Chicago Home Renovation

Using "Green", low VOC paint to improve air quality

2009-06-27T21:02:00.004-05:00

A client asked me this week about using "green" paint for her renovation project. Because this is an easy way for any person to make a difference in reducing their carbon footprint, it begs a brief overview.

Many paints are made with a high percentage of volatile organic compounds or "VOCs". These compounds help the paint dry faster. However, they are also a major contributor to smog and ozone problems. VOC paint fumes can cause headaches and respiratory problems - particularly in children or elderly people. High concentrations of VOCs can cause chronic and acute health effects. Some VOCs are known carcinogens.

Low or Zero VOC paints are available and can be used for most indoor and some outdoor applications. They emit fewer fumes. With any painting project remove all soft materials from the area such as pillows, blankets and etc. Softer materials can absorb the fumes and release them into the air later on.

What about the cost? Well, zero VOC paints are the best and can run about $30.00 per gallon. Low VOC paints run comparable to regular paint and while they are not as good as the zero product, they are still a big environmental improvement over standard paint. There is also no need to sacrifice on color. Many specialty paint stores offer all the same colors in Low / Zero VOC alternatives. Both Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams offer a great selection of "green" paint.

If you are considering a painting project, do your research on the paint. Your family with thank you!

Lincoln Square Restored Victorian now available for sale

2009-04-22T09:04:00.005-05:00

Visit my latest development, now available for sale in Lincoln Square. This home was loving restored from the inside out with great care given to the details of today's living. For more information visit: http://tours5.vht.com/RRI/T1192947

Borelli Homes is available for your home renovation project - large or small. Visit us on the web for more information. http://www.borellihomes.com

New Sing Honeycomb Wood Veneer

2009-04-20T18:58:00.003-05:00

I received an interesting link today from a company in Seattle who has patented a process for a national wood veneer that has been implanted in to foam. The panels are lightweight, cost less and use less energy to produce than conventional structural and non structural materials. They also claim that it is much stronger. They can be adhered to any type of facial board such as hardwood, softwood, plywood, fiberglass, plastic or metal.

Applications for this product include doors, flooring, furniture, walls, roof panels, window frames and more. I have not worked with this product in my Chicago based contracting business, but I like seeing new solutions in the building industry that offer a greener approach to construction. I welcome any input from those who might have worked with this product or have some experience to share. For more information, the website for this company is http://www.superhoneycomb.com.

Sustainable Living and the Stimulus Bill ?

2009-02-24T11:19:00.005-06:00

We're all a buzz about the Stimulus Bill that was signed into law on February 17th. But are you aware of its green initiatives?

Here are some highlights:

Starting January 1, 2009, residential Geothermal Heat Pump systems will receive a 30% tax credit.
Federal facilities and military installations will receive billions for energy upgrades.
Each state will receive an average of $100 million for energy efficiency upgrades, the uses for that money to be determined by each state. All commercial and private buildings are eligible for a 10% grant in lieu of tax credit for the total cost of installing geothermal systems.
But how does it affect you? To educate yourselves on the government support in place, read GeoExchange's article on the plan. http://www.geoexchange.org/component/content/article/90-stimulus-bill-increases-homeowner-tax-credit.html

What Makes a Product Green ?

2009-02-24T06:43:00.004-06:00

What makes a building product green?

There isn't an easy answer to this because "building green" is a overall approach to construction and maintaining a building where many puzzle pieces fit together. Products must be evaluated based not only on the environmental impact of its manufacturing, use and ultimate disposal, but also how it functions as part of the larger system.

The following list of criteria used for defining green products was excerpted from "Building Materials: What Makes a Product Green?" as featured by Environmental Building News. The article looks at products independently. Rather than determining how to use products together to make a building green, it evaluates what makes certain products green. Be aware that nearly all "green" products can be used in ways that are not environmentally friendly. It is best to take a planned approach to renovation and building design with input from your contractor / architect. This can make the difference between a building with green components and one that is functioning, on the whole, for sustainable living.

Products Made with Salvaged, Recycled, or Agricultural Waste Content
http://www.builditgreen.org/accessgreen/salvaged-recycled

Products That Conserve Natural Resources
http://www.builditgreen.org/accessgreen/conserves-resources

Products That Avoid Toxic or Other Emissions
http://www.builditgreen.org/accessgreen/avoids-emissions

Products That Save Energy or Water
http://www.builditgreen.org/accessgreen/saves-energy-or-water

Products That Contribute to a Safe, Healthy Built Environment
http://www.builditgreen.org/accessgreen/saves-energy-or-water

Housing Industry reacts to Stimulus Bill

2009-02-11T11:06:00.002-06:00

Of interest from RIS Media

Senate Passes Stimulus Bill, Real Estate Industry Reacts
NAHB estimates that the $15,000 tax credit would boost home sales by almost 500,000

RISMEDIA, February 11, 2009-(MCT/RISMedia)-The Senate, with only scant Republican support, passed an $838 billion economic-stimulus plan Tuesday that would provide significant tax breaks for new car and home buyers but sharply trim billions in aid that states have been seeking. The vote was 61-37.

The House of Representatives passed similar legislation last month, and a negotiating committee of top congressional tax and budget experts plans to begin reconciling differences immediately.

Their goal is to produce legislation that costs no more than $838 billion -the House version was $819 billion - by the end of the week, so that President Barack Obama can sign it Monday, on Presidents Day.

The Senate vote came on a historic day, as the Federal Reserve and Treasury Department unveiled details of their effort to bolster the banking industry and credit markets and Obama took his stimulus campaign to Fort Myers, Fla., which has been rocked by the mortgage foreclosure crisis.

At the Capitol, the drama now shifts to the negotiators, and the final Senate debate Tuesday illustrated the difficulties that they face.

Part of the problem is political, as the vote reinforced the notion that despite Obama’s efforts at bipartisanship, the legislation is very much a Democratic bill.

Democrats hailed the bill as historic and necessary. “Every generation must face up to its own challenge. This economic emergency is ours,” said Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, D-Mont. “Let us pass this bill and rise to the economic challenge of our generation.”

Most Republicans, however, dismissed the measure as loaded with spending that would do little to stimulate the economy. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, noted that the bill costs “$1 billion per page.”

Republicans railed against such inclusions as $200 million to consolidate the Department of Homeland Security in Washington, $100 million for grants to small shipyards and about $1 billion to improve parks.

“In every version of the stimulus we’ve seen, wasteful spending has attracted the most attention,” said Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky. “But even more worrisome to many is the permanent expansion of government programs.”

Republicans, though, control only 178 of the House’s 435 seats and 41 of the 100 Senate seats, giving them little say in the final product.

More crucial will be the three Republican senators who became the only Republicans in either house of Congress to vote for a stimulus bill, Maine’s Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins and Pennsylvania’s Arlen Specter.

They agreed to join the Democrats after winning agreement to cut about $110 billion from the original Democratic-authored Senate package last week.

They’ve signaled that they’re reluctant to see those cuts restored, however, which could prove a problem for House Democrats.

Collins, for instance, has made it clear to the White House that, as she put it, if the bill ends up with “a lot of the unnecessary expenditures crammed back in it” and less tax relief, “the Democrats will lose my vote.”

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., has called some of the Senate cuts “very damaging,” suggesting that negotiations will be rough.

NAHB: $15,000 Home Buyer Tax Credit Will Get U.S. Economy Back on Track

In a statement released by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), the organization applauded Senate passage of economic stimulus legislation.

“The enhanced $15,000 tax credit offers a powerful incentive for home buyers to get off the sidelines and represents the best opportunity for economic recovery,” said NAHB Chairman Joe Robson, a home builder from Tulsa, Okla. “Congress must make sure that the full $15,000 tax credit remains in the final stimulus plan.”

The bipartisan amendment to the stimulus package, offered by Sens. Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) and Joe Lieberman (D-Conn.) and approved by unanimous voice vote, would create a $15,000 home buyer tax credit available to all purchasers of a principle residence for one year after its date of enactment. The tax credit would not have to be repaid and buyers could claim it against their 2008 and/or 2009 tax returns.

The $15,000 home buyer tax credit would replace and sunset a much narrower tax credit that was enacted last year. Available only to first-time home buyers, the current $7,500 tax credit works like an interest-free loan that must be repaid over a 15-year period. It is set to expire on July 1.

Extending and expanding the home buyer tax credit will spark the activity the economy needs to stop shedding jobs and begin creating them, said Robson.

“Increasing demand for housing will create jobs and help reduce excess inventory, stabilize home values, mitigate foreclosures, bolster consumer confidence and set the stage for a broader economic recovery,” said Robson.

NAHB estimates that the $15,000 tax credit would boost home sales by almost 500,000, create more than 255,000 jobs, generate $12.3 billion in wages and salaries and increase federal, state and local tax revenue by $8.7 billion.

The Senate bill also includes several other provisions that will help small businesses and bolster the housing market.

The legislation would:

- Increase bonus depreciation and Section 179 small business expensing;

- Allow a five-year carry back for net operating losses;

- Provide $2 billion in gap financing for the Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program and accelerate credit claims for LIHTC investors;

- Provide up to a 10-year deferral for income taxes arising due to cancelled or restructured business debt;

- Extend the New Markets Tax Credit; and

- Provide an Alternative Minimum Tax patch for 2009.

To lead the economy back to higher ground, Robson said that House and Senate conferees must ensure the $15,000 home buyer tax credit remains intact and is part of the final legislative package.

“The $15,000 housing tax credit has strong support on Main Street and will start working the day the bill is signed into law,” he said. “It offers the best chance to revive housing and the U.S. economy.”

‘Treasury’s New Plan Is Right on Target’

The Real Estate Roundtable also enthusiastically supported the sweeping efforts aimed at removing illiquid assets weighing down the nation’s financial institutions and threatening the economy.

“The Obama Administration’s comprehensive approach to stabilize financial markets by bringing liquidity back to the economy through responsible fiscal policy is right on target,” said Real Estate Roundtable CEO Jeffrey DeBoer.

[The] plan announced by Treasury Secretary Geithner [yesterday] dramatically expands the Fed’s Term Asset-Backed Securities Loan Facility (TALF) to include new commercial real estate securities. “The Treasury’s announcement today is an extremely positive step toward reconnecting the credit markets for the huge commercial real estate sector. Extending the Term Asset Backed Securities Loan Facility to newly originated AAA securities backed by commercial real estate loans is a prudent and common sense reform that will have direct, positive effects for the economy. One especially important element of the plan is how it would attract private capital, which is essential to strengthening the economy and minimizing the impact on the taxpayer,” said DeBoer.

He added, “Treasury is pursuing the right strategy now to help avoid a potential foreclosure disaster in the commercial real estate sector, which is a cornerstone of the economy. With hundreds of billions of commercial real estate mortgages maturing this year alone and no functioning credit market, many people are concerned that borrowers will technically default. Left unchecked, this could have extremely negative implications for local communities, jobs, and investors.”

Real estate directly and indirectly generates economic activity equivalent to about 20 percent of GDP. It creates some 9 million jobs and generates millions of dollars in federal, regional and local tax revenue. Credit to commercial real estate markets from many sources has been paralyzed and needs to be revived. “How and when the slide in property values is abated depends a great deal on policy actions in Washington, and we should pay careful attention to the details to make sure we get this crucial part of the plan right and the program can reach its full potential. Today’s announcement, coupled with the job creating stimulus bill being debated on Capitol Hill, starts to chart a path out of the current downward economic spiral. Additional steps may be necessary, but the essential foundation for restoring a credit market is now being laid,” said DeBoer.

Breaking It Down by State

States took the biggest hit in the Senate package, as members halved the House’s $79 billion State Fiscal Stabilization Fund, aimed at helping states pay education bills, and eliminated a $20 billion school construction fund.

The Senate offers more generous tax breaks, notably $70 billion to help some taxpayers avoid the alternative minimum tax this year, a tax credit of $15,000 or 10 percent of the purchase price of a new home and a tax break for new car buyers.

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., conceded that the AMT fix probably will stay in the final bill- it has long had broad support- but the fate of the car and home tax breaks is uncertain. States and education groups also are lobbying fiercely to get money restored.

Looming over the deliberations is uneasiness about whether the bill will prod the economy significantly.
A Congressional Budget Office analysis of the Senate measure found that it would add $214 billion to the projected $1.2 trillion fiscal 2009 deficit, and add another $441.2 billion next year.

© 2009, McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

RISMedia welcomes your questions and comments. Send your e-mail to:realestatemagazinefeedback@rismedia.com.

Green Building Elements

2009-01-06T09:22:00.000-06:00

Green Building Elements - President-Elect Obama and the Future of Green Building

Written by Joel Bittle
Published on November 6th, 2008

The phrase “Chicago Politics” has been thrown around as an insult over the presidential campaign season. Now that Chicago has become for the next two months the unofficial second US Capital, Chicago politics have dramatically increased in influence. Agree or disagree with the negative connotations of the phrase, the reality is that if certain aspects of Chicago politics do make their way into the Obama administration, we might be looking at a bright future for green building.

Of course President Obama will inherit enormous problems, both at home and abroad, and no one expects him to place green building anywhere near the top of his priorities. But a look at the green culture of Chicago and the philosophies of those on the short list to cabinet posts will reveal a potential national shift toward environmental building practices.

Chicago mayor Richard M. Daley has endeavored to make real his vision of Chicago as the greenest US city. His Green Building Agenda, which was unveiled in 2005, offered new green building standards, incentives, and education for builders and architects. Daley is pushing for more green rooftops in Chicago, using the city’s own City Hall as an example. Earlier this year, Popsci.com published their list of the 50 greenest US cities. Chicago came in at number 9, but earned top marks for green building, awarding four city projects with a LEED Platinum rating. Additionally, Daley has pushed for more bicycle accessibility and greater energy production with less carbon emission.

How will Chicago’s focus on Green carry over into an Obama administration? Obama has already vowed to create five million new jobs in clean technologies and, when asked about what programs might be put on the back-burner, refused to back down on his promise of energy independence in ten years. Daley’s brother, Bill Daley, was the US Secretary of Commerce under Clinton and ran Al Gore’s campaign. He joined Obama’s campaign as a senior advisor and was recently named to the advisory board of the Obama-Biden Transition Project. While Bill Daley’s background has been mainly in finance, his associations with his brother and Al Gore certainly up his green cred.

Some names tossed around for possible cabinet positions also could tilt the country toward sustainable, more energy efficient practices. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. has been mentioned as a possible head of the EPA or Secretary of the Interior. Kennedy is a fierce environmental advocate and could ignite a national green building movement. Robert Sussman, a member of the Environmental Law Institute, is another possible head of the EPA. Arizona Governor Janet Nepolitano, a possible Attorney General, signed an executive order in 2005 requiring all state buildings to achieve at least LEED Silver status. Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel pushed for Chicago’s Calumet Environmental Center, a LEED Platinum building highlighting the environmental importance of the Calumet wetlands.

Of utmost importance to green builders is Obama’s actions to fix the current state of the economy. With new home construction ground to a halt and the credit markets making home loans tougher to get, no amount of environmental good intentions will do any good without a stronger economy. Perhaps Obama’s choice for Secretary of the Treasury will have the most impact on the future of green building.

To see the Obama-Biden green fact sheet, click here.

U OF I TO GET ALL GREEN DORMITORY

2008-11-07T16:10:00.000-06:00

We are proud to publicize that a $23 million residence hall under construction in Champaign will be the first at the University of Illinois to be certifiably green.

The eco-friendly features of the 262-bed Presby Hall include a geothermal system to heat rooms and water, water-saving plumbing as well as environmentally friendly lighting and paint.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony of the building expected to be the first U of I residence hall to receive certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, is planned for this summer.

The Champaign-based McKinley Presbyterian Church and Foundation, which owns the property, took the initiative in pushing for a green hall, the private foundation’s director said.

“We wanted to be responsible. We wanted the building to be sustainable,” said Heidi Weatherford.

Three are construction challenges; one is the installation of the pricey $650k heating system which will use ground source pumps to keep the building warm. To install pumps and may miles of tubing some old trees along a nearby street must come down, though new trees will be planted to replace them.

Weatherford said while the geothermal system is expensive the costs will be recouped by the $40,000 in annual savings.

“The upfront costs are significant,” she said “But the financial payback is almost immediate.” Factoring in the energy savings, Weatherford said, the heating system could pay for itself in about 10 years.

The Illinois Clean Energy Foundation recently awarded the foundation $100,000 to help pay for Presby Hal’s green features.

The university has said it plans a major renovation of a cluster of its residence halls called Six Pack, saying it hopes that project also will get the green certification.

BUILD A GREEN KITCHEN

2008-10-16T15:21:00.000-05:00

Choose Some of the Eco-Friendly items for your Next Kitchen Renovation

HABITUS cork mosaic tiles are made of the remnants of bottle stoppers; are water proof and install like ceramic tile, http://www.habutusnyc.com/

GREENLIGHT CONCEPTS pendant lamps are made from old traffic lights that were being thrown into landfills, http://www.greenlightconcepts.com/

DURAT makes sustainable sinks from 50% recycled material, http://www.durat.com/

VIKING PROFESSIONAL SERIES induction/radiant rangetop harness magnetic energy to heat the pots while the stovetop actually stays cool. It’s twice as energy efficient as an electric stove, http://www.vikingrange.com/

BOSCH evolution dishwasher reduces energy usage up to 25%, www.boschappliances.com

Everyday Greening Tips!

2008-09-10T14:00:00.000-05:00

HERE ARE SOME EVERYDAY GREEN LIVING TIPS FROM GREEN BOY!

Windows- Larger windows which face South help bring in natural light for warmth in the winter.

Appliances - Turn off the dishwasher after the rinse cycle and allow dishes to dry on their own.

Lights- Utilize dimmers, light/time sensors to not only conserve energy and the life of light bulbs.

Rain Water- Rain barrel's are great to capture rain water and reuse for plants and flowers in the yard.

Click Below on the link to the City of Chicago for getting rain barrels and more, take a look!

Environmental Resource Event Flyer (English)

Cleaning Agents- Clorox has a line of green works cleaners, www.greenworkscleaners.com.

Paints- Use Low-VOC or No-VOC paints and stains.

Warmboard flooring for Heating your Home

2008-08-25T13:13:00.018-05:00

http://help.blogger.com/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=42078We've begun a renovation of a first floor bath and kitchen and eliminated an adjoining wall between the dining room and kitchen, that had two large baseboard raditors. In our quest to find a solution to heat the kitchen without radiators, we decided to use a product known as warmboard.

Warmboard is a subflooring material that is 1 1/8" thick and has grooves for 1/2" PEX tubing routed into it in different patterns corresponding to different ways you might wish to heat a floor. It also has a layer of aluminum that helps spread the hear evenly. In terms of raw cost per sqft. it cannot compete with standard 3/4" tng plywood but it has some interesting properties that make it far superior to all other staple up radiant options and in some jobs superior to radiant slab a well. This was one of those projects where it really did make sense.

In order to keep the finished tile floor flush with the existing wood floor, we had to remove the original subfloor to be replaced with the thicker warmboard. We then ran the 1/2" PEX tubing in the preformatted grooves and terminated the beginning and end of the tubing at the existing boiler so that we can add a manifold system at a later date.

While we were doing this we took the liberty of leveling the floor joists so that we have a level floor for the new kitchen to be installed later. We then layed 5/8" durock over the warmboard for our tile installation. This application will not only give us heat for the space but also provide a nice warm tile to walk on in the cold winters.

There is a cost increase in working with the warmboard system, but now that we have done it, we really believe that is the way to go and will strongly encourage clients to consider it. For example a typical 4x8' 3/4" sheet of plywood is about $35.00 and a similar warmboard sheet is $225.00. Factor in the cost of manifolds, tubing, and miscellaneous labor, the overall costs can add up. But when we are dealing with a $100,000 kitchen we sure don't want to see radiators.

visit www.warmboard.com for more information on there products.

2008-07-24T21:45:00.003-05:00

Hey friends, I'm guilty of blog neglect! Been crazed busy, but will pledge to check in at least weekly. See below for info on generating your own power.

2008-07-23T16:01:00.001-05:00

CENTER FOR GREEN TECHNOLOGY

2008-07-23T15:53:00.004-05:00

Center for Green Technology

The City of Chicago for Green Technology (CCGT) has been educating the public and building professionals alike about green buildings sustainable design since it open in May 2002. Managed by the Department of Environment CCGT offers nearly 400 free public seminars two or three times a week the building and campus at 4445 N Sacramento Blvd, are open six day a week guided and self-guided tours. Housed on a 17-acres sire that was once a construction and demolition scrap yard, the Center’s 40,000sqft building was one of the first to receive the highest award (Platinum) of the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification program. Its significant green features include solar panels, rainwater collection irrigation, recycled building materials, smart lighting, a vegetated roof, and a geothermal exchange system. Also located on the site are WRD Environmental a sustainable landscaping company, Greencorps Chicago, the city’s community gardening and job training program and Whitney Wood Works, a sustainable wood and cabinet company.

Green Permit Program

The City of Chicago Green Permit Program, administered by the Department of Buildings, allows building projects form single-family home to high-rise office building to qualify for fast permit approvals by meeting certain green guidelines. It takes an average six weeks to obtain approval for a green permit while traditional permits can take 12 or more weeks to be approved.

Through September 2007, the City had issued a total of 158 green permits. For smaller projects, such as single-family homes the Green Permit process can also be helpful in guiding the owner to other City departments for technical services. Projects qualifying for green permits fall into one of three tiers. Each tier require a certain level of certification under the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating program, plus one or more “extras” from a menu administered by the Department of Buildings. Some or all consultant review fees may be reimbursed for Tier II or Tier III projects.

If you are interested in utilizing the program visit www.cityofchicago.org/buildings.

Plan for green permitting early in the design of your project.

Focus on team coordination-the designer, contractor, subcontractors, and other who will be involved in the project.

Chicago Green Homes Program

Chicago Green Homes is a voluntary program managed by the City of Chicago, to encourage the building of healthy and environmentally responsible single-family and multi-family homes in the city. Both newly constructed and renovated homes are eligible.

To participate start by downloading the Chicago Green Homes Programs Guide and the Chicago Green Homes Checklist from the Department of Environments website at www.cityofchicago.com/enviroment. These documents provide details regarding the materials and procedures needed to build a green home.

The Green Homes Program is modeled on the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) for Homes national certification program but, is specific to Chicago. Like LEED, Green Homes uses a point system. Specific green features may earn a certain number of points in the following categories sustainable sites, energy efficiency materials, health and safety, resource conservation, homeowner education, and innovation. Based on the number of points earned, homes can achieve a one, two or three star rating.

Approved projects will receive a Chicago Green Homes Certificate. Certified Green Homes will also be recognized on the City of Chicago website. Homes in the program may also be eligible for an expedited Green Permit from the Department of Buildings. The Chicago Green Homes Program is partnership of the Departments of Housing, Buildings and Environment. For information visit www.cityofchicago.com/enviroment

GENERATE YOUR OWN JUICE!

2008-07-23T14:16:00.007-05:00

CONSIDER REDUCING YOUR CARBON FOOTPRINT….and slash utility bills at the same time. With rebates and tax incentives in some areas, renewable resource costs can be offset. Find more info on rebates at: www.dsireusa.org and www.engerytaxincentives.org

SOLAR…You will need 400 sqft of solar panels per 2,000 sqft of house to provide 4-5 kilowatts of energy. Cost of these panels is around $40-60k, before rebates and credits. Check out www.findsolar.com to see about the viability in your area.

COMPONETS…So called inverters allow you to sell extra electricity back to your local utility company. Average cost for a good component is $2500. See Xantrex www.xantrex.com.

WIND…Good turbines last 20 years or more, once you make the investment, wind can give you free energy for decades, of course you will need to check your local zoning ordinances. Generally these will run between $30-70k but the more wind that can be harvested the sooner you recapture your investment. Go to www.firstlook.3tiergroup.com to help find how much wind hits your property; the generating capacity you need in your turbine depends on your wind strength and consistency. A turbine will have static noise; look for a bigger turbine with a low tip speed ratio (TSR).

GEOTHERMAL…These systems use the Earth’s near-constant temperature to eliminate the need for carbon-intensive, oil-base heating. It can also cool your home in the summer. Geo is better on larger lots and is cheaper if it’s part of a house’s original construction. New construction cost is around $25k. Retrofit would run $40k based on a 2,000sqft home. For more info go to www.geoexchange.org.

Bungalow Restoration in Norwood Park

2008-04-01T12:42:00.012-05:00

I have just started a new project on a Bungalow in Norwood Park. This home must have had a craftsman as a previous owner. The walls on the second floor are made of 1/4 inch plywood with curves and details. The entire back room is completely tiled (including the ceiling) with plastic tile. All the cabinets are built in with an old school style. The bathroom is blue!

My client wants to renovate his kitchen as well as the bathrooms on the 1st and 2nd floors. He is undecided about what to do with the old 2nd floor kitchen. He has two older sons that visit him from time to time. He wants to make it new and cool, utilizing it partly as a office, but still wants to keep the vague aspects of a kitchen and the functionality of an in law apartment. I plan to document this process for you. Stay tuned for further developments.

Go green with your Appliances!

2008-02-19T20:02:00.000-06:00

For those seeking a green solution to kitchen appliances, I am publishing this article written by a friend and esteemed colleague, Joe Oliver, otherwise known as "The Pie Guy". For more details or information on restoring chambers stoves, you can reach him at 773-973-5330 or thepieguy@sbcglobal.net

The ultra eco-conscious stove:

It seems ironic, in these days of carbon consciousness, high fuel bills, and “Energy Star” rated appliances, that a fuel conservation technology perfected in the late 1800’s seems to have been all but forgotten. “Retained Heat Cooking” was widely employed in American kitchens for decades, but only one major manufacturer integrated this technology into a practical stove. For over 50 years, the Chambers Range Company, with the sales pitch “Cooks With the Gas Turned Off”, promoted Retained Heat cooking as its primary selling point. Despite their popularity, the Chambers company folded in the 1980’s.

Vintage stoves have become a hot item among eco-conscious homeowners: there is significant environmental value in saving any appliance from the scrap heap. But with a unique and timeless design and super-efficiency, Chambers ranges stand out among all the rest. However, we’re not just talking cute and practical here. Chambers ranges offer fun and useful features that modern manufacturers seem to have forgotten, like a full-size griddle and pop-up broiler on the stove-top. Constructed with commercial grade components and made in a wide variety of colors, Chambers not only look great, they work great!

SNOW WAY

2008-02-10T12:15:00.000-06:00

Like there is snow way this actually happened. As a general contractor and snow plow"er" in Chicago, every day is full of adventure. I've been told many times I should write my memoirs. Mrs. McCarthy, here is chapter 14 (chapter 13 was when the cockatiel got stuck behind the drywall).

This is one reason why snow plow operators get paid what they do. Not only do we have sleep deprivation, but it is a toll on our bodies and equipment. The other night, the snow/slush stopped around 6:00 p.m. My accounts do not need snow work done until later and I was spending a little time with family and friends. One account calls me and asks if I can clean their space by midnight. I know I have a slow leak on my driver's side tire, but I haven't seen the truck in a couple of days. I also know that I am low on fuel. So, I have to factor in time to allow for both of these. I'm pretty tired from a long week and decide to rest a little before I head out. Well, I woke up at 11:30pm. I race through the house waking my wife up in the process. "Is there a herd of elephants stampeding" she asks sleepily. "Shhhh," I respond. Off to the plow truck a block away only to find my tire nearly flat. I know I can't make it to a gas station and those 50 cent pumps cannot fill up the 80 psi that I need. My compressor happens to be at my house so I limp the one block back to my house on three full tires, plug the compressor in (WHAAAAA) it starts up at 11:45 P.M. with my whole family asleep as well as the neighborhood and I proceed to air up my tire. Now I 've really lost some time. So I can't get fuel before I clear my accounts driveway. By the time I finish with them, I am nearly out of fuel. I drive to the nearest fuel station and find the station closed. I rack my brain for the next closest. I barely make it to Ashland and Addison and fuel up. I Drive back to the commercial account on Ravenswood and Irving to continue the clean up. I need to shovel the walk whick takes about an hour of heavy work, then need to clean all the parking spaces. As I finish, I hear a clunk, squeek, and misc. other noises. I get out the truck, can't locate the problem and drive on (does this surprise anyone?) I hit a couple of other accounts and the noise is getting worse. By the time I get to one of my last accounts, I turn into the driveway and completely lose my four wheel drive capacity. Well, when you have had as much snow as we have, you need all 4 wheels pulling in order to move a big pile of snow. I shift into two wheel drive and find my rear wheels spinning on the ice. It's 2:30 in the morning and I am stuck. Blocking the driveway. In the process of trying to get unstuck, my rear end has fishtailed over so that I am wedged 1" away from one of the parked cars. I try leveraging the truck over,with a long 2 x 4 I found in the Sears parking lot, but to no avail. So happens I am only about 8 blocks from my house - where my other truck is parked. I figure if I get a chain, I'll be able to pull my truck rear end over to get out of this situation. So I leave my truck, plow and all, completely blocking the way for anybody to get out and start the walk of shame. I get to the corner of Lawrence and Wolcott, and lo and behold, here comes a little 4 wheel drive Jeep with a plow on it. I flag him down and ask the favor. He follows me over, I drag a chain out of the back of my truck and he yanks my rear end over far enough to be able to get out of my predicament. Many thanks to that unknown angel. Needless to say none of my other accounts were plowed that night. I think it was 3:45 before I nestled into my bed. The next morning, I wake up at 6am and help get kids ready for school. Breakfast, brush teeth, get dressed etc. My daughter takes ice skating lessons at McFetridge two days a week at 7am. My wife and daughter leave shortly before this, leaving me with the other two. I get my son to school and get a call on my cell phone. The wife says, "I have a flat tire at Montrose and California." I retrieve them, drop off my daughter at school and my wife at home. I still have mentioned nothing of the previous evening. I load my compressor in the back of my truck, drive back to my wife's car, air up her tire and get her car home. Then I get my plow truck, drive it my house so that I can remove the plow, which often times is not an easy process. Well the gods granted me a favor this day and she popped right off. Now I have to slowly drive my rig to Montrose and Pulaski with a man behind me following. Thom's Four Wheel Drive & Auto Service at 4118 N. Pulaski is an awesome place. Thom is one of the most interesting and informative guys I have met in the business. I highly recommend him. It turns out the left front tire was about to fall off. She is still in the shop at this writing and it is supposed to snow Monday night. It's now 11:oo am and I still have not plowed three of my accounts. I call a buddy of mine from Queen of Angels Parish and school who does snow plowing - Robert Brooks of Autumn Ridge Landscape and Design came through big time for me. Many thanks Robert. Well, that about concludes my story. Wish me luck and God Speed.

Tankless Water Heaters

2008-02-04T14:09:00.000-06:00

Do you realize you are paying to heat water 24 hours a day? You are if you have a standard water heater. A tankless water heater is a much more energy efficient way to heat water and it provides an endless supply of hot water for your entire home. You don't have to heat and reheat a reserve of water sitting in your hot water tank.

Tankless water heaters are up to 50 percent more energy efficient than a traditional natural gas water heater and up to 70 percent more efficient than an electric water heater. They turn off automatically when hot water is not needed. The units are great space savers too because they are small and mounted to the wall. One of the products I am most familiar with is Rinnai. They are easy to install and my clients have been extremely happy with them. This is an excellent first step toward adopting a "Build Green" philosophy in your home.

Green your home with Solar Panels

2008-02-04T13:01:00.001-06:00

A solar hot water or heating system is an excellent investment for home owners. It can utilize your current water heater or furnace, but the energy is generated by pollution-free solar panels on your roof rather than through gas or electricity.

Solar energy is also becoming more price competitive. For example, a $12,000 investment can place 2 solar panels on your roof to heat your hot water. Government programs can help subsidize this cost and offset it by almost $5,000. As energy prices continue to rise, this option will save in utility expenses over and over as well as reduce our dependence on natural gas and electricity.

Snow Removal in Chicago

2008-02-04T12:16:00.000-06:00

We're out snow plowing Chicago's streets, parking areas and sidewalks.

For Chicago snow removal, contact us. We'll help dig you out!