Duinkerken Homes, Inc.

Newsletter
September 2012 www.duinkerkenhomes.com

In This Issue
North Carolina to Become More Energy Efficient State Following Recovery Act Grants Useless Information Quiz Request For Emails Mortgage Interest Deduction Under Attack Prepare Your Home to Withstand Any Weather

North Carolina to Become More Energy Efficient State Following Recovery Act Grants
North Carolina is more energy-efficient than it was in 2009. Homes, schools, college campuses, businesses and government facilities are using less energy, saving on utility bills and generating more power from renewable sources as a result of grants distributed by the N.C. Energy Office and funded through the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act. North Carolinians can learn more about the impact of these initiatives at an updated website (http://www.energync.net/about-us/recovery-act-in-nc) launched by the Energy Office, a division of the state Department of Commerce. The site includes details of more than 30 projects throughout the state. The impact of these programs has been widespread. Someone you know, a building or business youve visited or an activity youve participated in has probably benefited from an Energy Office Recovery Act grant, said Gov. Bev Perdue. This unique website tells the stories of these projects and how they not only are making us more energy-efficient, but saving tax dollars when energy costs are uncertain and growing. Through the federal Recovery Act, North Carolina received $106.6 million for energyrelated projects along with $132 million for the states Weatherization Assistance Program. Of those dollars, $20.9 million, from the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program, was directed to local governments, public schools and community colleges (an additional $37.7 million went directly to designated local governments through a populationbased formula). The State Energy Program provided $75.9 million for grants

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www.duinkerkenhomes.com 10 Lakeview Lane Weaverville, NC 28787 dhomes@charter.net Brandon Cell 828-450-9395 Kate Cell 828-450-5690 Fax 828-645-2728

that ranged from workforce development and assistance to commercial, industrial and non-profit groups to support for state and local government energy-efficiency initiatives. More than 75,000 new energy-efficient appliances replaced older energyhogging ones through the $8.8 million Energy Star Appliance Replacement and Rebate Program. Another $1 million is being used for the Energy Assurance Program, working with other state, local and non-government agencies to develop programs and partnerships to make sure the state has the fuel resources it needs, particularly in emergency situations. The Energy Office funded hundreds of projects through 243 Recovery Actconnected grants. Highland Craftsmen Inc., a small poplar bark shingle manufacturer in Spruce Pine, achieved the energy efficiency milestone of net zero electricity use because of improvements funded, in part, by an Energy Office program. Clearsense Properties in Durham converted a one-story former tire shop into a showcase for energy efficiency with solar panels, wind turbines and other energy efficiency renovations. In Concord, the city worked with a Charlotte investor in a unique publicprivate partnership to place a solar photovoltaic array atop a downtown parking deck; the electricity is sold to the grid. Kinston taxpayers are saving $200,000 a year after traditional street lighting was replaced with LED lights. In other projects, landfill gas is being converted into useable energy for economic development and farmers are saving on processing their crops and spending less to get them to market. Learn more about these North Carolina Recovery Act projects, and more, at http://www.energync.net/about-us/recovery-act-in-nc.
POSTED BY ALEX FERRERAS ON SEPTEMBER 4, 2012 IN LATEST FINANCIAL NEWS ON LOANSAFE.ORG

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www.duinkerkenhomes.com 10 Lakeview Lane Weaverville, NC 28787 dhomes@charter.net Brandon Cell 828-450-9395 Kate Cell 828-450-5690 Fax 828-645-2728

Useless Information Quiz

The first person to answer the Useless Information Quiz will win a $5 gift card to Subway! I realize with the easy access to technology, the Useless Information Quiz answer might be found without much effort! So, we ask that you PLEASE do not to Google the question! Send your reply and address to dhomes@charter.net! Again, the first person to correctly answer the quiz will get a $5 gift card to Subway!

What is a jiffy?
We will announce the winner on our Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn pages.

Request For Emails

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www.duinkerkenhomes.com 10 Lakeview Lane Weaverville, NC 28787 dhomes@charter.net Brandon Cell 828-450-9395 Kate Cell 828-450-5690 Fax 828-645-2728

Many of you receive the Duinkerken Homes Newsletter through one of the social networking sights we use. Due to come technical difficulties, we lost the majority of our email contacts. It would be helpful to our office if you could please email us your information directly to dhomes@charter.net so that we can once again have you in our system. Thank you and sorry for the inconvenience.

Mortgage Interest Deduction Under Attack

Americans overwhelmingly oppose any action by Congress to tamper with the mortgage interest deduction, but it could be eliminated or scaled back as Congress and the Administration are looking at tax increases in light of deficit concerns. The consequences would be devastating for home owners, the housing market and the nation's economy. Please join us in the important effort to preserve the mortgage interest deduction. Visit http://www.protecthomeownership.com/ for information about this issue.

Prepare Your Home to Withstand Any Weather

The weather these days seems to be more volatile than ever -- swinging from record-setting heat waves to deep freezes, seemingly from one day to the next. With the weather more varied and unpredictable, homeowners nationwide have learned lessons from the past year and are taking steps to ensure their houses can efficiently withstand whatever Mother Nature dishes out. It's all about keeping homes sealed tightly, so water and wind can't leak in and tempered air doesn't leak out -- causing heating and cooling bills to rise. Beware of Foundation Cracks Water is the enemy of your home's foundation. A change in moisture content of the soil around your home allows water to put pressure on the foundation, causing cracks and leaks. Dry weather can cause the soil to shrink, while wet periods can cause it to

soften. Poor drainage from your roof or improper ground slope around your home can funnel water against the foundation.
Contact Us www.duinkerkenhomes.com 10 Lakeview Lane Weaverville, NC 28787 dhomes@charter.net Brandon Cell 828-450-9395 Kate Cell 828-450-5690 Fax 828-645-2728

Make sure gutters are clean and that downspouts extend away from your home. Check that the soil, grass or pavement properly slopes away from your foundation. Insulate Effectively Upgrading a home's insulation is an effective, easy way to increase energy efficiency while decreasing heating costs. The attic is a great start, but to achieve maximum efficiencies, don't overlook areas such as basements and rim joists. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates homeowners could save an average of at least $250 yearly in heating costs by insulating basement walls. And by insulating crawl spaces and rim joists, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates homeowners can save up to 20 percent on energy bills. Opting for stone wool insulation, which is made from a combination of natural basalt rock and recycled slag, may provide greater benefits than traditional fiberglass insulation. Inspect Your Roof Nothing can ruin a home faster than a leaky roof. Once yearly, check for signs of damage, such as sagging, aging, cracking, curling, tears or missing shingles. Pay particular attention to areas obscured by shade or vegetation. Replace shingles that are lifting up or that have rot or heavy moss. Also inspect gutters, vents, overhangs and flashing. Repairs should be made as soon as you see a small problem, before it becomes a larger one. Don't attempt to climb a roof that is steeply sloped. Instead, turn to a professional roofer or home inspector.
Reprinted with permission from Realestate Weekly