Quickly Lower Energy Bills Santa Clarita Residents

1. Switch to Compact Florecent lighting
Why?  Bulbs pay for themselves in 6 months.  Over 1/3 of your energy usage is lighting, CFL bulbs reduce that usage by 75%!
Bulbs now look like regular bulbs, come in Warm inviting light (2700K) best of all they don’t flicker now !
Click here to buy Click for estimate

2. Seal Heating and Air Ducts
Why? $20 worth of sealant will save you $100.’s !    Dept. of Energy says “Average home leaks 35% of your Conditioned air”
Click here to buy Click for estimate

3.  Put Additional Insulation in attic
Did you Know?  Goverment tax credit will pay 30% of the cost?  Yes up to 1500.00 in cash tax credit.   Insulation will pay for itself in 3 years in energy savings.  Immediatly reducing your electric bills.
Click for estimate

Carl Reese is Santa Clarita’s #1 Handyman.  Our clients are span the Santa Clarita Valley, from Movie and TV personalities (who will remain nameless) to our 15 Year steady clients ….we cherish each one of you.  These tips for energy savings are the items that pay you back the quickest.  You can also sign up for the summersavings program from Southern California Edision that will pay you 200. Each year in energy savings.  Carl Reese is Santa Clarita’s Only Energystar partner.  CR Construction strives to lower your energybills.  These simple energy saving tips will change they way you look at your electric bill.  If your looking for the easiest way to lower your electric this is it.  We Serve Valencia, Saugus, Canyon Country, Stevenson ranch and more.   CR Construction offers Certified Home Inspection service, Energy Audits, Thermal Imaging, General Contracting Services.  When it comes to a house we have you covered.

Carl Reese Construction Santa Clarita, CA
Certified NACHI© Home Inspector • EnergyStar© Partner • Certified Mold Remediation & Testing • Certified Thermographer • Energy Consultant • Licensed General Contractor #B878946

Things are warming up in the Santa Clarita Valley and so are we are all looking for ways to cool down and save money.  Well, Carl Reese Construction has another great way to put money back in your pocket!  Right now Southern California Edision is offering a $200 rebate if you purchase and install a qualifing Two-speed pool pump or Variable-speed pool pump before December 31, 2009.  Why is this something you should be interested in?  Upgrading your single speed pump to a slower variable speed pump is good idea because it takes alot less energy to move the water in a pool slowly then it does to move that same water faster. So replacing your older pump with a more efficient variable speed is a great way to save energy  and money. A great example from Edison is

Carl Reese Construction Santa Clarita, CA
Certified NACHI© Home Inspector • EnergyStar© Partner • Certified Mold Remediation & Testing • Certified Thermographer • Energy Consultant • Licensed General Contractor #B878946

As summer approaches, folks in the Santa Clarita Valley are turning their attention to cooling their homes down.  And whether you are considering purchasing a Window Air Conditioning Unit, Energy Efficient Evaporative Cooling System, a Whole House Fan, or are ready to start running your home AC unit, Carl Reese Construction has some information you will want.  Be sure to stop by Southern California Edisions website at http://www.sce.com/residential/rebates-savings/heating-cooling/ to take advantage of some great rebates.  To start with, if you are in the market for a new window air conditioning unit, you may qualify for a $50 rebate.  Or how about installing a qualifing Whole House Fan to beat the heat this year?  Edision is offering a $50 rebate on those too.  Or if you are looking into installing an energy efficient evaporative cooling system you could get up to $600 back.  And another great way to save money this summer is to join the Summer Discount Plan from Southern California Edision, this program is an easy way to get up to $200 credit this summer.  With this program, the electric company will install a small remote control on your air conditioning unit and during the summer months, June through October, when there is an energy emergency they will cycle your air conditioning compressor on and off to conserve energy when it is needed the most and you will receive credit on your electric bill.  Southern California Edision offers two residential Summer Discount Plans with your choice of three different cycling options within each program, and your credit amount based on the cycling option you choose and the size of your air conditioner.  Please vist http://www.sce.com/residential/rebates-savings/heating-cooling/summer-discount-plan.htm for more information.  So as you are looking for ways to beat the heat this summer keep these great rebates in mind and take advantage of the savings.  And for all you installation and home improvements needs please call us at Carl Reese Construction, we are here to serve you!   661-877-1499

Carl Reese Construction Santa Clarita, CA
Certified NACHI© Home Inspector • EnergyStar© Partner • Certified Mold Remediation & Testing • Certified Thermographer • Energy Consultant • Licensed General Contractor #B878946

The city of Santa Clarita requires all construction activity to be covered by a valid permit. Some examples of construction activity that require a permit include:
• Construction of new buildings
• Construction of tenant improvements
• Additions and remodels
• Installation of signs
• Upgrading service panels
• Adding or moving outlets, lights, switches or other electrical equipment
• Adding or moving registers, ducts, or mechanical equipment
• Adding or moving plumbing lines or plumbing fixtures
• Patio covers and decks
• Pools and spas
• Retaining walls supporting a surcharge
• Fences over 42 inches high
• Accessory structures
• Re-roofs
• Re-pipes
• Water heater change-outs
• Window and door change-outs
• Drywall replacement
• Repairs of damaged areas

Know your permits
There are five types of building permits available from the city of Santa Clarita for a construction project. They are:
• Building Permit — A building permit covers construction of the building and may include related trades only if specifically indicated on the permit.
• Mechanical Permit — A mechanical permit covers construction of the mechanical systems of a building. If this work is being performed in conjunction with building construction, it should be noted on the permit application so it can be included in the building permit.
• Electrical Permit — An electrical permit covers construction of the electrical systems of a building. If this work is being performed in conjunction with building construction, it should be noted on the permit application so it can be included in the building permit.
• Plumbing Permit — A plumbing permit covers construction of the fire sprinkler system, gas lines and the plumbing lines and fixtures of a building. If this work is being performed in conjunction with building construction, it should be noted on the permit application so it can be included in the building permit.
• Sewer Permit — A sewer permit covers construction of the drain lines outside the building. If this work is being performed in conjunction with building construction, it should be noted on the permit application so it can be included in the building permit.

Applications for each of the above noted permits can be downloaded to your printer from the city Web site at: www.santa-clarita.com/cityhall/pbs/building/forms.asp.

SOURCE: www.santa-clarita.com

Carl Reese Construction Santa Clarita, CA
Certified NACHI© Home Inspector • EnergyStar© Partner • Certified Mold Remediation & Testing • Certified Thermographer • Energy Consultant • Licensed General Contractor #B878946

Looking for a great, low cost way to upgrade the look of your home?  CR Construction has the answer for you, shutters.  That is right, we can improve your home’s curb appeal and have your neighbors talking in no time!  Whether replacing old worn out shutters, or installing them for the first time, we can meet your shutters needs, and most times, without even painting!  The new shutters are available in many colors, with one sure to compliment your home perfectly.  So give us a call at 661-877-1499 to schedule your free estimate. Or visit our website at www.carlreese.com to learn more about us.

CR Construction installed these shutters, a perfect match, no painting necessary!

Carl Reese Construction Santa Clarita, CA
Certified NACHI© Home Inspector • EnergyStar© Partner • Certified Mold Remediation & Testing • Certified Thermographer • Energy Consultant • Licensed General Contractor #B878946

Best ways for Santa Clarita Home Owners to save Energy?  CR Construction is an Proud EnergyStar partner that offers Energy Audits on Commercial and Residential property Owners.  Lets face it .. we all dread giving money to the utility companies.  With some quick  and inexpensive fixes around the house you can invest in your future, and pay less in monthly utilities.

How do I recover hundreds or even thousands of lost energy dollars without spending a fortune?

Home Energy Savings starts with a Thermal Home Energy Survey (audit).  This inexpensive scan pays dividends in monthly savings once you locate the leaks in your homes energy envelope.  Your home energy report will come complete with digital photographs, information specific to your home, and numerous low cost ways you can improve your monthly savings.  Rebates and Grant sources are provided as well.   The report will prioritize your energy savings that will pay you back in the shortest amount of time.

Carl Reese Construction uses a hi-tech thermal imaging camera to locate:  Loose duct work, missing or compromised insulation, electrical issues, costly home energy drafts, hidden water leaks or mold sources.   We have over 17 years experience, Proud EnergyStar Partner, and continued education includes Certifications at SoCal Edison © CTAC School on Energy Efficiency, Rebates, Lighting, and Title 24 Duct Leak Testing.  As well as Certified NACHI Home Inspector, Certified IAC2 Air Quality and Mold Testing.  Start Saving Immediately!  Often times these items can be corrected by the home owner and $9.00 worth of foil tape.   The US Dept of Energy says “every home including new construction should be thermally scanned.”   Thermal Imaging sees what the naked eye cannot see.   Infrared scanning sees temperature not light, so even the smallest duct leak can be detected with a Certified Individual operating the themal imager.  Leaking Ducts Waste Money!!  Unseen leaking ducts can cost you hundereds of dollars worth of lost energy each year.  Simple duct fixes can bring that 20 to 35 % loss back into your pocket.  If you have a $400. electric bill in the summer, that means $80.00 could be lost in attics or crawl spaces every month, as that conditoned air leaks into uncondition spaces of the home.  These corrections are simple and not to difficult to repair.  In my opinion,  CFL’s and Duct leak sealing are the two greatest increases in substancial energy saving you’ll see.   Now some would say insulation, but remember we are talking low cost , and quick returns.   Insulation I would rank 3rd or 4th.  Depending on the amount of airleaks in the home.

Cut your Electric Bills, Santa Clarita residents…order a Home Energy Survey Report of your Home.  We are the number one choice for Home Inspections, Home Energy Audits and Handman Services in the Santa Clarita Valley.   Call 661-877-1499 to book your Home Energy Audit Report, or Home Inspection Today!

Visit our Home Page for details, and our online store for energysaving products and video!  www.carlreese.com

Carl Reese Construction Santa Clarita, CA
Certified NACHI© Home Inspector • EnergyStar© Partner • Certified Mold Remediation & Testing • Certified Thermographer • Energy Consultant • Licensed General Contractor #B878946

Carl Reese Construction (ENERGY STAR PARTNER) works hard to save you money, but here is an easy way, The Gas Company. Yes, save money with the new 2009 rebate plan from the Socal Gas company on qualifing purchases and upgrades to your home. The Gas Company has a few rebate programs you can take advantage of. The first one is the Instant Rebate, this plan takes the work out of rebates by offering the rebate savings in-store, at the time of purchase.  Just purchase a qualifing ENERGY STAR clothes washers, ENERGY STAR dishwashers,  or ENERGY STAR natural gas water heater and pick up the rebate coupon at the participating retailer and use at the time of purchase to save now.  Visit http://www.socalgas.com/residential/savemoney/ for more information.

Other great rebates are available for ENERGY STAR clothes washers, ENERGY STAR dishwashers, ENERGY STAR natural gas water heaters, ENERGY STAR central natural gas furances, attic and wall insulation and tankless water heaters.  Visit http://www.socalgas.com/residential/savemoney/ for more information. Please keep Carl Reese Construction in mind for all your energy savings repairs, and call us today at 661-877-1499 to schedule the installation on your new rebate qualifiying appliances!

Carl Reese Construction Santa Clarita, CA
Certified NACHI© Home Inspector • EnergyStar© Partner • Certified Mold Remediation & Testing • Certified Thermographer • Energy Consultant • Licensed General Contractor #B878946

Santa Clarita’s Best Painters know the secrets to painting…do you?    After working in the area for 14 years, Carl Reese Construction (www.carlreese.com) has picked up on few of these secrets, and would like to pass them on to you.  So your thinking of tackling a painting project yourself?   Well here is some advice for when you are walking the paint asile at your local home store.  There are may places to shop here in the Santa Clarita area, and stores like Home Depot and Lowes carry a wide range of painting tools, and when faced with these choices, it is easy to take the cheap route and chose the least expensive painting tools.  But to make your painting experience fast and easy, cheap is not the way to go.  The Santa Clarita shoppers I bump into at Home Depot aren’t clear on the different tools available. And so I find myself helping these shoppers pick the best bang for their buck.  Hopefully this website help more individuals to choose wisely in the paint aisle.  The key here is choose the pro-supplies, you will spend a little more money now to save a lot of time and headaches later.  The first thing that is clear, is that the majority of people don’t like painting, but the proper tools it can make painting much easier.   Let’s start with a brush….The pros use ” Purdy”  a brush.  You will spend good money for one, but it will save you headaches.   Trust me, if you clean it and take care of it, it should last a homeowner a lifetime.   These brushes cost a little more for good reason, they paint better.  Purdy brushes tend to drip less, the bristles hold together better (you have less stubborn bristles painting things you don’t want to paint), they hold more paint which means less dipping action and more applying.  Same goes for paint rollers, go with the Purdy brand.  Skip the plastic paint trays they are messy and don’t work well, instead pick up a painter screen and a 5 gallon bucket.  These screens hang inside a 5 gallon bucket and leave more paint on the roller.  Paint trays just seam to push the paint around, without picking up much paint.    Again more paint on the roller means less dipping action and more applying it to the wall (which is the whole point).  This system puts more paint on the wall and less spilled out of a tray.  Purchasing higher qualities painting tools will help to quicken the painting process and helps to avoid alot of the headaches involved. Check out our online store www.carlreese.com.

Carl Reese Construction Santa Clarita, CA
Certified NACHI© Home Inspector • EnergyStar© Partner • Certified Mold Remediation & Testing • Certified Thermographer • Energy Consultant • Licensed General Contractor #B878946