ABQ Style Homes

Three ways to give energy savings the green light in your home

jonathan — Wed, 22 May 2013 20:08:05 +0000

Red means stop, green means go – we learn that axiom as children. When it comes to home energy costs, however, going green can help homeowners put a stop to runaway utility bills. And maximizing your home’s use of natural light – call it green lighting – is a great way to boost your home’s energy efficiency.

Here are three ways you can put Mother Nature to work, and use natural light to lower your energy costs:

Minimize use of artificial lighting

Anyone who’s ever paid an electrical bill knows that the simple act of turning on a light can directly impact your monthly expenses. Homeowners looking for a long-term way to power down their lighting costs may consider Energy Star-qualified skylights a good investment. While skylights’ cosmetic appeal can’t be argued, their value goes far beyond good looks.

By admitting natural light into your home, skylights can help reduce use of artificial light sources – and help you save on electricity costs. Pair powered venting skylights that come with automatic rain sensors with efficiency-enhancing accessories like designer blinds (available in a varied palette of colors and patterns), and you can improve energy efficiency as much as 37 percent, according to skylight manufacturer Velux America. And, with tubular products like Sun Tunnel skylights, you can even bring natural light into ground-floor rooms or spots where a traditional skylight may not work, such as a first-floor powder room, hallways, or walk-in closets.

Reduce hot water costs

Long gone are the days when solar powering your home was an idealistic, but impractical dream. Solar technology is more useful, accessible and cost-effective than ever. Solar water heating systems are becoming mainstream, and offer homeowners a great, green way to trim energy costs. What’s more, the cost of installing these systems has been steadily declining as the technology advances, and you may find adding one makes you eligible for tax credits or incentives from your local, state or the federal governments. You can calculate the costs and possible paybacks online at www.veluxusa.com.

Make home a healthier place

Every year, ill health costs the U.S. economy billions of dollars, experts say, and your own health woes can have a significant impact on your pocketbook. The health benefits of natural light are well-documented, from reducing the symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and promoting the body’s production of Vitamin D, to improving mood and even learning ability.

Simply opening blinds and curtains to admit more natural light can directly affect the mood inside your home – not to mention the mental state of the people living in it. Take your green lighting efforts to a higher level by adding venting skylights, and you can also help improve the air quality inside your home. While skylights admit ample natural light, their natural chimney effect works with your windows to bring in and circulate much more healthful fresh air. They also passively vent fumes and dampness that can lead to mold and mildew.

By incorporating natural light and passive ventilation into their home decor and improvements, homeowners can put the brakes on rising utility costs – and give the green light to energy savings.

For Sale – 9112 Hackney Rd NE

jonathan — Wed, 22 May 2013 18:46:38 +0000

Back on the market! Beautiful home located in Carriage Estates! La Cueva School District! Don’t Miss this one!

9112 Hackney Rd NE
$399,900

SOLD – 4612 Lobelia Rd NE

jonathan — Wed, 22 May 2013 18:35:49 +0000

Just SOLD! The Real Estate Market in Albuquerque is Rockin!

Price Reduction! 8820 Gypsy Dr NE & 8700 Pristine Dr NE

jonathan — Mon, 20 May 2013 22:08:03 +0000

Price Reduction on these two outstanding homes in Primrose Pointe!!

8820 Gypsy Dr NE – $1,189,000

8700 Pristine Dr NE – $1,050,000

SOLD! 9801 San Bernardino NE

jonathan — Sat, 18 May 2013 00:45:21 +0000

SOLD!! Nancy & George proudly listed and brought the buyer for this beautiful North Albuquerque Acres residence!!

Home for Sale – 4612 Lobelia Rd NW

jonathan — Fri, 17 May 2013 20:04:37 +0000

Check Out This Charming Brick Home In Taylor Ranch!

Home for Sale – 6440 Monte Serrano NE

jonathan — Fri, 17 May 2013 19:55:35 +0000

Check out this charming town-home located in the El Paseo Community!

Home for Sale – 9812 Sierra Morena St NW

jonathan — Thu, 16 May 2013 23:03:41 +0000

Newly listed home built by Fuller, located in Paradise Hills. “Like New” Condition!

Improve your curb appeal with a few outdoor painting projects

jonathan — Thu, 16 May 2013 21:34:05 +0000

Summer is finally here, and with warmer temperatures and longer days, it’s the perfect time to brighten up your home with a few outdoor painting projects. You can add the right amount of color and increase your curb appeal in just one weekend, leaving you the rest of the season to enjoy the finished product.

Your home, your style

Before rushing to pick out a new paint color or even accessories, first determine what will complement your home’s existing exterior features. By keeping in mind your house’s style factors – like its design, size and age – you’ll be able to make updates that add value to your home. Next, look for inspiration by browsing through home catalogs, online or even by driving through a few nearby neighborhoods. Make note of the color combinations you like on homes that are similar to yours.

Once you have your new palette in mind, you’re ready to get to work. The fastest way to make an impact? Apply a fresh coat of paint or stain to outdoor areas like doors, shutters, trim and fencing.

To achieve professional-looking results, be sure to use a high-quality painting tool. If you’re looking for a brush that can get nearly every job done, try the new XL Elite brushes from Purdy. These are great for interior and exterior projects because they provide ultimate performance with any paint or stain by delivering the perfect finish on any surface. Plus, they work great in all environments, but best with heavy-bodied and fast-drying coatings. Also, when properly cleaned and cared for, Purdy brushes will last for a number of years.

Doors, shutters and trim do more than just accessorize your home; they also make a big impact on its overall impression.

Unfortunately, they take a beating from exposure to the elements, causing them to become faded and dingy. By repainting them, you can quickly make your house look more polished and refined. As with any painting project, surface preparation is the first important step. Make sure the surface is clean, dull and dry before starting to paint or stain. It is also important to remove loose or peeling paint so that you are starting with a smooth and uniform surface.

Now that the house looks refreshed, don’t neglect wood fencing and latticework. Update these surfaces with a new coat of paint or stain. Not only will it keep your entire property looking impeccable, it will help protect and extend the life of your fence or latticework.

Surface preparation is also key for these projects. After cleaning the surface remember to replace any broken or failed wood and replace any nails or screws that have failed before you start applying the paint or stain.

Be sure to add a few finishing touches to your lawn to really make it look pulled together. Planter boxes can add color and interest to your curb appeal, and can be rearranged whenever you’re looking for a change. Freshen up yours with a new coat of paint to add additional color and fun to your space; consider using a bold shade to brighten things up. When picking out plants and flowers for the boxes, include a variance in size, color and texture for optimal results.

With these new summer projects, it’s easy to increase your curb appeal, especially with the right painting tools and tips. Adding fresh colors to the outside of your home will make it more inviting for anyone who visits.

Seven reasons to mulch! Why’s and how to’s

jonathan — Thu, 16 May 2013 21:34:03 +0000

Your landscape is a large living investment and like most investments the more information about it, the more you get in return. Most of us regard mulch as having one function, to give our landscape a fresh new appeal. The truth is, properly laid mulch has many other functions that are vital to the health and life of our plants.

There are basically two types of mulch, organic — such as hardwood, bark chips, leaves and pine straw that easily decompose, and inorganic — such as stones, brick chips and dyed rubber that are permanent. Although inorganic mulches have their place in the landscape, this tip sheet will be limited to the use of organic mulches.

Why Should I Mulch? Mulching is one of the simplest and most beneficial practices you can use in your landscape. In addition to giving your planting beds a uniform, well-cared for look, mulch will:

-Help maintain soil moisture. Evaporation is reduced, and the need for watering can be minimized.

-Help control weeds. A 2- to 4-inch layer of mulch will reduce the germination and growth of weeds.

-Serve as nature’s insulating blanket. Mulch keeps soils warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.

-Improve soil aeration, structure (aggregation of soil particles), and drainage over time.

-Improve soil fertility.

-Can inhibit certain plant diseases.

Plants growing in a natural wooded environment have their roots anchored in a rich, well aerated soil full of essential minerals. Urban landscapes, however, are typically a much harsher environment with poor soils, little organic matter, and large fluctuations in temperature and moisture. Applying a 2 – to – 4 inch layer of organic mulch can mimic a more natural environment and improve plant health.

How To’s. While mulching can be beneficial to your landscape, if improperly applied it can be equally harmful. Most organic mulches must be replenished but the rate of decomposition varies. Coarser mulches may remain intact for many years while finer mulches many need replenished every year or two.

-Define the edges of your landscape beds using a garden spade or power edger. Cutting a 3 to 4 inch deep trough along the edge of your landscape bed will keep mulch from bleeding into the turf.

-Check the depth of your existing mulch. If there is an existing layer of mulch, either remove and replace with fresh mulch or till the existing layer.

-Not too much! Deep mulch can lead to excess moisture in the root zone. Remember recommended mulching depth is 2 to 4 inches.

-Piling mulch against the trunk of plants can stress stem tissues and may lead to insect and disease problems.

-For trees, the mulch bed should be as large as the drip line of the tree. This will ensure the feeder roots, located near or even beyond the drip line of the tree, will be protected from drying out as quick and receive nutrients from the mulch.

-Thick blankets of fine mulch can become matted and may prevent the penetration of water and air. In addition, a thick layer of fine mulch can become like potting soil and may support weed growth.

-For landscape beds that do not drain well, apply a thinner layer of mulch.

Remember, your landscape is a large living investment and the more information you know about it, the more you can expect in return.

by: Steve Combs

http://www.articlecity.com/articles/home_improvement/article_6873.shtml