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Lead-based Paint Dangerous for Children

Young children are particularly susceptible to lead poisoning since they are more likely to ingest lead paint chips, flakes, or dust and are more sensitive to the adverse health effects of lead. Elevated lead levels in young children can trigger

• learning disabilities
• decreased growth
• hyperactivity
• impaired hearing
• brain damage

Lead can be found in a number of places inside and outside the home. For example, lead can be found in household dust from deteriorating lead-based paint or from soil tracked into the house. It can also be found in drinking water coming from old lead pipes, fixtures and solder.

"Childhood lead poisoning is easily preventable with the right information and awareness. This grant will help Arizona tribal communities raise awareness about preventing lead's adverse health effects," said Administrator Jackson. "This project is an important example of the efforts happening across the country to protect our children from a major health threat."

Lead-based Paint Outreach to Native American Tribes

The Inter-Tribal Council of Arizona is developing culturally specific outreach materials to educate tribal families, especially parents of young children, and tribal staff on the health risks to children from exposure to lead-based paint.

Lead Awareness for Facility Maintenance Personnel

The program specifically reaches out to facility maintenance personnel to stress the importance of using lead-safe work practices when renovating buildings.

The use of lead-based paint in U.S. residential housing was banned in 1978.

Approximately 75% of the U.S. housing stock built before 1978, or 64 million homes, contain some lead-based paint.

For information on EPA's lead paint program, go to: http://www.epa.gov/region09/toxic/lead

For information on lead in paint, dust and soil, visit: http://www.epa.gov/lead

For information on protecting your family from lead hazards, visit: http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/leadinfo.htm#where

I mentioned that even though I've been researching and writing about windows and doors, I still wasn't sure whre "fenestration" came from.  I mused in front of the wrong person!!!

Fenestration

Here's my version:  The term is derived from an 18th century contractor who wasn't very good at his job, but who livened up the workplace as  the butt of all jokes... George Fenester, the window guy, could not install a window without breaking at least one pane of glass.   On a particularly troubling day, he fell backwards and shattered an entire stack of glass panes.  His buddies kidded him by asking, "Hey George, feeling a little Fenestration today?"  It was followed by howls of laughter...they found it humorous, most likely because they were uneducated laborers who did not have access to fine comedic programming...or even to TV for that matter.


By David Hylton

I mentioned that even though I've been researching and writing about windows and doors, I still wasn't sure where "fenestration" came from.  I mused in front of the wrong person!!!

Fenestration

Here's my version:  The term is derived from an 18th century contractor who wasn't very good at his job, but who livened up the workplace as  the butt of all jokes... George Fenester, the window guy, could not install a window without breaking at least one pane of glass.   On a particularly troubling day, he fell backwards and shattered an entire stack of glass panes.  His buddies kidded him by asking, "Hey George, feeling a little Fenestration today?"  It was followed by howls of laughter...they found it humorous, most likely because they were uneducated laborers who did not have access to fine comedic programming...or even to TV for that matter.


By David Hylton

Seniors face aging issues with their houses and condos.  They must make decisions about what needs to be remodeled, and how to pay for it -- and for seniors that is usually more complicated than for people with full time jobs.  Reverse mortgages have become available as one tool.  But local and state programs also make loans available through affordable housing programs to help seniors remodel for energy efficiency, weatherization and major repairs such as roofing, plumbing and window replacement.

According to the AARP, the lowest cost reverse mortgages are public loans.

The least expensive reverse mortgages are the ones offered by state or local governments. But these "public sector" loans generally can be used for only a specific purpose, like home repairs. Many are only available to persons with low to moderate incomes. But the low cost can make these loans very attractive.

Energy Efficiency and Weatherization

Remodeling projects or home maintenance projects of significant sizes, such as major plumbing upgrades, or energy efficient window replacement or a new roof, can warrant using equity in your home.   These major home renovations can improve the quality of life for a senior at the same time they reduce monthly energy bills and improve the value of the home. 

Deferred Payment Loans (DPLs)

Many local and some state government agencies offer "deferred payment loans" (DPLs) for repairing or improving your home. This type of reverse mortgage gives you a one-time, lump sum advance. No repayment is required for as long as you live in your home.

Property Tax Deferral (PTD)

Some state and local government agencies offer "property tax deferral" (PTD) loans. This type of public sector reverse mortgage generally provides annual loan advances that can be used only to pay your property taxes. No repayment is required for as long as you live in your home.

According to a 2007 AARP study, some type of PTD program is available in parts or all of the following states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming, and the District of Columbia.

AARP does not endorse any reverse mortgage lender or product -- so do your homework and ask a trusted financal advisor for help in analyzing your situation and the reverse mortgages available to you.

Read more at AARP about Low-Cost Public Loans

The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) is working toward a building energy labeling program  -- the Buliding EQ label.

For years, ASHRAE has sought ways to help move the nation's building stock toward net-zero-energy use.

The new Building Energy Quotient program seeks the answers to that question with metrics for measuring both the energy the building is designed to use and the energy actually being consumed. The ASHRAE program is being designed to close the gaps between intention and operation.

ASHRAE
http://buildingeq.com/

Jason Pelletier, Low Impact Living, recently participated in a New York Times piece (published in the Home section today) on green home consultants.

"After a few hours of in-home work and many more of analysis, reporting, product research and follow-up with my clients, it was somewhat ironic that the lead image for the story was a picture of me peering into the tank of a toilet!", Jason explained.



One could argue a toilet is a fitting representation of our times, after all. The economy remains in the tank, we continue to do relatively little as a society to combat climate change, and the residential green sector continues to dragged down by the horrible housing market (unless you happen to be in one of the few sectors directly benefiting from stimulus funding).

However, we still see a very bright future for the overall green remodeling/retrofit market.

The lowest hanging fruit on the path to a lower-carbon economy lie in our homes, from weatherization to low-flow water fixtures to efficient appliances and lighting.

The environmental savings can be significant, and many projects will start contributing to your bank account in less than a year. Although each of our individual actions might be a drop in the bucket (as noted by some of the skeptical folks interviewed in the Times article), our collective actions will amount to significant change and send a message to both companies and our elected officials that the old way won't work anymore.

The first step is getting started, of course, and a good green consultant can help by explaining both the environmental and economic benefits of particular green projects.

Tackle green projects in these four groups, and we guarantee that you'll soon be on a logical and profitable path to a lower impact:

Make the easy fixes that have high environmental and economic benefits first. Many first steps can be done for $0 - $100, and can cut major chunks out of your energy, water and carbon footprints.

Swap out key house systems, starting with the biggest hogs and/or systems that have multiple impacts. Once you've cut your baseline down based on #1, turn to these bigger projects.

Install sustainable systems where possible for remaining water/energy needs. By now, you've probably cut your energy, water and sewer bills by 30-50%. But there's a huge added benefit to this tiering of projects: you've also reduced the cost of major sustainble system upgrades.

Offset the rest. In most existing homes, it's nearly impossible to competely cut your outside energy use and associated carbon footprint. Buy offsets for this remaining piece.

Learn more about living greener at Low Impact Living, one of the premier sources for information for home improvements that are greener and high performance.

The McKinsey Research Report

Starting in 2007, the McKinsey research team worked with leading experts to develop a detailed fact base estimating costs and potentials of different options to reduce or prevent greenhouse gas emissions in the US over a 25 year period.  The team analyzed more than 250 options encompassing efficiency gains, shifts to lower-carbon energy sources and expanded carbon sinks.

Central Conclusion

The US could reduce GHG emissions in 2030 by 3 - 4.5 gigatons of CO2e using tested approaches and high-potential emerging technologies.  The cost would be less tan $50 per ton, with the average net cost to the economy being far lower if the nation can capture sizable gains from energy efficiency.  Achievement of these reductions would require strong, coordinated, economy-wide action that begins in the near future.

One complicating factor is reaching goals is that a gradual decrease in the absorption of carbon by US forests and agricultural lands will reduce achievements, and require greater GHG reductions.

Abatement Opportunities

• The largest option -- coal-fired power plants -- offers less than 11 percent of total abatement potential.  The largest sector (power generation) only accounts for approximately 1/3 of the total potential.
• Almost 40% of abatement could be achieved with options that would generate positive economic returns over their lifecycle. 
• Abatement potentials, costs and mix vary by geographic region. 

Five Sectors offer Clusters of Abatement Potential

1. Improve energy efficiency in buildings and appliances  (710-870 megatons)
This cluster of options includes:  Lighting rtrofits, Improved heating, ventialation, air conditioning systems, Building envelopes, and building control systems; Higher performance for consumer and office electronics and appliances...and other options.

2.  Imcrease fuel efficiency in vehicles and reduce carbon intensity of transportation fuels (340-660 megatons)
Most of the benefit would come from fuel economy packages such as light weighting, aerodynamics, turbocharging, drive-train efficiency, reduction in rolling resistance, and increased use of diesel for light-duty vehicles.  Plug-in hybrid vehicels offer longer-term potential if vehicle cost/performance improves and the nation moves to a lower-carbon electricity supply.

3.  Industrial Sector pursues various options cross energy-intensive operations (620-770 megatons)
A multitude of fragmented opportunities exist within specific industries:  Equipment upgrades, process changes  -- and across setors:  Motor efficiency, combined heat and power applications. 

4.  Expand and enhance carbon sinks (440-590 megatons)
Increasing forest stocks and improving soil mnagement practices are relatively low-cost options.

5.  Reduce carbon intensity of electric power production (800-1370 megatons)
Shift toward renewable energy sources primarily wind and solar, additional nuclear capacity, mproved efficiency of power plants and eventual use of carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies on coal-fired electricity generation. 

"The theme of greater energy productivity pervades these clusters." 

Improving energy efficiency in buildings and appliances and industrial sectors, for example, could offset some 85% of the projected incremental demand for electricity in 2030, largely negating the need for the incremental coal-fired power plants assumed in the government reference case.

Improved vehicle efficiency could roughly offset the added mobility-related emissions of a growing population, while providing net economic gains.  

SOURCE: Download the full report at  Greenhouse Gas Emissions Report 11.21.07

According to a recent Remodeling Activity Indicator conducted by the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies, homeowners spent $149.5 billion on remodeling during 2005, representing an increase of 4.3 percent over 2004 levels.

Most homeowners use some form of home improvement loan to finance large  home improvement projects, and they often find that figuring out how much money is needed for the remodeling or home improvement project, and how much they can reasonably borow can sometimes prove to be difficult.

Online resources can save time in researching what home improvement loans are available, from whom, and for what. There are many home loan calculators available on the internet. Resources such as HomeLoanCenter.com is one such websites that is easy to navigate with clear explanations of various options.

An online home improvement loan calculator helps homeowners try out different combinations of loan features and remodeling dreams to see what loan option best fits  their situation. In just a few minutes a homeowner can test how various options will translate in terms of repayment, the amount borrowed and potential tax savings available.

It's important for your peace of mind -- and monthly budget -- to be fully aware of all the costs, fees, terms and charges, as well as repayment schedule. involved in a home improvement loan.  

According to the National Consumer Law Center, home improvement scams can result in big problems for homeowners, so it is wise to be careful, check out resources carefully and deal with reputable financial institutions and vendors when it comes to choosing home improvement financing options.

Take the time to check out not only your design...but the people you will be working with.

For more information about online home improvement loan calculators check American Loan Search at http://www.americanloansearch.com/ or HomeLoanCenter.com.

Home improvements for a home that you just purchased -- new, old or in between -- are often required before a bank will close on a home loan.  However, it's also possible that additional problem crop up...and that there are less necessary, but highly desired improvements you will want to make upon moving into your newly purchased home.

HUD (US Housing and Urban Development) makes loans available through the HUD 203(k) program to help buyers purchase or refinance a property plus include in the loan the cost of making repairs and improvements.  The FHA insured 203(k) loan is provided through approved mortgage lenders nationwide. 

The downpayment on this type of home improvement loan is approximately 3% of the acquisition and repair costs of the property.

The HUD 203(k) home improvement loan goes through these steps:

1. A potential homebuyer executes a sales contract after doing a feasibility analysis of the property with their real estate agent. The contract should state that the buyer is seeking a 203(k) loan and that the contract is contingent on the home improvement loan based on additional required repairs by the FHA or lender.

2. The homeowner selects an FHA-approved 203(k) lender and prepares a detailed proposal showing hte scope of work and a detailed cost estimate on each repair or improvement.

3.  An appraisal is performed to determine the value of the property after renovation.

4. If the home improvement loan is closed, it will cover the purchase or refinance cost of the property, the remodeling costs and the allowable closing costs.  The home improvement loan will also include a contingency reserve of 10% to 20% of the total remodeling cost to cover any extra work needed.

5. At closing, the seller is paid and the remaining funds are put into escrow to pay for the repairs and home improvements during the rehabilitation project.

6. Mortgage payments and remodeling begin after the loan closes.  Up to six mortgage payments can be put into the cost of rehabilitation if the property will not be occupeid during construction.  Some restrictions apply.

7. Escrow funds are released to the contractor during construction through draw requests for completed work. Restrictions apply.

For a list of lenders who offer the 203(k) Rehabilitation Program, see the 203(k) Lenders List.

Before you undertake a home improvement loan, it is helpful to visit with other people -- friends, relatives or classmates in a home improvement class -- about the ins and outs of caring for a home, selecting a good contractor, and monitoring the work being done on the property.  Helpful advice and tips can be shared that cover your particular weather patterns and the kind of insulation or moisture control improvements that will make your home safe and snug for you and your family. 

Housing is the largest investment a family usually makes in their entire lifetime, and it pays to take your time, do your research, and select your home improvement loan and remodeling contractor carefully.