Living the Green Life

<h2 style="margin: 10pt 0in 0pt">Living the Green Life</h2>(ARA) - This year’s big home improvement trend is not the hottest paint color or the newest countertop surface. With a stagnant economy, American homeowners may not be in a buy/sell mode, but rather a remodel and stay put mentality, tackling projects that will add efficiency and value to their home, versus aesthetic sizzle. In many areas, that practicality translates into greater energy efficiency and living ‘green.'<div style="text-align: center"><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,29,0" width="425" height="282"><param name="movie" value="../images/banners/8b.swf" /><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="menu" value="false" /><param name="wmode" value="" /><embed src="../images/banners/8b.swf" wmode="" quality="high" menu="false" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="282"></embed></object></div>Living la Vida Verde Living the green life is now easy. Every aisle you turn to in home improvement centers has energy efficient, green materials as options, from flooring to light bulbs to heating and cooling systems. Even the bag you choose to carry your products home can be green.Indeed, the greening of America has gone from being a passing fad to a practical way of life for many homeowners in a budget-tightening economy. The first area to consider; windows and doors. In a recent national study conducted by Kelton Research, nearly two out of three (65 percent) homeowners believe that energy efficiency is the most important quality to consider when choosing new windows. The virtues of ‘green’ energy-efficient windows easily won out over other qualities like durability, safety, ease of use, soundproofing and clarity. According to the study, over half (51 percent) of Americans say that of anything in their home, windows offer the most potential when it comes to improved energy efficiency — more than other products such as lights (48 percent), insulation (48 percent) and heating systems (43 percent). "We recognize the priority consumers put on energy efficiency when it comes to choosing windows and doors," says Rob Jablonski, Pella Corporation’s vice president of engineering, whose team is focused on designing and testing innovative energy-efficient solutions. "That’s why innovation and the environment are so important at Pella. We continuously strive for ways to make Pella windows and doors the best they can be in terms of quality and energy efficiency." For the second consecutive year, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of Energy (DOE) have named Pella Corporation the 2008 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year award for the Product Manufacturer, windows category, for Pella’s outstanding contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by manufacturing and educating consumers about energy-efficient products. Surprising News When it comes to remodeling, the virtues of green are winning out over aesthetics. Americans are looking for home improvement projects that work to add value to their home and add to their monthly savings. In fact, 44 percent of homeowners surveyed say that if presented with the free services of a contractor, window replacement would be more important than a variety of popular home improvements like a kitchen remodel, installing new carpeting, landscaping the yard or building a new deck. "A majority of American homeowners (51 percent) say their windows aren’t ‘green’ or energy-efficient enough," says Elaine Sagers, vice president of marketing at Pella. "That fact combined with this new sense of practicality about home improvement projects tells us that many consumers are truly looking for ways to reduce how much their house actually costs them in monthly bills and upkeep." <div style="text-align: center"><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,29,0" width="425" height="282"><param name="movie" value="../images/banners/8c.swf" /><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="menu" value="false" /><param name="wmode" value="" /><embed src="../images/banners/8c.swf" wmode="" quality="high" menu="false" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="282"></embed></object></div> When to Say Now When deciding on when to replace your windows or doors, consider these signs as indicators that old windows need an upgrade: Poor performance — opening and closing is difficult; air leaks in, out or around the window; condensation or fogging occurs between glass panes; windows are painted or nailed shut and virtually impossible to open Looks — chipping, deterioration or water stains on the window or the area around the window (inside or out); design or style that doesn’t blend well with the rest of the home Effort — cleaning is a major hassle; replacement parts are hard to find or even non-existent For more information on practical home improvements that include energy-efficient windows and doors, contact a local Pella Window & Door Showroom expert by calling (888) 84-PELLA or logging on to www.pella.com. &
lt;/p> Courtesy of ARAcontent

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