Category Archives: remodeling

construction, Development, eco-friendly, energy, energy efficient, green, Photovoltaic, remodeling, solar, solar electric, solar hot water heaters, solar modules, solar panels, solar photovoltaic, sustainable, Uncategorized, wind energy

Sustainable Development; Renewable Energy, Green Building, Water Conservation, Advanced Energy Storage…What’s all this mean?

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Sustainable Development (SD) must be our way of living today and moving forward.  Wikipedia explains Sustainable Development as:  ‘a process for meeting human development goals while maintaining the ability of natural systems to continue to provide the natural resources and ecosystem services upon which the economy and society depend.’  Do a Google search and you’ll see there are many different definitions for Sustainable Development.  Since I like to keep things simple, we’ll break down Sustainable Development in Three Simple Ways:

“Three Pillars of Sustainability”
  • Environment
  • Society
  • Economy

Environment; ecosystem, ecology, earth.

We rely on earth and her ecosystems for life (air, water, food, shelter, etc.).  Therefore, as Earths dependents, we must all work together to always consider her and protect her and the natural resources she offers us.

Society; us, humanity, social equality.

We rely on earths natural resources (food, water, air, shelter) for survival and must, at all costs, protect and replenish her natural ecosystems while being mindful of humanities societal needs today and for future generations.  We, most of humanity, has also come to rely on our economic system and many of us are working toward economic growth for ourselves.

“Sustainability enables Earth to continue supporting our life.”

Economy; economic growth.

Economies are created and ran by humanity.  We know that humanity (society) depends on earth.  Therefore our economy must also depend on Earth and her many natural resources.  One definition of economic growth is, ‘an increase in the amount of goods and services produced per head of the population over a period of time.’  Economic growth must be re-defined and re-purposed being mindful of our environment(s) and maintaining and replenishing earths natural resources and ecosystems.  The updated definition of ‘economic growth’ should also consider an improved quality of life with less resource consumption and waste.

Solar Power vs. Coal…where do you want to live & receive energy from?

 

Sustainable development, simply put, is the process of meeting humanities survival needs (air, water, food, shelter) while maintaining and replenishing the environment and all of earths natural resources and ecosystems to improve human quality of life with decreased resource consumption balancing toward social equality.

Thank you for taking time and reading this information.  And please share this if you believe it may provide value to others.

Jimi Holt

construction, eco-friendly, energy efficient, Enphase, green, home improvement, inverter, micro-inverter, remodeling, solar, solar hot water heaters, solar modules, solar panels, sustainable

Going Green Solar and Erus Builders latest Solar Photovoltaic and Solar Thermal System Installations. Our customers took advantage of the current Solar Photovoltaic and Solar Water Heater opportunities.

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Solar Electric Photovoltaic System roof modules
Solar Electric Photovoltaic System roof modules

Going Green Solar and Erus Builders have partnered to offer an opportunity for homeowners in Arizona to reduce the cost of their energy bills by having a Solar Energy System installed.  With current local Utility Rebates and Tax Incentives a Solar Photovoltaic (PV) System along with a Solar Water Heating System will quickly pay for itself and start to make you money.  We offer multiple financing options which, in many cases, the payment will be offset by the savings from the solar systems. Please contact us for a free energy audit and education on our energy saving systems.

Erus Builders and Going Green Solar decided to work with Enphase Energy on our Solar PV Systems due to their cutting edge micro-inverter technology.  This new concept is more efficient than standard Photovoltaic inverter systems and easier to design and install and is rapidly changing the solar photovoltaic industry. Please contact us for additional information.

Solar PV and Solar Water Heating System
Solar PV and Solar Water Heating System

Local utility companies continue to raise their price for electricity to us and the solar rebates they offer are continually decreasing.  This opportunity to get free money from them is running out so please take advantage now to create a free asset for yourself that will continue to pay you as long as the sun continues to shine.

Contact:  Jim Holt at jamesholt@cox.net and 480-580-5980.

construction, eco-friendly, energy efficient, green, home improvement, remodeling, solar, solar hot water heaters, sustainable

Tips for Saving Energy and Money on utility bills with older Water Heaters. Best solution, Go Solar.

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Older tank-style hot water heaters are not very efficient whether they are electric or gas.  They are typically set up to run on their own to heat the water in the tank when the water in the tank goes below a certain temperature.  The water heater does not know when you need the hot water so it heats your water whether you are in need of the hot water or not.  This is very inefficient as it happens when you are at work, sleeping, on vacation, at the grocery store, always.  The best thing you can do to eliminate these wasted dollars on utility bills is to have a new Solar Hot Water Heater installed.

Solar Hot Water Heater
Solar Hot Water Heater

Solar Hot Water Heaters are very affordable (typically $6,000 to $10,000 before rebates) especially with the current tax incentives and local utility rebates that are being offered. Costs after tax incentives and rebates can go as low as $2,000 which includes a NEW, energy efficient (Energy Star) Electric Hot Water Heater with the system.  We also offer dealer financing to our clients should you choose.  Solar hot water heaters will provide one of the quickest payoffs you can do to your home to make it more Green.  It has also been proven that homes with solar or green enhancements will sell quicker and at a higher cost per square foot than those without.  Ready to Go Green?

Should you chose to not upgrade to a solar hot water heater, there are some simple things you can do to save energy, reduce pollution and save money on your utility bill with your old water heater.  As I mentioned above, tank-style water heaters work to keep the water in the tank hot around the clock, even when hot water is not needed.  But since the tank constantly loses heat to the surrounding air, it kicks back on to heat the water again and again in case it’s needed.

Here are a few tips to increase your older tank’s efficiency:

  • Lower the tank’s temperature:  continue to lower the temperature on your tank to the lowest point that your normal household usage still has enough hot water.  This will also prevent scalding.
  • Install a water heater timer:  this will allow you to adjust when you water heater is turned on and off.  It allows you to have the tank turn on when you typically use the hot water and turn off when you do not.  Timers are easy to install and relatively inexpensive ($40-160).  Programmable models are even available so you can fully customize time-frames.
  • Wrap your tank: you can wrap your hot water tank in a hot water tank blanket.  They can be purchased at many hardware stores.
  • Fix all leaky faucets.
  • Insulate the room the tank is located in.
  • Opt for off-peak metering: if this is available in your area, and place such appliances as the hot water heater, dishwasher and washing machine on it.
  • Turn it off when you’re out of town: For electric heaters without a switch, you can turn it off at the breaker box. For gas heaters, follow the instructions printed on the heater. (Usually you can just turn the thermostat, NOT the gas knob, to OFF — unless you feel you’re competent to re-light the heater when you return.)

When it’s time for replacement, give us a call for a free quote on a solar hot water system.  We will also recycle your old water heater.  Feel free to contact us should you have any questions.

Jim Holt

jamesholt@cox.net

home improvement, remodeling

Find Out Concrete Patio Designs – Your Most Inexpensive Selection Yet Still Attractive

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A well-placed concrete patio design can become a striking part of the landscape. Concrete patio designs are the most efficient yet still fascinating. Because of its hardiness, it can withstand extreme forces of nature and can be treasured by homeowners for many more years. Currently, concrete is very useful since most outdoor works especially in our backyards can be utilized with the use of concrete which is easily accessible in the market. To preserve it, it simply needs regular cleaning. With the accessibility of numerous styles and procedures, concrete at present can be drafted in a variety of ways to generate gorgeous pattern.

There are lots of trendy patterns that you can select appropriate for your own approach like having a soft finish, concrete scoring, staining, imprinting or using a stamped concrete.

Smooth Finish
You can select for a shiny finish by softening it with sandblast or some acid etching. A combinationof both generates a gorgeous patio floor.

Imprinting
Another way to generate a customize look is through imprinting. Bricks, tiles, stones or even wood are some of the usual imprinting picks. The most lasting ways to add shade to your concrete is to add color to the mixture before pouring it. You have lots of color choices but subtle and natural color will look best in concrete decorative patio. Light to medium gray, beige and soft peach are wonderful color picks. A color of your choice added to the mixture will make the concrete mixture smudge free, permanent and ever lasting.

Staining
Concrete staining is an added technique to make your concrete or wood surface look pristine, pleasing and providing an aged look similar to a natural stone. Staining shields your concrete from the harshness of nature. Coats of stain should be periodically applied otherwise rain, sunlight and other natural elements will lighten its shade.

Scoring
Creating a design of squares is another beautiful concrete patio outline. This is achieved by concrete scoring. Squares can be formed in numerous shapes and sizes. Commenceyour concrete outline by using 18 to 24 inches of square patterns. To prevent the concrete from breaking, the construction joints are combined collectively into the scoring pattern. This design process blends well in large lengthof landscape like patios and swimming pool decks.

Stamped Concrete
One morealternative for a concrete decorative patio is to use stamped concrete. Almost all find this attractive because designs are easily available. It involves pouring slab concrete to your patio and stressing designs and texture before it is dried out.

These days most people utilize concrete to improve their property, what is ideal about this material is that unique shapes, color and texture can be manufactured. This is very flexible and simple to keep up if treatment is accurately applied. A brilliant concrete patio design truly looks great and adds a great deal of value to every homeowner’s property. This outline provides character to your home and is much more pleasurable to add. Again, the limit of your concrete patio designs is only your creativity.

construction, eco-friendly, green, home improvement, remediation, remodeling, solar, solar hot water heaters, sustainable

Going Green or Solar? Please join the sustainable living movement.

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Erus Builders and Going Green Solar
Erus Builders and Going Green Solar

The mission is to educate the public on what we can all easily do right now to limit our negative impact on the environment.  Please help us by joining the movement and doing your part in Going Green!  Erus Builders has partnered with a major Solar and Green Product organization that brings the opportunity of going green with the use of solar and other renewable energy products to every homeowner in the nation.

We recently launched an opportunity to home owners get a Solar Water Heater installed in your home that could start making you money within months.  We make it effortless by providing you with all the information needed to receive the rebates and tax incentives.  Just fill out your personal information, sign, send it in, and collect your checks.  In addition, we will continue to educate the public and provide you with the latest information on green living and what we all should do to play our part in living off the grid.  Please sign up to the right to receive our free informative newsletter.

Contact us at:

480-580-5980

jamesholt@cox.net

Find additional information by visiting the website links on the right side of this page.

construction, home improvement, remodeling

Construction Project Schedule. Tutorial of understanding building project schedules.

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The video below walks thru the importance of a construction schedule and what you need to know about project schedules for any type of building project.  Home remodels, renovations, additions, home improvement projects, commercial construction projects, tenant improvements, etc., all should have a construction schedule prior to starting the project.  Watch this video to understand the importance of a project schedule.

construction, home improvement, remodeling

What are Pre-Construction Services I keep hearing builders and contractors talking about?

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Pre-construction Services are additional services that some builders and construction managers will provide to clients at the front end of a construction project prior to starting.  The main purpose of pre-construction services is to assist the client from the beginning of a project at project conception in achieving their design and budget goals.  The end result of the pre-construction process is typically saving the client time and money.  I will go into greater detail of what services the contractor may include below.  Builders and Construction Managers typically charge a fee for pre-construction services.

 

 

What does the Contractor include in the Pre-Construction Services?

The services provided by builders and construction managers during the pre-construction phase of a project will vary depending on the point at which they were hired on the project and the particular type of project.  Below is a list of what your contractor may provide during the pre-construction process.

 

  • Understanding the Mission, the Ultimate Goal. 

The contractor will need to fully understand what the client wants to achieve.  Everything must be disclosed in order for the process to succeed:  Budgets, Design Ideas, Location, Timeline, Personality Concerns, etc.  It is very important for the client to understand that everything associated with the project must be openly shared with the builder at this point.

 

  • Project Site Review. 

The contractor will walk the project site to provide information on:  utilities, local government jurisdiction concerns, construction ideas, soil conditions.

 

  • Construction Team Recommendations. 

The builder may provide you with suggestions on other organizations that will need to be a part of the construction team.  Some of these may include:  Architects, Lenders, Engineers, Designers, Real Estate Agents, Land Brokers, Insurance Brokers.

 

  • Preliminary Estimates. 

At different phases of the pre-construction process your contractor may provide you with preliminary cost estimates.  As the project continues to develop the preliminary estimates can be updated and the information become more accurate. 

 

  • Value Engineering / Scope Reduction. 

Should there be a discrepancy between initial designs and client budgets, the contractor can recommend alternate materials and construction methods to bring then in sync. 

 

  • Constructability and Material Suggestions. 

As the project design is developing, the builder will periodically review the construction drawings and documents to make suggestions on materials, construction related concerns, and building systems.  This is also a good time to discuss green building options.

 

  • Scheduling. 

The preliminary construction schedule works a lot like the preliminary estimate.  The builder will develop a preliminary construction schedule showing the timelines of the different activities that will occur during the construction process.  This schedule will be periodically updated as the project design evolves.

 

  • Bidding. 

The contractor will put the construction drawings and documents out for bid when the following conditions are met:  construction drawings are 100% complete, all drawings and documents have been approved by the client, the documents are in sync with the latest estimate and schedule.  Once the contractor has received all their bids, they can then present a cost proposal to the client.  At this point, if you have not already done so, you will want to discuss the Construction Contract / Agreement and if there are other options to discuss.

 

I strongly suggest that a builder, contractor, construction manager, construction consultant be hired for pre-construction services for all construction projects.  You will  never understand all of the benefits this service will provide the client and project unless you have been thru the headaches of a project without it.  The minor fees that are charged for pre-construction services will ultimately be nominal compared to the time and money they will save the client.

 

construction, home improvement, remodeling

Tip from the Builder: prepare your home, building, land and property for summer.

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There are a few things that you will need to do to prepare your house, land, building, property for the upcoming summer.  The weather has changed and your building or property needs your help to prepare.  These items will vary depending on your location and environment. 

Conditioned Air Space:

You may need to change your mechanical units (HVAC) from Heating to Cooling.  There should be a switch on the controller or thermostat that will allow you to make this adjustment.  Be sure to also replace your air filters.

Lawn Irrigation:

The plants and grass will need changes made to the watering schedule.  Make sure to adjust the irrigation timer for each individual zone.

Pool / Water feature:

Pools and water features will require additional attention during hotter days.  You will need to adjust the pump filter timer and possibly the chemicals required for the summer months.

Ceiling Fans:

There should be a small lever on the side of your ceiling fans to change the direction of the fan for the summer.  If you changed the direction for this past winter, be sure to move it back to blow the air down for summer months. 

Enjoy your upcoming summer.  Ours in sunny Arizona is already here.  For additional free assistance with anything Building and Construction related please click on the Blogroll to the right on this page and also try searching for us (Erus Builders and Jimi Holt) on the internet.  If you did not find it there, contact us and we will assist.    Thank You,  Jim Holt