Spring 2014 Home Improvement Guide by Newsroom

Spring home

improvement

CommunityAdvocate April 4, 2014

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2 • Community Advocate • Spring Home Improvement • Friday, April 4, 2014

A fresh approach Inexpensive ways to brighten up your home for spring By Sue Wambolt Contributing Writer

Photo/submitted

Region - After a very long season of cabin fever, the return of spring offers a welcome reprieve. Thawing temperatures bring signs of growth and renewal and, with it, the undeniable scent of new life. As we transition from winter to spring, we look forward to longer days, fresh air and sunshine and embrace the lure of the great outdoors. With spring comes the motivation to clean, freshen and get organized. Warmer months lend themselves to a clean, crisp and airy way of living often reflected in the way we showcase our living spaces. Spring is a time for celebration and a great time to combine spring cleaning with decorating. It is an opportunity to lighten, brighten and transform your interior spaces. It is, after all, a time for new

One of the easiest and most fun ways to change up spaces in your home is to switch out the pillows and bedding.

Janet Schwalm, interior decorator and design center manager at Koopman Paint in Westborough

beginnings. “One of the easiest and most fun ways to change up spaces in your home is to switch out the pillows and bedding,” suggested Janet Schwalm, interior decorator and design center manager at Koopman Paint in Westborough. “Adding pops of color through fabrics whether

Janet Schwalm inside or outside helps bring a newness and energy to the space. Now that fabric comes in a variety of textiles and can be used inside or out, personal-

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shelves - showcasing photos of family vacations and children frolicking in the yard. Additionally, place gardening books or books with titles relating to spring on your bookshelf and coffee table. Bring spring inside. According to Schwalm, tradition is making its way back into home decorating to bring comfort and ease. “Many of the fabric lines carry more updated traditional patterns with a European flare,” she said. “Mixing and matching patterns with trim accents to make each piece personal is large in the marketplace. Wall covering is another trend making its way back into the fashion. Patterns vary from bold to soft and many use texture.” Echoing Schwalm, Aakash said “the trend for 2014 is for homes to reflect individualized

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izing your space is easy.” “My advice is to mix accents with trends that you like to update a look,” added Aakash, creative director at Decor Custom Interiors in Westborough. “This can be done through accessories such as decorative pillows, throws, fabrics, artwork and more. The key is to retain your own personal style and a room that you love while adding small accents that create a unified look and bring an updated feel.” Spring decorating offers fun opportunities to update and refresh the rooms in your home without breaking the bank. One way to add a fresh feel to your home is by changing the paintings on the walls so that they reflect spring. Fields of wildflowers, babbling brooks and sprawling meadows beneath a rapture-blue sky do just this. Or, change the photographs that grace your

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Community Advocate • Spring Home Improvement • Friday, April 4, 2014 • 3

A fresh approach lications and showrooms the culmination of blues a n d

Fresh approach Continued from page 2

and personalized interiors which reflect memories, family and tradition. In terms of color, Pantone’s Radiant O rc h i d w a s selected color of the year - shades of gray make for great complimentary color combinations for this soft color family. Also, turquoise is being seen more in design pub-

greens being popular.” Overall, homeowners are leaning toward self-expression and using pieces which are unique to them. In addition, the move toward “green living” is reflected in their

flooring choices. According to Maryann Blais, manager of Carpet Lover Etc. in Westborough, “in 2014, hardwood in all types, especially bamboo, is getting really popular. People are going green and are misled to believe that carpet isn’t green. Just like food, reading labels on carpet will help the consumer understand that it, too, can be green.” In addition to room decor and flooring, adding potpourri, scented candles and fresh cut flowers will bring the fragrances of spring inside. Decorating for spring doesn’t have to be expensive or take a lot of time. All you need is your imagination to transform your home into a bright and beautiful refuge.

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4 • Community Advocate • Spring Home Improvement • Friday, April 4, 2014

Smart home, simple home The top seven reasons to add home technology this spring By Eileen Komanecky, Owner, simpleHome

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pring fever can inspire people in many different ways. In the past, new entrance mats, a thorough cleaning, spring plantings and a bit of fresh paint helped kick off the season. However for many homeowners today, the desire to live in a more beautiful and efficient home that provides you and your family with the peace of mind, convenience and the fun you deserve, takes more than just mulch delivery. If you’re thinking about building a new home, remodeling or adding value to an existing one, you’re probably wondering how, or if, the latest conveniences of home automation might figure into your plans. To help you think about what might make sense for you, we have created a list of items to consider as you plan for ways to

(l to r) - Jason Jordan, Justin Brunelle, Bob Mason and Eileen Komanecky

enhance your home this spring: 1. Control your home from anywhere.One of the most compelling reasons many people opt for smart home technology is the ability to control their home remotely. The ability to control the various systems in your

home, including lighting, security, heating and cooling, appliances, door locks, AV entertainment and more, all from a smartphone or tablet, is an affordable

convenience that also provides a great amount of peace of mind. 2. See your home from anywhere. With smart-home integration, cameras in and around your home can be accessed from a smartphone or tablet so you can see what’s going on no matter where you are. Ensure your children and beloved pets are safe and that your home is secure. 3. Enjoy music and video in every room, deck, patio and even garden. Video screens and inwall speakers throughout your house and property provide entertainment as you go from room to room; there’s even a party

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mode that plays favorite tunes in every room! When your guests leave, you can go back to enjoying different music sources in each room – again, everything controllable from a smartphone, tablet, or in-wall touch panels. 4. Bring the theater home. Create a fully automated retreat in the basement: Walk in, sit down, put your favorite beverage in a cup holder, and hit Play Movie on the remote to dim the lights and start the movie. 5. Conserve energy. Having the capability to turn off or dim every light in the house with one button press, control motorized window shades and call up a thermostat app on your phone can all contribute to lower utility bills. You can even monitor household energy usage to see where it makes sense to cut back. 6. Make it your own. With the help of a home tech pro, almost anything is possible and remote controllable - from electronic weathervanes and gas fireplaces to snow melting systems and flood detectors to motorized windows and gates. 7. Automation is convenient, practical and fun! If there’s a common thread running through all of the above, it can be summed up in three letters: F-U-N. Not only does home automation expand your entertainment options and make entertaining guests a breeze; whole-home control also transforms mundane tasks like heating and lighting control into a futuristic kind of cool tailored to your needs. Update and automate your home! For more information contact simpleHome at 508-616-0952 or visit www.simplehome.net.

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Community Advocate • Spring Home Improvement • Friday, April 4, 2014 • 5

Think spring! Don’t wait to start planning home improvements By Valerie Franchi Contributing Writer

Region – Even though there is still snow on the ground, it is not too early to start thinking about spring and cleaning up your home and yard. Spring is also a perfect season to think about adding a deck for summer barbecues or making any necessary repairs before next winter. Mike Jackson of Five Star Painting said customers start thinking about improvements up to a year before they actually start calling contractors and getting estimates. “Everybody wants it done as soon as possible when the weather improves,” he said. Jackson recommends scheduling early – before the snow melts – to make sure the contractor will be available when you want them. Exterior painting needs to wait until there are constant 45-degree temperatures and the ground has hardened for ladders. But Five Star Painting can do other jobs earlier, such as pressure washing and exterior wood replacement. They also do interior painting and have recently added epoxy garage and cellar floors to their list of specialties. “Everything soup to nuts,” Jackson said. The same goes for more extensive renovations such as siding, roof repair, window replacement or gutter installation. Advantage Siding Inc., will provide a free estimate and custom-tailor a plan to fit each individual homeowner’s needs. With over 30 years of experience, Advantage uses the highest quality materials backed by the best warranties in the industry. Of course, if you are a doit-yourselfer, Taylor Rental in Westborough has the equipment you need – both large and small. For the home exterior, they rent pressure washers and paint sprayers. For yards, they carry lawn movers, hedge and weed trimmers, leaf blowers, gas chain saws, thatchers and aerators to get your lawn in top quality shape for the summer. “Some snow melts and all of a sudden they see their lawn and realize it’s time to

clean up the winter debris and get their yard ready for summer,” explained owner Gene Boudreau. For those without a lot of storage space, renting equipment is a great option. It also means not having to maintain expensive equipment every year. Other touch-ups to your home’s exterior may include repairing or patching concrete sidewalks, steps and other fixtures around the home. Small Load Concrete can deliver concrete for repairs or to build new features to get your home ready for the good weather. A concrete patio can create a place for outdoor gettogethers, for example, or a handicapped ramp can provide better access to the home. “Large companies cannot afford to deliver concrete to homeowners or small contractors, so we do,” owner Peter Amorello said. His business

delivers all over Worcester County, three seasons out of four, he noted. “Now is a great time to call to set up a delivery,” he said. Although it seems like a long way off, homeowners will be needing air conditioning sooner than they know. According to Paul Robbins of Al’s Oil, “you should absolutely should have your AC overhauled and condenser cleaned after snow is gone to flush out any dirt and debris.” Al’s Oil has been supplying Central Massachusetts with low cost heating oil for over 11 years, providing everything from installations to cleanings. “Cleanliness equals efficiency and saving money,” Robbins said. According to the U.S. Energy Star website, improper installation of high-efficiency equipment can reduce its efficiency by up to 30 percent.

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ably and efficiently and extend equipment life,” their website said. “Heating and cooling equipment also should be upgraded periodically to take advantage of advancements in energy-saving technology.” Spring will be here before we know it. Don’t wait to schedule home repairs, improvements and maintenance so you can have time to enjoy a relaxing summer.

Contact information for the vendors listed in this story: Five Star Painting, 508-479-8040 Taylor Rental Westborough taylorrentalwestboro.com, 508-366-1336 Small Load Concrete smallloadconcrete.com, 508-770-1200 Advantage Siding advantagesidinginc.com, 774-248-4810 Al’s Oil, alsoil.com, 508-753-7221 Coan Heating and Air Conditioning coanoil.com, 800-262-6462

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6 • Community Advocate • Spring Home Improvement • Friday, April 4, 2014

OnSpring therealhome front estate market thawing out By Sue Wambolt Contributing Writer

Region - As we emerge from a long, cold winter - one that was accurately predicted by The Farmer’s Almanac to be “piercing cold,” “bitterly cold,” and “biting cold” - New Englanders cautiously pack up their shovels and sleds and prepare for the deep thaw that spring offers. We remind ourselves that it will happen, despite the fact that Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow on Groundhog Day and winter seems unwilling to leave. Soon, though, Mother Nature will pull back her curtains to reveal the splendor of spring and a kaleidoscope of colors will paint the landscape. With it, the spring real estate market kicks off. According to Shelly Valchuis of Houde Real Estate, “the spring market looks great.

Below: Shelly Valchuis, Houde Real Estate, Marlborough

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Community Advocate • Spring Home Improvement • Friday, April 4, 2014 • 7

On the home front Home front Continued from page 6

Contact information for the Realtors listed above: Keller Williams Elizabeth Hanson 508-864-1012 www.elizhansonhomes.com Williams Realty expanded on Valchius’ list, adding that granite counters, irrigation systems and hardwood floors are also features that home buyers are looking for. As the spring market gets under way, said Hanson, the most important thing to stress

is the lack of homes on the market. Prices are up and days on the market are fewer. In Shrewsbury, she said, the median home price has increased from $325,000 in March of 2103 to $370,000 this past March. There are currently 67 homes on the market as

compared to 91 last year at his time and homes which sold in 157 days are currently off the market in 98. Homeowners wishing to sell are encouraged to take advantage of the market and list their homes as soon as possible. “Homes that have been

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Some inexpensive ways to add value to the outside of your home - and boost curb appeal - include: adding a new mailbox, painting the front door, pressure washing the house and cleaning windows, planting flowers, and adding fresh mulch. Additionally, a general yard cleanup, including removal of weeds, trimming bushes, raking leaf debris and cutting low branches on trees, goes a long way toward enhancing the curb appeal of your home. Landscaping that is welcoming and has good visual appeal will keep a buyer interested in your home. After all, people want to live in a home that is beautiful on the outside as well as the inside. Inside a home, there are many ways for home sellers to add value to their homes without breaking the bank. Among them, have carpets professionally cleaned, add fresh paint (in a neutral palette) to rooms, install new faucets and light fixtures and hang new shower curtains in the bathrooms. According to Valchuis, the following are home selling “must haves” necessary to attract buyers: updated kitchen and bathrooms, fresh paint, an open floor plan which has a nice flow, and a low energy “footprint.” Additionally, a new roof, furnace, windows and air conditioning are big draws. Buyers also seek an outdoor space for entertaining and relaxing - outdoor living is in! Home buyers are looking for homes that expand their living space by incorporating functional “outdoor rooms.” Elizabeth Hanson of Keller

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8 • Community Advocate • Spring Home Improvement • Friday, April 4, 2014

Wildflower wonder Flowers that thrive in challenging circumstances L

ovely wildflowers grow in the most challenging of places. They often live in garden beds without high-quality soil, highway roads and even in pavement cracks. Garden experts say these blooms thrive on neglect. If you love the look of flowers, but don’t want to invest a lot of time on their care, you might wish to add a variety of wildflowers to your garden and grounds. Understand, though, that it’s not as easy as scattering wildflower seeds onto a dirt patch and watching them magically grow. There is a small level of effort involved: choosing a site with full to partial sun, removing from your garden bed any existing grass or weeds, keeping the seeds moist until growth is a few inches tall, and adding a light mulch layer of straw, peat or compost to keep birds from

Wildflowers aren’t just beautiful – they are also beneficial to the environment and to other living creatures.

eating your seeds, according to Marie Iannotti, About.com gardening guide. You must give your seeds some kind of nurturing for them to grow to their full potential. In addition to the burst of color soon to fill your garden, there are a few additional advantages to planting wildflowers native to your area. The U.S. Forest Service says that native plants: -Do not require fertilizers and require fewer pesticides than lawns. -Reduce air pollution. They remove carbon from the air. -They give shelter and food for wildlife - providing nectar, pollen and seeds that native butterflies enjoy and will be drawn to. -Help prevent erosion. Wildflowers have deep root Wildflowers page 9

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Wildflower wonder Wildflowers Continued from page 8

systems and increase the soil’s capacity to store water. They can reduce water runoff and help prevent flooding. -They can increase the value and sale possibilities of your home, if your house is on the market and your lovely wildflower garden impresses potential buyers. What the U.S. Forest Service didn’t mention is that growing wildflowers is an easy project that children can get involved with, from the growing to the harvesting stages. Seeds are inexpensive, so if your wildflower plantings for some reason do not thrive, you haven’t lost a fortune in purchases from your local nursery. Speaking of your local nursery, they are an excellent source of information on which wildflowers are native to your area, and which specific wildflowers will grow best in the particular conditions of your garden. You might also check the websites

If you love the look of flowers, but don’t want to invest a lot of time on their care, you might wish to add a variety of wildflowers to your garden and grounds.

of top flower seed companies, or visit Wildflower.org, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, dedicated to the sustainable use and conservation of native wildflowers, plants and landscapes.

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mingbirds, plant cleome, garden columbine, nasturtium and zinnia. To attract beneficial insects to your garden, plant bishop’s weed, caraway, dill, fennel, globe candytuft, white Dutch

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clover and yarrow (attracts ladybugs). Additional wildflowers to consider, according to your region’s hardiness zone and your garden center expert’s advice are bachelor’s button, bergamot, Canada milk vetch, chicory, common milkweed, coreopsis, dotted mint, evening primrose, fawn lily, lobelia, marigold, morning glory, mountain mint, phlox, Queen Anne’s lace, red clover, rhododendron, smooth aster, sunflower, viburnum, wild iris, wild petunia and wild sienna. How much seed should you spread to grow a full, lush wildflower garden? Iannotti suggests a quarter pound per 1,000 square feet, or about a half-ounce per 100 square feet. She advises you sow seeds after all danger of frost has passed and remove weeds as you see them. Soon, you’ll have a colorful wildflower garden and perhaps also enjoy the butterflies, hummingbirds and ladybugs they attract.

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10 • Community Advocate • Spring Home Improvement • Friday, April 4, 2014

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somewhere in your home. It’s not just these megapacks and stacked cases that need a home. At your grocery or gourmet food store, you might indulge in a wide variety of products sold in bulk. Buying in bulk means there’s much less wasteful packaging, the experts at Whole Foods explain, and “you save money because you’re not paying for the fancy label.” Many bulk items are organically grown, and some top items Whole Foods lists among its offerings include “rice, grains, flours, pasta, soup mixes, beans, cereals, trail mixes, nut butters, sweeteners, dried fruits, nuts and seeds, snacks and treats, herbs, spices, salts and peppercorns, teas and coffee.” These items bought from the bulk foods aisles will likely not

come home with you in packages as large as those paper towel roll collections, but they too need to be stored safely and efficiently in your home. Don’t forget those bulk bins of fresh vegetables and fruits that you might buy as shares from a nearby family farm or organic food co-op. These perishable items need a place to live in your home as well. Here are the top tips for creating your home bulkitem storage spaces: 1) Create several storage spaces to accommodate your perishable and non-perishable items, and organize them by accessibility needs. For instance, onions, peppers, apples and other fruits and vegetables should be located close to your cooking areas, such as in baskets on a shelf

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or countertop. Toilet paper rolls can be stacked in your linen closet by bathrooms, and paper towel rolls can go in the basement or in your walk-in pantry. Having stations makes your bulk buys more accessible, which means you’ll be more likely to get your money ’s worth with those perishable items that could otherwise be forgotten when they’re too far from your cooking area. 2) Think temperature control. If your garage isn’t well-insulated, perishables stored on shelves there can f reeze during cold winter months. Keep all perishable items in warmer rooms of your home. 3) Think safety. If you have small children or pets in your Save money page 11

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Community Advocate • Spring Home Improvement • Friday, April 4, 2014 • 11

Save money and space Save money Continued from page 10

home, make sure that openshelving units don’t pose the risk of them getting into your bulk buys or of cans toppling from shelves, i n j u r ing them. Choose storage shelving units with doors on the bottom levels, childproofed for extra security. 4) Purchase new, sturdy shelving units that can hold heavy items. Older shelving units can be rickety, posing r isks of them falling over or shelves giving out. Organizational shelf

systems at home-supply stores now come with great features such as baskets that slide out like drawers and customizable dividers. 5) Purchase new plastic storage containers with airtight sealable lids in different sizes to hold an array of your bulk buys. And label them with not just the item name, but also the date you bought them. 6) If you have a walk-in pantry, consider making one side’s shelving units your dedicated space for your bulk buys, rather than shoving items in among other products haphazardly. 7) Designate a large basket or wooden box for your donate items; those canned goods that are still within

Organizational shelf systems at home-supply stores now come with features such as baskets that slide out like drawers and customizable dividers.

their expiration periods but aren’t your favorite tastes. These can be brought to your local food pantry. Any bulk pet items you bought that your pet didn’t like can go to an animal shelter. 8) Create a method for when your stockpile gets low. Hang a clipboard or magnetic notepad on your shelving unit so that you can write down which supplies are running low and needing to be replenished. 9) Arrange your bulk items with lots of airflow around them wherever you store them, especially perishables, so that they don’t spoil and so that they look more orderly if visible to others. 10) Consider buying an additional refrigerator unit for your basement or garage in which to store your overflow produce. Jamming too many vegetables into your kitchen refrigerator drawers can lead to quick spoilage of your food and lots of wasted money.

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12 • Community Advocate • Spring Home Improvement • Friday, April 4, 2014

The grass T

he grass doesn’t always have to be g re e n e r on t h e other side of the fence. If you plant the right kind of grass seed at the right time -- and then take care of it -- chances are your lawn will look great even when the dog days of summer arrive. “When thinking about grass, it’s usually in the context of front lawns, backyards or on a sports field, and its benefits as a living plant are rarely given much thought,” said Bruce Augustin, chief agronomist for The Scotts Company. “But grass is an important and critical part of nature. Grass works to sustain its surrounding ecosystem and create fertile soil.” What kind of grass you should plant depends on where

A nice lawn starts here

y o u l i v e . Kentucky bluegrass and fescue are good for colder climates; zoysia is fine for warm climates. If you live in the Southeast, try centipede or Bahia grass. Floridians should plant St. Augustine or carpet grass. Bermuda grass does well in very dry climates. Mixes of ryegrass and bluegrass are good for the Midwestern states, which experience a wide variety of weather. Ryegrass (which has only one blade per seed) will come up in seven to 10 days and will “hold the soil” until the bluegrass (which produces a lot of blades) has a chance to germinate and grow over a The grass page 13

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The grass The grass Continued from page 12

period of two to three weeks. People who live in warm climates can plant in the fall. However, if you are in an area that experiences four definite seasons, it’s best to plant in the spring, before the weather gets too hot, or wait until the early fall, when the weather turns cooler but is not yet freezing. If you have doubts about what grass to plant, go to your local hardware or home improvement store and ask a sales associate for advice, said Steve Fafoglia, who owns a True Value hardware store. At those stores, seed usually comes either in bulk or in a bag. “Bulk seed is less expensive because it hasn’t been cleaned of weeds,” Fafoglia said. “The seeds in bags have been cleaned and cost a little more.” Just remember that you might spend more money in the long run if you have to get

rid of weeds. “Grass seed must be either raked or slit seeded into soil that is dry on at least the top layer,” Fafoglia said. “Seed should be planted a quarter- or half-inch below the ground surface to make good contact with the soil.” Plant any higher than that and you merely are inviting the birds to breakfast. Of course, new seed must be kept watered. Once your grass is planted and the lawn is established, you need to take care of it. Fertilizing, “or feeding,” your grass three to four times a year provides it with nutrients that thicken grass and build deep root systems, Augustin said. When fertilizer lands on driveways or sidewalks, sweep it back on the lawn to keep nutrients where the grass will use it. When mowing, set your mower to the highest setting. Leave your clippings on your lawn to break down and recycle nutrients back into the

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if you have a 100-pound Lab that runs along the fence all day long, grass is not going to grow there. Maybe you should put rocks there instead,” Robertson said. “If you have a very shady part of the yard that gets less than two or three hours of sun a day, you’d be better off putting in shady-area plants,” he said. “It’s just best not to fight a losing battle.”

“In the fall, you’ll have the leaves coming down, which means you’ll have to keep the leaves off it.” Remember that tree roots rob new grass of moisture, so grass competing with tree roots requires more water. Sometimes planting grass just isn’t feasible. “That’s when you have to take a step back and ask yourself, ‘Is grass going to survive here?’ For example,

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14 • Community Advocate • Spring Home Improvement • Friday, April 4, 2014

By John Pitcavage Endless Mountains Solar

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olar Photovoltaic (PV ) installations have exploded in Massachusetts over the past decade. By how much? Let’s just say in 2003 there were less than 1,000 solar panels installed in the entire state. One decade later in 2013 there were just under 1,000,000 solar panels installed. Why? Incentives. The Energy Policy Act of 2005 allows a taxpayer to claim a federal income tax credit of 30 percent on all solar systems with no cap. In April 2007, Gov. Deval Patrick announced a goal of 250 MW of solar power by 2017; with that, came state rebates. A homeowner may qualify for up to $9,000 in state rebates along with a $1,000 state tax credit. Other incentives include:

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no sales tax for residential homeowners, no property tax increase for the added value to the home and the production and sale of Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs). A SREC is a certificate that represents clean solar electricity equal to 1,000 kW

hours. SRECs can be sold to companies like National Grid for a handsome profit. Companies like National Grid have to buy them to comply with state-mandated clean energy goals. Current values are higher than the value of the electricity it’s meant to represent. An ex-

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ample of a $150 per month electric bill would correlate to about $2,450 of revenue per year in addition to the electrical savings enjoyed by the homeowner. These incentives have spurred one of the fastest growing solar markets in the world. Patrick’s original goal was accomplished, three years early, in 2013. A new goal has been set of 1,600 MW of solar capacity which correlates to about 6.4 million solar panels. This goal comes with new rules making it more attractive for homeowners and small businesses to use roof space rather than open space commonly used for large solar farms. This incentive comes in the form of a discount value to SREC production by the larger solar farms. Homeowners and small businesses are able to sell the SRECs for more value than large commercial solar farms. Another reason solar is

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explodi n g in the state is due to the fact that electric rates have been increasing by approximately 6.2 percent per year with no sign of relief. In November 2013 for example, the state’s largest electric supplier, increased generation rates by 27 percent. If your average monthly electric bill was $125 prior to this increase, you are now paying about $150 per month, an additional $300 more per year. Homeowners across the state are embracing solar electric’s long lifespan to provide their electric needs with little to no maintenance. By installing a solar system, a homeowner is protected against rising electric rates. In addition to the financial incentives, solar electricity is great for the environment. One 43 lb solar panel prevents 12,580 lbs. of carbon dioxide emissions which is the equivalent of planting 30 trees, and can be recycled at the end of its 35-40 year lifespan. But you better sign up soon. Current federal solar incentive programs will be expiring and are unlikely to be this attractive again. The sooner you choose solar, the sooner you can use the current incentives, rebates, tax credits and more to your advantage and reduce or eliminate your electric bill. Why wait?

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Community Advocate • Spring Home Improvement • Friday, April 4, 2014 • 15

Feed your plants

Fertilizer and mulch provide better growing conditions S

pring is a good time to make sure your lawn and plants contain the proper nutrients to thrive through the hot summer months. LawnCare. net recommends not fertilizing in the early spring. Fertilizing too soon could promote top growth and weaken the root system, which may not be able to handle the hot and dry summer weather. When it comes to fertilizing your lawn, the amount of fertilizer depends on the type of grass and the region’s conditions. Although each grass species may need a different fertilizing schedule, the necessary amount is “one pound of actual nitrogen per 1,000 square feet per application,” according to Jeff Rugg, a horticulture educator at the University of Illinois Extension and writer of the syndicated column “A Greener View.” By providing the needed nutrients, fertilizer acts as a tool to sustain plant health, according to Scott Aker, the gardens unit leader at the U.S. National Arboretum, in Washington, D.C. Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium are fertilizer’s main components. A soil test can help determine whether there are insufficient amounts of these three elements. Rugg suggests contacting your local soil testing company for an examination. The type of fertilizer depends on what plant needs to be treated. Both liquid and dry fertilizers can supply fast or controlled releases of nutrients. Chemical fertilizers provide fast releases of balanced levels of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, whereas organic fertilizers usually put the nutrients into the soil at slower rates. Be careful not to overuse chemical fertilizers on your lawn; the chemicals can cause groundwater pollution, and their high salt levels can burn the grass, according to LawnCare.net. Some organic types contain lower amounts of nitrogen, so if you use them, you need more fertilizer to spread across the lawn, according to a lawn care article

from the University of Illinois Extension. Although organic fertilizer works at a slower pace,

Be careful not to go overboard when using fertilizer; too much can harm plants and the environment.

Aker said it could offer a more balanced nutrient release over a longer time period. “The best type (of fertilizer) feeds the lawn without feeding anything else by washing into ponds and streams,” Rugg said. “It should never contain weed killers or insect killers, unless that specific problem has been diagnosed at that particular time.” Certain plants or shrubs could require greater amounts of fertilizer. For example, Aker says flowers need more fertilizer than ground cover. And planting areas with shortages of soil, such as container gardens, usually require more fertilizer to make up for the lack of nutrients. Liquid fertilizers are easier to use when treating container gardens. If the soil contains enough organic material, nutrients and water, plants don’t require additional fertilizer. Mulch protects the soil and roots, whereas fertilizer’s main duty is to provide nutrients for plants. Mulch stops weed development and aids in preserving soil moisture and maintaining moderate soil temperatures, according to Aker. And Aker says that mulch “serves an aesthetic function by eliminating the splash of dirt onto plants and giving beds a neat, finished appearance.” There are organic and inorganic mulch products.

Rugg recommends organic mulch for most plants; it delays putting nutrients back into the soil, similar to a slow-release fertilizer. Inorganic mulch contains gravel or shredded rubber material. “Mulch is a bunch of material sitting on the soil surface that insulates the surface from

quickly freezing and thawing,” Rugg said. “And it helps prevent the soil underneath from drying out too fast.” Be careful not to go overboard when using fertilizer; too much can harm plants and the environment. Only use fertilizer if you know it is needed in your yard. Mulch that’s deeper than two inches will damage plants, as well,

according to Aker. Usually, warmer and wetter weather means a greater loss of nutrients; rain may filter out nutrients, and hot soil temperatures can reduce nutrients through volatilization. “Plants need nutrients when they are actively growing,” Rugg said. “A longer growing season means plants need more nutrients.”

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16 • Community Advocate • Spring Home Improvement • Friday, April 4, 2014

Ready... set... go! A blueprint for spring family fun By David Veron President and CEO The Veron Company

fter this long, cold, and snowy winter, New Englanders are ready to start planning for those hot summer nights. A simple checklist for homeowners includes the basics: 1. Activate irrigation system 2. Schedule lawn maintenance and fertilization 3. Plant some spring flowers 4. Design and plant your garden But maybe this is also the year you are thinking of designing your own backyard oasis. After a long week of commuting to work, and driving the children to all of their activities, more and more families are opting this year instead for a vacation in their own backyard. And now, the

Maybe this is the year you are thinking of designing your own backyard oasis. photos courtesy of the veron co.

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summer nights instead of fighting traffic to get to their favorite beach. Whether it is s’mores by the outdoor fire pit, or a game on their own bocce court, families are spending time together, and making priceless memories. Here are four ways to create your vacation oasis: • Furnish the outdoors for comfort and durability - Outdoor furniture is now available in so many designs and textures with weather protective and water resistant materials. An inviting outdoor wicker couch or a beautiful cabana can make all the difference. • Outdoor lighting is essential - It provides ambiance and allows you to enjoy the beautiful plantings and stone work long into the evening. Let’s face it; summer is way too short so lighting up the night through uplighitng and nightscaping is a must. • A family attraction - De-

sign fun outdoor time for the entire family and create a backyard that you and the kids can’t wait to enjoy. No more sitting in vacation traffic, or exorbitant hotel rates - just jump right into your backyard. • Water, Water Everywhere! Ponds, fountains, water gardens, spas or even pools can add a “zen” vibe or a feeling of peaceful luxury. The sound of trickling water in a water garden or a waterfall into the pool can make those longs days of work seem so far away and almost as if you have disappeared onto your own island. So shake those winter blues and start planning for those hot summer nights. Enhance your outdoor getaway and enjoy every moment! For more information call 508-485-4884 or email david@theveroncompany.com or visit www.theveroncompany.com.

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