So, what can you do about it? Well, I guess you can buy solar panels from China and India, or you can start improving the energy efficiency of your home. It's not that hard and it's not that expensive. You can do highly visible upgrades like new windows. New windows are expensive and make you feel really good, but they don't save you a lot in energy costs. Or you can do something very simple, like caulk your door and window trim tops. It's almost free, even a lawyer can do it and it does make a difference in the comfort and energy efficiency of your home.
A simple crack above a window can result in lots of cold air!
We've just finished a project for Peter Murtha and Mary Andrews in Silver Spring. We added about 650sf and renovated about twice that amount. The original house was built in 1926 and built to the energy specifications of that era (i.e. NONE!). We airsealed the house and added insulation wherever we could. We were able to reduce the air infiltration into the house by 32% even though we added about 20% to the house size. The Murthas wanted all of the window and door trim to be stained. This allowed us to leave the trim uncaulked. After all was done, I had Ray finely caulk the trim to the walls using a fine bead and clear caulk. Then we retested the air infiltration. Just caulking the interior trim was able to reduce the air infiltration of this house by an additional 12%!! A much bigger improvement than we had expected!
So,go to your local hardware store and buy a couple of tubes of cheap BP Buildingpainter's caulk. And the next slow, rainy weekend, work your way around the house and caulk the window and door trim tops to the drywall, you will notice a difference.
Sincerely,
Mark Scott
MARK IV Builders
Solar Energy NEWS
Remember that big building in Frederick with all the solar panels near the highway? BP Solar closed the last Photo Voltaic Panel manufacturing plant in the United States on March 28. It's astounding that given all the political noise about "green" jobs and weaning ourselves from foreign oil that we would allow the only manufacturer of solar electric panels in the WHOLE UNITED STATES to leave! What does this say about our energy policy on the County, State or even Federal level? Your opinion is important, so send us an email and we'll include your feedback next month.
Download This Handy Guide
Hazardous chemicals: The mere mention alarms us. Yet, we keep them under our sinks, in our medicine cabinets and in our garages. In fact, we use them almost every day. Almost all products can be misused in ways that make them dangerous. But some consumer products pose risks to human health and the environment even when used as intended because they contain hazardous chemicals. These products include cleaners, pesticides, home improvement products and personal care items AND they contain the same strictly regulated chemicals that are present in industrial products and waste.
Want to avoid these harsh chemicals?
Visit: www.MontgomeryCountyMD.gov/GoGreen
Click on "Green ways to do dirty jobs"
"NEW" Lead-Safe Practices Rule
In addition to the economic slow-down in residential remodeling, starting in April, the EPA has instigated their Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) rules. The practices they will be enforcing seem simple enough--inform the homeowner, seal off the work area, keep the dust down and clean up thoroughly. However, these singularly easy to follow rules mean upfront expenditures for the remodeler--training fees, new equipment (HEPA filtered vacuum cleaners, lead testing strips, masks, etc.), reduced productivity on the jobsite and various materials to seal up the construction area.
But the bottom line is, these are GOOD changes for everyone involved. This will produce a safer workplace environment for all remodeling "field" employees and for the homeowner too!
Seat Belts for EVERYONE
Someone sent me this video from England. I've got to admit that it's one of the best public safety videos I've seen in a long time. It's not spam and it's not long: Less than two minutes. It's worth a watch. http://www.embracethis.co.uk/
I'm better at wearing my seat belt now.
Just FYI: If you have something you would like to add or suggestions as to how we might make this better and more useful, please send us an email.
MARK IV is an award-winning, EPA certified remodeler, ready to:
* Walk you through the Design/Build process.
* Conduct an Energy Audit & perform the remediation.
* Provide you with a Home Maintenance Plan.
* Repair everything on your "Honey-Do" list.
MARK IV Builders
5161 River Road, Building #2
Bethesda, Maryland 20816
(240) 395-0400
View our website at: www.markivbuilders.com
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