Initially, installing a solar water heating system will cost you more than installing a standard water heating equipment, but the thermal system will save you money and in the long-term, you will get positive cash flow.

Since you are still building your home, you can save more because you can make your house design in a way that it will make solar thermal installation easier and that will feature other green building technologies.

Integrating green systems during your construction is definitely better and more cost-effective than making additions or revisions for green technology to an already finished house.

For instance, before building, you can analyze your geographic location and then see how you should orient your roofing so that your solar collectors can receive the most rays from the sun.

What you should do, according to Jim Cika of solar product manufacturer VELUX America, is to take a look at the different solar technologies available, their installation, costs and benefits before building a home. Look at solar photovoltaic, which uses solar heat to generate electricity, or solar thermal, which uses solar heat to heat water.

Look also at the requirements of the federal government’s Energy Star program for solar water heating systems so you can get your rebates up to $2,000. The rebate program reimburses 30 percent of your total system costs.

Cika said that the installation cost for a solar water heating system ranges from $8,000 to $12,000, depending on the water heating requirements of your household. He said that typically, two or three solar collector panels are installed on the rooftop and that solar hot water tanks are offered in 80-gallon or 120-gallon sizes.

According to Cika, you can reduce your water heating costs by up to 80 percent with the thermal heating system. This will result in a substantially reduced total energy bill because water heating accounts for up to one-fourth of total energy consumption in an average household, as calculated by the U.S. Energy Department.

In a new home construction, the installation cost of the thermal heating system can be added to the total cost of the house and to the home loan amount. The monthly energy savings you can get from the thermal heating system would exceed the increase in your resulting monthly amortization, according to Cika, so consider installing a solar water heating system before building a home.

Building a Home with Solar Water Heating Pays Off Big is a post from: HomeBuildingNet.com - The home building net!

Repairs and Maintenance:
• See to it that there is a functional lighting in your home.
• Get rid of plumbing problems.
• Replace damaged fixtures. Repair leaks and make sure everything inside works.
• Control the climate. Get your furnace, air conditioner, etc. working like new.
• Clean the walls and floor.
• See to it that the security alarm system and the smoke and carbon dioxide detectors are in good working condition.
• Repair sticking cabinets and loose knobs, as well as broken light switches and electrical outlets.

Organizing:

• Make your home look spacious with big storage space.
• Do a garage sale to dispose unnecessary items, or donate them to charity.
• Recycle if possible. Keep storage areas tidy.

Room-to-Room Cleaning

• Make your home spotless.
• Glue back peeling wallpapers and throw out garbage.
• Paint the trim, door, and walls way ahead of time.

Home Inspection

• Bathrooms: Remove rust, mildew, etc. to make it sparkle. Replace old toilet seats and shower curtains.
• Kitchens: Clean the cooking appliances. De-grease vents and exhaust fans. Clean garbage disposal to avoid bad odor. Clear the cabinets and counters of unnecessary items and replace old lights, handles, and door knobs.
• Doors and windows: Polish hinges, knobs, and other fixtures, and make sure they work properly. Oil hinges and install secure locks and dead bolts. Clean windows.
• Floors: Repair damaged tiles and wax the floors.
• Ceilings: Fix imperfections and repaint if needed.
• Bedrooms and living areas: Dust furniture and vacuum carpets. Make everything dust-free and bright.
• Garage, workshop, utility rooms: Do a total clean-up. Keep tools and other items in wall units.
• Stairways, entrances, exits: See to it that guardrails and handrails are secure.

Your spending on your home renovation can be returned once a buyer realizes the convenience it has provided.

Home Building: On Setting Up the Interior is a post from: HomeBuildingNet.com - The home building net!

Follow these guidelines and you can do it like a pro:

1. Purchase a large bucket and a paint screen. Buy a roller extension for convenience. Place the paint try in a plastic trash bag before pouring the paint for easy cleanup.
2. Pour in some paint and put the screen in the bucket. Dip the roller to the paint and run it over the screen to take away excess paint. A “spongepaint” technique gives your walls a textured look.
3. After painting, check the walls to see the need for touch-ups. Put leftover paint inside a plastic squeeze bottle and squeeze a little drop onto a paper towel and do a subtle touch-up. If there is still a leftover paint, put a label on it with what room is it for, and store it for future use.
4. When the roller starts to fuzz, wait for the roller to dry up then run a coarse material brush or a wire over it to remove excess fuzz and result to a smoother surface so more paint can be absorbed.
5. If you are to use the same paint the next day, just wrap it in aluminum foil and put it inside your freezer. The next day, take it out the freezer and position it under the sun. If you are to change the paint color, use a garden hose outdoor and wash it off. If you are completely done, wrap it in plastic wrap and keep it in a paper bag. Seal the cans of leftover paint and keep them upside down.

Not only was painting made cheap and easy but the home building process was made simpler as well.

Home Construction: Painting Made Easy is a post from: HomeBuildingNet.com - The home building net!

• Less than half always lock their front doors
• 33% fail to lock their back doors
• About half have open windows
• 22% fail to lock their doors inside the garage
• 3 out of 10 hide keys outside their homes (ex. under a doormat)

To avoid break-ins, it is very important to lock all home entrances all the time. Next thing, good quality locks with deadbolts should used to ensure security.
FBI has estimated 2 million burglaries in 2007, 61% of which are due to forcible entry. Most Americans assume that there are city and state building codes requiring a certain level of security and quality for home door locks. Unfortunately, most do not even necessitate a lock on exterior doors.
State Farm’s Building Technology Research has conducted a lab test on various door locks and hinges using a standardized weight test to come up with the best front-door safety measures. Here are the recommended door upgrades in home building:

• Choose a deadbolt over a latch bolt
• Choose a lock with American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Grade 1 Classification
• Choose locks with keys that cannot be copied
• Strengthen door jambs with better materials
• Use deadbolt locks with heavy-duty strike plates

Also, people must conduct home inventories regularly and review insurance policies.

Safety Tips on Home Building and Daily Practice to Avoid Home Break-ins is a post from: HomeBuildingNet.com - The home building net!

1. Contract Comprehension

Read and understand the contract before signing it. Do not fail to communicate every now and then with the builders and always write everything. Keep track of everything that is added or deleted after the contract is signed.

2. Building Costs Savings

You can save simply by keeping your costs in perspective. An added cost on a single item could blow up your total cost. Get only what is enough. Make sure that items suggested by others do not overpower satisfactory construction.

3. Building Codes Check

Require proof of compliance on applicable regulations. While some things cannot be changed like the foundation system, some can be, like the finishes and coverings; but it must not keep you from demanding good basic construction. Do not hesitate to question things that may not seem right. Seek outside advice from a reliable source.

4. Flexibility

Learn to compromise but know what you are giving up. Be careful of what you request the builder for it comes with a price. Absolute perfection may be unachievable but drastic imperfections can be corrected, and this you can require.

5. Record-Keeping

Things not clearly written could bring about conflicts in both parties. It is better to be redundant by putting verbal discussions into writing than leaving something to chance. Keep all records of communications.

6. Business-likeliness

Be realistic and businesslike in all your deals. If a friend is working for you, then treat them the same manner.
Before hiring a home builder, ask yourself important questions to know if you are really ready to have your new home built. Home building would not hurt if you only do it right.

Helpful Tips in Home Building is a post from: HomeBuildingNet.com - The home building net!

The Right Plants
There are actually plants which can be considered to be more fire-prone. For instance, conifers like spruces and pines will easily catch fire. Make sure that you and your home builder will choose plants that can hold plenty of moisture especially during summer when wildfires occur.

Landscape Design
For residential constructions, you should try to keep the plants away from the main house. Remember that these plants are considered to be fuel for wildfires. In addition to this, also make sure that the spaces between your plants are adequate. This way, the wildfire will not be able to spread as quickly. It will also be wise to create a fire break in the form of a well-irrigated and low mown grass. During the planning period, you should also ensure that firefighters will have easy access to all areas of your home. Place retaining walls, trees and fences accordingly and choose material such as bricks and tiles over wood.

Maintenance
It is vital that you properly maintain your fire-wise landscape if you are serious about protecting your home from wildfires. Litter and debris should be removed regularly and low-lying branches should be cut especially those hanging near roofs. An irrigation system should also be in place. This will keep your plants sufficiently-moistened, lessening the chance of the wildfire from spreading. It is also important that you keep easily-flammable materials such as firewood in a fire-safe storage.

By following these tips, you will be able to protect your family and your home and minimize the damages caused by wildfires.

Home Building 101: Protection with Fire-wise Landscape is a post from: HomeBuildingNet.com - The home building net!

• Financing
• Home market values in the area
• Home renovation costs
• Architectural plans and design
• Timetable for completion
• Commitment to the project

If you think you are ready to start your project, here are some tips for a hassle-free home renovation:

• Good communication with the contractor or remodeler. It is important that you can contact your remodeler easily if you have a question that needs to be answered or clarified immediately. Make sure that he informs you immediately if there are some problems or complications concerning the project.
• Make sure that have full trust on the expertise and knowledge of your contractor.
• Set a timetable for completion. Make sure that you and your contractor have come into understanding and mutual agreement about the timetable for your house remodeling project. This would lessen if not eliminate any problems and conflicts that may arise later.
• Put everything into writing. Make sure that you put into writing all the details pertaining with the project that you and your contractor have agreed upon. Have your remodeler review your written proposal.
• Clarify miscellaneous details. Before the project starts, make sure that all the kinks have been ironed out first before work commences, including access to the property, workdays and times, protection of the property and daily cleanup.
• Make your schedule flexible during the course of your home additions project.
• Clarify with your house builder contractor on how changes should be handled during the course of the project.
• Have a contract that covers some items, such as project timetable, payment schedule and insurance.
• If the remodeler subcontracted some parts of the work, request a lien waiver upon culmination of the project.

How-To: Home Building Additions and Home Remodeling is a post from: HomeBuildingNet.com - The home building net!