowners is essential to keep them in optimum working order. Lack of cleaning or care can force an appliance to work harder than it needs to, straining its motor and other moving parts and, in turn, shortening its usable life. Major repairs and replacement costs can be expensive so routine preventive maintenance is worth a small effort.
Appliance manufacturers do a good job of providing maintenance tips for homeowners, as do warranty service providers for each appliance or brand. We make sure to supply those manuals to our buyers when they move in to a new house and add our recommendation that they follow the tips provided.
Even so, here are a few basic appliance care tips that have a positive impact on the durability and performance of these products:
Dishwasher. Give dishes at least a light scrub and rinse before loading them. That eases the strain on the dishwasher’s built-in system that breaks down and disposes of food particles. Dishwashers also benefit from a routine interior wash with special scale-reducing solutions to help keep the parts working properly. The dishwasher drain should be cleaned out at least twice a year.
From time to time, inspect the door seal and keep it clean. Soil, food and soap build-up on the seal can cause deterioration or mold. Replace a loose or broken seal to avoid leaks.
Refrigerator and Freezer. At least twice a year, vacuum the front grill and the radiator coil on back of the refrigerator and freezer (if you have two separate or multiple units), to help ensure proper air circulation and optimum efficiency. Don’t forget to empty and clean the drip trays located underneath the appliance.
As with the dishwasher, inspect and clean the perimeter door seal and replace any loose or moldy seals. Good seals help the appliance maintain the temperature settings with less stress to the motor.
Defrost and clean the freezer regularly, as ice build-up will block proper airflow and lower the appliance’s efficiency. To maintain an even energy use and extend motor life, keep temperatures constant and within the recommended range.
A stand-alone freezer, that might be put in a garage or on a covered porch, should be located away from direct sunlight or heat sources so that the appliance does not work harder or less efficiently than it has to. Ideally, find a cool, level and dry spot with adequate clearance at the back for good air circulation.
Laundry Equipment. Today’s increasingly popular (and more energy-efficient) front-load washers require more care than their predecessors to prevent the build-up of mold, which can cause myriad problems. To reduce that possibility, leave the door open once all of the laundry is done and wipe down the rubber gasket.
Manufacturers note that we consumers have a tendency to overload both washers and dryers. Each brand of appliance has its practical capacity, but overloading puts a strain on the belt that turns the drum. The extra strain can accelerate wear and lead to repair or replacement costs. Overloading also leads to higher energy consumption and less effective cleaning.
To maintain the dryer, disconnect the dryer duct and vacuum the duct, the areas surrounding the dryer and the dryer’s vent hood outside the house. Restricted air flow can tax the motor. If the lint filter and the areas around it are clean, the dryer will operate more efficiently and safely.
Our best advice? Review the manuals for your major appliances. But if you don’t know where they are or if you’re short of time right now, don’t wait: Follow these few maintenance tips for a longer and happier life with your appliances!
Major Appliance Shopping Guide From ENERGY STAR
This easy-to-read guide may help you understand how appliances are rated for efficiency, what the ratings mean, and what to look for while shopping for new appliances. Go Here.
AIA Study Finds 50% Rise in Green Building Programs Since 2007
A recent American Institute of Architects (”AIA”) study highlights the national trend toward green building programs since 2007. According to an AIA survery, more than one in five U.S. cities (with populations of more than 50,000) report having programs in place that promote green building. This number represents a 50% increase in municipal green building programs over the last two years. The Western and Mountain regions lead the nation in the number of green building programs per state. Given the size of the cities with green building programs, the impact of these sustainability programs reach about 53 million people.
To find out more about these sustainability and green building initiatives throughout the nation, see the AIA’s new report,Green Building Policy in a Changing Economic Environment, which also contains policies and recommendations to assist policymakers in advancing sustainability and green building. You’ll also find case studies that highlight the green building programs in several cities, including Boston, Philadelphia, LA and Grand Rapids.
In light of the economic downturn during the last two years, AIA Executive Vice President / CEO, Christine McEntee, finds the results of the AIA’s survey encouraging and a sign “that cities are recognizing the economic benefits of energy-efficient buildings.” The AIA is a prominent adopter of the 2030 Challenge and has committed to a goal of carbon neutral (zero energy) buildings by 2030, in addition to its goal that “all design projects will be sustainable as a matter of course.”
Populus is a full service sustainable design consulting firm that focuses on high performance, net-zero and near-net-zero custom residential and multi-family projects. Populus guides architects and builders through the requirements of mandatory green building codes and optional green home certification programs, providing HERS rating, LEED for Homes Green Rater services and municipal energy code consulting. In addition, Populus offers an Energy Code Workshop for architects and municipalities, as well as LEED for Homes training. Visit Populus at www.popboulder.com.
No place like home for energy savings
Apparently there is no place like home, even when it comes to fulfilling lofty wishes like fixing our energy supply.
A recent White House task force on the middle class finds that our homes generate more than 20% of the nation’s carbon dioxide emissions. If we make our houses more efficient, we can significantly cut emissions and reduce energy use by 40%, a move that could lower our bills by $21 billion annually.
But who has the extra cash in this economy for better windows and an updated heating system?
The report recommends leveraging some of the $80 billion in energy and environment stimulus funds to set up financing mechanisms that let homeowners pay over time and avoid the upfront hit.
Already, to that end, several states have created low-interest revolving loan funds. Nebraska has set aside $11 million. Florida is offering $10 million, particularly for solar hot water installations. And yes, Dorothy, you can go home again. Kansas has gotten into the act with $34 million in efficiency loans.
In addition, the task force encourages federally funded pilot programs using ‘Property Assessed Clean Energy’ financing. Now available in a handful of cities, these programs finance clean energy efforts on property tax bills. Ideally, the efficiency retrofits will reduce energy bills at least as much as property payments rise, so that the homeowner faces no net increase in expenses. Particularly interesting, the loan stays with the property – not the owner. So if the homeowner decides to sell, the new owner, who reaps the benefits of the efficient home, also pays any remaining costs of the retrofit.
Similarly, the report calls for making energy efficiency mortgages more available. The US Dept. of Housing and Urban Development needs to work with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to establish uniform procedures for such mortgage products, the report says. In addition, the home appraisal industry must develop methods to evaluate a home’s energy efficiency.
Sustainable Window Selection: Home Energy Performance & Windows
What impact does window selection have on energy efficiency and sustainability? What factors influence the energy performance of windows? Populus Sustainable Design Consulting and SolarGlass Window & Door presented on these issues at last year’s USGBC Colorado Sustainability Conference. Here is a description of what was covered in the presentation:
The session will explain the implication of the DOE’s pending 2009 Energy Star changes for high altitude markets and review the product design responses planned by leading manufacturers. Additionally, the session will discuss the interplay of the following factors on building envelop efficiency, sustainability, and occupant comfort: glazing to floor area ratios, dispersion of windows by elevation, glazing alternatives, frame materials, the often overlooked importance of quality installation
Attendees will come away with an understanding of what design elements should be given priority when developing a window solution for a given project, as well as the trade-offs associated with aesthetic, performance, and price considerations.
Included in the presentation will be an overview of the growing importance of performance-based measurements of building envelop efficiency (e.g.; Resnet’s Home Energy Rater modeling software) and how windows impact the HERS score.
USGBC Colorado has recently posted Populus & SolarGlass’s “Sustainable Window Selection” presentation on its website. Of particular interest, on page 11 of the presentation, you will find a graph which demonstrates the specific concerns and trade-offs related to window selection for various ranges of desired HERS Index Scores. Pages 13-18 contain a case study which analyzes the interaction of window selection and mechanical systems as it relates to home energy performance. You’ll also see what happens to a HERS -4 home (beyond net-zero) when you take out the super high-performance windows and replace them with ENERGY STAR windows – the result might not be what you’d expect!
Populus is a full service sustainable design consulting firm that focuses on high performance, net-zero and near-net-zero custom residential and multi-family projects. Populus guides architects and builders through the requirements of mandatory green building codes and optional green home certification programs, providing HERS rating, LEED for Homes Green Rater services and LEED for Homes training. Visit Populus at www.popboulder.com.
Certified Green Professional Designation Course- Ridgeland, MS
Tom Gotschall – Instructor and Educator
The Home Builders Association of Jackson will be offering courses for industry professionals to earn their NAHB Certified Green Professional Designation on December 7-9, 2009. The CGP designation consists of two courses, Green Building for Building Professionals and Business Management for Building Professionals. In order to receive the designation both courses must be completed. The courses will be taught at the HBAJ building in Ridgeland, MS by NAHB approved speaker Thomas Gotschall.
Green Building for Building Professionals (2 day course)
December 7 & 8, 2009
8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Fee: NAHB Members $275 • Non-Members $350
More info: LINK
Learn how green homes provide buyers with lower energy costs and higher value. This 2-day course for building professionals discusses strategies for incorporating green-building principles into homes. You will learn how green homes provide buyers lower maintenance, better indoor air quality, and better long-term value. Techniques are also discussed for competitively differentiating your home products with increased indoor environmental quality as well as energy and resource efficiency.
Business Management for Building Professionals (1 day course)
December 9, 2009
8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Fee: NAHB Members $175 • Non-Members $225
More info: LINK
Learn the management skills that give industry leaders the edge. This course will give you a solid foundation in those best business practices so valuable to smaller businesses: planning, organizing, staffing/directing and controlling. By using case studies and sample forms, your instructors give you practical and applicable tools for management success.
Need Help? Contact:
Spence Tribble
Education and Facilities Coordinator
Home Builders Association of Jackson
195 Charmant Drive, Ridgeland, MS 39157
Phone: (601) 362-6501
Fax: (601) 982-7684
spence@hbajackson.com
www.hbajackson.com
Do Business with a Member.
Windows – New Energy Star Performance in 2010
As of January 4, 2010, ENERGY STAR qualified windows, doors, and skylights will meet new performance levels 
(173KB). It will still be easy to find high-efficiency products: just look for the ENERGY STAR label.
In the next few months, you will see two new labels to help you choose windows, doors, or skylights for your home:
Starting October 1, 2009, you might see the label shown on the right, in red or in black, in combination with ENERGY STAR product labels. This label identifies high-efficiency products that currently qualify for the ENERGY STAR but will not meet the more stringent requirements that go into full effect April 1, 2010.
The other new label helps you find products that are eligible for the federal tax credit of up to $1,500. The label to the left, already visible in stores today, tells you the product qualifies for ENERGY STAR and is also eligible for the tax credit.
Get information on the 2009-2010 tax credit for windows, doors, and skylights.
Mississippi Grants up to $40,000 Help Purchase Foreclosed Properties/Energy Efficient Upgrades
Jackson, MS — The Mississippi Home Corporation (MHC) is now taking reservations under its new Home Buyer Advantage grant program. The program will provide grants of up to $40,000 to qualified home buyers who purchase foreclosed properties in any of the 48 eligible communities across Mississippi. Unlike most of MHC’s other programs, the Home Buyer Advantage program does not require applicants to be first-time home buyers. The program limits applicants to those who earn 120% of the Area Median Income or below.
Listen to Mississippi Public Radio interview of Bo Smith, Cornerstone Lending and Dr. Ben Mokry, Senior Vice President at MHC explain the program
“This program will have an enormous impact on the 48 communities statewide that have been identified as having high foreclosure rates,” said Dianne Bolen, Executive Director of MHC. “Over the next twelve months, the Home Buyer Advantage program will help homebuyers get good value for their money while simultaneously helping their neighbors protect the value of their homes. It’s a real win-win situation for everyone involved,” she continued.
MHC estimates the Home Buyer Advantage program will help home buyers purchase 600 to 700 foreclosed properties in Mississippi. Qualified home buyers purchasing a foreclosed property are immediately eligible for a $14,999 grant. The second component of the Home Buyer Advantage Program provides an additional grant of up to $25,000 based on the buyer’s credit score. The grants are forgiven over a period of five years for the initial grant and an additional five years for the credit score-based component.
“The Home Buyer Advantage program will provide much-needed stability to communities across Mississippi that have been impacted by foreclosures,” explained Dr. Ben Mokry, Senior Vice President at MHC. “By this time next year, we will have helped these communities avoid the blight of foreclosure to remain healthy and vibrant. That is our ultimate goal with the program,” he added.
The Home Buyer Advantage program is funded by the Neighborhood Stabilization Program, which was created in 2008 by the Housing and Economic Recovery Act. MHC has until September 2010 to utilize its $20.7 million grant before the unused funds must be returned to the federal government. The following communities are eligible for the Home Buyer Advantage program: Batesville, Booneville, Brandon, Byhalia, Canton, Carthage, Clarksdale, Cleveland, Clinton, Coldwater, Columbia, Columbus, Corinth, Greenville, Greenwood, Grenada, Hattiesburg, Hernando, Holly Springs, Horn Lake, Itta Bena, Jackson, Kosciusko, Laurel, Lumberton, Madison, Magnolia, McComb, Meridian, Natchez, Nesbit, New Albany, Olive Branch, Oxford, Pearl, Petal, Pontotoc, Raymond, Ridgeland, Senatobia, Southaven, Starkville, Sumrall, Terry, Tupelo, Vicksburg, Walls, and Yazoo City.
For more information about the Home Buyer Advantage program, including detailed program guidelines and a list of approved lenders, visit www.mshomecorp.com/hba. Parties who wish to learn more about the Mississippi Home Corporation should contact MHC directly at 601.718.INFO (4636) or at www.mshomecorp.com.
What’s geothermal again?
Some green energy sources seem to have charisma; others struggle for public attention with little success.
Solar energy is an “it” technology, as evidenced once again by the tremendous participation in the annual Solar Power International conference in Anaheim, California this week (Oct. 27-29). Twice as many companies (945) are displaying their wares in the Expo Hall this year, despite the still lagging economy. And overall attendance is expected to break last year’s record, itself a record breaker.
Even on Main Street, ask pretty much anyone and they know solar, probably like it, and see it as an economy builder.
Ask the same people about geothermal heat pumps and there is a good chance they won’t know what you’re talking about. Or they may give an answer that confuses the appliances with geothermal geyser power plants. For whatever reason, the concept of extracting heat from the ground has yet to capture the public or political imagination as much as extracting it from the sun.
Yet, geothermal heat pumps could have a significant impact on our energy supply. They can be installed pretty much anywhere there is a building. And if we used them to maximum potential in the United States, we could avoid building 91-105 gigawatts of generation, nearly half of the new power we will need in 2030, according to the US Department of Energy.
Homeowners who consider then discard the idea often cite the high upfront installation costs. Yet the same argument could easily be made about solar photovoltaic panels. So why is geothermal an also ran technology?
One problem, according to the DOE, is that the heat pump industry needs to collect and disseminate more solid data on heat pumps. Work underway by the Chewonki Foundation, an educational institute in Maine, moves in this direction. With a grant from the Maine Public Utilities Commission, Chewonki is monitoring and measuring the performance of a newly installed heat pump system at its 11,000 square-foot meeting hall. The state is looking for an alternative to heating buildings with oil, a relatively common fuel in Maine. Geothermal heat pumps may prove to be that alternative.
Department of Energy Releases “How-To” Guide for 50% Energy Savings in Commercial Buildings
Looking for a thorough guide to increase the performance of commercial buildings? Today, the Department of Energy (”DOE”) and National Laboratories released new data that will help commercial building owners achieve their energy goals. The technical data, being released today for the first time, includes a “how to guide” for achieving 50% energy savings in four key commercial building segments:
- General Merchandise (PDF 3.5 MB)
- Grocery Store (PDF 2.6 MB)
- Lodging (PDF 987 KB)
- Medium Office (PDF 1.2 MB)
These technical support documents were created by DOE national labs as part of the DOE’s Building Technologies Program. These technical guides represent significant progress – especially when you consider that it was less than two years ago that the DOE launched its Net-Zero Energy Commercial Building Initiative, which seeks to achieve cost-effective net-zero commercial buildings by 2025.
In addition to including sets of energy upgrade recommendations, DOE’s “how-to” guides (linked above), describe the assumptions, methodologies and analyses used to reach 50% energy reduction over ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2004 for each building sector addressed. These technical support documents are meant to demonstrate how higher levels of energy performance can be achieved in commercial buildings.
Populus is a full service sustainable design consulting firm that focuses on high performance, net-zero and near-net-zero custom residential and multi-family projects. Visit Populus at www.popboulder.com.
Residential Energy Codes: A National Look
Interested in residential energy codes? The Department of Energy features a map on its website, denoting the status of residential and commercial energy codes by state.
As you can see on the map, while many states have adopted the 2003 or 2006 International Energy Conservation Code (or the “IECC”), there are many states that still lack state-wide energy codes. You can also see from that map that of all the states that have adopted the 2003 IECC or better, Colorado and Tennessee are the only two states where jurisdictions within the state have set above-code requirements for home energy performance. In addition, Texas, which has state-wide implementation of the 2001 IECC, also has some jurisdictions that require more aggressive levels of home energy performance.
Keep an eye on the Department of Energy’s energy code map! In the near future we’re sure to see more and more states adopting the 2009 IECC and many jurisdictions setting more progressive above-code standards for home energy performance.
As residential energy codes become more and more mainstream, adequate education and training is essential to ensure proper implementation. Oftentimes, additional training is needed so that building code officials, municipal staff, local governments, contractors and architects understand the building science behind high-performance homes. For example, as homes become less leaky and “tighter,” it’s important that contractors understand the importance of indoor moisture control measures and proper ventilation. Home energy performance can be quantified with the Home Energy Rating System (or “HERS”) – for many architects and developers, the HERS system can be a “black box,” as it’s not readily apparent how changes in building design and specifications will change the energy score of a home. An experienced HERS Rater should be able to explain the “behind-the-scenes” operation of energy modeling software and give architects and contractors the information that they need to understand how changes in home design, insulation and mechanical systems will impact the overall energy performance of the building.
Populus Sustainable Design Consulting, a Boulder-based residential energy consulting firm, has worked with municipalities nationally to aid in the implementation of performance-based energy codes, particularly those that target above-code levels of energy performance. Populus offers an Energy Code Workshop targeted to municipal staff, code officials, county commissioners, city council and/or local building trade organizations. In addition, Populus offers an Energy Design Workshop which gives architects and builders hands-on, real world experience working with an energy rater to design buildings that achieve above-code home energy performance within a budget.
Thermal Image Scans for Flat Roof Leak & Moisture Detection
Thermal Image Scans for Flat Roof Leak & Moisture Detection –
If you have a leak on a new to mid life flat roof and have been told that a new roof is needed, then call us first. We may be able to save you a substantial amount of money. Thermal imaging can be used to detect the precise location of the leak and mark the affected area so that repairs can be made to the leaking area. Obviously, if the roof is older then you should forgo the thermal imaging and invest in the needed new roof.
If your flat roof is under Warranty; that is the best time to get it inspected. Most problems are related to human error and can be minor and easy to repair when caught early on. Since it is still under Warranty; the roofer should fix these problems with no extra cost to you.
More than 50% of flat roofs leak with in the first year alone. Depending on the construction type of your roof; you will not even notice water leaking from the roof. You will notice when the water corrodes or rots the roof and at that point you will have some major problems. That is why we recommend surveying your flat roof once a year, so that if a leak occurs it is detected before it can do a maximum amount of damage.
Even if the roof already has major problems Thermal Imaging can still be a benefit to you. We can identify the problem areas and instead of having to get a whole new roof, which is what the roofers will almost always recommend of course, we can isolate the specific areas that need repair.
Understand the theory of IR roof inspections
Normally there is little or no water within a flat roof assembly. When a leak develops, water enters the assemble and depending on the type of insulation system is either absorbed by the insulation or runs to the cracks between the nonabsorbent insulation. When water enters the roof assembly it is there for a long time. Accelerated testing has proved that once wet, a flat roof will not dry out during the life of the roof, even if there is never another leak.
Thermal capacitance is the physical property of a material’s ability to store heat. The materials in a roof assembly have relatively low thermal capacitance, especially when compared to water. Water requires a lot of energy to raise its temperature and likewise must release a lot of energy to cool down.
This is the basis of thermal roof inspections: dry roof insulation will heat up quickly when heated by the sun, while wet roof insulation will heat up slowly. Later in the day, after the sun has gone down, the roof starts to cool off. The dry insulation cools down quickly while the wet insulation cools off slowly. When the dry insulation reaches a temperature cooler than the wet insulation, the thermographer can see the wet areas as warmer.
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