For a short time only….

From the manufacturer:

“I’m sure you are aware of the Energy Star Appliance rebate going into effect in GA, but I wanted to forward this just in case. Energy Star certified Solar Water Heating systems do apply, and our systems are Energy Star  …rebate is in place until the funds are exhausted, which could easily move quickly.

GA:
GA’s is going into effect on Feb. 12, 2010. GA’s pays $199 until the $9.3M runs out (all appliance rebates).
GA Rebate

Contact us today to get a free quote on your house  Fresh World Contact.

Here is a previous post updated with this rebate: more…

Want to learn more about the business of green building?  Come here me talk at the joint session of the Green Building Council and Remodeler’s Council.  If the current title does not work for you- Try “Making Green Sustainable.”

See you there.

Thanks to everyone that help us have a successful year in 2009 and we look forward to starting some fun projects in 2010 as well.  I know the economy is rough, however deferred maintenance on your house will cost you if you leave repairs exposed to the elements.  A crack in the paint today is rotten trim tomorrow if not addressed.   Weatherization not addressed today leads to high energy bills tomorrow.

Duct tape is a Southern tradition for home repair, however will not save you money in the long run.

The next segment in the My Design Partner series is water heating.

All water heaters are created equally correct?  I wish. Unfortunately they are not, and making a bad choice in a water heater can cost you a lot in operating costs.  The water heater is the second largest consumer of energy on most residences. more…

We are a Velux Solar Hot Water dealer and installer. On one of the installations that we completed this year we accidentally heated the water with the sun for 4 months!  The intent was to heat the water with the sun with an electrical backup, however this was not the case for that period of time.  There was a disconnect attached to the water heater that was not working, however we did not realize this until we got several days of overcast and the sun could not heat up the water. The whole time they did not have to pay a dime to heat up their water.  Here is post from my homeowner about their experience- Lake Claire LEED

On average- in Atlanta you will save around 85% on water heating using a Velux system because the sun can preheat the water so the secondary heat source rarely has to kick on!  According the DOE the average payback is between 3-7 years.   Solar thermal is 5-10 times as efficient as tankless water heater in most cases and the payback is faster as a result.

To see how Solar Thermal works visit Fresh World.

The next segment in the My Design Partner series is roofing.

Remember your parents being proud by giving you the basic essentials to include “a roof over you head?”   Well- not are roofs are created equal.  Some roofs are good enough to pass code and last a few years and others are designed to last for several generations. more…

The next segment in the My Design Partner series is flooring.

In any type of renovation or new home build you will have to pick out or refinish the flooring in your home. There are many options to choose from along with some new and exciting new options that have just come on the market.  Flooring can add warmth and beauty to the home and in many cases makes or breaks the overall design.  Sometimes all you need is a fresh coat of paint and a new floor and the room will look new again.

more…

As part of the My Design Partner series we are going to discuss HVAC.

Choosing the best HVAC for your house is not always any easy thing to decide upon.  Especially, when you are forced to make a decision quickly when it breaks when there are extreme temperatures outside!  It is best to have a plan in place (better yet a quote) before your system breaks.

In the Southeastern US there are several options that are readily available.  Standard heat pumps (heating and cooling), Furnaces (heating) with AC (cooling) , and Geothermal (heating and cooling)  are the most popular. more…

Forward:

When designing a building a house or remodeling a home, how are you to know that you are getting the best options from your contractor?  Their goal is not only to make money, but to keep you on budget as well.  Unfortunately, in doing so you are not given the option to choose from the best categories when your house is being designed for you.

Our company, Fresh World, is a partner is a group called My Design Partners.  What is a “My Design Partner”?

“My Design Partners is a select association of the most innovative manufacturing and service providers in the custom residential, remodeling and construction industry. Through this premiere network, independent businesses collaborate to offer remodelers, builders and their clients a comprehensive, concierge level service that streamlines and enhances the design and building process with unsurpassed results.”

Fresh World will be hosting a discussion with the rest of the partners on Good, Better, Best design tips as they apply to designing various components of your home.  From Heating and Air and water heaters to Counter-tops and Flooring, we will discuss the various levels on the options that are currently available in the marketplace.  These options will help you better make good decisions when you are faced with either budget constraints or if you want the best on available and are not sure what that is!

I will will put my 2 cents worth in based on my design/ build experience and my partners will comment on my posts and offer even more information.  Check back often or RSS to the post and comments so you do not miss any thing in the series.  The category will be “Good, Better, Best”  AND “My Design Partners” on the sidebar.

Other posts in the “Good Better Best” series:

Introduction to My Design Partners

Flooring

HVAC

Roofing

Water Heating