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The Hammer by Jeff Wallace
Summer has finally come to Boise, and the smell of barbeques fills the air. This summer, I have been called to construct numerous outdoor living spaces. That seems to be the hot new project for 2011, as are energy efficient upgrades. And, it's got me thinking, what's on your list this spring and summer? Perhaps you are itching to entertain with your own summer barbeques on a new deck, or maybe you want to add more energy efficient devices to your home. There are so many great projects to get started on. I would love to be a part of any ideas you have in mind, or need help brainstorming about.
Visit my website www.wallacerenovations.com, or give me a call: 208-573-1241. I will personally schedule and meet with you for a complimentary consultation to discuss your outdoor project needs.
Here's to a great end of spring and beginning of summer.
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Summer Home Maintenance | | |
Don't forget your summer chores
- Air Conditioner: It's a wise move to ensure your air conditioner is in proper working order now, rather than on a 90+ degree day. Calling a technician will save you the headache and hassle of waiting for parts if a repair is needed in the stifling heat.
- Gutters: Gutters are vulnerable to winter and spring weather conditions. If you haven't done so already, clean out gutters and check for leaks or repairs.
- Windows: Clean your windows with a thorough cleaning, and inspect the trim for damage around them as you go. Don't overlook the outdoor window trim and sills as they are even more vulnerable. Make sure you clean them in the daylight so all debris is spotted and removed.Clean and check window screens for holes, wear, or damage.
- Hoses and outside faucets: Both can be damaged by freezing during the winter and spring. Check to make sure yours are in stellar condition for the summer.
- Paint: If there's a painting project you've been putting off, this is a great time to do it. You can give your home a whole new look, and your colors will be fresh and vibrant for summer entertaining. Winters in Boise can take a serious toll on home exteriors, and it may be time to repaint or re-stain.
- Caulking: Check to make sure it is intact around tubs, showers, and sinks. Caulking is an item in your home that requires periodic maintenance.
- Roof: Inspect your roof for winter/spring damage. No one wants uninvited water or mold, especially around this region in the Northwest where we see winter snowfall.
- Sprinkler System, soaker hoses, and drip systems: If you have an existing sprinkler system, check for efficiency in watering areas. Place a cup near each sprinkler head to be sure that the water in all the cups is approximately the same amount. If you currently do not have a sprinkler system, installing one will actually reduce your water expenses. A programmable sprinkling system gives you the ability to monitor and program the sprinklers to operate during the cooler hours of the day so that you maximize your water usage.
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LATEST IN OUTDOOR LIVING | | |
Wallace's latest project overlooking the Boise River
A patio, or deck and pergola, make the perfect outdoor living area for entertaining and for taking the heat off. The summer months are also a great time to plant new trees in strategic areas that will afford you natural shade as they grow. In the meantime, look into other ways to get immediate shade relief. This project incorporated a heat reducing shade sail made of weather resistant fabric. If you already have an existing deck and pergola, a fresh new gloss to an existing deck will not only protect it, but give your deck a face lift for summer. These projects are ideal and are best accomplished, and enjoyed, in the summer months.
Wallace designed this custom project to take advantage of the views overlooking the Boise River, and used a combination of reclaimed and sustainable materials for the deck and cabana (actually an office with a view). The siding was reclaimed from the original redwood deck and re-used on the exterior and interior ceiling of the cabana. The new deck incorporated a custom design utilizing composite decking, the no maintenance deck material of choice. And the shade sail cuts down on afternoon sun, reducing the need for air conditioning. |
| GO TANKLESS THIS SUMMER | |  Water Heater Guide
With so much focus on energy efficiency and ways we can leave a smaller footprint, consider installing a new water heater. Tankless water heaters have improved tremendously since their conception. Electric tank water heaters have married with HVAC heat-pump technology, and produced the superhero of water heaters. These water heating units take the current efficiency ratings and multiply the energy factor to over twice the amount of the standard water heater.
How does it work? The heat from these water heaters is actually borrowed from the atmosphere. An evaporating unit resides inside the tank. The tank also has refrigerant inside that literally absorbs heat from the air, and delivers it to a heat exchanger which in turn heats the water within the tank. Air that is cool is then expelled back into the atmosphere.
Financially, an electric tank water heater has the potential to cut your electrical bill in half. Units that are Energy Star-rated heat pump models are also able to earn you 3 LEED certification points, which exceeds standard electrical tankless units that rate only 2 LEED certification points. Be bold and go tankless.
An attractive alternative option to the tankless water heater is investing in a new, more energy efficient tank-style water heater. Note that because Idaho has a colder climate in the winter the unit may require installation in a conditioned space, which would mean that it may not save the same amount of energy as in a warmer climate. However, the unit may in turn provide assistance to the efficiency of the A/C unit during the warmer time of the year. There is even a contingency plan as well with a built in electrical heating element that will provide heat if the system were to fail. Something noteworthy to consider is that heat pumps are the most efficient tank style choice for houses that do not have accessible natural gas.
The general operating principles of a condensing model are similar to a standard tank water heater. However, they have a better heat exchange. Instead of venting combustion gases outside as a standard gas tank water heater, a condensing model uses those gases to heat the water. In this process, the tank heats up almost as quickly as it's filled and it is able to provide more continuous hot water, overcoming one of the usage downfalls of traditional storage water heaters.
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| START A GARDEN THIS SUMMER | | |
Square Foot Gardening
Boise has become a haven for back yard gardeners, and farmers markets have proliferated recently. The Capitol City Public Market now takes up 5 city blocks! Try your hand this year at a back yard garden, even in
a small space. The method of Square Foot Gardening is a technique of planting developed by Mel Bartholomew in the 1970's. The technique allows you to maximize your space for conditioning, labor, and water use. Even if you live in the North End and have limited yard space, a square foot garden takes only one-fifth the space of a traditional garden. Learn more HERE.
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Thank you very much for your support over the years. We look forward to serving you, your family, and friends for many years to come. Because everyone loves a do-over.
Sincerely,
Jeff Wallace
Wallace Custom Design & Renovation
----together with Community Real Estate |
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