Wise Improvements http://wiseimprovements.com/blog Your Source For the Best Contractors in Santa Fe and Northern New Mexico Fri, 20 Aug 2010 19:19:57 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc The Low Hanging Fruit. A Place To Start When Remodeling Green http://wiseimprovements.com/blog/2010/08/20/the-low-hanging-fruit-a-place-to-start-when-remodeling-green%e2%80%a6when-remodeling-green/ http://wiseimprovements.com/blog/2010/08/20/the-low-hanging-fruit-a-place-to-start-when-remodeling-green%e2%80%a6when-remodeling-green/#comments Fri, 20 Aug 2010 18:41:46 +0000 Joe http://wiseimprovements.com/blog/?p=106 by Faren Dancer

www.sundancercreations.com

www.emeraldhomesantafe.com
If you’re looking to do a major renovation on an existing residence, a large menu of possibilities exist for how to green your project.  You might look at, not only, potential energy savings and a lower carbon footprint, but an array of healthful and sustainable solutions to add to your ever expanding wish list.  Most of us may not be able or willing to tear off the roof, demo the old wing or leave just one wall standing.  There are sensible levels of attainment based on what the budget allows.

In our Santa Fe climate a great place to start is your heating system. Your furnace, or boiler if you have radiant heat, can be easily retrofitted with an Energy Star rated unit that can instantly save upwards of 30% on your heating bill. Then one might look to other major appliances.  While scanning the horizons of your daily routine, note that refrigerators are notorious energy hogs. Then peak into the laundry where the washers and dryers are gobbling far more BTUs, and water than may be deemed acceptable.

To carry on the theme of saving energy, the next time you catch your reflection in your single pane windows equate their R-Value in the lowest of low, single digits.  Unfortunately New Mexico in not one of the 40 states that offer tax incentives or rebates on window retrofits.  I do recall the sense of pride that came over me when the state officials scribbled feverishly after I mentioned this at a public hearing.

A modest act of greening might be ripping up the old carpet, with it’s synthetic fiber and years of dirt and dust mites. Then polish up the old satillo tile that lay beneath, or lay down some recycled hardwood, maybe from a demolished barn somewhere in New Mexico. Good old ceramic tile can be relatively inexpensive, doesn’t outgas and maintains thermal mass if not too highly reflective. How long have we been staring at that dated Formica?  It wouldn’t be so distasteful if it was colored green, but that’s really seventies man. Let’s look to the future.
Often when we remodel a natural or earthy approach might feel like “back to the future.”  Earthy materials like stone, clay tile, recycled wood, adobe, ceramics and clay plasters add warmth and charm. Going the next level, when tackling the kitchen or bath, might be to lose those old cabinets, but refrain from the cheap or easy…formaldehyde free goes a long way when addressing your indoor air quality but certainly a higher hanging approach then simply removing the carpet.  For some added flavor you might try tile made of recycled glass, composite countertops from recycled materials or formed concrete, salvaged interior doors, properly placed trees for added cooling in the summer and entertaining the thought of materials being procured within a 500 mile radius of your home.
This feels like the perfect moment to venture back to energy.  It’s fairly common knowledge that a well insulated, tight building envelop, complete with your new dual pane, low-e windows (rebate forthcoming), is a fabulous way to be comfortable while saving energy. It is, however, an expensive and interesting challenge to redo that old, poorly installed fiberglass batt insulation, by tearing out all the drywall and blowing in some cellulose.
I recently heard of a local outfit, with some obvious energy consciousness, specializing in re-stuccoing exteriors. You may have opportunity to consider this someday.  First, they bring in the spray foam applicator who applies 2’’ of polyurethane to the entire exterior before applying the new stucco. This seals air leakage and adds approximately an R-15 on top of what already exists in the walls. While you’re at it, go ahead, have them redo that needy, old, flat roof. Six inches of foam will do quite nicely.  Gee, who ever thought that a tight building envelop could be this much fun!
Let’s see now, we’ve started with the low hanging fruit and got a bit carried away, so now it’s time to rope it back in. Does your toilet have a ring that just won’t go away?  It’s the ideal opportunity to switch it out with a brand new, dual flush model. A modest amount of water for number one and the bigger splash for number two. Try one of the new low flow shower heads, replace those aerators in all the faucets, install some rain barrels, plant some drought resistant landscape and bingo!  It all adds up to real water savings, relatively painless.
Of course, one of the all time low hangers is paint.  But for our next spring freshening let’s go out of our way to use low to no VOCs.  Actually, one doesn’t have to travel very far as green is getting a lot of play nowadays.  Most all the big paint companies from Sherwin Williams to Dunn Edwards to Home Depot all carry a line of paint that has addressed the issue of volatile organic compounds outgasing into the atmosphere by first finding their way up your nose. Wow, things seem to be smelling better already.
In conclusion, here’s something that everyone might want to consider.  It isn’t real cheap, but it’s certainly doable and goes a long way in saving energy, reducing C02 emissions and showing your neighbors you’re up with the times. Give up? Okay, it’s solar hot water. With available state and federal rebates a typical 80 gallon system lands in or around 5k.   So when’s the payback?  Most money conscious people might ask.  Well, here goes. Disabling one C02 spewing conventional tank is like taking one automobile off the road a year or the equivalent of planting an acre of trees, that’s the instant environmental impact. If rolled back into a mortgage refinance the upcharge in the monthly payment is offset by the savings on the gas bill, and keep in mind the price of natural gas is going one direction only.  So, show your patriotism, take the leap and go solar sooner than later. The sun will shine down most favorably upon you.  This I promise.
P.S.  Oops!   I almost forgot the lowest hanging fruit of all…compact florescent bulbs (CFLs).  With minimal effort and expense, this operation will provide substantial energy savings.  Be on the lookout for ways to recycle …these babies do contain mercury.
]]> http://wiseimprovements.com/blog/2010/08/20/the-low-hanging-fruit-a-place-to-start-when-remodeling-green%e2%80%a6when-remodeling-green/feed/ 0 Historical Adobe for Rent http://wiseimprovements.com/blog/2010/08/19/historical-adobe-for-rent/ http://wiseimprovements.com/blog/2010/08/19/historical-adobe-for-rent/#comments Thu, 19 Aug 2010 17:12:23 +0000 Joe http://wiseimprovements.com/blog/?p=103 Our freind and one of our Property managers has a great new place for rent. If you are looking for a great place right off Canyon rd near downtown Santa Fe look no further. This is a 1 bd 1 bth gem. Check out the Craigslist link and spread the word.

Thanks,

http://santafe.craigslist.org/apa/1902023635.html

]]> http://wiseimprovements.com/blog/2010/08/19/historical-adobe-for-rent/feed/ 0 New Lead Paint RRP rules http://wiseimprovements.com/blog/2010/08/05/new-lead-paint-rrp-rules/ http://wiseimprovements.com/blog/2010/08/05/new-lead-paint-rrp-rules/#comments Thu, 05 Aug 2010 21:46:25 +0000 Joe http://wiseimprovements.com/blog/?p=98 These videos about the new EPA Renovation, Repair and Painting rules are a must watch for Contractors, Homeowners and Realtors. These are now in effect. Fees a can be as high at $37,000 a day per violation. Need RRP certified renovators, certification classes, and lead inspectors. Call Wise Improvements today!

http://www.remodeling.hw.net/lead-paint/rrp-education-series.aspx

]]> http://wiseimprovements.com/blog/2010/08/05/new-lead-paint-rrp-rules/feed/ 0 Collect Your Outstanding Debts from Subs and Clients http://wiseimprovements.com/blog/2010/07/30/collect-your-outstanding-debts-from-subs-and-clients/ http://wiseimprovements.com/blog/2010/07/30/collect-your-outstanding-debts-from-subs-and-clients/#comments Fri, 30 Jul 2010 22:19:53 +0000 Joe http://wiseimprovements.com/blog/?p=84 wall graffiti from Italy

Don't chase after money you are owed

I was turned on to a great website the other day that will send out collection letters FOR FREE for you as if they are from a collection agency to your delinquent subs or clients. The best part is that you retain all the money if they end up paying. It is a cost effective way to remind (nudge) your clients, that might be delinquent on a bill without hiring an agency that keeps up to 40% of the collected amount. Check it out and let us know what you think.  This site also has the good concept of setting up a feedback forum so businesses can talk about and hopefully avoid bad clients (like the Better Business Bureau for Businesses)

http://www.businessbeware.biz

]]> http://wiseimprovements.com/blog/2010/07/30/collect-your-outstanding-debts-from-subs-and-clients/feed/ 0 Letter to our Leaders Job Growth and Green Retrofits http://wiseimprovements.com/blog/2009/12/11/letter-to-our-leaders-job-growth-and-green-retrofits/ http://wiseimprovements.com/blog/2009/12/11/letter-to-our-leaders-job-growth-and-green-retrofits/#comments Fri, 11 Dec 2009 15:51:13 +0000 Joe http://wiseimprovements.com/blog/2009/12/11/letter-to-our-leaders-job-growth-and-green-retrofits/ Dear Mayor Coss, Santa Fe City Council, and President Obama,
Thank you for this opportunity to be heard on how to promote job growth and our local economy during these challenging times. As business people in Santa Fe we believe the best way to stimulate job growth is through the building industry. It is (or was) the third largest industry in Santa Fe behind tourism and state government before this recession. Now our work has all but vanished and our unemployment is enormous.
As we are sure you know, the Federal Government is making energy efficient home retrofits a priority in their job creation programs. This recent pdf highlights the ways in which they are planning to motivate homeowners and help fund the programs:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/microsites/091204-PERAB-Home-Retrofits-Memo-Final.pdf
The concern we have is that by the time this is finally enacted and funded more construction jobs will have been lost in Santa Fe and more business will have disappeared. We cannot afford to wait much longer before some urgent action is taken. We also have concerns that the tax credit incentives involved in this program may not be enough to encourage many homeowners from taking full advantage of the program and the amounts that will be funded per homeowner (currently $12,000 of which $6,000 would be the tax credit. These may not be enough to successfully retrofit our older Santa Fe homes with their unique building styles.
On a National level, we encourage the Federal Government to seriously consider Ed Mazria and 2030 challenge’s plan to encourage retrofits through a federally funded mortgage write-down and a low interest loan program, which would enable many people to take advantage of serious and comprehensive energy efficiency measures while reducing personal debt in these difficult times.
http://www.architecture2030.org/news/news_120809.html
We would like to suggest an immediate major stimulus to our local construction industry, which has suffered enormously over the last year (down 78%). There are several models that individual municipalities across the United States are already successfully using to both stimulate the local construction industry and also encourage homeowners to make their homes more energy efficient. We would like to encourage you to look at these.
A very successful model which could be implemented fairly rapidly is one similar to that currently underway in Sonoma and Boulder Counties, which fund energy efficiency upgrades through Special Property Tax Assessments:
http://www.bouldercounty.org/bocc/cslp/CSLPintro.html
Our state has already enacted legislation last year (SB647) to enable counties and municipalities to set up Renewable Energy Finance Districts to encourage homeowners to install solar, geothermal and wind energy on their properties. The special assessment on property taxes which pays for this encourages homeowners to participate in the program as the debt that is incurred is not personal but remains with the property should it be sold. The addition of broad energy efficient measures to this program would incentivize homeowners to undertake major energy efficiency retrofits to their homes without having to add to their personal debt to do so. As the mechanisms are already being put in place for renewable energy measures, there would not be many further administrative costs involved in the implementation of such a program.

Sonoma County has a very successful program in place that does just this and so far this year has created 800 construction jobs (an 8.4% increase) while neighboring counties continued to lose construction jobs. Beginning Dec. 15, bills can be pre-filed for the New Mexico state legislative session that begins in January. We suggest that a bill be introduced, sponsored by the City, to expand the terms of the Renewable Energy Finance Districts to include major energy efficient retrofits of existing homes that produce trackable energy savings. We encourage the city and county to immediately investigate how this would be implemented so the program could be ready to go as soon as a bill were passed.

http://www.sonomacountyenergy.org/energy-improvements.php

Long Island has a very similar program in place but with a limit of $12,000 per house funded as a “benefit assessment” through their solid waste fund.
http://www.ligreenhomes.com/page.php?Page=home

There is also the city’s affordable housing trust fund or a bond issue which could help to kick start any one of these programs. Clearly these types of programs would make housing more affordable to operate and the city more affordable to live in. The gross receipts and income taxes to the city and state from the stimulated construction industry would more than pay for any outlay of funds to these programs. The demand should also drive green jobs and green job growth as more installers will be needed.

The existing programs mentioned enable and encourage homeowners to make significant changes to their homes. They have added GREEN construction jobs and jobs in the many peripheral businesses that rely on the construction industry. They are already well-studied and have solid track records that Santa Fe could use to rapidly implement something similar before more jobs are lost. In addition these programs would help us cut energy usage and reduce green house gas emissions. These programs will work towards the climate issues that all of us face and that the administration is working on in Washington. This is a win-win for everyone in our community and on our planet. We hope you will see the logic in these ideas and will seriously consider instituting some of these policies and programs. When you do we would be pleased to offer our knowledge and expertise in support.
Sincerely,
Joe Lewis
Wise Improvements LLC
505 216 7529
admin@wiseimprovements.com

Amanda Evans
Advanced Home Analysts,
505-690-2603
amanda@ahanewmexico.com

]]> http://wiseimprovements.com/blog/2009/12/11/letter-to-our-leaders-job-growth-and-green-retrofits/feed/ 0 Wise Improvements on the Radio http://wiseimprovements.com/blog/2009/10/29/wise-improvements-on-the-radio/ http://wiseimprovements.com/blog/2009/10/29/wise-improvements-on-the-radio/#comments Thu, 29 Oct 2009 19:36:53 +0000 Joe http://wiseimprovements.com/blog/?p=70 Wise Improvements owner Joe Lewis is interviewed by Santa Fe Chamber of Commerce President Simon Brackley.

Click on the links to hear the audio.

Interview with the Chamber of Commerce, Part 1

Interview with the Chamber of Commerce, Part 2
]]> http://wiseimprovements.com/blog/2009/10/29/wise-improvements-on-the-radio/feed/ 0 Word to the Wise E-Newsletter http://wiseimprovements.com/blog/2009/10/23/word-to-the-wise-e-newsletter/ http://wiseimprovements.com/blog/2009/10/23/word-to-the-wise-e-newsletter/#comments Fri, 23 Oct 2009 16:15:06 +0000 Joe http://wiseimprovements.com/blog/?p=65 This months enewsletter has announcements about the Green Building Summit and Expo, Tips for getting your garden ready for winter and information on owner Joe Lewis’s NYC marathon fundraiser for Team Hole in the Wall and The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp. To read the full version go to the link

http://bit.ly/3NEHou

If you are not a subscriber and would like to be then please sign up at the top of this blog or on our homepage

www.wiseimprovements.com

Thanks and enjoy

]]> http://wiseimprovements.com/blog/2009/10/23/word-to-the-wise-e-newsletter/feed/ 0 Fall & Winter Coupon http://wiseimprovements.com/blog/2009/10/07/fall-winter-coupon/ http://wiseimprovements.com/blog/2009/10/07/fall-winter-coupon/#comments Wed, 07 Oct 2009 19:00:42 +0000 Joe http://wiseimprovements.com/blog/?p=51 Click on the coupon to launch the printable PDF file, and save 10% off Fall and Winter Services.

coupon-front

coupon-back

]]> http://wiseimprovements.com/blog/2009/10/07/fall-winter-coupon/feed/ 3 Viga Peeling at 400th Anniversary http://wiseimprovements.com/blog/2009/10/07/viga-peeling-at-400th-anniversary/ http://wiseimprovements.com/blog/2009/10/07/viga-peeling-at-400th-anniversary/#comments Wed, 07 Oct 2009 16:38:07 +0000 Joe http://wiseimprovements.com/blog/?p=44

]]> http://wiseimprovements.com/blog/2009/10/07/viga-peeling-at-400th-anniversary/feed/ 0 400th Anniversary Video http://wiseimprovements.com/blog/2009/09/23/400th-anniversary-video/ http://wiseimprovements.com/blog/2009/09/23/400th-anniversary-video/#comments Wed, 23 Sep 2009 17:48:12 +0000 Joe http://wiseimprovements.com/blog/?p=41

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