Boston Home Improvement Blog

Here comes the sun: solar devices and shops in Massachusetts

Every so often, when I fly, I read those catalogs in the seat-back from cover to cover. You know the catalogs. They have the $15,000 battery-powered Rolls Royce for kids, the $800 ionic foot bath, and the $2,500 mini refrigerator complete with Patriots logo and a robot that pours a vat of Gatorade on you when the team wins.

Sometimes, though, those catalogs have handy devices, such as a cell phone battery charger that runs from a small solar cell, or solar-powered landscaping lights, or even solar-powered fans that attach to a hat for cooling.

In our household, we keep a hand-crank emergency radio/flashlight/alarm that runs entirely on the enthusiasm of a single six-year-old boy. May is Home Improvement Month in the United States, and energy costs are skyrocketing, so a short tour through solar devices is on my mind.

The Central New England Solar Store in Auburn (just outside of Worcester) offers a great selection of these catalog items, for less than SkyMall prices. Solar-powered radios, flashlights, and lanterns are ideal for camping, but also act as great back-ups during emergencies.

You can step up a bit and get solar attic fans from the Alternative Energy Store in Hudson, MA. These solar-powered fans, at about $340, help to reduce cooling costs in the summer, as attics can heat up to over 120 degrees. Need a generator? Try a solar one, for around $300. Take a look at their free webinar on preparing for alternative energy as well.

Both stores are easily accessible from Boston and carry everything from batteries to sun ovens. Yes, sun ovens. They're not just for Girl Scout camping anymore.

Think a solar-powered oven that weighs 21 lbs. and is the size of a briefcase is a bit much? How about a solar-powered trash compactor?

The City of Boston has jumped on the solar bandwagon, with solar-powered trash compactors:

They need emptying only once or twice a day, not the 15 or more sanitation worker visits required by some downtown trash cans. They don't spill. They smell less. And, they hold some 150 gallons of trash, about five times more than a standard city receptacle.

Developed by a Jamaica Plain inventor, they are powered by photoelectric panels, which supply power to motor-driven compactors inside. Workers extract neat, 40-pound trash bricks instead of trying to manhandle the messy contents of an overflowing can.

So you can charge your cell phone, light your way through at night, cool your home, have a back-up generator, cook dinner, and have a backup generators, all with solar devices.

Too bad there isn't a solar device to guarantee a Super Bowl win. :)

Posted by Melanie Zoltan
0 comments | Permanent Link

 

Solar Water Heating workshop in Hudson, MA

The sun is here in New England and appears not to be a tourist but an actual spring/summer resident (finally!), so it's the perfect time to talk about using the sun to our advantage.

One of the easiest ways to use solar energy to your advantage is to install a solar hot water system. The basics: water is piped to your roof, the sun heats it, and the water is piped back down into the house to the location where hot water is needed (shower, washing machine, etc.).

It's obviously more complex, so to learn more, check out the Alternative Energy Store's Solar Water Heating workshop in Hudson, MA on April 26-27, 2008 ($400 fee).

With heating costs soaring upwards, now is the time to invest in solar thermal! This two-day workshop provides a great foundation for not only those just looking to learn more about solar water heating systems but also for contractors interested in expanding into system service and installation.

The course is currently full, but you can request to be placed on a waiting list by calling 877-878-4060 , or sign up for the September 27-28, 2008 workshop instead.

Learn more about other solar workshop offerings here.

Looking for a solar hot water setup? Try Solar Wave Energy in Charlestown or Solar Design Associates in Harvard, MA.

Posted by Melanie Zoltan
0 comments | Permanent Link

 

40b in Massachusetts: income-based, affordable housing

It's spring, and the "for sale" signs are as prevelant as the dandelions and children frolicking on the lawns. Real Estate is on everyone's mind (and not just the foreclosure vulture deathwatch--"How far past peak are we? Have we bottomed out? Buy now? Buy later? Bury twelve St. Joseph statues over the spetic tank?") but there is one option that many low-to-moderate income state residents might consider on the path to homeownership.

"40b" is a shorthand term for town zoning requirements for affordable housing. When a developer wishes to put in new housing in a town, the developer must meet with zoning boards to negotiate myriad issues related to new development. Many Boston-area and suburban towns have zoning laws that can be restrictive when it comes to new housing; in towns where less than 10% of housing stock is "affordable" (affordable to persons making less than 80% of the median income in the town), zoning boards have less discretion in restricting growth, as the town must meet the 10% rule according to 40b:

The goal of Chapter 40B is to encourage the production of affordable housing in all cities and towns throughout the Commonwealth. The standard is for communities to provide a minimum of 10% of their housing inventory as affordable. A total of 47 cities and towns have now met that standard. For those communities that still fall below that threshold, a 40B development can be proposed (communities above the 10% threshold can still accept 40B development proposals at their choice).

In new developments, 20-25% of units must meet "affordable housing" standards, and a lottery system is put in place for interested homeowners. Income qualifications for prospective homeowners require that the family not make more than 80% of the median income in the town or city, and the house or unit, when purchased, is then discounted according to income.

If you are looking for 40b housing, some current developments with open units and homes include:

Mosaic Commons cohousing and Camelot Cohousing in Berlin
Resales under 40b (units purchased by 40b participants and now for sale to 40b participants)
New construction under 40b

Posted by Melanie Zoltan
1 comments | Permanent Link

 

Discounts on sewer and water bills for seniors in Framingham and other towns

A quick trip to the local Framingham library didn't just yield some good books, a fun time for my kids, and some great (free!) DVD rentals, but I also discovered The Table and The Bulletin Board.

The Table and The Bulletin Board are filled with notices of local workshops, local resources and social services, and every tax form you could possibly need. Buried in The Bulletin Board was a lovely notice about water and sewer bill abatements (a 25% discount off your bill!) for senior citizens who own homes in Framingham:

a) Applicants must be age 65 or older. Applicants must provide proof of age at the time of application, such as a valid driver’s license or copy of a birth certificate. Applicants whose information is on file from previous years will not be required to provide information again.

b) Owner-occupied, one, two, and three-family residences (as long as the owner lives in the residence and meets criteria for eligibility, the entire residence is eligible). Applicants must provide proof of residency at the time of application, such as a valid driver’s license or current utility bill. Proof of Ownership must be submitted. A copy of the tax bill with the owner’s name(s) must be provided. If the property is in a trust, a copy of the trust must be submitted. The owner(s) applying for the discount must be listed on the trust to be considered eligible.

c) The applicant’s adjusted gross income cannot exceed the following limits:

i. $45,000 for a single person
ii. $56,000 for a head of household, or
iii. $67,000 for taxpayers married filing jointly

Applicants must submit proof of income.

Read more at the Town of Framingham's website. You will find a printable application form at the bottom of that page, or you can find paper copies of the application at your local library or town office.

Framingham isn't the only town in Massachusetts to offer such a program; call your local town or city hall to learn about similar programs in your town.

Posted by Melanie Zoltan
0 comments | Permanent Link

 

Homeowners insurance, mold, and Massachusetts

How's the mold coverage on your homeowner's insurance policy? Environmental mold in homes comes from various sources, such as a water leak, poor drainage around the foundation, gutter problems, and so forth. The water seeps in to wood, sheetrock, carpets and padding, and other porous surfaces, and mold grows. And grows.

It's caused a Connecticut library to throw away 20,000 books. Forced a Milton, Vermont elementary school to close for a year. It's even an issue for home stagers, who work to help homeowners stage their homes for sale.

So back to that homeowner's policy:

Massachusetts is one of 46 states as of October 2006 that have adopted an insurance industry standard to limit mold coverage from homeowners insurance policies, according to the Insurance Information Institute in New York.

The limitation allows insurers to exclude coverage for losses caused by mold and wet and/or dry rot unless the condition results from a "covered peril," the institute says.

For example, the costs of cleaning up mold caused by water from a burst pipe or roof damage are "covered peril" under your insurance policy. Mold caused by excessive humidity, leaks, condensation or flooding is a maintenance issue for property owners to cover on their own, according to the institute.

Massachusetts gets hit with high winter precipitation, has a wet thaw in the spring, and by July and August is a mold spore's dream: humid, humid, and more humid. In one family's case,

In Natick, Gary Zinck and family are now asking The Hanover Insurance Group of Worcester for $300,000 to demolish their mold-infested home on Appleton Drive and start fresh. The insurance company wants to give them $127,000 to clean up the existing home.

With homeowner's insurance excluding coverage for many mold situations, what can you do if you discover mold under your bathroom sheet rock, eating up a corner of your basement family room, or surrounding the insulation in an attached garage?

1. Check your insurance policy immediately. Was the mold caused by a burst pipe? Roof damage? Other non-maintenance issue?

2. Take pictures. LOTS of pictures, especially pictures of the source of the water that may have led to mold conditions.

3. Call your insurance company and ask for an inspection or a claims specialist to examine the issue.

4. Call a mold removal specialist. Do not attempt to remove large amounts of invasive mold from your home. Severe respiratory and systemic health issues can result from improper mold removal.

To prevent mold from establishing a stronghold in your home, check mold-prone areas such as bathrooms, kitchen sinks (and cupboards beneath), and basements frequently. Remove any water or condensation. Run dehumidifiers or place moisture-absorbing gel packs in damp closets or areas.

In addition, check house ventilation. Whole house fans can help to reduce mold-prone conditions and can reduce cooling bills in the summer. Consider running fans from the basement to outside. If you have a basement bulkhead, be certain it's dry after rains. Read more on mold prevention in The Mold Survival Guide.

Posted by Melanie Zoltan
0 comments | Permanent Link

 

Homemade household cleaning products

A number of years ago, I learned that common chemicals in household items such as air fresheners, most detergents, most cleaning products, pest sprays, and outdoor fertilizers and weed killers caused some health problems for a family member. The Household Products Database from the National Institutes of Health can tell you more about the ingredients in your household products.

A good friend shared the amazing book Better Basics for the Home with me. The book opened my eyes to the many ways we could make our own common household cleaning products, using older techniques used by generations past, and newer techniques that are simply cheaper, healthier, and better for the environment.

I haven't given up everything commercial. I still can't get dishes clean in the dishwasher without using more mainstream products (the eco-friendly versions don't cut it), and we use name-brand laundry detergents, but the scent- and dye-free versions now.

If you look in my cabinets you might find a cinnamon perimeter (wards off sugar ants), I have scrubbed my bathtub with lemons and salt to get rid of soap scum (it works!), and I use this recipe that I created from trial and error to use as a general household cleaner.

12 oz. COLD water (warm water will make the soap foam too much)
2-3 oz. white vinegar
10-12 drops of Tea Tree oil or Lavender oil
1 tbsp. Murphy's Oil Soap

Combine in a spray bottle, shake, and use! Lavender smells MUCH better than tea tree oil, but tea tree oil has antibacterial AND antifungal properties, so if mold-fighting is a concern, tea tree oil is better.

I use an old stain remover spray bottle (rinsed very carefully and labeled "Cleaning Solution" on it). My kids can help clean and I don't need to worry about their touching the harsh chemicals.

House cleaning companies are turning toward green products more and more, as customers ask for them. If you use housecleaning services - or are in the market for such services - check out the listings here. For Green Products and Services, go here for more information.

Posted by Melanie Zoltan
0 comments | Permanent Link

 

Garage organizing

We have Professional Organizers. There are entire stores devoted to organization; check out The Container Store in Framingham/Natick on Route 9 sometime. IKEA is an organizer's (cheap) dream, while custom shelves and closets abound from companies that specialize in providing creative ways to manage your stuff.

As George Carlin says:

That's all your house is: a place to keep your stuff. If you didn't have so much stuff, you wouldn't need a house. You could just walk around all the time.

A house is just a pile of stuff with a cover on it. You can see that when you're taking off in an airplane. You look down, you see everybody's got a little pile of stuff. All the little piles of stuff.

So let's talk about your "garage stuff" today. Today we have a guest blogger, Rick Scully from NuvoGarage. He's going to talk about how to organize the stuff in your garage. Many homes in the greater Boston/New England area either don't have a garage, or they have an old-fashioned carriage stall that has been converted into a car-holding garage.

But how many of you actually pahk your cah in the gahrage? Is the Yankee-inspired clutter so great that your kids are lucky to squeeze a plasma car or a bike in there? Or, if you have a conventional garage, do you get maximum use out of it? Read on and learn more...




"My garage is a mess. I’d like to tidy it up but I just don’t know where or how to get started"
Rick Scully, President, NuvoGarage Inc.

• Ah …this is a problem that faces many home owners as they begin to think about the annual spring cleanup. It’s a perfect time then, for a brief discussion about how to take control of your garage space and make it a safe, practical, tidy and clean environment in which to store and organize the many things required to maintain your home and garden.

The most difficult task is one that actually requires no “physical” effort. It’s a “mental” exercise, because you need to decide what you longer need or use. Be ruthless here and avoid the trap that “I may use or need this someday”. Try following these rules:

If it can’t be used, or has no value, toss it.
If you no longer need it, or plan to use it, give it away or sell it.
If you need it and use it, keep it.

• Try and get everything off of the floor and on to the walls or ceiling;


• Organize by season, purpose and occasion;


• Think about how frequently, or when, you use things.

Next year at this time, or perhaps even sooner at the next typical time to clean up (Thanksgiving), think of how much time you’ll be able to dedicate to doing something else. Your garage will have been organized and you’ll have less clutter as you’ll find that once your things have a place, you’ll return them to their space after you use them. Hmmm…more time and less clutter. And, you’ll feel better about your garage, maybe even “garage proud”.

NuvoGarage Inc. is a privately owned full service firm based in Ontario that specializes in interior garage design and organization. We take care of all of the required work from removal of junk, hazardous chemicals and reusable items, to custom design and transformation of your garage.

To find a garage organizer in the Boston area, please look here.

Posted by Melanie Zoltan
0 comments | Permanent Link

 

How's the mold in your basement?

It's springtime, and the snow has melted (supposedly...let's see if we don't get one last snowstorm). Most homes in Boston have basements (or your home may BE a basement if you're in a basement-level condo or apartment), and as winter melting and spring rains set in, it's time to think about mold.

If you have any amount of water in your basement, from cracks in the floor that allow water to seep up, to water that comes in through poorly-sealed windows, then you may have a mold and mildew problem. Indoor mold is a serious health issue:

What are the possible health effects?

* Hypersensitiity reactions: asthma, allergic rhinitis, and hypersensitivity pneumonitis
* Airway and conjunctival irritations
* Acute toxicity syndromes
* Infections: wound infections, thrush, systemic infections, and skin infections
* Nonspecific symptoms, such as eye irritation, coughing (both productive and non-productive), sore throat, headache, and difficulty concentrating

I mispoke in an earlier post, for my partner reminded me that we've had THREE floods in our homes. The two previously mentioned, and a third that was caused by me, when I "fixed" the washing machine by connecting a hose to, well, nothing. It turns out what I thought was a hose connection was just a grommet. I have a humanities degree, so that's my excuse.

The end result was a flooded basement utility room and water that seeped a good 10-12 feet into the carpeted basement family room.

In spite of our quick actions to clean up the water, rent a carpet cleaner, and fix the damage, mold set into the carpet. The mold in the padding was extensive, and we had to have the 2-year-old carpet (the perfect shade! matched to the painted walls!) removed, the floor bleached and sealed, and anti-mold padding placed under the laminate flooring we chose as a replacement.

Keep a close eye on baseboards, touch the floors frequently to feel for dampness, and if you need a mold removal specialist, look here and here. For mold testing services, check out our listings here.

Posted by Melanie Zoltan
0 comments | Permanent Link