Fall home improvement 2015

Fall

Home Improvement

October 1, 2015 • A special publication of the Addison Independent

Gamache looks to deliver savings

as head of Efficiency Vemont.

Page 6C

Family worksto earn a

Habitat for Humanity home.

Page 5C

A couple builds a home to suit

the environment in Lincoln.Page 3C

Inside:

PAGE 2C — Addison Independent, Thursday, October 1, 2015

Jackman’s, Inc.32 Pine Street • Bristol, VT 05443

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Addison Independent, Thursday, October 1, 2015 — PAGE 3C

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New home in the hills fits nicely into the Vt. landscapeFilmmaker returns to his roots but introduces new forms

(See Lincoln home, Page 8C)

By CHRISTY LYNNLINCOLN — Vermont’s bucolic

landscape is one of the most treasured qualities by residents as well as visitors who adore the quiet and gentle beauty of the Green Mountains and respite from the commercial hustle-bustle of more urban environments.

Within this scene one may picture the agrarian homestead — a large farmhouse and a barn, each servicing the fields, animals and gardens within.

While it’s been a quiet and slow transition, this built landscape in Vermont is diversifying. With an ever-widening array of residents (permanent and temporary) has come

an equally varied set of needs and architectural s o l u t i o n s . Certainly there are successful farmers still working the land and caring for animals; but emerging industries are attracting new people as well.

Ideas of r e s i d e n t i a l landscapes are modernizing along with

these residents. Exposure to a variety of worldly trends is challenging the uniformity of all places — not just Vermont — and opening a breadth of options.

Bjorn Jackson grew up in Middlebury, the son of the well-known family of artists. After high school he headed to Hampshire College, where he studied film, which led him to pursue a career in film production. Jackson works as a freelance digital imaging technician based in Brooklyn, N.Y., and his job takes him all over the world.

Despite this seemingly glamorous lifestyle, he thinks often of home in

Vermont.In early 2014, Jackson and his

partner Brigitte Wehner decided to pursue the dream of a home in the Green Mountains. With cousins already settled in Lincoln and a love for the steep hillsides and cozy valleys, Jackson and Wehner set their search for a homesite with fairly narrow parameters. It wasn’t long before they found a quiet plot on York Hill with easterly views to Mount Abraham.

Wehner grew up in Germany, where she was surrounded by the

classic European aesthetic that she calls “modern rustic.” Clean, undecorated lines and raw material finishes are characteristic of many buildings across Europe; this provided inspiration for Wehner and Jackson’s Lincoln home.

Energy performance standards are extremely rigorous in much of Europe, but Germany is one of the countries most deeply committed to reducing both material waste and performance inefficiencies.

Similarly, Wehner was interested

in using high-quality materials and energy-efficient building technologies in their design.

Birdseye Builders of Richmond was contracted for the building design. For construction and assistance with the daily decisions throughout the building process, the couple partnered with Jackson’s cousin Josiah Jackson of Bristol, who runs Ironwood Building and Design along with his wife, Bay.

“We’re so lucky to have Joe working on this project,” Bjorn

Jackson said. “As family and as a close friend we know we can trust him to make choices in our best interest and ensure that our vision is carried through even when we’re not in town.”

What Jackson and Wehner are going for isn’t the classic white farmhouse with the gable roof and painted shutters.

“In Vermont so many people are still building traditional houses with antiquated forms,” Wehner said. “Instead, we wanted to follow a more

modern European or urban style, but use the natural surroundings here to direct the specific design. Needless to say, it can be challenging to find builders that understand what we’re talking about.”

The approach to the house is dramatic, following a steep dirt road uphill from Lincoln village. The driveway leads through a thickly forested stretch before opening up to a small pond to the west of the house and a fairly large clearing with

“We wanted to follow a more modern European or urban style, but use the natural surroundings here to direct the specific design. Needless to say, it can be challenging to find builders that understand what we’re talking about.”

— Brigitte Wehner

Bjorn Jackson and Brigitte Wehner are proud owners of their new home in Lincoln. While they live in Brooklyn, N.Y., both Jackson and Wehner have spent a lot of their free time in Vermont, cutting lumber, swinging hammers and making decisions throughout the design and construction process.

Jackson and Wehner’s home features wide walls of windows and tall ceilings, helping to bring in light and accentuating the stunning views of Mount Abraham to the east.

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House ownership becomes a realityHabitat for Humanity sets the stage by teaching good habitsBy CHRISTY LYNN

MIDDLEBURY — Three years ago, Hilary Hulst and Dwayne Vukoder never thought they would qualify for a loan that could help them buy a home.

Their credit was terrible, they had two young children to support and they didn’t have much for a down payment.

Thankfully for them, Vukoder’s foster mom, Donna Bailey, suggested they look into the qualifications for home ownership through Habitat for Humanity. Bailey is one of the co-directors at the Parent-Child Center in Middlebury and was familiar with the program.

“We looked into it a little and kicked around the idea for a few months,” said Hulst. “We just really believed that there had to be a better way to live than throwing almost your whole paycheck to rent and utilities every month.”

Finally, Hulst and Vukoder decided to give it a shot. They completed the application and submitted it to the local Habitat for Humanity chapter.

“For several weeks we didn’t hear anything back,” Hulst remembers, “and then one day I got a call from them, inviting us in for an interview.”

Within a year, Hulst and Vukoder, along with their two children, Bella and Christopher, and their two pug dogs had moved into their very own home.

Habitat for Humanity’s global mission is to help build stronger families and stronger communities by building affordable, healthy places for people to call home. Whether project sites are in Vermont or Zaire, the organization’s unilateral focus across the world is to help families in need. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

There are four eligibility requirements that all applicants seeking housing through Habitat for Humanity must meet in order to be considered for partnership.

First, the family must demonstrate a need for better housing. Substandard or inadequate housing could be

caused by structural problems to a current home, poor heating and insulation, leaks in the roof or foundation, or severe overcrowding in the space. Unsafe or unsanitary space would also demonstrate a need for new housing.

Second, applicants must be able to prove that they have lived or worked in Addison County for at least one year prior to submitting the application. Most Habitat for Humanity homeowners sign a 30-year lease on their home, which means that applicants must demonstrate a strong commitment to the place where their home will be.

Third, Habitat for Humanity sets specific income requirements — both a minimum and a maximum

family income — which applicants must meet. It is expected that homeowners will be able to meet monthly mortgage payments through stable employment and an ability to manage money responsibly. As is common for most banks and mortgage lenders prior to approving a loan, employment and income verifications, credit checks and statements

from previous landlords may all be necessary.

Finally, Habitat for Humanity wants to ensure that each applicant is willing to partner. Partnership is fundamental for the success of Habitat, as each building project relies on the collaborative effort of many volunteers working alongside the homeowner partners and Habitat staff (along with financial donors of course).

Applicants must therefore be willing to attend homeowner workshops, meet with Habitat representatives and physically help in the construction or preparation of their home. The general benchmark is that each adult member of the household should plan to dedicate at least 200 hours of sweat equity in the construction or rehabilitation of their home prior to moving in.

For Hulst and Vukoder, these criteria were easy to meet.

While they wouldn’t necessarily have considered themselves impoverished and both had steady work, they were turning over a huge

percentage of their monthly earnings to rent in an apartment with such poor insulation that they found themselves paying over $1,000 each month in heating alone throughout the winter.

“There was just no getting ahead,” Vukoder recalls.

With a commitment to living in the area, two good jobs, family around them and eager dedication to owning a home of their own, Hulst and Vukoder made a perfect match for Habitat.

Dee Hodges, a member of the Habitat for Humanity of Addison County board, became the family partner working with Hulst and Vukoder.

“We met once each month and I helped them understand what the financial responsibilities would be and how they could meet them,” Hodges said. The couple were enrolled in a home maintenance class through Homeshare Vermont as well as the “Earn it, Keep it, Grow it” financial management course offered through the United Way of Addison County.

“We learned how to keep the home most efficient and that it’s important to keep a nest egg for when unexpected things happen,” Hulst recalled. Throughout the process, Hodges helped make sure the couple stayed on task and was able to help answer any questions that came up.

“We set a financial plan and talked about how to stick with it, manage the debt and keep optimistic,” Hodges said. “It was a wonderful experience for me as I was able to watch this good family find their way.”

The complete process, from submitting the application to moving into their home, took about a year.

Hulst and Vukoder have now lived in their home on Weybridge Street in Middlebury for almost two years and are paying roughly $600 per month for their mortgage (zero-interest), taxes and insurance combined.‘YOU WORK, YOU OWN IT’

“You might ask — as we did — what’s the catch?” said Vukoder. “When we were at the early phases of research into this program we thought there must be a trick that we didn’t see coming and would have us bound to something forever. But the truth is that there is no catch. You

work for it and you earn it.” Hulst says she can understand that

homeownership isn’t for everyone but is surprised to hear from Hodges that the local Habitat for Humanity chapter has a hard time finding qualified applicants: “It’s a huge commitment, but Habitat makes

it possible for people to be homeowners that never would have had the chance.”

“Luckily we found out about Habitat right as we were ready to make it to the next step and just didn’t know how to get

there,” Hulst recalled. “But I would tell anyone who’s curious — even if you doubt whether you would be eligible — reach out for information and talk to someone like Dee. There’s nothing to lose, only homeownership to gain.”

Looking around the Hulst-Vukoder house, it’s clear that there’s a lot of

love that’s gone into each inch. While their home was a bit unusual in that it was actually already constructed and not built from scratch, they still put in plenty of time fixing it up, sanding and painting and refinishing many of the details. (They also were able to achieve many of their sweat equity labor hours working on another Habitat project that was being constructed in Cornwall.)

Paintings hang carefully on the walls and the kids lounge comfortably on the couch, interjecting reasons they also love their home (namely the fun colors they were able to paint their rooms and the fact that they’re able to have dogs).

“I really, truly love this place,” Vukoder said, looking around. “It’s got a piece of my soul in it and it fills me with pride when I think about the work we’ve done to earn this roof over our heads. I’ll tell you what — I love mowing my lawn. You know why? Because it’s mine.”

Vt. giving new funding helpto first-time homebuyers

(See VHFA, Page 12C)

BURLINGTON — Vermont Hous-ing Finance Agency Executive Di-rector Sarah Carpenter recently an-nounced that Gov. Shumlin joined leaders from VHFA, the Vermont Legislature and the business com-munity recently to launch a bold new effort to help the state’s first-time homebuyers. Each qualified buyer will receive up to $5,000 for down payment and closing costs. There is mounting evidence that the escalation of these costs in recent years, combined with other econom-ic hardships lingering from the recession, are preventing many young V e r m o n t -ers from buy-ing their first home.

The new program will provide first-time homebuy-ers who use a VHFA mort-gage with up to $5,000 that needs repayment only if the home is sold or refinanced.

“Because our typical customer is buying their first home and is eight years younger than the average home buyer statewide, VHFA is a great vehicle for reaching those households struggling most to save for a home,” explained Carpenter.

Nationally the recession reduced homeownership rates by 15 percent among young people (aged 35-44) — far more than among older age groups, according to the Census.

“I was happy to sign this bill that supports our state’s workers and future leaders in their goal of achieving homeownership,” said Shumlin. “Vermont is a great place to live and work, and through this program with VHFA we are helping make that more affordable,” he

“Because our typical customer is buying their first home and is eight years younger than the average home buyer statewide, VHFA is a great vehicle for reaching those households struggling most to save for a home.”

— VHFA Executive Director Sarah Carpenter

“We just really believed that there had to be a better way to live than throwing almost your whole paycheck to rent and utilities every month.”

— Hilary Hulst

“The truth is that there is no catch. You work for it and you earn it.”

— Dwayne Vukoder

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Left to Right; Randy, Vern, Karl, Roger and Nate

Hilary Hulst and Dwayne Vukoder were able to purchase their first home with the assistance of Habitat for Humanity’s local chapter. The couple doubted they would be eligible for the program, but are now living in their very own three-bedroom home in Middlebury.


Q&A

Liz Gamache takes helm at Efficiency Vt.New director aims to get people excited about energy efficiency

Building a home with energy savings in mind

(See Home energy, Page 7C)

Home energyQ: Which electric space heater is

the most energy efficient?A. I wish I could give you a sim-

ple answer, but the truth is elec-tric portable heaters are all pretty much the same, efficiency-wise, and none of them are energy effi-cient. Any claim of energy savings made on these heaters is based on the assumption that you’ll be turn-ing off your central heating sys-tem, but it doesn’t sound like that’s what you’re looking for here (and it’s rarely a good idea, anyway).

If you’ve seen ads for products like Amish heaters or infrared quartz space heaters, be wary of claims that seem too good to be true.

Q: What furnace do you recom-mend as a replacement?

A: The right heating system really depends on the house. To choose the one best for your home,

contact a Home Perfor-mance with Energy Star contractor. These pros can do a whole-house evaluation, and will let you know what type of fur-nace would be best. They’re not actually selling you a furnace, so you can depend on their unbiased advice. They will also determine steps you can take to lower your heating costs overall.

That said, we do have a section of our website dedicated to home heating and the various systems Vermonters use.

Q: What kind of insulation should I use to qualify for your in-centive programs?

A: I’m glad that you contacted us before doing the work, because our rebate programs require an ini-tial home energy audit, performed by a certified Home Performance with Energy Star contractor.

The contractor will perform a series of diagnostic tests and iden-tify areas for improvement in your house and can even project esti-mated savings. Together, the two of you can decide which projects make the most sense to tackle, based on your personal budget and comfort goals. Often times, insula-tion and air sealing are one of the top recommendations. Your con-tractor will have ideas for which types are best for your home.

From there, most people have the contractor do the work for them. Another approach, and it sounds like this might be what you’re interested in, is to do the work yourself under the guidance of the certified contractor. Either approach is eligible for rebates from Efficiency Vermont — up

LIZ GAMACHE

Part of the job for the director of Efficiency Vermont is to recapture the organization’s claim to fame. “What we’ve discovered,” said Liz Gamache, who became director of the nationally acclaimed energy-saving utility this past January, “is that the story of our history has been lost… (it’s the story of) keeping rates down, offsetting infrastructure costs, that efficiency delivers. So much of what we do today is taken for granted.”

It is, she said, part of the price of success.

But retelling that story — or find-ing ways to excite the public about new aspects of what the energy-ef-ficiency utility does — is key to in-creasing public participation, as well as targeting specific geographies of the state and honing in on programs that continue to subsidize LED light bulbs and promote cold climate heat pumps.

Gamache noted in a recent inter-view at the Addison Independent that 14 percent of the state’s energy savings comes from efficiency mea-sures, and for every kilowatt hour of energy saved, that’s fewer dollars spent by ratepayers, staves off infra-structure investment and lowers the state’s carbon footprint.

While energy efficiency is a well-known concept in Vermont (which leads the nation in the use of LED street lights and per capita use of LED bulbs), Gamache notes that there is still ample room to grow in

terms of household participation and getting more businesses on board.

Gamache took over the reins of the utility from Jim Merriam, who praised her for “a solid track record in the utility industry, a deep history of public service in her community, and an innate understanding of how to deliver exceptional service and value to Vermonters. I cannot think of a more gifted and qualified candi-date to set the course for Efficiency Vermont as it helps Vermonters low-er their energy costs and continues to raise the bar on Vermont’s national energy efficiency leadership.”

Gamache comes to Efficiency Vermont from Vermont Electric Cooperative, where she served as

manager of corporate services start-ing in 2008. Since 2012, she has been twice elected to serve as mayor of the city of St. Albans, where she most recently led an unprecedented downtown revitalization effort that has transformed the Main Street dis-trict, filling vacant storefronts while attracting jobs and private invest-ment. Gamache received a bachelor of science in business administration from the University of Vermont, and has completed an Excellence in Ex-ecutive Leadership certification from Champlain College.

“I am looking forward to taking leadership of Efficiency Vermont’s work to deliver savings to Vermont-ers on their energy costs, and de-velop new opportunities that drive economic development in our state,” Gamache said at the time she as-sumed the new position. “This is an exciting time to be engaged on en-ergy issues — and I intend to keep Vermont on the leading edge of the transformation that is taking place in our energy system, always with an eye on bringing real and measurable value to the ratepayers we serve.”

As director of Efficiency Vermont, Gamache is responsible for execu-tive management, leadership and oversight of Efficiency Vermont service delivery, strategic planning, marketing, policy, regulatory and public affairs activities. Efficiency, she noted, is less than half the cost of power purchased by electric utili-ties, and investments made in energy efficiency help prevent the need for ratepayers to make costly invest-ments in building new power plants and transmission lines.

Editor’s note: For readers unfa-miliar with the many programs run by Efficiency Vermont, what fol-lows is a basic primer on building an energy-efficient house, and some answers to some common questions about energy efficiency in the home.

When considering building a new home, one of the first steps owners should consider is partnering with Efficiency Vermont to receive its certified energy code designation. Why? Because you receive the fol-

lowing benefits at no cost: • Energy consultation: Access

to a personal Energy Consultant, who will help you and your builder maximize the energy efficiency, comfort and durability of your new home.

• Financial incentives: You’ll re-ceive up to $2,000 when you meet qualifying energy efficiency criteria, and you could qualify for special fi-nancing terms.

• Performance testing: Your house will be tested for airtightness,

air quality and system efficiency, as well as energy-efficiency design as-sistance through a building plan re-view prior to construction start.

• Guidance on the purchase and installation of energy efficient equipment, lights and appliances.

• Certification: At the end of the project, you’ll receive a certificate verifying that your home exceeds Energy Code compliance and is Ef-ficiency Vermont Certified, a stamp that could add resale value to your home.


to $2,000 — and both will save energy and make you more comfortable in your home. The right choice for you just depends on your skill level and the amount of time you have.

Q: What are the best construction materi-als for home insulation?

A: Great question. For wood-framed walls, I typically recommend an R value of 19 (the higher the R value, the better a mate-rial insulates). Cellulose does a better job of filling spaces, including irregular spaces. If you’re going to use fiberglass, it’s best if you use it in cavities that match the dimensions of the fiberglass batts.

The best tip I can give you about insula-tion, though, isn’t about the materials. It’s about making sure that a thorough job of air sealing is done first and that the insulation is installed properly, along with a continu-ous air barrier. Good installation can mean the difference between a comfortable room and one with drafts/air leaks that cost you in higher heating bills. A proper job also won’t trap moisture and create an environment for mold and wood rot.

The most effective and energy-saving ap-proach is to hire a professional. For do-it-yourselfers, I have a tip for you: Weatheriza-tion Skillshops are available to Vermonters who have the skills to do their own home im-provements but who want more knowledge. At these workshops, given around the state, you can learn about air sealing, insulation, finding and fixing air leaks and more.

Q: I’ve heard that a refrigerator is one of the biggest energy users in a home. Short of buying a new, high-efficiency fridge, are there ways of reducing that energy use ?

A: There sure are. Keep it full to enable it to run more efficiently. If you’re not filling it to capacity with your food, put in jugs of cold water and keep ice in the freezer. Make sure products aren’t blocking the fan vents inside the fridge and freezer. Whenever possible, put in items that are at room tem-perature rather than, say, hot from the oven. Make sure that there is plenty of airspace between the back of the unit and the wall. Twice a year, vacuum dust from under your refrigerator, the front vent at the base, and any exposed coils at the back.

I should mention that, if your refrigera-tor was manufactured before 1993, it’s us-ing twice the energy of a new Energy Star qualified fridge. That’s like paying to run two fridges! If this is your situation, it makes sense to look into getting a new refrigerator.

Q: I recently bought a house that turns out to have a damp basement. I’ve been talking to neighbors and they say that everybody on the block uses a basement dehumidifier around the clock. That sounds like high-en-ergy situation to me, so I’m hoping this is something you address. Is there a dehumidi-fier that uses less energy?

A: Yes. An Energy Star qualified dehu-midifier uses 10-20 percent less energy than a standard model. To identify which models have earned the ENERGY STAR, visit En-ergyStar.gov. You can find more information on moisture, dehumidifiers, and rebates for efficient models in our dehumidifier section.

I want to emphasize that it’s worth trying to fix the cause of basement water problems. If you’re able to prevent water from enter-ing, you’ll not only lower electricity costs by eliminating the need for a dehumidifier but you’ll also protect yourself and your house from problems that moisture can cause. Those problems can include wood rot, mold and mildew that can damage the house and items in it, and can create indoor air quality problems.

Common sources of basement moisture are outdoor air or groundwater. The lat-ter requires a pricier fix. I suggest that you get opinions from a few contractors so that you can determine the cause of the problem and get estimates on solutions. Meanwhile, it makes sense to take some simple steps to minimize basement moisture. For example, don’t dry green firewood inside. Be sure clothes dryers vent to the outdoors. If you air dry laundry, do it outdoors. Keep basement windows and doors closed in the summer because warmer air from outdoors and from living spaces will condense on cooler base-ment surfaces, increasing dampness.

Q: How much energy can you save by drying your clothes on a clothesline instead of using an electric dryer?

A: What a great question. I’d estimate a savings of about $10.20 per month or just

Home energy…(Continued from Page 6C)

(See Drying clothes, Page 11C)

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a linear, flat-roofed house perched at the highest point. A solar array on the south side of the clearing was one of the first structures to be built on site and had even at that point been reporting 30-40 kilowatt-hours per day.

The house is two stories tall with the first level recessed under a wide, flat canopy that gives the form depth and protects it from excessive sun exposure despite the large windows on all four walls. Inside, the floor plan is open and visually connected from one end to the other, allowing those inside to feel the connection to the outside landscape.

The ceiling height on the main floor is 10 feet, which is at least a foot taller than is standard in most residential spaces.

“I’m tall and I notice when the ceiling feels like it’s just a couple of inches from my head. It makes me feel claustrophobic and encourages me to slouch,” Jackson said.

Wehner agreed.“I like the way a room feels when

there’s open space,” she said. “It’s

hard to achieve on the ground with furniture and all the other things that clutter your space, so with a relatively small footprint the most efficient way to get that is to go up.”

Rough-cut lumber from the property has been used for the framing material

using double-stud wall construction techniques. High performance Beiber windows will help Jackson and Wehner achieve the performance standards they are looking for as well as keep the climate inside consistent throughout the seasonal changes.

The finishes are unadorned with no trim around the windows and very simple, contemporary detailing. The floor is a smooth, polished concrete with hydronic radiant floor heating throughout, keeping it warm even in the depths of winter.

Unique lift-and-slide doors from the first floor may be one of the few nods to a barn-like feature in the house, only these doors are made of glass and the construction method with the lift and slide offers a much more thermally efficient option to the classic variety.

Lincoln home…(Continued from Page 3C)

“I like the way a room feels when there’s open space. It’s hard to achieve on the ground with furniture and all the other things that clutter your space, so with a relatively small footprint the most efficient way to get that is to go up.”

— Brigitte Wehner

While still unfinished, the exterior of the house will be clad using dark corrugated metal. The flat roofs are covered with a commercial membrane for now, but Jackson and Wehner dream of turning them into

accessible decks where they could enjoy a sunrise or relax on a warm summer evening.

The aesthetic may not be for everyone. Certainly the stark lines and rawness are distinct from some

other more classical Vermont forms. But the principles behind Jackson and Wehner’s home are not unique. For hundreds of years in Vermont people have been referring to the landscape, materials and conditions around them

when designing both the form and the function of their homes. It’s the same practice, reinterpreted for changing times.

Perhaps that’s OK.

HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION

A per-bulb nominal fee applies for more than 10 non-CFL bulbs.

Bring it to the

The HazWaste Center is open to residents from any of the District’s 20 member towns.

Most items are accepted free of charge.

Not accepted: laboratory chemicals, pharmaceuticals, fi reworks, fl ares, explosives, smoke detectors,

ammunition, radioactive waste.NOTE: Businesses must pay for disposal and must call

388-2333 for an appointment time.

DISTRICT TRANSFER STATION1223 ROUTE 7 SOUTH, MIDDLEBURY

Questions? Call us at 388-2333 or visit www.AddisonCountyRecycles.org

HazWaste Center Hours of Operation:Mon.- Fri., 8 a.m. to noon and Sat. 9 a.m. to 1pm

Closed major holidays.

District Transfer Station Regular Hours: M-F, 7am to 3pm & Sat 9am to 1pm

Double-stud construction with excellent insulation value along with high-performance windows and radiant floor heating will help this home stay comfortable throughout the long Lincoln winters.

The contemporary horizontal lines of Jackson and Wehner’s home as well as the modern use of raw materials and minimal detailing throughout are distinct in the classic Vermont landscape. However, use of local materials, local tradespeople and the terrain to guide their design is nothing new.

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(Paint Quality Institute) — If you’re sitting on a stash of leftover latex paint, you have a gold mine when it comes to home decorating. With a little imagination and creative flair, you can use paint leftovers to give your home extra appeal, and have lots of fun in the process.

Want to give it a go? Here are 10 great ideas. Try one, try all, or better yet, try something that’s yours alone. Regardless, you’ll be surprised at the way forgotten paint can infuse new life into your home interior.

1. Make kitchen items kitschy. It takes only a little leftover paint to impart canisters, coasters, or the handles of wooden spoons and spatulas with bright, fun color that can make cooking more joyful.

2. Colorize some flowerpots. In the same way, planters and flowerpots can be decorated with paint color — the more, the merrier. Paint them one solid color, or embellish them with pattern for more panache!

3. Dress up a dresser. Have an old dresser that’s tired-looking? Spice it up with paint. Use different colors on different parts for added visual interest. Do the same with an old stool, table, or cabinet.

4. Rejuvenate “junk” furniture. Check out your attic or your neighbors’ discards. You might find hidden treasure in the form of a unique piece just

pining for a fresh coat of paint.5. Put a stamp on your walls. Add pizzazz to

painted walls with a handcrafted patterned border. Fashion a “stamp” out of an old sponge in the pattern of your choice, then dip it in the leftover paint and dab new color onto the walls. Voila! Custom design.

6. Speak with an accent. Express your home’s individuality by adding

accent color to a door, doorway, or an entire wall. The unexpected color will make your interior something special.

7. Beautify a built-in. Embellish built-in bookcases, cabinets, or a mantelpiece with leftover paint to create striking elements in your décor.

8. Stencil something. Using a homemade or commercial stencil, apply paint to just about anything — a piece of furniture, a wall, or even the floor. It can render the ordinary, extraordinary.9. Make like an artist. Why buy art

supplies, when you already have a handpicked palette of colors you like? Use them as is, or mix them as needed to create murals or fine art.

10. Frame your artwork. Repaint the frames on your prints, paintings and drawings to give them a fresh appearance. Or, paint a simulated “frame” right on the wall to draw attention to favorite objects or sculpture.

Most of these projects take just a small amount of paint, but they can make a big difference in your home décor.

Provided by the Paint Quality Institute.

Ten uses for all that leftover paint

USDA has a program for helping finance critical home repairs on tight budgetsThis article was provided by Rural

Housing Service Administrator Tony Hernandez and Vermont State Director Ted Brady.

MONTPELIER — Some say the electric feeling of buying and moving into your own home never wears off. When you own the floors you’re standing on, the walls surrounding you and the roof over your head, you also own great satisfaction from the hard work that resulted in your home becoming yours.

Yet, just as it was hard work to achieve the American dream of

cooling systems to make a home more energy efficient. Seniors age 62 and older who cannot qualify for a loan may be eligible for a grant of up to $7,500, or a loan and grant combination to make needed repairs and improvements.

Since 2008, 482 Vermont families were able to make home improvements they did not realize they could afford. These families fixed foundations, drilled new wells,

or installed new septic systems. Some widened doors and added ramps. More importantly, these Vermonters renewed the pride they felt the day they bought and moved into their own home.

I recently received an email from one customer, Ms. JoAnne Davis of Windsor, who used a USDA home repair loan to make several home improvements and electrical upgrades, including the installation of new

smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. It did not take long for her investment in her home to pay off, as she was soon alerted by the shriek of her carbon monoxide detector. If not for her investment in her home, an issue with her water heater vent may have resulted in tragedy.

Being a homeowner is hard work and a big responsibility, but USDA Rural Development wants you to succeed.

The program provides very-low income rural homeowners (approximately $35,000 annually, with some exceptions) a 1-percent interest, fixed-rate loan of up to $20,000 for essential things like leaky roof repairs, improving accessibility, or even upgrades to heating and cooling systems to make a home more energy efficient.

homeownership, being responsible for maintaining and, inevitably, repairing your own home can be just as much hard work. This can be

particularly difficult for a low-income family struggling to make ends meet. However, there are some home repairs that simply cannot wait, and USDA’s Home Repair Program is an affordable way to keep your home safe, accessible and energy efficient.

The program provides very-low income rural homeowners (approximately $35,000 annually, with some exceptions) a 1-percent interest, fixed-rate loan of up to $20,000 for essential things like leaky roof repairs, improving accessibility, or even upgrades to heating and

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Drying clothes…(Continued from Page 7C)

over $122 per year.Here’s the math: Electric clothes dryers demand between 1,800

and 5,000 watts. If we calculate based on a 3,400 watt dryer and a drying time of 45 minutes per load, then one dryer load uses 2.55 kilowatt hours. Multiply that by 322 (the average number of loads per year in an American home), divide by 12 months, and you’re looking about 68 kilowatt hours of use per month. Last thing: Mul-tiply those monthly kilowatt hours by the current average Vermont electric rate of 15 cents per kilowatt hour and you get that monthly estimate of about $10.20 to dry your clothes.

I should add a tip about air drying: Just be sure to do it outdoors. Air drying indoors adds moisture to a house. That can create un-desirable conditions, like window condensation, mold, wood rot and compromised indoor air quality. Compensating for that with a dehumidifier will add to your electricity bill. So be cautious about hanging clothes inside, but outdoor air drying definitely is a money saver, not to mention a way to get great smelling laundry!

Q: Does it take less energy to use a dishwasher or wash dishes by hand?

A: A dishwasher, typically. An exception might be if you have an aging dishwasher, because older models use more water (and, so, cost more in water heating) than today’s dishwashers. The most efficient dishwashers, however, use less than 3 gallons per load. I can’t imagine being able to wash the amount of dishes, glasses, etc., in a full dishwasher with less than three gallons of water.

Here are some energy-saving tips for those of us who use dish-washers:

When it’s time to buy, look for an Energy Star qualified dish-washer, which uses less water and less electricity.

Run only full loads.Instead of paying to have the dishwasher dry your dishes, turn

off the drying feature and open the washer after it finishes cleaning. Then, let the air dry your dishes for free.

Scrape, don’t rinse. Whether you have a new or old dishwasher, you can get your dishes ready to load with little or no water. A rub-ber scraper usually does the job.

Q: Will the TV continue to use energy after it’s turned off if I leave it plugged in? Lamps don’t do that so why would the TV?

A: You’re right about lights not using power when they’re switched off. Televisions are different. You see, many TVs and other kinds of electronics don’t really turn off when you press “off.” They go into standby mode, and they continue to use elec-tricity. Lots of people don’t know that they could be paying $100 or more, over the course of a year, to keep all their electronics in standby mode.

Unplugging the TV solves the problem, but many people find that it’s easier to plug the TV into a power strip, which they switch on and off. If your parents are interested in looking into that, they can find one at the hardware store. In fact, there is an advanced power strip that senses when the TV is turned off and then shuts off power to the TV and to other machines at the same time. For example, you could set up an advanced power strip to cut power to the TV, game consoles, and recording devices when the TV is turned off.

Q: Does turning a CFL on and off consume more energy than just leaving it on?I’ve heard that it takes more energy to turn on a CFL than to keep it on. So, isn’t it true that it’s wasteful to turn off the lights every time you leave a room if you’ll only be gone for a few minutes?

A: That’s a great question. It’s true that, when you turn on a CFL (compact fluorescent light), it demands a small amount of extra power. But that surge lasts for 1/120th of a second and equals the amount of electricity to power the light for a few seconds at most. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, turning off a CFL for more than 5 seconds will save more energy than will be consumed in turning the light back on again. So, rest assured that you’ll save

energy, rather than waste it, by turning off CFLs as you leave a room.

Q: What’s the cheapest way to heat a house?A: In Vermont, the most expensive fuels generally are electricity

and propane, while natural gas and wood are the cheapest. How-ever, it may not be cost-effective to switch to a differently fueled system, because fuel costs change unpredictably and switching can be a significant investment. (You can track prices through the Ver-mont Fuel Price Report. Go to the Vermont Public Service Board’s fuel price report.)

You may be able to lower your utility costs, without investing in something as expensive as a new heating system, by taking steps to reduce how much fuel you use. First, see that your current heat-ing system is running as efficiently as possible. Be sure your fur-nace filter is clean. Seal and insulate heating ducts, and have your furnace or boiler professionally inspected, cleaned and tuned as often as the manufacturer recommends. Vacuum or dust heating vents or baseboards and move furniture away from them so heat can circulate.

Then, make sure that your house is sealed from air leaks and has enough insulation. The most thorough approach, and the one with the highest energy savings, is to have a trained contractor do the work. Efficiency Vermont offers up to $2,500 for energy-saving home improvements that have been completed by a Home Per-formance with Energy Star contractor. These pros also can do a whole-house evaluation to determine steps you can take to lower your heating costs.

Q: Are motion detectors a good cure for kids leaving lights on?A: For readers who don’t know: Occupancy sensors, also known

as motion detectors, save electricity by turning off lights in unoc-cupied areas and turning them on again when they detect move-ment.

Now to your question: Sensors can be cost-effective energy sav-ers in certain locations. An office building is a great example be-cause lots of lights are used, so it can be costly to keep all of them on. In your home, where fewer lights are used in a room and those lights are energy efficient, the cost of the occupancy sensor isn’t likely to be worth the savings.

I’m afraid that your solution is simply an old-fashioned one: Turn off the lights before leaving in the morning. I know that’s not always going to happen when kids are in the mix, so keep using low-energy bulbs like CFLs (compact fluorescent light bulbs) and LEDs (light emitting diodes). You’ll save as much as 76 percent and 90 percent in lighting energy costs, respectively, over incan-descents in those times when the lights are on and nobody’s home!

Q: Is radiant floor heat a cheap way to go?A: For readers who aren’t aware: Radiant floors provide heat

via hot-water tubing or electrical heating elements installed in or under flooring material. As for the cost of keeping a space warm this way: It’s likely to be similar to non-radiant heat using the same kind of fuel. Proponents of radiant floors suggest that this system uses less energy because it allows you to stay comfortable while keeping your thermostat lower. In fact, most homes with radiant floors are set at the same temperature as comparable homes with-out radiant floors.

If you’re looking to lower your heating costs, the best approach is to reduce the amount of fuel you use. That’s done by keeping your heating system well-maintained and seeing that your space is properly air-sealed and insulated.

If you decide to go with radiant floor heat, keep in mind that electricity is typically one of Vermont’s most expensive heating fuels. Hot-water radiant floors are likely to cost less to use than electric systems.

Q: What do I look for when buying an efficient furnace in Ver-mont?

A. You certainly can buy energy-efficient furnaces (and boilers) in Vermont. For a liquid propane or natural gas system, there are several condensing units in the 93-95 percent range. For an oil sys-

tem, you can find a unit that has an efficiency as high as 86 percent. A few condensing oil systems can achieve 95 percent, but it could be tough to find those locally.

Look for systems that have earned the Energy Star label. You can find a list of these at EnergyStar.gov. Note that ENERGY STAR labeled equipment vary in their efficiency, so you’ll want to look for the highest rated systems.

Federal tax credits may be available, and you can get a rebate from Efficiency Vermont for furnaces with high-efficiency brush-less permanent-magnet blower motors. This furnace fan motor is a key feature to look for in the most efficient furnaces on the mar-ket. Visit the Efficiency Vermont Home Heating section for more information.

Q: What should I look for to get the most energy-saving water heater?

A. First, look for models that have earned the Energy Star label. Then, to find the most efficient of those models, compare their En-ergy Factor (EF). The higher the EF, the more efficient the equip-ment.

In addition to the EF, consider features that increase efficiency. These include a condensing design, an electronic ignition, and a direct vent exhaust. Also, if you heat your home with hot water, a highly efficient approach would be to use your boiler to also heat your water. This entails buying a hot-water tank instead of a water heater. This tank, which is typically about the same size as a tra-ditional water heater, is designed to be installed as a new zone off your boiler. Talk to your heating service contractor to see if this is an option for you.

While you’re talking with your contractor, ask if an instanta-neous water heater would be a good choice for your home. This can be an efficient option in a household with smaller hot-water needs. Installation can sometimes require upgrading the gas line, so be sure that the utility-bill savings would be large enough to make the initial costs a good investment. Lastly, if you’re explor-ing all energy-saving approaches, I can’t neglect to mention solar water heating.

Q. I keep hearing that I should put LED light bulbs in my home, but they always seem to be the more expensive option. Why should I pay more for an LED?

A. It is true that LEDs do tend to have a higher up-front cost, but there are many things that make them a worthwhile investment and a better choice than some of the cheaper bulbs you’re seeing in stores.

Energy Star LEDs, which are performance tested and certified by a third party laboratory, last up to 25 times longer than incan-descent light bulbs and three times longer than CFLs, so when you opt for LED you’ll find you’re replacing your bulbs less often and spending less time in the store selecting and buying new bulbs.

They use 75 percent less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs, meaning you’ll spend less energy and money on powering your LED household bulbs.

They also provide a great quality of light that is crisp and natu-ral, which will make your home feel more comfortable. And lastly, more than 95 percent of an LED bulb is recyclable, so they have a comparatively low environmental impact when you dispose of them properly.

Right now you can get a standard LED bulb for as little as $4.99 in Vermont. In some other states the same LED bulb can cost up to $40. Efficiency Vermont has partnered with manufacturers of ENERGY STAR certified bulbs, and participating retail locations in order to buy down the cost of LEDs before they hit store shelves, making them more affordable for all Vermonters.

These are some main reasons to consider paying more in store for an LED bulb!

Q. I went to the hardware store to buy a few new light bulbs for my house and I was totally overwhelmed by the options — how do I know which one is right for me? I used to always just go by Watts but this doesn’t seem to translate to some of the new options.

A. Picking the right bulb can definitely be confusing — with rapid advancements in lighting technology it is hard to keep up

(See Q and A, Page 12C)


added.The median household income of

Vermont renters has remained flat since the recession, at about $30,000. Income stagnation creates a perfect storm for young renters just starting their careers who are trying to save to buy a home and also face rising rents and utility costs and high levels of student debt.

“Providing young Vermonters with tools to purchase a home is good for working families and the companies that employ them,” noted Shap Smith, speaker of the House of Representatives. “Vermonters and employers have shared with me that there is a critical need to support young adults as they start their Vermont careers. This program will help grow and sustain the state’s

work force by helping households who want to put down roots and earn a living in Vermont.”

“Vermont’s strong homeownership base and recovering housing market are central to the stability and vitality of the state’s economy,” remarked Kevin Mullin, chair of the Vermont Senate Committee on Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs. “By helping with the simple but enormous task of saving for a down payment, we not

only help individual homebuyers, but their neighborhoods and communities.”

The program is funded through a temporary expansion of the Vermont Housing Tax Credit program, passed as part of this year’s economic development bill. Each year for

the next three years, the additional tax credits will be sold by VHFA to Union Bank and converted to equity for down payment assistance. VHFA expects this will translate into enough down payment and closing costs assistance for approximately 115 first-time buyers each year.

“We are delighted to partner with VHFA on this exciting initiative,” remarked Karyn Hale, Union Bank’s senior vice president, treasurer and chief financial officer. When VHFA approached its partner lenders who have purchased housing tax credits in the past, Union Bank generously offered to purchase all three years’ credit allocations at a rate that will enable the program to reach the

maximum number of homebuyers.Union Bank is one of many

Vermont lenders that VHFA works with statewide. These lenders meet with homebuyers and explain program details and restrictions. A list of these lenders and information about the new down payment assistance program (called the “ASSIST loan”) is at www.vhfa.org.

The Vermont Legislature created VHFA in 1974 to finance and promote

affordable housing opportunities for low- and moderate-income Vermonters. Since its inception, the agency has helped approximately 28,000 Vermont households with affordable mortgages and financed the development of approximately

VHFA…(Continued from Page 5C)

GOV. SHUMLIN

Vt. to receive $3.2 million grant to protect children from lead

Q and A…(Continued from Page 11C)

with all of the product options out there. When choosing a bulb that is right for you there are a few key things to consider:

Brightness. You mention selecting bulbs by the number of Watts — that was the best way to pick the right incandes-cent bulbs, but with new, efficient bulb options it is all about lumens. Watts describe the power used, but lumens are a measure of a bulb’s brightness, the higher the number of lumens — the brighter the bulb. If you’re looking to replace a general 60 Watt bulb, look for a CFL or LED with 800 lumens. For a 75 Watt go for 1100 lumens. And for a 100 Watt choose a bulb with 1700 lumens. Keep in mind that the bulb needs to be right for the fixture you are using — what’s right for a floor lamp may not be the correct choice for your ceiling fan.

Color. This choice is entirely based on your preference. Depending on where you plan to put your new bulb, you may decide you’d like it to have a warm or cool glow. The “light appearance” of the bulb is measured in Kelvins (K). The higher the number of Kelvins, the cooler the light — for something that looks like your old incandescent you should look for a bulb in the 2700K to 3000K range, for cooler light go for a bulb in the 4100K to 5000K range.

Cost. In Vermont you can get an efficient bulb that re-quires a small amount of electricity to power, for a rela-tively low price. ENERGY STAR CFLs start at $0.99 and ENERGY STAR LEDs start at $4.99. In addition to the point-of-purchase price you’re willing to pay for the bulb, you should also keep in mind the length of the bulb’s life and the cost of powering it over time. Generally speaking LEDs cost the least to power over time and they last the longest, making them a worthwhile investment.

If you forget the exact number of Kelvins you want, or if you aren’t sure how to determine how long the bulb will last, look for an energy information label on the light bulb box — you’ll find most of these facts there. You can also visit the Efficiency Vermont website for more information on lighting and interactive tools for choosing the right bulb.

Q. I bought an LED bulb for a dimmable ceiling fixture in my dining room a while ago but I was disappointed to find that it didn’t last as long as it was supposed to. Is there a reason why it burned out so quickly?

A. Without seeing the bulb and the fixture it’s hard to be sure, but it sounds to me like you didn’t buy a dimmable bulb. While you may have selected a bulb with the correct number of lumens, if it wasn’t made to operate in a dim-mable fixture it wouldn’t perform correctly and therefore it would burn out much faster. Dimmable LED bulbs do exist and should be clearly labeled in your local hardware store — don’t hesitate to ask for assistance the next time you’re scanning the store shelves to ensure you make the right pick.

“Providing young Vermonters with tools to purchase a home is good for working families and the companies that employ them.”

— Shap Smith

MONTPELIER — The Vermont Housing & Conservation Board announced that Vermont will receive a $3.2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) to continue the state’s Lead Hazard Reduction Program. The funds will be used to control lead paint hazards in the homes of low-income families and to raise awareness about this common and dangerous toxin still found in the majority of Vermont homes.

Program Director Ron Rupp said, “Lead poisoning remains the number one environmental threat to young children, causing permanent neurological and behavioral problems and lowering IQs. Vermont has some of the oldest housing in the United States, much of it containing lead paint hazards, and these funds will be used to make homes safe for families with young children.”

Prevention efforts will also include outreach and public education activities conducted by the Vermont Department of Health and other partners. The award includes $325,000 of Healthy Homes funding to address other

health and safety issues in homes undergoing lead paint hazard abatement.

“Too many children in Vermont, and across the country, have been harmed by ingesting lead in their homes. Prevention, by making homes safe before kids get poisoned, is the key to addressing this solvable problem,” said Sen. Patrick Leahy.

Sen. Bernie Sanders said, “Few things are more important than making sure children grow up in healthy and safe homes. More needs to be done to protect children from lead and other hazardous substances.”

Since 1994 the Vermont Lead Hazard Reduction Program at VHCB has addressed lead hazards in approximately 2,400 homes and apartments throughout the state. The program also provides lead safety training

to property owners, contractors and child care providers and conducts outreach and public education efforts to prevent lead poisoning. Eligible properties receive free services in the form of testing, risk assessment, work plans, construction oversight, and clearance testing. Homeowners and landlords are eligible for grants and deferred loans to pay certified contractors. To learn more and apply, visit www.vhcb.org/lead.html or call (802) 828-5064.

A number of state and federal regulations require property owners and contractors to deal safely with lead paint and prevent

the creation of lead-contaminated dust, the most common pathway for childhood lead exposure. Adults can be at risk as well from exposure

at work or from certain hobbies. More information about applicable regulations and ways to prevent lead poisoning can be found at www.leadsafevermont.org.

HUD Secretary Julián Castro said, “Every family deserves to live in a safe and healthy home where they can see their children thrive and excel. Communities will use these grants to help eliminate home-related hazards in neighborhoods across the country. A healthy home is vital to the American Dream.”

Unsafe and unhealthy homes affect the health of millions of people of all income levels, geographic areas, and walks of life in the U.S. These unsafe and unhealthy homes affect the economy directly, through increased utilization of health care services, and indirectly through lost wages and increased school days missed. Housing improvements help prevent injuries and illnesses, reduce associated health care and social services costs, reduce absentee rates for children in school and adults at work, and reduce stress, all which help to improve the quality of life.

“Too many children in Vermont, and across the country, have been harmed by ingesting lead in their homes. Prevention, by making homes safe before kids get poisoned, is the key to addressing this solvable problem.”

— Sen. Patrick Leahy

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“The Bristol Electronics people are very pleasant to work with. We looked at rent-al vs. ownership and it became clear that ownership was a bett er deal in the long run. The installati on ti me was very quick. We expect to pay off our loan in 10 years and then we’ll have free electricity for the rest of our lives. Bristol Electronics is very professional. The process was easy and we are very happy.”

Gerry & Claire Tetrault – Bristol, VT

“Bristol Electronics makes it easy for you to go solar. From the detailed, pati ent explanati ons, to the rebates, esti mates and permits, Bristol Electronics takes care of it all. I obtained several quotes from various companies but it was Bristol Electronics who ulti mately won my busi-ness with their friendly, approachable atti tude and superior knowl-edge of the technology. When I began this project I was uneducated and apprehensive. Now I fi nd myself encouraging my friends and fam-ily to call Bristol Electronics for a free quote and explanati on because I truly believe in their product and company. They are highly skilled and professional in every respect.Stephen and his crew encouraged my children’s curiosity and made learning fun for them. Litt le things like making handprints in the ce-ment of our solar system sparked talks about reducing your carbon footprint and how everyone can help, even children. The whole expe-rience could not have been easier or bett er. Seeing the power meter run backwards is just icing on the cake.” Heather Shepard – Bristol

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Fall home improvement 2015

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