Geothermal energy is the conversion of heat from within the earth for use as a renewable energy source.  The use of geothermal energy is growing at rate of 30% per year.  See informative graphic below  that I believe is a great way to better understand this growing ‘green’ energy.  Learn more at WellHome.

Home Energy Audits by Wellhome.com

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I recently authored an article for eHow.com.  The article covers steps to save on home utility expenses such as electricity, water, natural gas and home heating oil.   Making these improvements will  save money  and help you feel good about being eco-friendly.  The key is to reduce usage of all your utilities.  Many of conservation tips can be done by a handyman or a handy DIYer.

Read the full article at eHow.com.

See full report in NYT article.

One low VOC paint that wasn’t covered in the article that deserves a look is Harmony made by Sherwin-Williams.

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Boulder Colorado is a city challenging itself to be ‘greener’ Read more in article from WSJ.

EnergStar Logo

This week a webinar sponsored by Qualified Remodeler and others on the proposed federal program, HomeStar (Cash for Caulkers) was held.  HomeStar is still a proposal and not an actual program.  It still has to be passed by Congress and signed by the President.  It does propose to create new greener jobs and provide incentives for homeowners/contractors to perform work to save energy in homes.

Here is a link to the slides HomeStar.  You may also watch a recording of the webinar.

Learn more and register here.

Details from site:

Expert Panel (Larry Zarker and Bill Asdal)
Moderated by Patrick O’Toole of Qualified Remodeler magazine and Tim Musch of Marketsharp
Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2010
2 p.m. Eastern, 1 p.m. Central, 12:00 p.m. Mountain and 11 a.m. Pacific
60 minutes

The Obama Administration is proposing a massive jobs creation bill that will inject billions into the home improvement industry – on top of the $1,500 tax credits that were part of the 09 Stimulus Bill.  This fast-moving legislation is changing every day and your team will need to be able to quickly turn on a dime once it passes into law. This session will give the latest news on the bill, which, in its present form would create $18 billion in homeowner incentives, $4 billion in retailer incentives and $2 billion for home energy audits.

Takeaways include:
1. An update on the status of the legislation
2. An update on any changes to the proposed program
3. Tips for preparing – where to get energy audit training.
4. And much more.

Cash for Caulkers could seal $12,000 a home

Under President’s proposal, homeowners would be reimbursed for energy-efficient appliances and insulation.

See more at CNN.

Learn more about starting a handyman business or organizing a handyman business that you’ve already started.

I wrote about this earlier this year but feel it bears repeating. Get federal tax credits for energy efficiency improvements to the your home. Improvements such as installing a storm door, new exterior door and windows and adding insulation can qualify.

For further details, please see the EPA’s Energy Star website

The highlights of the plan include:

• The tax credits that were previously effective for 2009, have been extended to 2010.
• The tax credit has been increased from 10% to 30%.
• The maximum credit has been raised from $500 to $1500 for the two years (2009–2010). However, some higher ticket improvements now have higher maximums.
• The $200 cap on windows has been removed.

For installation of a storm door, exterior door, windows or insulation in the Triangle area, please visit www.CarolinaHandyman.com or in the Triad please visit www.GreensboroRemodelandHandymanSolutions.com

(The Triangle includes the North Carolina cities of Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill. The Triad includes the NC cities of Burlington, High Point, Greensboro, and Winston-Salem).

For discounts on home improvement products and services throughout the US, please visit our Special Offer page.

Additional home improvement tips can be found at www.HouseFixer.Info.