HouseLogic sat down with author and architect Sarah Susanka to talk about remodeling that builds value and saves money. (see link to original article at bottom)

For Sarah Susanka, architect and author of the Not So Big House series of books, remodeling is an opportunity—not just for realizing your improvement and decor dreams, but for making your home comfortable, right-sized, and energy efficient.

In this Q&A, Susanka helps homeowners make smart decisions about that next big project.
HouseLogic: What are your top three pieces of advice for homeowners considering a remodel?

Sarah Susanka: 1. While you’re remodeling, take the opportunity to upgrade the energy systems in your house. It will make the house more comfortable and more valuable in the long haul. Today’s buyers will ask to see utility bills, and may not consider homes that aren’t energy efficient.

2. You can remodel without having to add on. We tend to assume we have to add space. But many spaces in a home are underused. Consider how to repurpose that space to do double duty.

3. The way we live in our homes today is different than before the 1970s. Formal dining rooms may not get a lot of use, for instance. Open a view from the kitchen to the dining or living room. People will start using those rooms and the house will feel a lot bigger, which is also a sales point.

HL: Where do you get the biggest return for your remodeling investment?

SS: Kitchens and bathrooms. But often people spend more money on their kitchen than they think they will, which can affect the return. Work within the existing footprint of the kitchen to stay reasonably priced.

People often assume that if they buy more expensive materials, that equates to higher value. But it’s the quality of design that sells and equates to more value.

HL: How can the budget-minded homeowner conserve funds?

SS: Consider materials. Opt for a plastic laminate countertop with bullnose (fully rounded edges in which the laminate wraps under the countertop) rather than a granite countertop. It’s a great look, but less expensive than granite. You can’t tell that it isn’t a solid material.

For tile backsplashes, make an impact by spending a little more to add some drama tile above the cook top.  But spend less on surrounding tiles. That can save one-sixth of the price than doing the whole backsplash in expensive material.

HL: Where should you splurge?

SS: On the kitchen island. It’s a focal point. Here you could invest in granite, since the island requires a rectangular chunk of material without a lot of cutouts, which is where the labor and expense come in. And then you can say, “I have granite.”

Flooring is another place to invest. Get a designer to help you select a product that gives the room a sense of permanence and solidity. Also, people often pick too light a color, which makes it look cheap.

HL: What about green materials—do they have to be expensive?

SS: People are scared about green materials being expensive. But they don’t need to be. Many IKEA products, for instance, are green certified. More products, like cost-effective bamboo, will begin appearing at home improvement stores, too.

HL: Why is retrofitting an existing home more cost efficient than building new?

SS: For each $5,000 in energy improvements you spend on a new house, you only get small, incremental gains in energy efficiency. A California energy consulting company study found that retrofitting existing homes with energy-efficient features is four to eight times more carbon and cost efficient than adding energy-efficient features to new housing.

HL: You believe beauty is sustainable. Why?

SS: Beauty is one of the greenest things you can do. If a home is beautiful, it will be looked after by the current homeowner and all those who follow. It’s good to create beauty and energy efficiency as you go. If your home is beautiful and comfortable, you’ll save money and enjoy it. If it’s not beautiful—even if it’s energy efficient—someone will tear it down, and that’s not green.

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If you are thinking of selling and what to do some updating, be sure to contact a Real Texas Agents Realtor first to discuss what options will be most financially sound based on your goals. Austin: 512.535.3590 San Antonio: 210.363.8647

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http://www.houselogic.com/articles/QA-author-sarah-susanka-talks-budget-smart-remodeling/

It’s about smart, sustainable actions (call it “S-squared”) that each of us can accomplish in our daily lives. Actions that, when multiplied by our social networks, and the cross-section of people that make up Team Earth, will have a huge impact on the health of the planet we call home.

We are setting out to tackle the big challenges of our planet and to our lives – climate change, clean water, healthy food, the ways we are using our resources, and more. Each of us can make a difference, and by working as a team, we will all live better, healthier lives.

Excerpt taken from www.TeamEarth.com.  Check it out and pledge to make a difference today!

If this bill becomes law your health care choices will be drastically reduced, and many of the supplements available today will become illegal.  This and other provisions of this misguided legislation affect ALL dietary supplements, including vitamins, minerals, herbs, sports, and diet products.

The supposed purpose of the bill is to make dietary supplements “safer,” which is ironic because dietary supplements already have an excellent safety record.  It also ignores the fact that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration already have the powers they need to police the market.

Click here to send a note in opposition to S. 3002 directly to your two Senators or use the information on the website to write a personal letter.  Either way, you need to act immediately.  Do not let Congress take away your right to dietary supplements.

-Excerpted from www.saveoursupplements.com

With winter over and spring officially here, our thoughts turn to the outdoors- gardening, camping, and just the pure indulgence of enjoying the sunshine.  However, with all of these sunny delights, also come the dreaded intruder- the mosquito.  There are over 200 species of this pest in the U.S. alone with a new species just having been discovered in 2001 in the Florida Keys.  Besides being highly annoying at family picnics, this little insect also has the well-known status of being a disease carrier – especially of the dangerous West Nile Virus.  In an effort to rid us of this nuisance, we run out and get every pesticide on the market and apply it to our yards and ourselves.  Maybe, though, by using all of these chemicals we are actually doing more harm to ourselves than the mosquito ever would.

Most commercial topical agents such as OFF ?, contain the chemical DEET (N, N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide) which has been around since the Army patented it in the 1940s.  It is proven to be the most effective mosquito repellant.  However, using DEET comes with a price.  There has been a long debate of the safety associated with using DEET.  One of the more recent and telling studies was done in 2001 there was a study done with showed that using DEET caused behavioral problems and brain cell damage in rats. Researchers came to the conclusion that heavy exposure to DEET and other insecticides in the human population can lead to such conditions as: headaches, memory loss, weakness, fatigue, behavioral problems, muscle and joint pain, tremors, and shortness of breath (Exp Neurol. 2001 Nov; 172(1):153-71.)

Pregnant women, their unborn children, and children have the most risk of developing complications using DEET.  In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics advises against using repellents or insecticides containing more than 10% DEET on children under the age of 6.  Children’s skin more readily absorbs chemicals such as DEET and their nervous system is still developing, so chemicals pose a greater risk to them.  If you must use DEET containing products, the EPA suggests that you can reduce your risk by reading and following the product labels, which are included on all products with DEET in them.

If we choose to not apply excess chemicals to our skin, we are not, however, doomed to be carried away by swarms of mosquitoes and spend our whole spring and summer with itchy, red bumps all over our bodies.  There are many things we can do to prevent these bloodsuckers from destroying our fun.  First and foremost is to prevent them from taking a hold on our yards.  Destroy their breeding grounds- stagnant water.  Empty all pots, buckets, old swimming pools (those little plastic toddler pools are infamous for holding stagnant water), or use a mosquito dunk which will kill off the mosquito larvae before they hatch.  Mosquito dunks are contain no toxic chemicals and are fairly environmentally sound.

Most health food stores and websites such as www.Mercola.com carry non-DEET-containing products that can be safely used on even pregnant women and children. In fact, there are even some products I use on my own children that are both an insect repellant and sunscreen all in one bottle.  While they may have to be re-applied more often than DEET containing products, they are less toxic and so are worth it in my book.  Here are some other natural alternatives to using commercial insecticides taken from www.Mercola.com:

-    Bounce Fabric Sheets can be wiped on the skin before exposure to insects.  This is even safe on babies.
-    Avoid eating bananas during times when you will be exposed to the outdoors for long periods of time (i.e. a camping trip).  Our bodies process bananas in such a way that attracts mosquitoes.
-    Plant marigolds around the yard – especially your garden.  The insects don’t like the fragrance these flowers let off and so make a great repellant.
-    Mix equal parts of Avon Skin-So-Soft ? bath oil with rubbing alcohol and apply to skin (make sure to read that warnings associated with using rubbing alcohol).
-    Spread a little of the clear liquid vanilla that is sold in Mexico with some olive oil on your skin to help repel insects.  A side bonus is that you will smell great!
-    Citronella candles and soaps work great.  (Be mindful of using candles especially during the dry season).

There is obviously the fact that you can stay inside altogether this sunny season and entirely avoid mosquitoes, but who wants that?  After the long hard winter, it is a welcome respite to go outside and get a good dose of Vitamin D.  Now we can enjoy the great outdoors without overexposing ourselves to chemicals or donating to the mosquito blood bank -save it for your local blood drive.

The program will unfold at the beginning of October 2008 and extend through the end of the year. Small blue bins will no longer be used and crews will deliver new blue, 90-gallon recycling carts to City of Austin Solid Waste Services residential customers. Recycling collection will occur every other week, as opposed to the current weekly schedule. Single Stream Recycling instructions and a calendar showing collection schedules will be delivered with the new recycling carts.

Items that can be recycled include: Paper: (newspaper, office paper, junk mail, cereal and soft drink boxes, corrugated cardboard) Aluminum and metal cans: food cans (labels left on OK), soda cans Glass: Jars and bottles Rigid plastics: # 1 through # 7, including yogurt and margarine tubs

Items that cannot be recycled: Plastic bags, Styrofoam (cups, egg cartons, take-out containers)

Questions on the new recycling program can be directed to Solid Waste Services at 974-1945.

Numbered triangle symbols on plastics

#1 – Polyethylene Terephthalate (PETE) or (PET): soft drink and water bottles, beer bottles, mouthwash bottles, peanut butter and salad dressing containers, ovenable film, and ovenable pre-prepared food trays. It can be recycled into polar fleece clothing, fiber, tote bags, bottles, clothing, furniture, and carpet.

#2 – High Density Polyethylene (HDPE): milk jugs, water and juice containers, liquid detergent bottles, yogurt and margarine tubs, and cereal box liners. It can be recycled into liquid laundry detergent containers, drainage pipe, oil bottles, recycling bins, benches, pens, doghouses, vitamin bottles, floor tile, picnic tables, lumber, mailbox posts, fencing.

#3 – Vinyl (Polyvinyl Chloride or PVC): clear food packaging, shampoo bottles, medical tubing, wire and cable insulation.

#4 – Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE): bread bags, squeezable bottles (e.g. honey, mustard).

#5 – Polypropylene (PP): ketchup bottles, yogurt containers and margarine tubs, medicine bottles.

#6 – Polystyrene (PS): compact disc jackets, aspirin bottles, cups, plates.

#7 – Other: Use of this code indicates that the package in question is made with a resin other than the six listed above, or is made of more than one resin used in combination. Plastics such as three and five gallon reusable water bottles, some citrus juice and ketchup bottles, clear baby food containers.

Appliances account for approximately 45% of a home’s energy costs. Here are some factors to consider for higher energy efficiency and cost savings:

-Unplug appliances when they are not in use. Appliances continue to draw power even after they have been turned off. This is called a phantom load. The United States uses about 43 billion kWh of electricity per year as a result of this.

-Top-freezer refrigerators can use as much as 10-25% less energy than side-by-side models.

-Gas ovens use less energy than electric ones. Self-cleaning ovens are more insulated and will save even more on utility bills.

-Front-loading clothes washing machines use approximately one-third of the water that conventional machines use to wash the same size load of clothing. Horizontal axis models also spin clothes faster which results in less drying time.

-Overall, dishwashers are a better and more efficient way to clean dishes than hand washing.

-Buy appliances with a better Energy Star Rating. Energy Star® labeled appliances typically exceed federal minimum efficiency standards by 15-20%.

-Home owners should consider replacing major home appliances that are 10 to 15 years old.
The Energy Guide Label

Federal law requires a bright yellow Energy Guide label to be placed on many types of home appliances. The label compares the most and least energy used by comparable models of the same appliance type, and helps estimate the cost to operate the appliance. Energy Star® labeled appliances typically exceed federal minimum efficiency standards by 15-20%.

The Energy Guide label gives you two important pieces of information you can use for comparison of different brands and models:
1.Estimated energy consumption on a scale showing a range for similar models.
2.Estimated yearly operating cost based on the national average cost of electricity.

For a more accurate assessment of operating cost, multiply the estimated energy use (from the label) by your local utility rates.

by Jerry Naiser of Real Green Lawns

There are many ways to conserve significant amounts of water inside and outside the home, and doing so makes sense because it lowers water and sewer bills, extends the water supply and helps the environment. Homeowners can take many simple steps to help preserve this precious renewal resource.

Effective water conservation requires awareness, involvement and education.

Indoor water conservation

* Repair all water leaks immediately and be especially alert for leaks in toilets and faucets.
* Install and maintain ultra-low flow toilets. Alternatively, convert existing toilets to low-flow units with a tank dam or even bricks.
* Install and maintain flow restricters (aerators) on faucets.
* Install and maintain low-flow showerheads.
* Limit showering time to 5 minutes.
* Do not use toilets as waste baskets or ashtrays.
* Turn off water when shaving and brushing teeth.
* Scrape food off dishes without water prior to rinsing.
* Operate dishwasher only when it is fully loaded.
* Operate clothes washer only when it is loaded to maximum
* capacity.
* Rather than run the tap for cool drinking water, keep a filled container in the refrigerator.
* While waiting for running water to warm or cool for use on plants or in cleaning, capture flow for other uses.

Outdoor Water Conservation

* Cover pools, spas and other water features when not in use to minimize evaporation.
* Clean sidewalks, driveways and patios by sweeping rather than by spraying with a hose.
* Wash car(s) with a bucket of water rather than a running hose.
* If possible, drive your vehicle onto the lawn so that all of the water can be absorbed into the landscape.
* Restrict or eliminate use of hose-end water toys. If possible, combine use of water for play with landscape needs.
* Properly prune or trim trees, shrubs and other woody plants to maximize the plants’ health and minimize invasion by pests.
* Frequently remove dead or dying plants and all weeds that compete for available water.
* Apply fertilizers or pesticides, timed to specific needs of the plants.
* Maintain sharp blades on pruning shears and lawn mowers.
* Aerate lawn and cultivate planting beds periodically to decrease compaction and improve penetration of water, air and nutrients into root zones.
* Mulch flower and garden areas as well as tree and shrub bases as appropriate for each species.
* “Harvest” water from rainfall for landscape irrigation purposes.
* Use recycled or non-potable water to the greatest extent possible, as limited by supply and/or regulation.
* Employ a certified landscape-irrigation auditor at least once every five years to conduct a thorough and comprehensive check for efficiency of water application.
* At least once a year, confirm that all irrigation systems are distributing water uniformly and inspect, repair and/or adjust inground or drip watering systems.
* Use water timers or flow meters for hose-end watering to ensure proper amounts are applied.
* Immediately shut off irrigation system(s) and adjust whenever irrigation water falls or runs onto hard surfaces such as sidewalks, streets or driveways.
* Repair all water leaks as soon as detected. (This includes leaking hose couplings, hose bib leaks and similar connections.)
* When buying plants, select those that have scientifically documented low water requirements.
* Determine specific water requirements for all existing landscapeplants.
* Adjust controllers for in-ground or drip watering systems according to seasonal needs of plants.
* Water landscape plants only when necessary according to needs of each plant type or based on local ET (evapotranspiration) rates.
* Water early in the morning when temperatures and winds are at their lowest levels to reduce evaporation.
* Water all plants deeply but infrequently to encourage deeper, healthier rooting.

www.RealGreenLawns.com

Daylight

Daylight is by far the best option. Open blinds or to take it a step further, install skylights for some beautiful natural light.

CFLs

According to the federal government, if every American home replaced just one light bulb with an Energy Star approved compact fluorescent bulb (CFL), the US would save enough energy to light more than 2.5 million homes for a year, as well as prevent greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions of nearly 800,000 cars.

CFLs use less energy than standard incandescent bulbs and last up to 10 times longer. The average CFL lifespan is five years.

CFLs generate 70 percent less heat and draw less electrical current, making them safer to operate, especially in older homes with dated wiring.

One negative aspect of CFLs is that they contain a small amount of mercury, so you cannot just throw them out with the trash. Place used CFLs in a plastic bag and drop them off at Home Depot locations or go to www.Earth911.com to find recycling drop off locations for CFLs and other items. See the Austin and Round Rock hazardous material recycling centers at end of article.

LEDs

While they still cost quite a bit more than CFLs, LEDs (light emitting diodes) use even less energy and last even longer. An LED light bulb can reduce energy consumption by 80-90% and last around 100,000 hours.

Dimmers, Motion Sensors, & Timers

Motion sensors can keep lights turned off when they’re not needed, dimmers can give you just the right amount of light, and timers can be set to turn things on and off at specified times needed.

Turn off the Lights!

Turn off the lights when you leave a room: For standard incandescents, turn off even if you leave the room for just seconds. Compact fluorescents, turn off if you leave the room for 3 minutes. Standard fluorescents, turn off if you leave the room for 15 minutes.

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City of Austin HHW Collection Facility
Household Hazardous Waste

2514 Business Center Drive
AUSTIN, TX 78744
(512) 974-4343

http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/sws/hhw.htm

Please call for hours of operation. Service limited to residents of Travis County.

City of Round Rock Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility
Household Hazardous Waste

310 Deepwood
ROUND ROCK, TX 78681
(512) 218-5559

http://www.roundrocktexas.gov/

Hours vary, please call ahead.This service is available for City of Round Rock residents only and Round Rock water bill must be presented as proof of residency. Please note, residential Waste is defined as less than 25 gallons. Contractor/Business Waste will not be accepted.

We hear about conservation and sustainability, but we need to start moving towards these now. when it comes to water, rainwater harvesting and collection is an effective green solution with many benefits.

Rainwater harvesting is the capture, diversion, and storage of rainwater for a number of different purposes including landscape irrigation, drinking and domestic use, aquifer recharge, and stormwater abatement.

Rainwater harvesting systems can be as simple as a rain barrel for lawn & garden irrigation at the end of a downspout, or as complex as a full residential or commercial potable system.

Gutter and rainwater collection system advantages

-Water Conservation
-Lower Utility Bills
-Help prevent foundation/structural damage
-Superior for landscape irrigation

Components of a Rainwater Collection System:

-Catchment surface: the collection surface from which rainfall runs off
-Gutters and downspouts: channel water from the roof to the tank
-Leaf screens, first-flush diverters, and roof washers: components which remove debris and dust from the captured rainwater before it goes to the tank
-One or more storage tanks (cisterns)
-Delivery system: gravity-fed or pumped to the end use
-Treatment/purification: For potable systems, filters and other methods to make the water safe to drink
The Lady Bird Johnson WildflowerResearch Center harvests rainwater for irrigation of its native plant landscapes with a 6,000-gallon stone cistern.

The State of Texas offers financial incentives for rainwater harvesting systems. Senate Bill 2 of the 77th Legislature exempts rainwater harvesting equipment from sales tax and allows local governments to exempt rainwater harvesting systems from ad valorem property) taxes.

The City of Austin Water Conservation Department promotes both residential and  commercial/industrial rainwater harvesting. The City of Austin sells 75-gallon polyethylene rain barrels to its customers below cost, at $60 each, up to four rain barrels per customer. City of Austin customers who purchase their own rain barrels are eligible for a $30 rebate.(www.ci.austin.tx.us/watercon/rbsales.htm)

The study focused on four major ‘green’ indicators:
1. Energy Use
2. Building Material Use
3. Water Use
4. Land Use and Conservation of Open Space and Habitat

The Homebuilders ranked as follows:

1. KB Homes
2. D.R. Horton
3. Pulte
4. Centex
5. Lennar
6. Ryland
7. Beazer
8. Meritage
9. Toll Brothers
10. K. Hovnanian
11. MDC Holdings
12. Standard Pacific
13. NVR Inc.

It was noted that although every major homebuilder has incorporated some environmental and efficiency programs and products, none have fully embraced the emerging market of sustainable building design and construction.