Joshua Simkin-England..Walnut Creek Agent

Going Solar? 9 Things to Consider

With millions more consumers expected to install solar on their rooftops in 2012, residential provider American Solar Direct recently offered nine essential factors for homeowners to consider when seeking their energy independence. “Producing electricity from your own rooftop is getting easier and more affordable. The trends we saw in 2011—primarily, that home solar was truly entering the mainstream market—should continue at a strong pace this year,” said Ravi Thuraisingham, ASD’s president and chief financial officer. “Thousands of homeowners will continue to seek ways to cut electric bills and have a positive impact on the environment.” Homeowners considering solar should consider the following nine key factors: 1. Lease versus...

Green Homes to Exponentially Increase by 2016

As home builders and homeowners become increasingly aware of the quality design and cost value associated with environmentally-sound construction, production of green homes will rise significantly over the next several years. In fact, according to a survey released at the 2012 International Builder’s Show in Orlando, Fla., green homes—which comprised 17 percent of the overall residential construction market in 2011—are expected to grow to between 29 percent and 38 percent of the market by 2016. By value, this equates to a five-fold increase, growing from $17 billion in 2011 to $87-$114 billion in 2016, based on the five-year forecast for overall residential construction. According to the Green Home Builders and Remodelers Study, conducted by McGraw-Hill...

Home Know-How: Understanding Condensation

What do houseplants, a boiling pot of pasta and your shower all have in common? They all add moisture to your home’s interior. And, while some humidity in the home is good, excessive moisture can be uncomfortable. “We often get calls from homeowners who are concerned that their windows are ‘sweating’ or leaking either inside or outside the home because they see moisture on the glass,” says Gary Pember, vice president of marketing at Simonton Windows®. “In reality, that’s simply not the case. While condensation may collect on the interior or exterior of energy-efficient windows, the units are really doing their job by helping serve as a barrier in the home.” Pember points out that windows do not cause...