Take Advantage of Your Windows this Summer

Windows have been getting more attention in the past few years, and with good reason. The first reason is that they can save energy and lower electricity bills by taking advantage of natural sunlight.

The drawback? They can also let in the heat, making your air conditioner work harder and eliminating the savings you achieved on the lighting. unless you've invested in Energy Star low-E windows or installed solar window film.

Either of these two environment-friendly options can also reap you energy tax credits. You'll need them. Most taxpayers have yet to come to the realization that the "tax break" that Obama enacted by reducing withholding tax made no change on the tax owed.

Citizens used to getting a nice tax refund will likely have to cut a check to the IRS since they will have paid in less.

Windows also bring the beauty of the the outdoors inside. To really take advantage of this aspect of your windows, why not build a window seat as a DIY project. If you're not handy yourself, it's easy enough to hire a reliable local carpenter using Angie's List.

Depending on how fancy you want to get, the project can be done is as little as one weekend.

Be sure to update your homeowners insurance policy after making any of these home improvements.

Basement Remodeling and HVAC

No, I don't have a basement myself. They don't work when your home is only about one foot above sea level. But if I did have one, you can bet it would be an awesome space.



The truth is, basement ventilation and climate control is are important issues. Too much stale air and humidity can cause toxic mold which is a big health risk. In many cases (depending on where you live) simple exhaust fans will do the trick.

In other places, a proper HVAC system is needed to take care of business. And you're going to want one anyhow if you want to remodel your basement and turn that valuable real estate into extra living area while boosting your home equity.


Remodeling your basement begins, like all home improvement projects, with the planning phase. As far as the air conditioning and heating goes, you'll have to decide whether to go ahead and replace the system that you already have or to simply install a dedicated basement HVAC system.

The upside of changing it all out if your old system is outdated is that the federal income tax credits have gone up, and with the SEER ratings on Energy Star equipment going up all the time, you'll be money ahead every month.

After you decide exactly what you want to do with that space, it's time to frame your basement. You can either use conventional stick framing or go with metal studs and track.

In any event, spring is the time to think about delving into this type of project.

Air Conditioners and Swamp Coolers

Since it's summer, one of the topics I've been writing on is air conditioners. If you've got one, it's time to tune it up. If it's too far gone, it's a great time to install a new one. The SEER ratings are high, Energy Star abounds, and if you live in the U.S., you've probably got a tax rebate.

Another thing to do in the spring or early summer is tune up the thermostat. Hardly anyone does this.

The thing about A/C units is that there's many options. Do you want to cool just the living room during the day but the bedroom at night? Get a portable air conditioner. How about cooling just one room all the time? Consider a window-mounted unit.

During my research, I delved into the world of swamp coolers, or evaporative coolers, as they're also called. I've never lived in the desert so I didn't have first hand knowledge of them. But I was surprised to learn how closely they resemble the cooling towers that I've worked with.

A swamp cooler is very simple compared to a central air conditioner. A central unit has a condenser unit, evaporator coils, and a closed system with refrigerant and oil. A swamp cooler is just a box with water soaked blanket pads hanging inside.

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Green Homes Mean More Efficient Living

It's clear that the building industry is taking a long, hard look at moving towards the greener side of the pasture. This is true in both the commercial and residential building market. And why not? Saving energy money in the long run while playing nice with the planet is a win-win.

There are several movers and shakers putting the green building (or sustainable building) agenda out there. One of the most prominent is LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). They have developed a checklist to document the "greenness" of a dwelling.

This certification checklist goes into surprising detail, including such things as Non-toxic pest control, Proximity to mass transit systems, and ENERGY STAR performance.

What will the future of the green building movement be? It's exciting to contemplate. In addition to new construction, there's the issue of remodeling. This tends to focus on inspecting each new appliance or building material going into the job.

Green materials should be recycled or come from sustainable sources. They should also be low on the toxicity scale. And in the long run, they should save money on utilities.