PB January 2005

 

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www.energycodes.gov: The U.S. Dept. of Energy has launched the Building Energy Codes Resource Center to link users to energy codes and beyond-code construction techniques and technologies. The site offers detailed information on topics ranging from how to frame window headers for additional insulation to the latest research on mold and moisture.

Rheem's Corsaire Series and its Ruud brand Zephyr Series comprise a residential "value line" of air conditioners that are offered with efficiency ratings up to 12 SEER. The line is geared toward lower up-front costs and effective operating costs when matched to the appropriate gas furnace or air handler.

Accessory units, or living spaces that are secondary to the main home, are enjoying a resurgence in popularity. Also called "granny flats," especially when located above a detached garage, these units have unique advantages for the builder and the buyer. (See Taking Granny (Flats) To Market, p. 179.) From a design point of view, builders should consider two main aspects: the site and the floor ...

 

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As seasons change, the national mood changes from time to time too. With the mood shifts come changes within the home and a shift in the color palette buyers respond to. In order to keep up with the times, paint maker Kelly-Moore constantly changes existing color palettes by staying in close contact with the design community.

Delta Simply PUR Water Filtration System is a partnership between Delta and PUR. This filtration system brings bottled-water quality through your kitchen faucet. The all inclusive filtration system processes water through three stages of filtration to reduce the amount of sediments and contaminants in drinking water while retaining fluoride and minerals.

Some builders view the electronic gadgetry associated with home automation systems as part of a distant, hi-tech future. But for many others, the future is now. This third article on the PATH Concept Home (see sidebar) focuses on modern home automation systems. With its "disentangled" utilities, the Concept Home provides fewer impediments than traditional homes to installing and upgrading a hom...

 

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Tile has long been the selected material of designers, architects and home owners to provide a rich, luxurious look. How about adding personalized images or photos to create custom tiles? Imagine adding a family portrait to the tiles located in the foyer. What about adding the beautiful sunset captured on film while on vacation to a tiled bathroom wall? Coastal Murals, LLC specializes in transf...