Managing Your Home's Energy

1. "One part of Managing Your Home's Energy is to be a systems thinker and understand that your house is a system comprised of interactive components - the shell, the mechanical equipment, and the people who live in the house - and that all the parts of the system must work together to achieve maximum home energy performance.

2. "Another part of Managing Your Home's Energy is to perform your own home energy rating by doing some simple calculations and by inspecting for flaws using a home inspection checklist.
• Check the attic for air leakage and insulation levels.
• Check the exterior walls of the house for existing insulation.
• Check all windows and doors for possible air leakage, repair opportunities, and potential replacement needs.
• Inspect basements and crawlspaces for air leakage and insulation.
• Check the heating and cooling systems to see if they are on a regular maintenance schedule. Make sure that all chimneys and vent pipe are clean, unobstructed, and properly installed.
• Inspect the duct system for insulation and leakage. Be sure to have a professional check and test the ducts for air leakage.
• Examine the water heater for insulation and water temperature setting.
• Inspect all water lines, faucets and toilets for water leaks. Check to see if showerheads are low-flow and if faucets are using aerators.

3. "Most people don't think about Managing Your Home's Energy by hiring a professional energy auditor. Doing so is making a sound investment in your home. This means that your home's energy performance will be tested using sophisticated building science equipment and technology. An energy auditor will help you prioritize and select the most cost-effective energy conserving home improvements."

From Chapter 1 of The Virginia Energy Savers Handbook 2008: Department of Mechanical Engineering of Virginia Tech Blacksburg, VA 24060

Home

"It takes a heap o' livin' in a house t' make it home,
A heap o' sun an' shadder, an' ye sometimes have t' roam
Afore ye really 'preciate the things ye lef' behind,
An' hunger fer 'em somehow, with 'em allus on yer mind.
It don't make any differunce how rich ye get t' be,
How much yer chairs an' tables cost how great yer luxury-.
It ain't home t' ye, though it be the palace of a king,
Until somehow yer soul is sort o' wrapped round everything.

"Home ain't a place that gold can buy or get up in a minute;
Afore it's home there's got t' be a heap o' livin' in it;
Within the walls there's got t' be some babies born, and then
Right there ye've got t' bring 'em up t' women good, an' men;
And gradierly, as time goes on, ye find ye wouldn't part
With anything they ever used-they've grown into yer heart:
The old high chairs, the playthings, too, the little shoes they wore
Ye hoard; an' if ye could ye'd keep the thumb-marks on the door.

"Ye've got t' weep t' make it home, ye've got t' sit an' sigh
An' watch beside a loved one's bed, an' know that Death is nigh;
An' in the stillness o' the night t' see Death's angel come,
An' close the eyes o' her that smiled, an' leave her sweet voice dumb.
For these are scenes that grip the heart an' when yer tears are dried,
Ye find the home is dearer than it was, an' sanctified;
An' tuggin' at ye always are the pleasant memories
O' her that was an' is no more-ye can't escape from these.

"Ye've got to sing an' dance fer years, ye've got t' romp an' play,
An' learn t' love the things ye have by usin' 'em each day;
Even the roses round the porch must blossom year by year
Afore they 'come a part o' ye, suggestin' someone dear
Who used t' love 'em long ago, and trained 'em just t' run
The way they do, so's they would get the early mornin' sun;
Ye've got to love each brick an' stone from cellar up t' dome:
It takes a heap o' livin' in a house t' make it home."

-Edgar A. Guest

What is the best Range, Cooktop, Wall Oven, or Over Range Microwave for You?

What is the best Range, Cooktop, Wall Oven, or Over Range Microwave for You?How do you decide between a range and a combination of cooktop/wall oven? A range costs less, but lacks flexibility of separate wall oven and cooktop. Smooth top electric ranges have easier cleanup than coil or gas models. Look for convection and induction features for faster cooking. Skip the extended warranty, since appliances rarely need repairs during the warranty period. The following are the best ranges according to Consumer Reports Best Buys:
30 inch electric smoothtop: GE JB700DN(WW), Kenmore 9641(2), Kenmore 9745(9), Samsung FCQ321HTUX, Amana AER6011VA(S), Kenmore 9611(2), Whirlpool WFE371LV(B)
30 inch Electric Coil: Hotpoint RB757WH(WW)
30 inch Gas: Kenmore 7138(9), Kenmore 7744(9), Hotpoint RGB745WEH(WW), Frigidaire Gallery GLGF386D(S)
30 inch Dual Fuel: No Best Buy but the following is recommended Bosch HDS71(5)2, GE Profile J2B918WEK(WW)
30 inch induction: No Best Buy but the following is recommended Kenmore Elite 9991(3)

The following are the best Cooktops according to Consumer Reports Best Buys:
30 inch electric cooktops: Kenmore 4273(2)
30 inch induction cooktops: No Best Buy, but the following is recommended Kenmore elite 4283(0), GE Profile PHP900DM(BB), Kenmore Elite 4280(0)
36 inch gas cooktops: GE JGP637WEJ(WW)

The following are the best Wall Ovens according to Consumer Reports Best Buys:
30 inch electric: Frigidaire Gallery GLEB30S9F(S)

The following are the best over range microwaves according to Consumer Reports Best Buys:
30 inch over range model: Samsung SMH7187(STG)(3), GE Adora DVM185ODM(BB), Whirlpool MH2175XS(Q)

REALTOR® Safety Week: Safety out and about

The sixth annual REALTOR® Safety Week runs September 13-19, 2009. We real estate professionals have to keep personal safety in mind at all times as we show properties, work open houses, and go places where we are not always familiar. We also need to keep fire safety in mind while working in our offices.

With that in mind, some of the same information can be useful to everyone as well. Here are a few tips when going out:

Always let someone know where you are going and when you will be back; leave the
name and phone number of the person you are meeting.

Establish a distress code so if you are in danger, the person overhearing your phone conversation won't be tipped off. For example, you can talk about feeding the dog (when you don't have a dog), or talk about "the red file".

Carry only inexpensive business items (except for your cell phone). Don't wear expensive pieces of jewelry, and don't appear to carry large amounts of cash.

Prepare a situation that would require you to leave if you feel incomfortable. For example, leave something in your car that you have to retrieve, or arrange for someone to call you and you "have to leave."

I hope these tips during REALTOR® Safety Week don't add to your stress, but rather help you keep safety top of mind.

New iPhone App: Real Estate Dictionary

Lisa Holton, a prolific Chicago-based real estate and business writer, has conquered the iPhone. Her digital book, The Essential Real Estate Dictionary (Sphinx Publishing/Sourcebooks), is believed to be the first real estate dictionary published on iTunes’ App Store.

See rest: http://theweeklybookscan.blogs.realtor.org/2009/08/21/author-chat-lisa-holton-on-her-iphone-real-estate-dictionary-app/

September issue of "Vera's Real Estate News"

The September issue of my monthly newsletter turned out really well. Whether you are buying or selling, or just moved in, there is something in this newsletter for you.
It features Consumer Reports Best Buys, articles on home warranties, shower doors, and painting, a link to the best home search site available (click on "my website"), plus more articles, featured listings, and links.
Copy and paste this link:

http://www.clientdirect.net/news/?Pub=35020

I welcome suggestions for articles, and of course if you would like to see your home featured, please contact me!

Learn to Play the Coolest Sport in Town

What exactly is the coolest sport in town? Ice Hockey! Enrollment for Valley Youth Hockey Association's Learn To Play program for the 2009-10 season has begun. Have fun learning to play "The Coolest Sport on Earth", at the Roanoke Civic Center. For more details, see the following link:

http://www.vyhroanoke.com/

Consumer Reports Best Buys: Exterior Paints, Stains, Shingles, and Siding

The following are Consumer Reports Best Buys, meaning the best combination of performance and price. All are recommended.

Exterior Paints: These paints completed testing equivalent to nine years' exposure.
Kilz Casual Colors Semigloss, $23 per gallon.
Kilz Casual Colors Flat, $20 per gallon.
Kilz Casual Colors Satin, $22 per gallon.

Stains:
Also completed equivalent of nine years' exposure.
Behr Deck, Fence, and Siding 200 line (latex), $24 per gallon.
Olympic Premium Acrylic (596xx
Olympic Premium Acrylic (596xx series) (latex), $21 per gallon.

Roofing: Laminated shingles
Owens Corning Oakridge $70 per 100 square feet.
CertainTeed Landmark $65 per 100 square feet.

Vinyl Siding:
Heartland HeartTech, $75 per square feet.
Revere Soveriegn Select Energy Smart, $125 per square feet.