Energy Master

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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Buyer Beware Fly-by-Night Contractors

January 30, 2011
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There are plenty of contractors out there that will tell you what you want to hear — they have an unbelievably low price, they’ll do a great job for you and you’ll be a happy customer. Wouldn’t it be awesome if that was always true? It’s not. I often hear customers tell me that they…

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Energy Rebates and Credits Vary by Product

January 21, 2011
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It seems that every salesman in their respective industry is willing to tell a homeowner what they want to hear — there is a tax credit that will pay for your new home improvement. Unfortunately it’s not always true. Tax credits and tax deductions vary from year to year (if they exist at all for…

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Soffit and Fascia Do’s and Don’ts

January 8, 2011
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“Yeah, I can do that” has become a commonplace phrase as unemployment has soared and the market has generated a surplus of unlicensed handymen. One day they are installing carpeting and the next day they tell you they’re an expert installing soffit. So how do you know what is the right way to do things…

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Triple Pane vs Double Pane: Is it worth the cost?

October 13, 2010
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One of the most common questions I get from customers is whether or not it is worth it to upgrade their order from double pane to triple pane. The honest answer if you live in cold weather climates like Wisconsin is almost always yes. Energy bills continue to rise and far outpace the rate of…

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Finding a Qualified Contractor

September 27, 2010
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You’ve heard the stories. A Contractor wins the job, takes a down payment, and disappears. How do you know how to find a great contractor?  Unfortunately, there are no guarantees.  What’s worse, some of the rating organizations and agencies sell high ratings to contractors.  Smart consumers approach their home improvement projects with knowledge of what the…

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Window Research and Questions to Ask

July 25, 2010
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The economy is just starting to rev back up and you need new windows.  How can you make sure you get good value for your money? Many people believe they have done their research because they did what some TV personality has said, “get 3 estimates”.   Does that assure that you will get the…

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Consumer Alert: Lead Safe Renovating Not Exempt for Wisconsin

July 14, 2010
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Not sure if your contractor is following the rules? You could be the one that pays the price. When ordering windows, be sure to always work with a contractor who is a certified Lead Safe Renovator and who follows lead safe practices.

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New Windows Add Value and Save Money

May 25, 2010
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Today’s savvy homeowner knows that energy bills continue to rise. With the US Department on Energy estimating that as much as 70% of our Energy is being wasted through inefficient windows and doors, it makes sense to insulate your home and your pocket book from rising energy costs.

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Gutter Protection: Do’s and Don’ts

May 17, 2010
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Putting gutter protection on your home will save you a lot of unnecessary work. But before you jump into it, thinking that all gutter protection works equally, here’s a list of DO’s and DON’Ts for you. DO: DON’T Here in Wisconsin, Green Bay Packer fans mourned the loss of Packer great Max McGee.  McGee was…

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