President Obama proposed a new program Tuesday that would reimburse homeowners for energy-efficient appliances and insulation, part of a broader plan to stimulate the economy.

The administration didn’t provide immediate details, but said it would work with Congress on crafting legislation. Steve Nadel, director at the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, who’s helping write the bill, said a homeowner could receive up to $12,000 in rebates.

The proposal is part of the President’s larger spending plan, which also includes money for small businesses, renewable energy manufacturing, and infrastructure.

We know energy efficiency “creates jobs, saves money for families, and reduces the pollution that threatens our environment,” Obama said. “With additional resources, in areas like advanced manufacturing of wind turbines and solar panels, for instance, we can help turn good ideas into good private-sector jobs.”

The program contains two parts: money for homeowners for efficiency projects, and money for companies in the renewable energy and efficiency space.

The plan will likely create a new program where private contractors conduct home energy audits, buy the necessary gear and install it, according to a staffer on the Senate Energy Committee and Nadel at the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy.

Big-ticket items like air conditioners, heating systems, washing machines, refrigerators, windows and insulation would likely be covered, Nadel said.

Consumers might be eligible for a 50% rebate on both the price of the equipment and the installation, up to $12,000, said Nadel. So far, there is no income restriction on who is eligible. That would mean a household could spend as much as $24,000 on upgrades and get half back.

Homes that take full advantage of the program could see their energy bills drop as much as 20%, he said. The program is expected to cost in the $10 billion range.

It’s not clear how the home efficiency plan would be administered – the government may issue rebates to consumers directly, homeowners might get a tax credit, or the program could be run via state agencies.

If consumers have to spend a lot of money up front to get the credit, it could throw a wrench in the works, David Kreutzer, an energy analyst at the Heritage Foundation, told CNN.

“This will not be something that’s attractive to people who are having trouble already making their budget payments month to month or week to week,” he said.

To keep consumers from having to spend thousands of dollars before getting reimbursed, Nadel said, one idea is to have contractors or big box retailers pay part of the cost up front.

Fraud issues could also come up, Kreutzer said.

“Any program that is going to run through a third party and is going to distribute billions of dollars needs to have lots of checks and balances to make sure there’s not abuse,” he said.

Nadel noted that as a way to guard against fraud, contractors would have to be certified to participate.

Energy company boost

Obama’s new spending plan also calls for renewable energy companies to get additional support. That could come in the form of loan guarantees – basically, money the government uses to secure loans for startups.

In the original stimulus bill passed earlier this year, $6 billion was earmarked for such loan guarantees. But then lawmakers took away $2 billion to fund Cash for Clunkers – the popular program that paid people to turn in their old cars.

The $4 billion from the original bill has funded about $40 billion in loans, said the staffer on the Senate Energy Committee. Meanwhile, firms are hoping for another $4 billion in loan guarantees, since they have another $40 billion worth of projects that need funding.

A bill on energy efficiency reimbursements already has supporters in the Senate.

“Not only will [such legislation] increase our energy security and transform our energy infrastructure to a modern, clean and efficient one,” Senate Energy Committee Chairman Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M., wrote in a recent op-ed column in the Hill, a Capitol Hill newspaper. “But it also will position the United States to lead in the development of clean energy technologies.”

via Cash for Caulkers could mean $12K per home – Yahoo! Finance.

Contact Kiawah Services today for all your HVAC, appliance, and home repair needs.  Call 843-768-0055 or email at info@kiawahservices.com.

Before crawling up on the roof to string the Christmas lights, you need to know that every year, hospital emergency rooms treat about 12,500 people for injuries, such as falls, cuts and shocks, related to holiday lights, decorations and Christmas trees, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

In addition, warns CPSC, candles start about 11,600 each year, resulting in 150 deaths, 1,200 injuries and $173 million in property loss. Christmas trees are involved in about 300 fires annually, resulting in 10 deaths, 30 injuries and an average of more than $10 million in property loss and damage.

“Sometimes people are having such a nice time during the holidays that they forget to extinguish candles,” said CPSC Chairman Hal Stratton. “Always put out lit candles before leaving a room or going to bed. Always keep burning candles within sight. Also, make sure your holiday lights bear the mark of a recognized testing lab to show they meet safety standards.”

Since CPSC started monitoring holiday lights and decorations sold at stores nationwide, inspectors have prevented the import of 116,500 units of holiday lights that did not meet safety standards.

CPSC tips to make your holiday a safe one:

Trees:

* When purchasing an artificial tree, look for the label “Fire Resistant.” Although this label does not mean the tree won’t catch fire, it does indicate the tree will resist burning and should extinguish quickly.

* When purchasing a live tree, check for freshness. A fresh tree is green, needles are hard to pull from branches and do not break when bent between your fingers. The trunk butt of a fresh tree is sticky with resin, and when tapped on the ground, the tree should not lose many needles.

* When setting up a tree at home, place it away from fireplaces and radiators. Because heated rooms dry live trees out rapidly, be sure to keep the stand filled with water. Place the tree out of the way of traffic and do not block doorways.

Lights:

* Indoors or outside, use only lights that have been tested for safety by a recognized testing laboratory, which indicates conformance with safety standards. Use only lights that have fused plugs.

* Check each set of lights, new or old, for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections, and throw out damaged sets. Always replace burned-out bulbs promptly with the same wattage bulbs.

* Use no more than three standard-size sets of lights per single extension cord. Make sure the extension cord is rated for the intended use.

* Never use electric lights on a metallic tree. The tree can become charged with electricity from faulty lights, and a person touching a branch could be electrocuted.

* Before using lights outdoors, check labels to be sure they have been certified for outdoor use.

* Stay away from power or feeder lines leading from utility poles into older homes.

* Fasten outdoor lights securely to trees, house walls, or other firm supports to protect the lights from wind damage. Use only insulated staples to hold strings in place, not nails or tacks. Or, run strings of lights through hooks (available at hardware stores).

* Turn off all holiday lights when you go to bed or leave the house. The lights could short out and start a fire.

* Use caution when removing outdoor holiday lights. Never pull or tug on lights – they could unravel and inadvertently wrap around power lines.

* Outdoor electric lights and decorations should be plugged into circuits protected by ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs). Portable outdoor GFCIs can be purchased where electrical supplies are sold. GFCIs can be installed permanently to household circuits by a qualified electrician.

Decorations:

* Use only non-combustible or flame-resistant materials to trim a tree. Choose tinsel or artificial icicles of plastic or nonleaded metals. Leaded materials are hazardous if ingested by children.

* Never use lighted candles on a tree or near other evergreens. Always use non-flammable holders, and place candles where they will not be knocked down.

* In homes with small children, take special care to avoid decorations that are sharp or breakable, keep trimmings with small removable parts out of the reach of children to avoid the child swallowing or inhaling small pieces, and avoid trimmings that resemble candy or food that may tempt a child to eat them.

* Wear gloves to avoid eye and skin irritation while decorating with spun glass “angel hair.”

* Follow container directions carefully to avoid lung irritation while decorating with artificial snow sprays.

Fireplaces:

* Use care with “fire salts,” which produce colored flames when thrown on wood fires. They contain heavy metals that can cause intense gastrointestinal irritation and vomiting if eaten. Keep them away from children.

* Do not burn wrapping papers in the fireplace. A flash fire may result as wrappings ignite suddenly and burn intensely.

[Source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission]

• Get a free brochure with more holiday decorating safety tips at CPSC’s web site: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/611.html

via Christmas Holiday Decoration Safety Tips from CPSC.

* When water leaks or spills occur indoors – ACT QUICKLY. If wet or damp materials or areas are dried 24-48 hours after a leak or spill happens, in most cases mold will not grow.

* Clean and repair roof gutters regularly.

* Make sure the ground slopes away from the building foundation, so that water does not enter or collect around the foundation.

* Keep air conditioning drip pans clean and the drain lines unobstructed and flowing properly.

* Keep indoor humidity low. If possible, keep indoor humidity below 60 percent (ideally between 30 and 50 percent) relative humidity. Relative humidity can be measured with a moisture or humidity meter, a small, inexpensive instrument available at many hardware stores.

* If you see condensation or moisture collecting on windows, walls or pipes ACT QUICKLY to dry the wet surface and reduce the moisture/water source. Condensation can be a sign of high humidity.

**Photo to the above and to the right shows mold on the back of a headboard indicating there is too much moisture in the room.

Actions that will help to reduce humidity:

* Vent appliances that produce moisture, such as clothes dryers, stoves, and kerosene heaters to the outside where possible. (Combustion appliances such as stoves and kerosene heaters produce water vapor and will increase the humidity unless vented to the outside.)

* Use air conditioners and/or de-humidifiers when needed.

* Run the bathroom fan or open the window when showering. Use exhaust fans or open windows whenever cooking, running the dishwasher or dish washing, etc.

Actions that will help prevent condensation:

* Reduce the humidity.

* Increase ventilation or air movement by opening doors and/or windows, when practical. Use fans as needed.

* Cover cold surfaces, such as cold water pipes, with insulation.

* Increase air temperature.

**Photo above and to the right shows rust on piping where condensation is taking place.  One easy solution is to insulate the pipes.

Testing or Sampling for Mold:

Is sampling for mold needed? In most cases, if visible mold growth is present, sampling is unnecessary. Since no EPA or other federal limits have been set for mold or mold spores, sampling cannot be used to check a building’s compliance with federal mold standards. Surface sampling may be useful to determine if an area has been adequately cleaned or re-mediated. Sampling for mold should be conducted by professionals who have specific experience in designing mold sampling protocols, sampling methods, and interpreting results. Sample analysis should follow analytical methods recommended by the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA), the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), or other professional organizations.

Renters:

Report all plumbing leaks and moisture problems immediately to your building owner, manager, or superintendent. In cases where persistent water problems are not addressed, you may want to contact local, state, or federal health or housing authorities.

Note:

Find your state health department contacts at www.epa.gov/iaq/whereyoulive.html (just click on your state)

via Moisture and Mold Prevention and Control Tips | A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home | Mold | Indoor Air Quality | Air | US EPA.

Here are five crucial things to consider when choosing the property management company right for you.

Experience

Simply put, experience is everything. Sure, it’s a good idea to check out how long a property management company has been in business, but a better way to judge experience is to look at the company’s success. If you are unsure of their specialties, ask around. Find out if the company has experience with repairing air conditioning systems on Kiawah Island or painting homes on Seabrook. It’s the only way to know.

Resources

Managing a property is about more than just cutting the grass or caulking a tub—it’s about keeping your home looking like new, year after year. This requires a variety of resources, from talented staff to cutting-edge equipment. Is your handyman fully licensed and insured? Do you have to wait for a truck on the other side of town, or does your property manager have a fleet of trucks ready to be dispatched?

Efficiency

Let’s say your air conditioning breaks and the toilet in the guest bathroom also needs to be repaired. Can your property manager handle both jobs, or will they call two different sub-contractors? Some property managers organize the work but don’t actually do it, so keeping costs low is the driving force behind their repairs. Having a full-service company that keeps work in-house means better work, less headaches and quicker turnaround times.

Trust

Every property management company wants your trust, but not many earn it. If a painter says he will be finished on Wednesday, does he stick to his plan, or does the work drag into next week? Better yet, will he guarantee the quality of his work? If you’re not sure which property manager to trust, it’s not a bad idea to ask your neighbors for a recommendation. See who they trust. If you hear the same name again and again, you are probably on the right track.

Service

Service is the one area that differentiates one property management company from another on Kiawah and Seabrook Islands. Not only should a professional have all of the necessary skills to complete the job, he or she should also exhibit the qualities of a true professional, including honesty, a positive attitude, preparedness, a neat appearance, punctuality—all of the things that contribute to your overall service experience.

1.) Mold – Think about how you sweat when you are here. Well, guess what? Your home sweats too. The air in the Lowcountry is naturally wet, and humidity can skyrocket during the sweltering summer months. It’s not a matter of whether your home will grow mold or not. It’s a matter of controlling the mold by pressure washing with a spore-killing solution. Pressure washing with water alone simply won’t cut it.

2.) Rot – As you probably know, homes move. When they shift in their foundations, cracking occurs in the wood and caulking. Water then seeps into these cracks and begins to rot the wood from the inside out. So how do you address the problem? We recommend completing an exterior inspection of your home every five years. We will keep you up-to-date with current building codes and replace any inferior products that could be the root of the problem.

3.) Animal and Insect Infestation – The natural splendor of Seabrook and Kiawah Islands has attracted people from all over the country, but the beautiful beaches, marshes and live oaks are home to other creatures too. The infestation by roaches, rats, mice, squirrels, raccoons, opossums and other rodents is a serious nuisance that needs to be addressed by all homeowners. The solution? A monthly inspection of your attic and crawl space is a good place to start.

4.) Hurricane Preparation – There is no way to anticipate the devastating impact of a natural disaster, but you can and should prepare for hurricanes to the best of your ability. Do you have a plan for this hurricane season? If another Hugo starts moving toward the Charleston coast tomorrow, who will prepare for you? Will you trust just anyone to secure your home and belongings or a company with years of experience? All of these are important questions that need to be answered today, not tomorrow.

Do’s:

Invest in good materials – There’s nothing quite like a richly painted room to welcome you home. So here’s a word to the wise: certain paints will ensure rich, full colors, while others will fall flat. The same is true for paintbrushes. That doesn’t mean you have to buy the most expensive materials, just not the cheapest.

Know your materials – There are a couple of rules that all painters should know. First, you cannot apply a layer of latex paint over a layer of oil paint. The two don’t play well together. And secondly: egg shell finishes don’t mix well with satin finishes. The results are spotty at best.

Complete the prep work – Most people dislike painting because of the extensive prep work—taping, covering the furniture and floor, cleaning the brushes properly and so on. But cheer up—the more work you do upfront the less work you will have to do later. It’s that simple.

Don’ts:

Don’t thin down your paint – As the old adage goes “time is money.” Sure, you might save a few bucks on materials by thinning down your paint, but you will pay for it later by having to apply several additional coats. More importantly, thin paint makes achieving solid consistency difficult.

Don’t rush through it – As with anything, sloppy work shows. When painting a room, try to take your time and enjoy it. Put on some tunes and relax. Remember to pay attention to the details, and don’t forget to let the paint dry in between coats. Go stretch your legs, grab a bite to eat at Ladles or enjoy a beer at The King Street Grille. You deserve it.

Don’t hire a plumber to paint – No offense, plumbers, we love you too. This is just our way of saying that painting is an art. The best professional painters have years, if not decades, of experience. Remember: it’s easier for a person to over-promise and under-deliver than the other way around. Especially if it’s not his area of expertise.

If you have your own painting tips, we would love to hear about them. Feel free to post them or your favorite painting story in the comments section below.

Just like your car, your home needs to be cared for on a routine basis. The claim that every home needs preventative maintenance isn’t a scare tactic—it’s a practical way to save you time and money. One area of your home that needs special attention is your heating, venting and air conditioning (HVAC) system. This system requires extra care for the same reason your engine does: it’s running almost all of the time.

Let’s go one step farther and consider another benefit of preventative home maintenance: peace-of-mind. Knowing that someone is caring for your home while you are away may make you feel warm and fuzzy inside, but it also yields concrete results. After all, the last thing you want to do while you’re here is spend time at the local big-box store searching for the right sized air filters.

Checking coolant levels, replacing filters on time, making sure there are no obstructions near your system—all of these steps are included in our HVAC preventative maintenance agreements. Because let’s face it: whether you are talking about a beachfront home or a mountain cottage, an old beater or a top-of-the-line Cadillac, preventing problems before they start is always less expensive in the long run.

If you don’t believe us, just ask your mechanic.