How Green Is Your Hot Water?

No, we’re not talking about the color of your hot water – although green water could indicate a problem. We’re talking about how your water is heated and about how much water and energy you could be conserving by switching to a Denver tankless water heater (instant water heater).

Tankless water heaters can save water and energy. They also (because of this savings) can reduce your utility bills. And, they can cost less to install and operate than a traditional water heater.

Whether you are using an electric or a gas water heater, you are actually heating the amount of water held in your tank again and again to maintain a constant temperature. Depending upon the amount of hot water you use and when you use it, you could be spending quite a chunk of change to keep water hot for extended periods when you don’t need it.

For example, say you don’t cook (so you only run the dishwasher once a week), you don’t have a washing machine in your home, and you prefer to shower in the morning. You need hot water in the morning and on the day you run the dishwasher. If you use a traditional hot water heater, with a capacity of 50 gallons, you will be heating 50 gallons of water to the predetermined temperature and then continuing to heat it enough to keep it at that temperature twenty-four hours every day. If you only use 30 gallons of hot water when you shower, you are heating 30 gallons for an extra 23 hours and 20 gallons for an extra 24 hours every day. If you used a Denver tankless water heater, you would only heat the 30 gallons you need for your shower as you need it. Over the course of a year, this savings in energy could add up to a noticeable savings in your gas or electric bill.

Because tankless water heaters provide hot water by heating the water as it passes over a heating element, you only heat the amount of water you actually use. And, you don’t have to stand around waiting for the hot water to travel through the pipes from the hot water tank to the faucet you are using, which also saves water.

Tankless water heaters are becoming very popular because they are energy-efficient and because they conserve water. If you want to reduce your monthly utility bills and protect the environment, you can “green up” your water use by installing tankless water heaters in key parts of your Denver metro home.

Denver Basement Finishing Ideas

Denver basement remodeling ideas can be found in abundance by conducting a simple search on the Internet. It certainly makes sense to convert your basement into some useable living space. Why let any space in your Denver home go to waste? There can be problems with basements, however, so you will need to conduct a thorough inspection of the area before you embark on any Denver basement remodeling plans. For example, you will need to make sure that you do not block any duct work, wiring, or pipes that may need to be accessed at some time in the future. You will also need to ensure that you use waterproofing to keep the moisture and smells under control.

Some remodeling ideas include adding a bathroom to your basement, adding a bar, or creating a den. An interesting remodeling idea is to turn your basement into a separate apartment area. This might be a particularly good idea for you if you have a very large basement, and you think that you might want or need to rent part of your home out for some extra income.

As you consider different ideas for your remodeling project, think about things such as what type of flooring you would like to have and what kind of work needs to be done to your walls. Also think about lighting, as most basements do not have much natural lighting, and very little artificial lighting. Depending on what you decide to do with your basement, you may find that it will cost you quite a bit to install sufficient lights. It is a worthwhile investment, however, and will likely be essential to suit the needs of your newly remodeled space!

It is always best to have some solid ideas in mind before you consult a Denver contractor. In addition, it would be wise to have some designs and measurements to show Denver remodeling contractors so that they will be able to provide you with more accurate estimates. Estimates, however, are simply that and are subject to change during the course of any remodeling project.

Vinyl Siding Contractors

All vinyl sidings are made from polyvinyl chloride. It is used in automotive applications, medical devices, defense weapons, appliances, floor coverings, and home construction. Vinyl siding is ideal for your Denver home’s exterior, because it will not rot, crack, dent or warp. Vinyl Siding provides the Denver metro homeowner with numerous advantages.

Choosing siding deserves careful consideration. Some sidings are good in dry climates, others in wetter climates. Some siding is better in windy conditions. And still others, like vinyl, are good in all types of weather conditions.

Rain, snow and frost are the moisture concerns. If rain, snow or frost get behind the siding, the moisture makes the wall sheathing soft, degrading the strength of the entire house frame. Listed below are professional vinyl siding contractors in Colorado:

Christies Complete Services Inc.
PO Box 544
Firestonem CO 80520
Phone: 303-833-4715
Fax: 303-325-7344
Denver Vinyl Siding Contractor

Holladay Brothers Construction, Inc.
216 Auburn Drive
Colorado Springs, CO, 80909
Telephone: 719-596-7161
Fax: 719-596-6767
Colorado Springs Vinyl Siding

Geothermal Heat Pump Basics

As people throughout the Denver metro area think and take action to preserve the natural environment, most in developed countries are taking a fresh look at how they use energy to heat and cool their homes. Furnaces, boilers and air conditioning units are becoming more efficient. Most, however, rely on fossil fuels. Whether a homeowner looks at a more efficient air conditioner or an air-source heat pump, they will reduce their energy usage somewhat. Whether these systems are operated by oil burners, natural gas or electricity, they still rely on fossil fuel. The alternative, and the most energy-efficient way to heat and cool a home, is a geothermal heat pump.

Use of geothermal heat pumps to heat and cool residential homes is a relatively new phenomenon. For many, these systems remain too expensive to consider for their homes. Geothermal units are being installed in an increasing number of homes. Because of their amazing energy-efficiency, geothermal units are worth understanding and considering. To help you understand these heating/cooling units, here are some of the basic facts.

Geothermal heat pumps use the heat in the ground to heat or cool water or a liquid coolant. The temperature of the ground is 55°F year round.

Geothermal heat pumps handle both heating and air conditioning.

Most geothermal heat pumps also provide hot water, eliminating the need for a separate water heater for the home

There are three main parts of a geothermal heat pump system: the geothermal heat pump which moves heat between the building and the fluid in the earth connection; the earth connection which transfers heat between the earth and the fluid inside it; and a distribution system which delivers heating and cooling to the building.

Geothermal heat pumps use underground pipes filled with either a heat transfer fluid or with water. This fluid carries heat from inside the house and releases it into the ground in summer to cool your home; in winter it draws heat from the ground to heat your home.

The exceptional efficiency of the geothermal heat pump is due to the fact that the system must only heat or cool the fluid in the pipes by 15 to 20 degrees. Compare this to a conventional air conditioner which must cool or heat outside air as much as 40-50 degrees in some climates.

Geothermal heat pumps use 23-44% less energy than the most popular air-source heat pump. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has estimated that a Geothermal heat pump can save a typical family 30 – 70% on heating costs and 20 – 50% on cooling costs.

Water in the pipes can be drawn from a well or heat transfer fluid.

The cost to install a geothermal heat pump system is usually in the $7,500 – $15,000 range. This seems staggering when compared to the $1,500 – $5,000 for installation of a air-source heat pump. But geothermal units pay for themselves quickly in extremely low operating cost.

The U.S. Government offers some tax credits and special financing options for purchase and installation of geothermal units.

Many utility companies offer rebates on the purchase price of a geothermal system.

Many state and local governments offer tax credits and/or rebates on geothermal systems.

O’Brien Construction Provides Basement Finishing

O’Brien Construction a Denver bathroom remodeling contractor is now providing basement finishing services for homeowners in the Denver metro area.

O’Brien Construction was formed by Kevin O’Brien in 1999. Kevin is a 2nd generation Licensed General Contractor. Their goal is to bring our talent and knowledge to your next Denver basement finishing project. They enjoy all aspects of the projects from planning to permitting to building to completing. They do small to large jobs and as always free estimates.

If you would like to view some completed basement finishing photos, please visit their Remodeling Gallery.

DENVER BASEMENT CONTRACTOR
O’Brien Construction
1353 Elm St
Denver, CO 80246
Phone: 303-506-1262
Fax: 303-377-2699
Denver Contractor Contact

Denver Bathroom Costs

Average bathroom remodeling costs can best be determined by a professional Denver bathroom contractor. Though it may seem tempting to simply search the Internet for some basic information about average bathroom remodeling costs, you should not accept general figures as an indication of what your particular project might cost. Read more

Denver Window Wells

Window wells are like drains, right next to the basement walls. A properly designed window well should direct water away from the foundation rather than toward it. If your window wells are poorly designed and causing excessive basement moisture, a good basement waterproofing company can redesign them to better divert rainwater.

Many new window well systems will prevent problems from starting. Dahl House Construction, a professional Denver window contractor provides window wells that prevent problems caused by traditional window wells through the following advancements:

Clear, durable cover to let light in and keep dirt and debris out

Durable poly-carbonate construction that will not rust

Fully enclosed, including the bottom, so no grass or weeds will grow

Specially designed walls and bottom will reflect as much daylight as possible into your basement

Other new window well systems include window well’s, which are adjustable to fit any depth of window, and the other window wells, which meets building code specifications for safe emergency exit from your basement. The leading brand has specially designed both of these systems to let more light into your basement.

Clearly there are new solutions for your window well problems. If you are looking for a professional Denver window contractor for your basement window needs, please contact Dahl-House Construction today.

DENVER WINDOW CONTRACTOR CONTACT INFORMATION
Dahl-House Construction
P.O. Box 748
Indian Hills, CO 80454
Telephone: 303-915-5011
Fax: 303-237-4341
Denver Window Website

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