Absolute Green Homes Spring 2009 Newsletter

* ABSOLUTE IN THE NEWS *

Local pros reveal how to keep your home up-to-date and market ready.

"Markets are depressed, your mutual funds tanked, and you’re considering having your mattress double as a safety-deposit box spring. If you think of your home as your most reliable asset—at least in the long haul—you may be..." More
- Look for our quote in the 5th paragraph -

Water-Powered Green: Hydronic Heating Systems

If you are contemplating hydronic heating systems, this article published by Professional Remodeler, February 2009 edition will certainly be of interest to you. More

- We are quoted in all the paragraphs here - Ironically, we just don't know who's the dude in the picture...

* NEWSWORTHY TO ME - AND YOU! *

Economic Stimulus Package

Free federal money is finally trickling down to the common tax payers, us the homeowners.

Energy Star has published comprehensive information on how the housing industry and consumers can take advantage of the federal tax credits for energy-efficient home improvements in the new economic stimulus package.

$1500 is at the reach of your fingers for the taking. And there's even more than that for those of you wanting to reach the darkest shade of green... More

The Two-Year, Nine-Million-Jobs Investment Plan

According to Architecture2030.org, Obama infrastructure's and the public building sector's rescue plan cannot solve the U.S. economic crisis.

Because the private building sector represents 93% of total U.S. building stock, the private building sector is the key to reviving the U.S. economy. Strategically investing $192.47 billion ($96.235 billion each year for two years) in the private building sector will create, in just two years, over 9 million new jobs and $1 trillion in direct, non-federal investment and spending while opening up a new $236 billion renovation market that could grow to $2.6 trillion by 2030 and over $5.47 trillion by 2069.

Addressing the foreclosure crisis and the collapse of the private building sector is critical to stabilizing the U.S. economy. The Two-Year, Nine-Million-Jobs Investment addresses both, as well as many other challenges facing the country, including energy independence and climate change. With a single investment, the U.S. can create millions of jobs, strengthen the U.S. economy, reduce CO2 emissions and energy consumption, and save consumers billions of dollars.
Read - And Support - The Two-Year, Nine-Million-Jobs Investment Plan

ReGreen

The American Society of Interior Designers’ Foundation and the U.S. Green Building Council have partnered on the development of best practice guidelines and targeted educational resources for sustainable residential improvement projects. This program aims to increase understanding of sustainable renovation project practices and benefits among homeowners, residents, design professionals, building products manufacturers. View the guidelines. More

Invest in Your Nest

Okay, so the housing bubble burst, home values are plummeting, and the money mavens say it’s gonna get worse before it gets better. What to do? "Invest, of course, in the place you call home", says this writer Lawrence Lanahan.

This Westchester Magazine article will help you figure out which upgrades will give you the biggest bang for your buck and make you and your family happier - and more comfortable.
As you consider renovations - The author's rather call them investments - "don’t worry so much about the market".

When the market picks up, a house with a brand-new kitchen and an expanded master bedroom suite will sell for more than a home with a dinky kitchen and an uninviting bedroom. So put away those local real estate listings. And pick up some blueprints. More

In Hard Times It's Time For Renovation and Preservation

There is a little ray of sunshine that gets a bit brighter in every recession: renovation and preservation. And if we are going to survive this recession and reduce the carbon footprints of our buildings, we are all going to have to get small and fix what we have. More

The Greenest Brick is the One That's Already in the Wall

TreeHugger.com is full of photovoltaic glass and ground source heat pumps, but ultimately all of those "green gizmos", as Donovan Rypkema called them, cost a lot of money to buy and to maintain.

There is a growing movement of building professionals who are making the case that people have known for hundreds, maybe thousands of years how to build in ways that save energy and adapt to climate instead of trying to bludgeon it into submission. More

Don't Be a Pretentious Green A**

Green Manners: Don't be one of those green guys.

"What's that? Battle-what McLactica? No idea what you're talking about, I'm afraid. You see, I don't watch TV. It uses too much electricity. No, I spend my evenings reading Thoreau."

Or:

"Paper or Plastic? You've got to be kidding, right? What am I? A Neanderthal, or some Rush Limbaugh-loving global warming denier? Please. I carry my own reusable canvas bag, which I purchased five years ago, way before green was cool. The proceeds went to a charity that drills wells in Africa, of course."

We could go on—there are so many subjects to skewer: people way too into their Priuses, smug 'green' celebrities who say ridiculous things, and know-it-all green pros who are impossible to talk to without getting corrected on some facet of the environment... More

* HOME HUMOR *

Home Inspection Nightmares Series

Unbelievable discoveries by the home inspectors. Some are truly appalling, and a few are not for the faint of heart...

Very nice work by the folks at This Old House. More

* MY FAVORITE THREE QUOTES FOR THIS QUARTER *

"people prosper when they make a decision against the trend"

- Pat Neal, Builder, Lakewood Ranch, Fl. More Quotes Please!

"affordability goes beyond first cost; considerations for greater durability, lower operating costs & superior performance must be included when it comes to calculating affordability"

- Ron Jones, One of the fathers of the green building movement More Quotes Please!

"selling refrigerators to eskimos may be easier than
selling the 'invisible' to homeowners"

- Gord Cooke, certified trainer, author and industry consultant. More Quotes Please!

	NEWSLETTER - SPRING 2009