WOOD WORKING MASTERS
Posted on Thursday, March 26th, 2009 at 9:09 am
Masters Touch Offers Homeowners Key Ways to Save Energy This Winter
DATELINE: MEDFIELD, MA…
Replace your windows. If the windows in your home are 15 years old or more, chances are they are not very efficient. At least 30 percent of heat in your home is lost through the windows. Even if your home was built in the 80’s, it’s time to replace the windows. There are certainly more energy efficient windows on the market than those available 20-plus years ago.
Replace your doors. Amazingly enough, many people will replace all their windows and save creaky old doors. The same rule that applies to windows, applies to doors that are 15 years old. Consider replacing your main front door and back door; the doors to the basement, and the door between your home and the garage.
Inspect and install insulation. Have all your visible insulation inspected to make sure it is installed correctly and that there is enough. And if you have an old home that doesn’t have any insulation between the inner and outer wall, by all means hire an insulation company and have some installed soon!
Check your heating system. It’s imperative to have your heating system checked annually. Contact a local company to service your burner and consider an upgrade if it is an old system. The technician who performs the service can make recommendations.
Replace all your thermostats. Replace all your thermostats with digital, programmable units and set them to lower the temperature at night or when you are not home during the day. This will help to save on energy bills.
Add Energy Efficient window treatments. You can easily increase the R-value, or insulation value of your home by installing energy efficient window treatments throughout your house. From insulated and thermal shades to blinds, draperies and more, the right window treatments can prevent heat loss in during the winter as well as help block the heat from entering your home during the summer.
Add a pellet stove. With the price of oil these days, consider a pellet stove or other alternative heating source. A pellet or wood stove is much more efficient at generating heat than an open fireplace.
“Just one 275 gallon tank of oil can cost up to $1,300. On average, homeowners with oil heat fill their tanks at least six times during the winter. The costs for electric and gas have also increased significantly. That being said, the fall is the time to incorporate measures to reduce those energy bills,” explained Doug Masters, founder of Masters Touch.
He continued, “The changes you invest in now should see you through at least the next 20 years and the cost of upgrading will be offset by rising energy costs.”
The Masters Touch
Masters Touch is a full service design/build and remodeling contractor. With a team of more than 50, including architects, interior designers and project managers all working together, Masters Touch can handle all of a client’s home building or improvement projects and provide expert guidance to DIY folks. The company was recently named #249 in the “2008 Top
500 Contractors List” in Qualified Remodeler magazine.
Masters Touch was founded by Doug Masters in 1997. From high-end design and build projects; kitchen and bath renovations; exterior painting, roofing and siding projects to flooring, interior painting and decorating projects, Masters Touch caters to homeowners throughout the Metrowest area.
Masters Touch is a Showcase Priority Dealer for Hunter Douglas and offers professional design and installation service. The one-stop interior design and home improvement shop also offers Marvin and Harvey windows; six lines of custom and semi-custom cabinetry; over 150 types of granite and Corian countertops; paint; carpet; hardwood and tile flooring; home theater design and installation and much more.
The company offers written warrantees on all their work. Masters Touch is located on Route 109 in Medfield, MA. For more information contact 508-359-5900, e-mail info@masterstouchweb.com or visit masterstouchweb.com.
About the Author
wood working master class
|
|
Hamilton Beach 54615 Wavestation Express Dispensing Blender with 48-Ounce Jar, Black $32.99 54615 Features: -Dispensing blender. -Dura blend jar. -Patented stainless steel ice sabre blades. -Convenient spout cap. -4 Speeds plus pulse. -For smooth results wave action system pulls mixture down into the blades. -Capacity: 48 oz. -Dishwasher safe. -Manufacturer provides 1 year limited warranty. -12.6” H x 8.9” W x 7.03” D…. |
|
|
Black & Decker BLC10650MB Cyclone 10-Speed Blender with 48-Ounce Glass Jar $28.90 Russell Hobbs Cyclone BLC10650MB Vertical Blender BLC10650MB 321… |
|
|
Belkin SurgeMaster 6-Outlet Wall-Mount Surge Protector $7.89 Belkin 6-Outlet Wall Mount Home Series F9H620-CW Surge Suppressors… |
|
|
Chamberlain KLIK1U Clicker Transmitter Universal Garage Door Remote Control $22.10 If you need to replace a lost or broken remote control, or just want to complement your existing garage access system, the new Clicker universal remote control is the perfect single-source solution. It is designed to work with a variety of brands of garage door openers to give you convenient, secure, access to your garage and home. With it, you can operate two different garage door manufacturers a… |
|
|
Kreg K4MS Jig Master System $139.00 Featuring a removable drill guide for use with benchtop and portable bases, the Kreg Jig Master System is the ultimate pocket-hole jig, and a great choice for any woodworking enthusiast. For precision and accuracy, it offers 1/8-inch incremental settings for materials 1/2-inch to 1-1/2-inch thick and patented three drill guide fixed spacing on the drill guide. A dust collection shroud means no mor… |
|
|
Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 $16.77 USB… |
|
|
ASUS Black Diamond Dual Band Wireless-N 600 Router (RT-N56U) $118.00 Asus RT-N56U Wireless Router – 300 Mbps RT-N56U Routers & Gateways – Wireless… |