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Carbon monoxide
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Submitted Article
Consumers should beware of insulation contractors
who offer to insulate attics without checking for and
sealing attic air leaks. If the offer to insulate does not
include sealing air leaks, then the contractor is in viola-
tion of the Minnesota energy code, which says Attic
insulation may not be installed unless accessible attic
bypasses have been sealed.
Before building science demonstrated the role that air
leaks play in energy loss, it was commonly believed that
insulation was enough to stop heat flow through a home
or building. Although insulation slows heat transfer, it is
easily compromised by air flow. The only way to stop
this air movementand associated heat lossis by
eliminating the air leaks between the inside of the house
and the outside. First step to tightening ones home:
Identify air leaks and seal them.
Adding insulation is a great way to reduce the amount
of energy that you use, but it only reduces energy costs
if it is installed per the manufacturers instructions and
in conjunction with air sealing activities.
Consumers should conduct careful research before
investing in any energy-efficiency technology or
improvement and before signing with a contractor. Get
at least three bids. Utility companies and nonprofit ener-
gy groups may have contractors they recommend, and
utilities may offer consumer rebates for insulation work.
Get references and check sources like the Better
Business Bureau of Minnesota (651-699-1111 or 1-800-
646-6222) to see if there are any complaints or actions
against contractors.
For more information on insulation and other energy-
efficient measures to improve your home, contact the
Minnesota Department of Commerce, Division of
Energy Resources (DER) at 800-657-3710 or 651-539-
1882 or visit www.energy.mn.gov. DER provides a free
home energy guide called Home Envelope with detailed
information about air sealing and insulation, saving
energy, and selecting a contractor.
Beware the insulation
contractor who does
not include air sealing
Spring GuideApril 19, 2014Page 15
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(Submitted by
Minnesota Dept. of Commerce)
Are you planning an energy efficiency
improvement project or a new renewable
energy system, or have you recently com-
pleted a project? You may be eligible for
incentives to help pay for or finance those
projects.
Check out the Database of State
Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency
(DSIRE), the most comprehensive source
of information on financial incentives
and policies that support renewables and
energy efficiency in the United States.
DSIRE includes up-to-date information
on:
Federal tax credits
Federal grant and loan programs
State loan programs
State incentive programs
State sales and property tax incentives
Utility rebate, grant, and loan programs
For instance, at DSIRE you can learn
about the 30 percent federal Residential
Renewable Energy Tax Credit (good
through 2016) or the Residential Energy
Efficiency Tax Credit of up to $500 for
energy purchases made from 2011-2013.
DSIRE has information on the new 10-
year $250 million Made in Minnesota
Solar Incentive Program for new solar
electric and solar thermal installations.
The database provides a long list of
Minnesota utilities that offer rebate pro-
grams to residential and commercial cus-
tomers. Virtually every utility in the
statethe large investor-owned utilities
and the municipals and cooperativespro-
vides incentives on a range of energy-sav-
ing efforts, including energy audits, air
sealing and insulation, new high efficient
heating and cooling systems, and efficient
lighting.
Need financing for an energy-saving
project? Check out the low-interest Fix-Up
Loan offered by Minnesota Housing, as
well as other loan programs.
The DSIRE website is
www.dsireusa.org. The Minnesota
Department of Commerce, Division of
Energy Resources also offers financial
resource information.
Minnesota Energy Tips is provided
twice a month by the Minnesota
Department of Commerce, Division of
Energy Resources. Contact the divisions
Energy Information Center at
energy.info@state.mn.us or 800-657-3710
with energy questions.
DSIRE is go-to source on incentives for
energy efficiency, renewable energy projects
Spring GuideApril 19, 2014Page 16
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Submitted Article
Whether addressing air leak-
age and insulation issues,
replacing your heating or AC
system, or installing a solar
energy system, selecting a con-
tractor for a home energy
improvement job should be
treated like any major purchase:
Be precise about the job expec-
tations and the products and
services being purchased and be
diligent in checking the creden-
tials and integrity of your con-
tractor.
Identify several potential
hires for your job via usual
sources such as the Internet,
Yellow Pages, word of mouth,
friends, professional associa-
tions, etc., and get bids from at
least three contractors.
Check with the Minnesota
Department of Labor and
Industry at www.dli.mn.gov to
make sure the contractor
is licensed (if licen-
sure is required) and
check with the
Better Business
Bureau to see if
there are any com-
plaints or actions
against the contractor.
Get references and check
out online consumer rat-
ing services to learn what
others have to say about par-
ticular contractors.
Tips on bids and contracts:
Only review bids that are in
writing and include detailed
information about the project.
Be sure you are getting what
you expect.
Dont be misled by sales or
deals that are available for a
limited time only.
Contractors should apply for
permits and are responsible for
meeting building codes and
arranging inspections.
Learn about the Three-Day
Cooling Off Law that gives
you the right to cancel within 72
hours of signing a contract.
Dont provide a check or down
payment until this period has
ended.
Require lien waivers from all
suppliers and subcontractors.
Make sure the job is complet-
ed, including all inspections and
cleanup, before making final
payment.
Selecting a contractor
for home energy
improvement projects
Spring GuideApril 19, 2014Page 17
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Elk River, MN 55330
763 441 8608
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Excludes Stihl
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Commercial Store Fronts Custom Mirrors
Residential Insulated Glass Units
763-633-9694
555 Railroad Drive, Suite J, Elk River MN 55330
www.jaglassinc.com
(Submitted by
Minnesota Dept. of Health)
Asbestos Awareness aims to make peo-
ple aware that asbestos is still a problem.
Each year in the United States, 2,000-
3,000 people are diagnosed with a deadly
form of lung disease caused by exposure to
asbestos and 10,000 Americans die each
year from all asbestos-related diseases.
While most exposures to asbestos occur in
the workplace, many victims of asbestos
disease were exposed in their own homes
and didnt know it.
The Minnesota Department of Health
(MDH), working with the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA),
is increasing its efforts to make people
aware of the dangers of asbestos exposure.
Increased awareness of asbestos in our
home and work environments is important
so that parents, health care providers,
housing authorities, building and construc-
tion interests, educators and others can
work together to prevent exposure, said
Minnesota Health Commissioner Dr. Ed
Ehlinger.
Asbestos has been used in thousands of
products because of its strength and flexi-
bility, acoustical properties and resistance
to heat, chemicals and electricity. When
building materials that contain asbestos are
disturbed, asbestos fibers can become air-
borne in the home or workplace. Breathing
in asbestos fibers over a long period can
cause serious illness, including malignant
lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis.
Many symptoms of asbestos-related dis-
eases do not appear for 20 or more years,
making it difficult to diagnose.
For these reasons, we want
Minnesotans to know that if they are going
to renovate their home or commercial
property, they need to find out if existing
building materials contain asbestos so it
can be dealt with safely and properly, said
Dan Locher, asbestos and lead compliance
program supervisor for MDH.
In Minnesota, there are about 1.4 million
homes built before 1981 that could have
asbestos in a variety of building materials:
textured ceilings, floor and ceiling tiles,
linoleum, boiler and pipe insulation, duct
wrap insulation and seam tape, sheetrock,
plaster, roofing felt, shingles, and exterior
slate siding. Commercial and public build-
ings of approximately the same age range
could have asbestos in similar building
products. The only way to know for sure if
you have asbestos is to have building
materials tested. Asbestos inspections must
be done by a certified asbestos inspector.
Similarly, handling or removal of asbestos-
containing materials should be done by a
licensed asbestos abatement contractor.
Trying to do the work yourself could put
you, your family and the public at risk,
Locher said. For information on how to
find a qualified asbestos inspector or con-
tractor, visit the MDH website at:
http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/asb
estos/homeowner/howhire.html.
MDH has developed factsheets and edu-
cational materials that provide guidance on
testing, remediation and proper manage-
ment of asbestos-containing building
materials. They can be obtained from the
MDH website at
http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/asb
estos/index.html or by calling 651-201-
4620.
Renovating a home
or building?
Avoid exposure to
dangerous asbestos
Spring GuideApril 19, 2014Page 18
1600 Hwy. 55 & Co. Rd. 134, Buffalo
763-682-2200
www.trueman-welters.com
We Service Most Makes & Models
of Lawn & Garden Equipment!
Servicing:
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47.206 subs 3 and 4.
not an offer to lend. Any such offer may only be made pursuant to Minn Sts.
Subject to income and special qualications and credit approvals. This is
or other risk factors. See us for additional information. Limited time offer
factors of the loan which could include the credit score, loan to value ratio,
are mandated fees some borrowers are required to pay based on certain
*Origination Fees does not include Loan Level Price Adjustments, which
not an offer to lend. Any such offer may only be made pursuant to Minn Sts.
Subject to income and special qualications and credit approvals. This is
. or other risk factors. See us for additional information. Limited time offer
factors of the loan which could include the credit score, loan to value ratio,
are mandated fees some borrowers are required to pay based on certain
*Origination Fees does not include Loan Level Price Adjustments, which
For more information
contact CINDY HEATON at
cindyh@preferredtitle.biz
ELK RIVER:
19230 Evans Street
Elk River, MN 55330
763.241.9905
MONTICELLO:
113 West Broadway P.O. Box 727
Monticello, MN 55362
763.295.6140
FULL SERVICE TITLE,
ABSTRACT AND
ESCROW SERVICES
www.preferredtitle.biz
At Preferred Title,
we value our clients.
We strive to always
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I invite you come and
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Cindy Heaton, Owner
Article by StatePoint Media
Impressions count when visitors arrive
at your homes front door. Its the first and
last space they see, and it has the power to
make a positive or negative impression.
This season, consider an easy, cost-
effective home improvement project that
can add value to your home and boost curb
appeal -- updating the main door and entry
of your home.
Upgrade the Door
Start with the basics. Evaluate the look
and condition of the front door to deter-
mine if it needs to be replaced. A front door
should have good energy efficiency fea-
tures, a snug fit to the frame, and an
appealing color.
While wood was once the most popular
material for doors, homeowners are shift-
ing to alternatives. And for good reason --
a secure fiberglass door, can resist denting
and scratching, is easy to maintain, is ener-
gy efficient and can help keep your home
quiet. Smooth fiberglass finishes are avail-
able for painting along with a variety of
woodgrain finishes that have the look of
wood, but all the benefits of fiberglass.
Trim the Door
Consider transforming a ho-hum home
entry into a stylish entryway in less than an
hour. With a door surround kit, you can
accessorize your entryway in various
architectural styles. Available in
Craftsman, Colonial, Stone and Empire
styles, each kit offers weather-resistant
polyurethane pieces that resist rotting,
warping, cracking, insects, moisture and
peeling.
The kits include trim, such as pilasters,
crossheads and keystones, and are a
dynamic and quick way to enhance an
entry door.
As an alternative to a kit, you can order
durable pilasters and pediment pieces indi-
vidually. This allows you to select from
dozens of decorative pediment designs to
top off your door, such as a sunburst, rams
head or peaked cap.
Add Some Flair
To complete the look of your warm and
inviting entryway, dont forget to stain or
paint your door to complement your
homes exterior, as well as select decora-
tive or privacy glass for the doorlites and
sidelites. Next step, add some potted plants
and a colorful welcome mat and youve
transformed the look of your home entry-
way.
With a few easy upgrades, you can give
your home a fresh new look that will leave
a lasting impression.
Ways to Make
Your Homes
Entryway Stand Out
Spring GuideApril 19, 2014Page 24
New Home Construction - On your property
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Remodeling & Renovation - Our success in remodeling
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