Flat Fee MLS Blog

     According to the Rocky Mountain News, a new factory that will make affordable solar panels from ordinary window panes is set to open in Colorado this year.

The AVA Solar Inc. project uses a technological breakthrough by Colorado State University researchers, and promises to produce solar panels at a price that is comparable to other forms of energy…potentially catapulting solar energy into the mainstream once and for all according to energy expert Dan Shapley.

Reaping what the sun gives naturally everyday is smart and efficient. The fewer “conversions” energy goes through the more efficient it is. If the sun drives the growth of a plant, turning that plant into fuel adds a conversion, and energy is lost. Letting that plant cook underground for millions of years until it becomes coal or oil is yet another inefficiency.

Solar power has never been very appealing, that’s the problem with it and it just costs too much. But the AVA Solar plan-should it prove to be as good as it says it is-along with other innovations are transforming solar power into a mainstream commodity. The project is one of 10 Photovoltaic Module Incubator projects funded by the Dept. of Energy’s Solar America Initiative. The program has the goal of driving technological innovations that makes the cost of solar energy competitive with traditional forms of electric production, like burning coal, oil and natural gas, says Shapley.

If every house had affordable solar panels supplying a portion of its electricity, the demand for electricity from heavy-polluting sources like coal-fired power plants would drop, along with emissions driving global warming, causing acid rain and poisoning lakes and streams with toxic mercury.

And the jobs created at the factory–as many as 500–show that dreams of a “green collar economy” that has at its heart technological innovation and high-tech manufacturing are a very real and lucrative path toward the future.

Energy is a necessity and clean renewable energy is an obligation to our earth and our future. Solar energy is currently available, cost effective and clean. It’s time for us to adopt solar energy systems. 

For competitive cost estimates and expert advice check out www.energy-guru.com

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        If you are being moved state-to-state, tipping etiquette is 10% of your total bill according to Tammy Stoner, moving expert. If you are being moved within the state, $10-$20 per mover is adequate. If you are moving yourself, you can often arrange through your truck rental company to have unpackers meet you at your destination.

Here are some great tips to consider before you move:

1. Create a Box Checklist-On each box, write a number and the name of the room where the contents belong, then list them on a checklist. Keep one copy and give one to the movers, oftentimes movers load boxes from several families onto one truck. So, if a box is misdelivered, you might not be the only one laughing at your high school yearbook picture!

2. Pets can get carsick- let Fido ride shotgun with the window down-it reduces his nausea. If you have a fish, keep the fishbowl as still as possible-place it in a box on blankets.

3. Give a trusted neighbor a spare key to your old house-there is always a chance something will need checking or get left behind.

4. Keep computer start-up disks with you-what if the laptop you have with you crashes while your disks are in transit?

5. Hire a cleaner-a move is stressful enough without tackling the two-foot dust bunnies left in its wake.

6. Tape all sundries to their associated electronic devices- Did you know that some DVD players won’t allow you to play the next episode on your DVD unless you use the arrow key on your remote? Place all equipment for each electronic device in a ziplock baggie and tape it to the device before boxing.

7. Pack green- Instead of paper or bubble wrap, use your own towels and scarves to wrap breakables. This is environmentally conscious and efficient, plus your new basement won’t be filled with packing supplies. Note: cockroaches love to play in wads of paper.

Handy thing to know:  Wood flooring needs several days to acclimate.  Wood flooring can’t be installed the day it arrives-or the next day. It must acclimate, lying in open containers on the floor for several days. Be sure that your floors will go in before your boxes arrive.

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              If you like to collect old stuff, such as salvage yard finds, you  might want to use your imagination and use recycled materials to build a unique, creative custom patio to replace a boring square brick patio. Landscape designer Diane Bloom devised a plan for a curved patio using some recycled materials.

A professional would charge about $6,000. to design and install a recycled patio, but a do-it-yourselfer can design their own patio and install it for about $700, assuming that they already have some recyclable materials on hand. The project can be completed in three weekends, with the help of friends for the concrete work.

Bloom designed a patio that reused some of the existing bricks, incorporated several wrought-iron treasures, and added colorful Three Rivers and Arizona flagstones and river rocks for an electic mix of materials, colors and textures. She curved the patio boundary to soften the landscape and grouped the wrought-iron artifacts for balance and visual impact.

Here are the steps to completion:

1. Preparing the site

2. Building the concrete form

3.Pouring the concrete

4. Placing the recycled objects

Bloom rates this project a 3 on a difficulty scale of 1(easy) to 5 (difficult).

Check out www.hgtv.com to view a video on Landscape Smart: Episode LDS-506

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   Why not reupholster your old and worn furniture instead of tossing it out? Bring new life to your style and cut down on waste and further resource use.

Many antiques dealers would kill to get their hands on the bones of much of the furniture that is thrown away or even burned as firewood. Between 1960 and 2001, discarded furniture and furnishings ballooned from 2.2 million tons a year to 8.1 million tons, reports the EPA. Furniture is bulky stuff that takes up a lot of landfill space.

Extend the life of your furniture and save money by getting it reupholstered. Be crafty and do the job yourself or support local artisans who specialize in the time-honored trade. You have an  unlimited range of colors, textures and styles. Style is really limitless, from ancient aesthetic to uber-modern. 

Get the freshest look to match your changing decor tastes without contributing to the removal of more trees or the mining of more metals. Every day can be Earth Day, when you think about it.

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         The simple act of planting trees can decrease the energy you need to cool your space…as well as provide a place to hang a   tire swing!

According to research by the Department of Energy and the Sacramento Municipal Utility District, shade trees can reduce the need for air conditioning by 7% to 40%. Shaded walls are 9 to 36 degrees F cooler at peak temperatures.

Trees raise property values and provide many other benefits, according to the U. S. Forest Service. A 1985 study estimated the values of an average 50-year old shade tree as:

1. Air conditioning worth $73.

2. Soil erosion and stormwater management worth $75.

3. Wildlife shelter worth $75.

4. Air pollution control worth $50. 

5. This totalled $273.

In 1989, a total value of $57,151 was estimated for the life of a typical tree.

You can get the best results by planting trees to the west and southwest of buildings. Deciduous plants work well in temperate zones, because they block sunlight in summer but let it in during chilly months. Spring and fall are the best times to plant them.

Check with your local garden center to find the best plants and trees for your zone.  Shady spaces are some of the best joys of summer and the swing is fun, too!

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                                          The U. S. Department of Energy (DOE) has launched an appealing, user-friendly new internet feature that provides tips to consumers on how to make smart energy choices. These days, consumers are looking for ways to save money around the house, and energy conservation is one of the best win-wins around. Unfortunately, so many don’t have as much education on this issue as they could.

Now, the DOE’s interactive web page gives easy info on how to use less energy in such areas as electronics, lighting, appliances and even with vehicles, according to expert Brian Clark Howard.

The DOE’s extensive web presence also highlights some of its ongoing research and support of research on cleaner energy. Hopefully, Congress and a new President will give the department more of a mandate to go further in these vital areas, and lead the country into a greener, more productive future. Make everyday Earth Day by making smart energy choices to save money while protecting the environment. 

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                      Sears’ Kenmore appliance brand is rolling out some new fridges this month according to Ruth Katz. Just in time for Earth Day! Unveiled this past winter at the International Builders Show, Sears’ Kenmore state-of-the-art refrigerators are now featuring Microban antimicrobial technology, which allows the crisper drawers to remain fresh for longer periods in between cleanings; moreover, this innovatiove technology inhibits the growth of stain-and odor-causing bacteria.

Another plus -the Kenmore PUR Ultimate II water filter with two-stage filtration, which removes impurities from drinking water. This can produce a real savings on the purchase of bottled water, resulting in less plastic emanating from your house. Perhaps best of all, check out the Sears web site to see which Kenmore models not only meet-but exceed-Energy Star standards. The new Microban antimicrobial technology can be found in a variety of Kenmore refrigerators, in white, stainless steel, biscuit, satina and black. Prices range from $1,099 to $1,399.

Check out these new chilly “ice boxes,” as our Granny used to call them, in case you want to buy an Earth Day gift for your home. www.Sears.com

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        Look for the new label from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) called WaterSense, it addresses the need to be water smart as well as dollar smart. This program’s mission is to protect the future of the water supply by promoting water-efficient products and services.

You will find the label on a variety of plumbing equipment scheduled to roll out this year and next. WaterSense partners for high-efficiency plumbing equipment include some of the biggest manufacturers in the business- Kohler, Delta Faucet, Hansgrohe, American Standard and Crane. Kohler and its  sister brand, Sterling, already have eight toilets that have earned the WaterSense label, meaning that they use at least 20% less water than standard toilets.

According to the EPA, the average American home uses more water for flushing the toilet than running the shower. A family of four could save 16,000 gallons of water a year by replacing a traditional toilet with a high-efficiency model. This is a big savings in dollars as well as droplets.

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Environmental concerns are becoming increasingly important in consumers decision making process and bamboo flooring is a perfect choice for the environmentally conscious consumer according to expert Mark Western.

Bamboo is actually a grass. A harvested bamboo plantation can regenerate without replanting within 3 years whereas traditonal hardwood plantations can take up to 75 years to regenerate. Bamboo has been known to grow as much a 1 metre in 24 hours. It is often grown in areas which have been previously damaged by soil erosion, overgrazing and commercial agriculture and its extensive root system helps restore the stability of these areas and removes nitrogen, phosphorus and heavy metals from the soil. Bamboo is a sustainable resource.

Bamboo offers multiple benefits:

1. With bamboo flooring you can creat a stylish and homey environment-bamboo provides warmth like wood.

2. Bamboo works well with any decor- bamboo   offers several design options because it has a very rich visual texture and a unique pattern. It is naturally blonde in color but some varieties are stained to provide different color choices.  Example: Bamboo can undergo a smoking process to give it an amber hue.

3. Bamboo can be treated to prevent damage-most bamboo flooring is pre-finished and ready for installation. Maintenance is usually the same as pre-finished wood products, so be sure to follow manufacturer instructions.

4. Bamboo flooring offers unparalleled strength, durability and moisture resistance when compared to traditional hardwood floorings. It is ideal for kitchen areas where normal timber flooring is not recommended and does not wear as quickly as any other timber flooring.

For more information on alternative floorings check out Lumber Liquidators at www.lumberliquidators.com

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              More than ever before, going green is about how we live our daily life and make small improvements that have a big impact on the earth. Going green in the home is no exception.

Here’s some simple tips to make your home more eco-friendly:

1. Start by making your kitchen greener by upgrading to energy efficient ENERGY STAR appliances. These will provide savings of up to 30% in greenhouse gas emissions and will save energy costs.

2. Go green with style-install a kitchen faucet that has sustainable features and turn it off when you step away from the sink. The Muirfield with ChoiceFlo filtering kitchen faucet is a great eco-friendly addition. It provides both filtered and tap water from one spout. The  activated carbon block filter reduces many impurities, such as lead and chlorine. This also allows you to eliminate the environmental strain associated with bottled water packaging and delivery. Muirfield with ChoiceFlo is available at Lowe’s stores nationwide.

3. Incorporate more green fixtures in your bath. After  toilets and washing machines, showers are next in line as residential water hogs.  Low flow showerheads  offer a 30%  water savings from the industry standard showerheads.

You don’t have to go to extremes to be green,  just make some small changes and you can make a big impact today.

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