Saturday, April 04, 2009
Energy issues
No, I'm not talking about my workouts here - this is about remodeling.
As we've been browsing for new appliances I learned the details of the tax credits available for energy-efficient home improvements this year:
http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=products.pr_tax_credits#s1
This is probably the year to get these things done! There are tax credits available of $1500 total (up to 30% of purchase price) on a slew of energy-efficient items. Free money!
We hope to take advantage of this for:
* Outside doors (need at least 1 replacement needed)
* Storm doors (need at least 1 replacement needed)
* HVAC
I'd like to add an on-demand tankless hot water heater (like my Canadian friend Dianne just did), but we don't have natural gas or propane in the house and I don't want to add it just for that, so we will skip it. I also looked into an electric heat pump water heater, but those are just coming on the market this year for residential use and are recommended for larger-volume usage and warmer climates, so I think we'll have to stay with the traditional models if we replace the hot water heater.
As we've been browsing for new appliances I learned the details of the tax credits available for energy-efficient home improvements this year:
http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=products.pr_tax_credits#s1
This is probably the year to get these things done! There are tax credits available of $1500 total (up to 30% of purchase price) on a slew of energy-efficient items. Free money!
We hope to take advantage of this for:
* Outside doors (need at least 1 replacement needed)
* Storm doors (need at least 1 replacement needed)
* HVAC
I'd like to add an on-demand tankless hot water heater (like my Canadian friend Dianne just did), but we don't have natural gas or propane in the house and I don't want to add it just for that, so we will skip it. I also looked into an electric heat pump water heater, but those are just coming on the market this year for residential use and are recommended for larger-volume usage and warmer climates, so I think we'll have to stay with the traditional models if we replace the hot water heater.
Labels: doors, hot water heater, house, HVAC, Remodeling
Friday, April 03, 2009
New house!
The deal is done! We're now the proud owners of our new home!
Although it will take us some two months or so to move into it. We're happy to get things in motion!! We'll walk the girls there for a surprise on their way home from school today!
Remodeling starts on Monday!
Although it will take us some two months or so to move into it. We're happy to get things in motion!! We'll walk the girls there for a surprise on their way home from school today!
Remodeling starts on Monday!
Thursday, April 02, 2009
Poultry polyandry
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
LOLCats
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Treerow
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
Monday, March 30, 2009
The plat
Here's the new plat of the new house, just drawn up to save us several hundred dollars per year flood insurance!
If this house goes underwater, the entire peninsula will be underwater. We're in good shape, even though the water's edge of a tributary of the Chesapeake Bay is less than 60 feet from that top left (north) corner.
Notes:
If this house goes underwater, the entire peninsula will be underwater. We're in good shape, even though the water's edge of a tributary of the Chesapeake Bay is less than 60 feet from that top left (north) corner.
Notes:
IPF: Iron pipe found (buried)
IRF: Iron rod found (buried)
CMF: Concrete monument found
IRCS: Iron rod corner set
CMF: Concrete monument found
IRCS: Iron rod corner set
Labels: house
Safe travels, Ellie!
Best wishes to my good friend Ellie who is embarking at the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail this week! See you on the other side!
Here's a lovely tribute to her and the trail before her.
Here's a lovely tribute to her and the trail before her.
Labels: Ellie, iron women
