Energy Master

Insulation Provides Low Cost Efficiency

November 14, 2012
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Any expert knows, insulation gives your home the biggest efficiency bang for the buck. Over the past few years, insulation standards have changed. In the northern zone, Energy Star now recommends that you have a full R-60 of insulation in your attic. The proper amount of insulation can not only save you money on your…

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Choose a Light Colored Roof to Save Energy

October 17, 2012
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Q: As an apartment-dweller in SoCal (or anywhere): I’m curious as to how a tenant could effectively persuade/encourage her landlord to upgrade the property to be energy efficient — using a company such as yours? A: Needs are definitely different in Southern California than they are in Wisconsin. For instance, you often see times of…

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Safeguards Available If You Fear Downpayments for Home Improvements

September 27, 2012
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Occasionally I run into a customer who is afraid of giving a downpayment for work that they want done. They may have been burned in the past or just don’t trust themselves enough to have adequately checked out a business. If, for any reason, you do not trust the person who is trying to sell…

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Ventilation is Key to a Good Roof

September 5, 2012
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Without proper ventilation you can easily turn a 30 year shingle into a 15 year shingle. I’ve seen decent quality architectural shingles curl and crack because the installer didn’t provide proper ventilation. Ventilation requires intake and exhaust. Think of proper attic ventilation like a chimney. A chimney has an opening at the top and an…

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Is it a problem if it rains on the day of my roofing installation?

May 4, 2012
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Many customers have the same concern — will moisture on the day of an installation, affect the job? The answer is it depends on the materials that are being used for deck protection. For many years roofing companies had only one option — tar paper. Unfortunately, the organic elements of tar paper require a perfectly…

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Don’t Waste Money on a Door at the Big Box Stores

June 18, 2011
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Did you ever hear the saying, “buy cheap, buy twice?” That saying is very important when considering purchasing a door. I get calls all the time from customers who thought they were saving money by buying from a big home improvement store only to be frustrated when it comes time to get their doors or…

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Homeowner Tips for Roofing — Be Prepared

June 11, 2011
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Deciding to get your roof replaced is no small decision these days. With the cost of shingles more than doubling in the last several years, replacing your roof can be a major commitment to your home. So what do you need to do? What should you expect from your contractor and what are realistic expectations?…

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Assess your needs & be informed when buying windows

May 18, 2011
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It’s that time of year – the time when people start to think about replacing their windows. There are many manufacturers out there and even more installation companies. A savvy homeowner will make an informed choice. Needs Analysis: The first step in choosing to buy new windows is to identify what your needs are. Yes,…

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Are all Doors the Same?

March 23, 2011
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There are many different exterior entry doors on the market today. For the average homeowner it is difficult to try to find out what is a quality door and what will break down over a short time. You should first decide whether you are looking for a wood, steel or fiberglass door and you should…

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Ice Damming — Coping with the Problem

February 5, 2011
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Ice damming is becoming an increasing problem as freeze/thaw cycles have become more common throughout the winter. As a child I remember it getting cold in the fall and thawing in the spring. Now it is common to see several freezes and thaws in just one month. This can cause major problems. To understand the…

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