Renovation & Design
Renovation & Design
Province sweetens pot to convert to geothermal systems
The province is handing out more cash goodies to green-minded Manitobans willing to go geothermal.In addition to the low-interest loans already available, the Doer government sweetened the pot Monday, offering cash rebates and tax credits to homeowners interested in installing the underground heat pumps.
Homeowners building brand new can now get up to $3,000 toward the cost of a geothermal system.
Homeowners with older houses who opt to rip out their furnaces and install the heat pumps can get up to $5,600 in federal and provincial rebates and provincial income tax credits.
There are already about 6,000 geothermal systems at work in the province and the number of new systems grows by about 20 per cent a year. Installers hope the new menu of incentives will double that growth rate.
Energy Minister Jim Rondeau announced the new incentives at the site of McPhillips Common, a huge renovation of a 336-suite rental complex just north of Mountain Avenue. There, private developer B&M Lands has been able to do what the Doer government failed to in Waverley West -- build a large-scale housing development heated exclusively by a geothermal system.
"The underlying economics of it were compelling enough that we felt it would be a competitive advantage and would pay back over the years," said Andrew Marquess of B&M Lands. "We're a proponent of geothermal and (the incentives) are a good first step."
Under the new system of grants and incentives, B&M will likely get about $150,000 from the government towards cost of the geothermal system.
For years, Waverley West was touted as a green suburb that would include large-scale geothermal heat instead of natural gas pipes. But the first phase of the suburb will have only a handful of homes with geothermal, depending on the whim of individual buyers. To combat criticism, the province announced last week the second phase of more than 200 homes will have at least 54 lots served by heat pumps.
The details of the new grants and tax rebates still have to be worked out. The tax credit is retroactive to April, 2007, but the cash rebate for new homes doesn't kick in until January.
The province is hoping the Manitoba Geothermal Energy Alliance will help co-ordinate the program to make it as simple as possible for homeowners.
maryagnes.welch@freepress.mb.ca
Tell me again -- what's geothermal?
It's a heating and cooling system that taps into the energy stored in the earth's crust. Coiled loops are installed under a home or under the yard and extract heat from the ground. It's compressed so it gets even hotter and then it's released into a home. To cool a house, the reverse happens. Hot air is sucked out of the house and pumped back underground.
How much does it save me in heating bills?
Depends, again. The province estimates a savings anywhere between 30 and 70 per cent. Brent Laufer, president of the Manitoba Geothermal Energy Alliance has a 2,000 square foot home and garage and his heating bill is about $500 a year for the electricity needed to run the heat pump.
How much does a system cost?
Depends. Maybe $22,000 to retrofit an old house and $16,000 to build new, depending on the size of the house and the size of the yard.
What are the new goodies the Doer government is offering?
They're a little complicated. If you build new, you can get a $2,000 tax credit and a $1,000 cash grant plus the existing Power Smart loan at 4.9 per cent interest. If you convert your existing home, you can get a tax credit worth $2,100, a federal grant worth $3,500 plus the Power Smart low-interest loan.
Renovation & Design
In Brief
There's a new product line available in Zellers stores across Canada and it's promising to make home decorating a lot easier on your budget and the environment.The Canvas line, which was designed with input from interior designers, includes an innovative, pre-mixed paint and putty system, easy-to-use Room Spacing Kits, hardware with a decorative twist, a functional Design Project Organizer and a collection of stylish and functional totes for keeping all the details of home projects in one place and portable.
The paint line features a low-VOC paint with matching putty in designer neutral colours that make co-ordinating colours and repairing walls simple.
The Room Spacing Kits, with instructions in English and French, offer a simplified way to visualize rooms in the house and create a professional work plan. And the Design Project Organizer offers homeowners a comprehensive tool for organizing and tracking all aspects of a remodelling project.
To learn more about Canvas products, visit canvascorp.com.
--Canwest News Service
Renovation & Design
Be wary about shutting off air conditioning in sunspot vacation home
QUESTION -- I have a house in Phoenix, Ariz. During the summer when no one is living there, is it better to leave the air conditioning set at 85 F, or should I turn it off completely? The daytime temperature can reach 110 F, but I'd like to save on electricity.
ANSWER -- Commonly, it's best to leave the air conditioning on in Arizona homes. They are very different from Minnesota homes in materials and systems, and the climate conditions are almost the opposite. But you may be able to turn it off, if you do so carefully.
Take these extra steps to protect yourself and your home:
Many household items are vulnerable to extreme heat and the results can be surprising: Candles may melt into puddles of wax; aerosol cans may burst, spreading contents over a wide area. Go room by room to identify any items that would be damaged by heat and store them in an air-conditioned space while you're gone. Check labels carefully.
Appliances such as refrigerators and freezers would be stressed operating in high temperatures. Empty and clean them before unplugging, and fix doors in an open position.
Household grain-based foodstuffs such as flour may spoil over an extended period and attract insects. Dispose of them or store them elsewhere.
Shut off water and drain the water system in your home, including the water heater. If a small leak were to occur, it would feed the growth of mould.
Water will easily evaporate from traps serving sinks, baths and toilets, permitting the entry of sewer gases as well as insects and other pests. Use an RV antifreeze in plumbing traps to prevent that from happening.
Dryer vents, usually close to ground level, may become entry points for pests. Clean the vent of accumulated lint, then use steel wool to plug the vent. (Place a "WARNING" reminder to remove the blockage before using the dryer.)
Gasoline stored in hot conditions will aggressively evaporate from cans and motor fuel tanks. When gasoline evaporates, it leaves a heavy varnish-like deposit on surfaces. Decant gas from tanks, run the motor until tanks are dry or give the fuel to someone else. Check with local utilities for recommendations on shutting up a home over the summer.
Many developer-built communities of single-family homes in Arizona have services provided by homeowner associations. If your home is in one of these communities, check to see if a "snowbird" service is available.
Don't forget to make a list of all the actions you've taken so that when you return, you can reverse the process.
Source: Phil Smith, Minnesota Office of Energy Security
--McClatchy-Tribune Information Services
Renovation & Design
Consider these handy tips for home gym
Getting into shape is on the minds of many individuals these days. For those interested in creating a home gym and making working out as convenient as can be, the following tips provide ideas on how to make the dream of a home gym reality.1. Before creating a home gym, plan your workout space. What are your health goals are and what exercise plan will best help you meet those goals. An ideal exercise plan balances conditioning, strength training and flexibility. Fitness and health magazines can be a great resource, or you may wish to set up a consultation with a personal trainer to discuss your options.
2. What you need is a space at least three by four metres or more to give you enough room for the equipment and a stretch. Good ventilation is the key factor when choosing the room. This may be a case of leaving a window or a door ajar. In warm rooms with no windows, you may need a wall or ceiling fan.
3. Prioritize your purchases. You're better off buying the best of a less expensive piece of equipment (like resistance bands) then buying a lower-end version of a pricey piece of equipment (like a multi-gym).
4. Every gym needs two components, a cardio machine such as a treadmill, stationary bike or elliptical trainer that can give your heart and lungs a good aerobic workout. Secondly, a weight-training device to help build muscle and bone density.
5. When testing equipment in a store, stay on the machine for at least 15 minutes to make sure that the equipment does not creak or become difficult to use. For example; use the treadmill in the same way that you'll be using it at home, try a variety of incline settings. When purchasing a weight system, attempt several exercises not just one or two. Avoid impulse buying. Research products before making a purchase and get only what you need.
6. Snip examples and explanation of various exercises out of fitness magazines. Glue articles onto colourful cardboard and pin onto walls. Also hang large mirrors in the room so that you can check your form while exercising.
7. Other important home gym factors include ceiling height, solid floors and whether you live in an upstairs apartment. Ask yourself if jumping around and exercising will affect neighbours. Tip: Purchase soft carpet that will comfort and cushion your body during floor exercises.
8. Many people enjoy watching TV while working out, particularly when doing longer cardiovascular exercises. Ceiling mount kits are fairly inexpensive and easy to install. Tip: If you're a music lover, you may want to save space for a small stereo system.
9. Purchase a few pieces of equipment for your home gym including D-Bells which are available in a variety of weight denominations. Determine your goals before choosing the best set to meet your needs, include weights ranging from 3 to 20 pounds.
10. For basic gym equipment choose a flat bench as opposed to the incline or decline bench. This choice allows the Richard Simmons want-to-be to carry out all exercises in a standard work out program.
11. Therapy balls are available in a variety of sizes and thicknesses. Choose a ball that allows your torso to be perpendicular to the floor with shoulders and head on the ball and knees bent with feet on the floor.
12. A treadmill is excellent for improving your cardiovascular fitness, the ACSM (American College of Sports Medicine) says, "Make sure you have the space for a treadmill, including space to walk around it. The treadmill belt should be long enough to fit your stride".
13. The stationary cycle is a good machine for people who are overweight or who have low back pain, because the workout is low impact. To burn extra calories, look for a cycle that exercises legs and arms at the same time.
14. You can install a water cooler for relatively little expense, or reserve an area for a mini fridge stocked with water and/or sports drinks.
15. Honey I shrunk My Waist Thirst Quencher Recipe: In a pitcher combine 1-cup (250 mL) orange juice, one- quarter cup (50 mL) lemon juice, one-quarter cup (50 mL) honey and one-quarter cup (50 mL) crushed ice. Mix well, enjoy!
Solutions, is compiled from various sources; stjohn.org, articlesbase.com, dawsontimes.comchannel4.com, canadianbusiness.com, fitness.suite101.com, ca.askmen.com, handycanadian.com. Thanks to all who contributed! Similar information may be found elsewhere. Solutions sleuth Reena Nerbas is a home economist and speaks professionally on the topic of household challenges; she is also the author of two national bestsellers, Household Solutions 1 with Substitutions and Household Solutions 2 with Kitchen Secrets. She can be heard on radio and television programs across Canada.
