Home Energy Savings & Information

Kansas City is Hot

2012-01-16T13:53:00.000-08:00

Kansas City was list #7 in the top 100 remodeling markets. When you are undertaking your next remodeling project consider the energy saving opportunities throughout the project.

Siding and window news

2012-01-14T15:30:00.000-08:00

The abc show, extreme home makeover, had their last episode Friday night. The show built 7houses in 7 days in Joplin, mo. All of the siding and widows we given to the project by Plygem. Plygem is the parent company of NAPCO. many of the sidings used are the new colors that are available now. Ask us for samples.

2011-10-05T06:08:00.001-07:00

Permits are up 24% for home remodeling. WOW! This is great news for our industry. More people are having there homes remodeled at any time since 2004. The end of the downturn is close at hand. We all look forward to busier times and more energy savings.

2011-09-08T12:17:00.000-07:00

I installed 2 Easton R-5 windows in my home a few weeks ago and they are great. They have reduced the noise in the room and I am sure they are saving me some energy. Over the years balance systems have become more substantial and they are able to support the triple pane glass properly. It is a great product at a great price.

Dream Designer

2011-08-17T05:32:00.000-07:00

The newest thing to our industry is the Dream Designer by Crane. You pick from one of 20 home styles and design your dream home with color choices for all the exterior items. You can them print the picture or order the picture on a sample board with samples of the colors and materials. It is the coolest thing. The whole thing takes 5 minutes to design and your samples are shipped to you within 2 weeks. You will love it. I did. Come by my office to see the real thing.

2011-07-19T13:56:00.001-07:00

Great news from the EPA. The EPA has announced that they will not add Clearance testing to the LRRP program. The industry trade groups have been working to keep this out of the law and they have succeeded. Thank you to all who made this possible.

Andersen New Tilt- Wash Windows

2011-04-19T14:50:00.000-07:00

Andersen has added a new replacement window to their line. The 400 series Tilt-Wash line of windows is now available in custom sizes. All the slim line features of the tilt wash window now in YOUR SIZE. Andersen continues to add products that are great for the remodeling contractors. Energy savings, many options, custom sizes, many colors. We are ready to serve you with any Andersen product that you are looking to get priced and ordered. Andersen is a great friend to remodeling contractors and to the environment.

2011-04-06T10:55:00.000-07:00

Nearly two thirds of homeowners are planning a home improvement in 2011. WOW! Nearly one third of these homeowners plan to select green materials for their improvement. This information provided by American Express. These are great numbers for our industry.

Stylish windows with energy savings

2011-03-30T14:19:00.000-07:00

Windows have many features added during this recession. Many window companies have added numerous features to there window selection in recent years. Many new colors including dark colors, hardware options are plentiful, Energy efficient glass options are endless, "greening" of their manufacturing plants and processes, sashes and frames with more strength and energy savings included in the design. All these new items have broadened the selection of styles and options available to make your window just the way you want them.

2011-03-22T06:33:00.000-07:00

Spring is here. The last weekend was great. Many of our suppliers are announcing price increases for this spring. We will have new price catalogs in April. The increases will begin in May. Now is the time to buy to save some money. Save energy and save money, a great combination.

2011-03-15T14:53:00.000-07:00

Exterior Portfolio by Crane has added 4 new colors to the line of composite sidings. Come to our Spring show this Friday from 11:30 - 1:30 and see all the new colors and products.

2011-03-03T11:59:00.000-08:00

Napco now has a program for contractors to help with financing. They have a "same as cash" program now that is perfect for contractors that are looking to provide financing for their customers. Give the office a call for complete details. 816-221-3220

2011-02-17T07:53:00.000-08:00

The Residential Buildfax Remodeling Index rose 18% in December. The industry is improving every day. The traffic at our local home show was terrific. Many of the contractors said it was the best show in years for producing leads.

EPA regulations

2011-01-05T08:09:00.000-08:00

New from around the country. Some municipalities are requiring you to verify you are lead certified before they will sell you a building permit. If you are not vet compliant this may be the motivation to get it done. We do offer many of the required items to make your workers EPA compliant.

Energy savings in America

2010-12-27T14:47:00.000-08:00

We have the end of the year right in front of us. We supplied thousands of windows in 2010 that will save energy, lower peoples gas bills and reduce our need for energy from all sources. It is a proud time for us in the home improvement industry. We are making America a better place one home at a time.

Energy saving entry doors

2010-12-22T14:04:00.000-08:00

Wincore is now offering entry doors. They are all fiberglass and come completely finished. Inside and outside. It also comes with trim on the inside and outside. These new doors with save energy and make your home more secure.

Future looks great for Windows

2010-12-20T10:36:00.000-08:00

The Freedonia Group forecast is out. Windows made of Vinyl are expected to see a rise in demand of 10.2% per year through 2014. What a great forecast for our industry.

Energy Saving Siding

2010-12-18T08:03:00.000-08:00

Napco's American Essence has been selected as one of the TOP 101 New Products in 2o1o. American Essence is the foam backed panel with great energy efficiency numbers. It is a double 6" panel and looks great.

2011 Energy Tax credit

2010-12-17T12:22:00.000-08:00

The new law that was passed today will allow for a 10% tax credit for Energy Star qualified windows with a maximum credit of $200.00. This is not the tax credit that I was hoping for but it is better than nothing getting passed. The industry groups are going to continue to work on a better program in 2011.

Save Energy at Home

2010-12-16T14:51:00.000-08:00

Work on the street. Business is up. I keep hearing that business is up for many distributors and dealers in Home Improvements. The increase is welcome news. We are all enjoying supplying more and more energy efficient windows and siding. This will reduce the energy usage of the homeowners who get the products. Saving energy is a great thing for each homeowner and America.

Energy saving tax credits

2010-12-15T05:55:00.000-08:00

Window tax credit for 2011? Their is a window tax credit attached the the Bush tax cuts that is winding through the Senate. It is less than the current tax credit but it is something. I will keep you posted on the results when a bill gets passed. We all need some program to help get 2011 started.

R-5 Windows

2010-12-14T08:41:00.000-08:00

R-5 Windows
What are they? R-5 windows are windows which meet the energy savings standard of .22u value for operating windows and .20 u value for fixed windows. Most manufacturers are working on getting their windows to qualify. Some have already reached this level.

Vinylmax has reached the R-5 standard with the Easton window by adding triple pane glass with double low-E and argon.

Why do we want R-5 windows? They are more energy efficient. This will lower our need for energy to heat and cool our homes.

More to come on R-5 as the EPA sets up the new Energy Star standards.

Home Buyers are Coming

2010-12-13T08:36:00.000-08:00

Recent news shows that in the 25 to 34 age group more are living with their parents. In 2003 only 10% of these young people lived at home and in 2010 13.5% of these same people are living at home. The good news is that as jobs increase these people will become renters and buyers of homes that will increase remodeling on millions of homes around our country. Remodeling spending is good for all of us in the supply business.

Financing Help

2010-12-09T13:31:00.000-08:00

Plygem has a new program with EnerBank to offer financing for home improvements. This new program has same as cash options from 3 to 18 months. This will help with the homeowners who want to get the energy savings started but the cash will not be available for a while.

Helping people get energy saving products on and in their homes is important to all of us in the industry and all Americans as we need to reduce our energy consumption.

Energy saving tax credits

2010-12-08T11:20:00.000-08:00

Congress is again working on the 2011 tax credit options. They are contemplating between the energy star criteria, 30/30, (which is the current program) and the up and coming R-5 from the department of energy. The Homestar program (also known as Cash for Caulkers) was passed by the house earlier in 2010 but has not made it through the senate. I believe that something will get done but we do not know what it is at this time. We need to continue the work of making American homes more energy efficient. Any of these programs would continue that effort.

Energy Savings Windows get Tax Credit

2009-06-25T14:00:00.000-07:00

The American Recovery & Reinvestment Act of 2009 has some wonderful things for homeowners looking for new windows. Homeowners can deduct up to 30% of the cost of the windows that qualify under the energy savings guidelines that the government have set out. The maximum tax rebate is $1500.00. This program is for many energy saving products for your home. When selecting a window be sure "Manufacturer's Certification Statement" includes the window type and style that you are purchasing.