Improve Air Quality in Homes
August 11, 2010
Tighter homes and more stringent residential energy-use standards are putting whole-house heat- and energy-recovery ventilators in the spotlight.
Soon homes that will meet Energy Star standard will require to provide an adequate amount of outside fresh air intercalation but because it is not required doesn’t infer that it is not ideal for your family and your home. Tight home provide an energy saving home although you still need fresh air to your home to control air quality and humidity.
How They Work
Simply, HRVs and ERVs provide a balanced, controlled, and measured amount of fresh air into the house to cycle out pollutants, while also capturing and exchanging the heat—or sensible energy—from the exhausted indoor airflow with the incoming air. This exchange preheats incoming air in the winter, or “pre-cools” it (if to a lesser extent) in the summer, reducing the energy demand on the home’s primary heating and cooling equipment.
Also because furnaces and air conditioners don’t have to work as hard or as long with an HRV or ERV supplementing air to them, they also might perform longer at optimum levels and achieve better investment values.
The equipment design of an HRV is fairly simple that two fans pushed a balanced amount of air through fixed filters while allowing to facilitate and exchange of heat between the two flows. ERVs follow the same general design while having an seperate chamber to manage humidity. Basically they are circulating the indoor air with the outdoor air with minimal heat loss. These systems must be connected to the homes central forced air heating and cooling system.
The effect of introducing preheated or precooled air into a room or rooms will not only freshen the indoor air but also reduce demand on the heating or cooling equipment to condition the incoming air.
For any questions on indoor air quality or energy saving items, Contact Modern Homes, Inc.
Limited Time Cabinet Promotion
August 2, 2010
Thinking about upgrading you kitchen or bath? Want an quality cabinet and an great incentive. This promotion is for a limited time only. Modern Homes has installed Mid Continent Cabinetry for over 30 year and they have never offered an incentive like this.
New promotions and details are as follows below:
- Eight Select Decorative Doors @ 15% OFF
- Free Glaze on 17 Full Overlay doorstyles – a 15% savings
- Six Solid Wood Panel door styles at 5% OFF
- All Plywood Construction option at 33% OFF on 17 Doorstyles
If you would like to know more information about Mid Continent Cabinetry you can view there website or contact Modern Homes, Inc. for more information or an in home consultation.
Promotions can be combined. Cabinet must be ordered prior to offer ends. See office for full details.
Homebuyer Tax Credit continues for U.S. military personnel
July 22, 2010
Take advantage of the homebuyer tax credit extension for members of the military in one of the best times to buy in years!
Who qualifies for the military homebuyer tax credit extension?
Members of the uniformed services, members of the Foreign Service and employees of the intelligence community who served on qualified official extended duty service outside the U.S. for at least 90 days during the period beginning after Dec. 31, 2008 and ending before May 1, 2010.
How much is the credit?
First-time buyers receive up to a credit of $8,000. Long-time homeowners receive up to a credit of $6,500.
What is the new deadline for using the tax credit?
Eligible homebuyers must enter into a binding contract to buy a principal residence on or before April 30, 2011. The taxpayer then has until June 30, 2011 to close on the purchase.
Which properties are eligible?
Any single-family home (including condos, co-ops, townhouses) that will be used as a taxpayer’s primary residence.
Contact Modern Homes, Inc. for more details. If you have specific further questions or need further assistance, please contact a tax professional or the Internal Revenue Service.
Foam Insulation
April 15, 2010
When someone says “Green” or “Energy Star” there are a lot of things that most people think. Many are not sure exactly what it all means but most want to lower their energy cost/usage. When someone refers to insulation most think of the traditional insulation methods of batt insulation or blown in insulation for your attic.
Batt insulation can be effective when installed correctly with proper caulking. A typical 2×4 wall can achieve an R-13 or R-15. Most attics are blown in to achieve an R-38 or R-50.
The most common energy efficient methods today would be a sprayed in foam insulation. There are a few options for this, the first being a Closed Cell Foam. This adds rigidity to a wall and ensures all gaps and crevices of walls including around outlets etc. are completely sealed. Closed Cell Foam is typically installed 3″ thick in a 2×4 wall achieving an R value of R-18.6. Open cell is also a popular method due to cost savings and will achieve an R value of R-12.6. Even with slightly less R value than a batt it still adds significant energy efficiency due to the sealing of all gap a creating an air tight home.
Another popular method is to add an inch of closed cell foam and then installing the balance of the cavity with blown in fiberglass insulation. This option provides the air-tight seal at a more reasonable cost.
Spray foam’s ability to create an air-tight seal for your home is the most important factor in creating an energy-efficient, comfortable, and healthy home.
Contact Modern Homes, Inc. for any questions or to have our specialist review what may be best for you.
Rheem 95% Efficiency Furnace now standard
April 7, 2010
There are an abundance of furnace manufacturers offering wide range of furnaces. They range from the from the standard 80% efficiency furnace to a range of high efficiency furnaces. For some time Modern Homes, Inc has installed a 92% efficiency to ensure our customer had an energy saving furnace.
Modern Homes, Inc. have now partnered with Rheem to offer one of the high customer satisfaction rated furnaces offered. With this we now offer a 95% Efficiency Furnace in all of our homes, new or remodeled. Rheem also offers a 10 year part warranty. You can view more about the product at www.rheem.com.
For any further questions or a furnace replacement, Contact Modern Homes, Inc..
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