If you are thinking of converting from oil to gas heating, one of the tasks ahead of you is to get a professional to remove the old oil tanks. This seems like a daunting task. It’s not. There are companies that do this. They do it all. They get the permits for removal and disposal;
If you are only vaguely curious, the simple answer to the question in the title is about $15,000, according to Daily Finance. When my client asked me about this, I decided it was time to do some checking. In a national study, the answer was qualified with more data. All PV (photovoltaic) systems are not
If you have an unheated attic that is not insulated, the house heat will rise through the top floor ceiling into the cold attic. (Meanwhile, the heavier, cooler attic air will make its way down, if you have an open or uninsulated stairway.) If you have a finished attic, with no heat, the household heat
What should an energy conscious house hunter be looking for, when choosing a house or condo? It’s a good idea to have this in mind all year, but more people notice this time of year. With our clients, we point out our energy wasters when we see them. Single zones: If there is only one
“Don’t get attached to that hot water heater, it will fail on you.” We tell our clients this because direct-fire hot water heaters are unreliable appliances that are created with built-in obsolescence. Many have five, seven, or ten-year warranties. They will last five years and three weeks, or seven years and three weeks, or ten
Mass Save is not just about wall insulation. Mass Save also has 0% interest loan programs to improve other aspects of your house’s carbon footprint. These are the rebates, in 2018. Not only are you able to borrow for insulation, but you can also borrow for these improvements. High Efficiency Heating Systems Central Air Conditioning/ Air
Buyers beware! Replacing windows will cost you, big. What windows should I expect to replace? Lead paint risk: Any window that was installed before 1978 is likely to have lead paint on it. Lead paint on windows is particularly bad for risk of lead poisoning. When a lead-painted window is opened and closed, it rubs
Tenants, save money on your home heating. Yes, I know that you are stuck with the system your landlord chose, but you can make it work better. Windows, the quick fix: Open and close, then lock all your windows. Locking the windows reduces the cold air flow significantly. Most people don’t know that these windows
The Massachusetts Association of Realtors® frequently has political initiatives that we are against. As a member, I refrain from assisting them in these actions. I notify my representative that I am a member of the association, but disagree on a particular policy. This summer, my association embarrassed me by fighting tooth and nail against mandatory
It gets complicated when you want to use a condo roof to harness solar power. Who pays for it? Who gets the power? Who gets the rebate when you sell power to the grid? Newly built condos have the advantage of having the solar (PV) system as part of the initial purchase. Adding it later