Nov 212009
 

Easy to install, lightweight, flexible solar panels are now a reality. Seamless integration gives you all the advantages of solar power without much pain in the rear. These low maintenance roll out solar tiles from IB Roofing require no additional support or engineering, just roll them out, tack them down, and plug them in.

Everything can be installed by a single contractor. Federal and state tax credits are available for almost anything with the word “solar” in it.

One key benefit of these lightweight panels is the low price to temporarily remove and replace them when your roof needs to be repaired or replaced. Typically, dismounting and reassembling and older era solar array could run $3-5,000.

The price to outfit a typical home with these panels is generally around $7-$9,000. Roof Tax Credits will typically cover up 30% of the total installation costs (with no cap).

I think these have a chance of getting extremely popular once they have withstood a few years of storms and build some reputation.

Nov 132009
 

chimneyfire_shadowBecause the last thing you want to have happen on Christmas is for your house to explode into flames you need to start addressing one vital area of your roof area, the chimney.

You need to haul yourself (or pay someone) up a ladder and do your annual chimney sweep. First time home owners need not fear, cleaning a chimney is an simple but dirty job. Did you know nearly 1/5 of all fire calls between November and February are chimney fires.

It is critical to sweep your chimney every single year to avoid certain incineration. Do an hour of research and surfing Youtube for tips on your type of chimney .. it’s not as simple as buying a sweep brush from Lowes and tieing a brick to it. In fact, many flu’s can be damaged with such brushes.

If you’ve already taken care of your yearly chimney sweeping duties check in on an elderly person you know. Most death’s from chimney fires are from people above 70 years old.

Nov 122009
 

Finding it impossible to cool your 2nd floor or primary living space because the attic is 150 degrees all summer?

You can now efficiently vent that heat without any hardwired fans or expensive electrician work. Now is a great time of year to get the vents installed (you won’t fry like an egg!).

Watch how easy Kevin installs this Solar Start fan for this homeowner:

Nov 042009
 

OwensCorningLogoOwen Corning, the largest manufacturer of roofing materials, said today it will be the first major roofing manufacturer to connect contractors with local recycling centers to environmentally dispose of shingles that thrown away after replacement.

Apparently there weren’t many facilities that could handle asphalt shingles, so Owens partnered up with Heritage Environmental Services to provide such drop off locations. The shingles are then turned into roads.

 Posted by at 1:16 am
Nov 012009
 

roof-tax-creditPresident Obama announced today that his stimulus package now includes up to $1500 tax credit savings (30% of the roofing material expense) to homeowners who replace their existing roof with a metal roof or asphalt shingles. The materials must be stamped Energy Star Compliant by the US Government.

The tax credit is only available for existing homes and expires at the end of 2010. Similar credits have been available in past years, but this one takes the cake for it’s higher refund amount.

This credit covers the material costs for asphalt shingles or metal roofs with the Government’s Energy Star label only.

 Posted by at 2:34 pm