Q. I am taking advantage of the unusual February weather in Vermont to go house hunting. I've seen several 1950s-era ranches with attached garages. What baffles me is that their attics are completely open to the garages. There are no vents on the ends of the attics in these buildings. There is no visible insulation inside the attic roof. The only insulation is on the bottom of the attic, between the boards above the ceiling. (Don't know where the bathroom vents exhaust to.)

Can you please explain why an attic would be open to the garage like this? It seems like an invitation to bugs and critters. Wouldn't this house lose a lot of heat? Wouldn't the moisture from the house condense on the inside of the roof?

If a homeowner wanted to make a house like this more energy-efficient, what could be done about insulating the attic? Should the opening to the garage be closed in, even partially? Should the homeowner always leave a hole?

A. It was a common practice in Vermont in the 1950s to leave the gable end facing the garage open when building ranches. I guess the thinking at the time was the open gable into the garage provided the attic's ventilation. I assume the builders of the time didn't give much thought to the need for ventilation or to the fact that the moisture brought in by the car in winter would contribute to moisture in the attic. I also don't think the builders ever thought about mice and squirrels nesting in the attic floor's insulation. Times have changed! Building a house this way is indeed not a good practice.

The insulation was properly installed between the attic's floor joists, but it was to the day's standards and is woefully inadequate by today's. Heat loss was not increased by this system, but it also is high by today's standards. The good part is that such open gable construction makes it easy to add insulation.

The open gables in these houses can certainly be closed, but other means of ventilation may then be required to avoid moisture accumulation and potential mold problems on the roof rafters and sheathing. The attic should be checked over several winters for condensation or frost on the roof sheathing, rafters or roofing nails. If these are present, additional ventilation should be considered.

The best ventilation system is a combination of soffit and ridge vents with an open connection between the two.

Q. Is there a way to recapture the heat or energy from sources in the home? For instance, it has always struck me that we spend all this energy to heat water to cook, wash and bathe with, and yet we let most of that energy go down the drain. I also can't stand to see the heat from the dryer vent billow out into the freezing air.

A. Recapturing the energy from the sources you mention is not easy or, in some cases, possible. You can let cooking water cool on the stove or countertop, or take a bath instead of showering and let the bath water cool before draining the tub. Laundry is primarily done with cold water nowadays, so this is no longer a source of wasted heat.

The heat from the dryer is another story. During the energy-crisis panic in the early 1970s, hardware stores sold a gizmo that was installed on the dryer vent and directed the heat and moisture into the room while taking care of the lint in a different way. It was OK with old leaky houses, which needed added moisture for the health of the occupants and furniture, but quite undesirable in today's tight houses, where moisture can already be a problem.

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Attics that are open to the garage pose problems

As part of each weeks Startup Report, Mass High Tech highlights five startup companies and their business goals and provides guest access to their company profiles in the New England Tech Directory. With each weeks Startup Watch, Mass High Tech will choose the weekly featured companies by soliciting nominations through a poll of 10 startup companies, with links to their respective websites.

Please choose five startups that you would like to know more about for the March 27 edition of Mass High Techs weekly Startup Report e-mail by visiting http://www.masshightech.com/startup-watch.

For guest access to todays directory listings, visit the following companies:

Sidewalk Branding Co.: an internationally published Rhode Island search engine optimization and local marketing company.

Greenovations: A catch all building and remodeling outfit, Greenovations offers everything from paint to insulation, floors to countertops, cabinets to wood stoves, paints and coatings to solar tubes, attic fans, plywood and tiles.

The Rifinery: Cutting-edge and innovative concrete design company that specializes in green techniques, designs, and products.

Abovestress Inc.: a Boston-based technology startup that develops innovative self-management mobile apps for personal health and wellness.

Eco Firebox:Eco Fireboxs masonry heater uses only a fraction of the wood used in standard woodstoves, producing a clean, radiant heat that provides even temperatures for 12-24 hours after the fire has died out.

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Startup Watch: Five you should follow

London -- We stepped out of the Tube at Covent Garden, and I panicked. It was our first night in London, and I hadn't anticipated so many people -- rushing, crowding, pushing.

It felt like Midtown Manhattan, times two.

I grabbed my kids' hands and I thought to myself: If I don't come up with a plan to keep us together, I will lose my children in this city.

So we devised a system that night. My husband and I told the girls: If you get separated from the rest of us, stay put. Don't move. We'll come back and find you.

Turns out, we used that strategy only once, on our last day in town. My husband got distracted inside Harrods department store and wandered away from the family. The girls and I stayed put -- and eventually Steve circled back to where he last saw us.

It was one small glitch in an otherwise near-perfect week in London, my daughters' maiden voyage abroad.

England makes a lot of sense as a first trip overseas. First, there's the matter of language. Menus, metro signs, museum exhibits -- they're all in English, which makes basic touring a bit less stressful, for adults as well as children. Guided tours are also (mostly) understandable. And the city is certainly well-equipped to accommodate a large number of visitors, with some of the world's top museums and attractions, an easy-to-use public transportation system, and friendly, helpful residents.

But relaxing, it won't be. This is one of the biggest cities in the world -- you'll get lost, you'll get tired, and you'll pack more into your days than you should. Especially with kids, it's crucial to balance the important with the just-for-fun.

I put together an itinerary that combined some of the city's world-renowned sights with kid-friendly diversions: the British Museum and the London Eye, Westminster Abbey and a terrific new musical based on Roald Dahl's "Matilda."

Not every attraction was a hit. My 11-year-old quickly lost interest in the Royal Observatory in Greenwich; even the Changing of the Guard outside Buckingham Palace went on too long.

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Taking on London an ideal journey for young travelers

An enjoyable afternoon on Ed and Arlene Andersons porch turned into a frantic emergency phone call after the couple saw smoke pouring out of their neighbors North Side home Friday afternoon.We were just coming out here to sit and enjoy this nice weather, and saw smoke rolling out, Mr. Anderson said. My wife ran over to holler at them, to try and get them out of the house. Then we called the Fire Department while they were getting the dogs and everything out.Six crews responded to 1021 Roosevelt Ave. about 1:20 p.m., as smoke rose out of the two-story green house.I was downstairs in the dining room, playing on my laptop, when my nephew upstairs came down and said I smell smoke, said Ronda Carlson, owner of the home. I thought maybe someone was out burning.He went back upstairs, then came back down and said, Aunt Ronda, there is smoke coming out of the attic and the bathroom.Ms. Carlson, her nephew and a family friend gathered the familys three dogs, grabbed antique guns and evacuated the home. Ms. Carlsons husband and another family friend were not at home at the time.Fire crews battled heavy smoke as firefighters ripped through the roof to gain access to the house. Ms. Carlson said the family had been remodeling sections of the 1800s-era home and had additional renovations planned.We just put on a new roof in July, Ms. Carlson said. Well, like my husband said, now we have a new skylight.Joking about the unfortunate circumstances, other family members and friends comforted the family as the tight-knit neighborhood banned together. Fire Inspector Jason Ziph said older wiring in the attic sparked the fire, causing approximately $80,000 in damage.No injuries were reported.Kristin Hoppa can be reached at kristin.hoppa@newspressnow.com. Follow her on Twitter: @SJNPHoppa. Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus.blog comments powered by

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Fire damages North Side house

An early morning fire Tuesday came close to completely destroying a family's home when an outside fire began to make its way into the house.

Roger Cantu, his wife, Michelle Seifert, and their children, Jasmine, 6, and Blake, 4, were sleeping when Seifert said she woke up at the same time some passersby began knocking at walls and windows to alert them of smoke coming from the rear of the home. The family escaped with no injuries.

Seifert said the fire happened in the corner of the kitchen -- the exact location of the family's only exit.

"We had to run the kids through the fire and smoke," she said. "It was pretty traumatizing."

"As soon as we opened that door, the flames went up," Cantu said.

Firefighters responded to the home in the 2900 block of Central Ave at 1:15 a.m. and had the fire controlled within an hour. Cantu said they had taken a hot log out of a smoker and placed it on top of a wall-mounted swamp cooler. He said they sat outside for an hour or two before going to bed, certain the log had cooled.

"About three or four hours later, it started back up," he said.

The home's roof and some exterior walls were destroyed, including the entire kitchen, and there is significant smoke and fire damage to the attic, he said. The rest of the home and the family's belongings appear to have a substantial amount of smoke damage. The home was not insured.

A report from the Caon City Area Fire Protection District states it appears that the wind rekindled the log and sparks blew into the woodpile below and started the fire. The report also says a smoke detector in the home did not have a battery and the house has no utility hook-ups, instead a 12-volt battery is used to power lights.

Cantu said he had been in the process of remodeling the home, but now he has some significant repairs that need to be done, including rebuilding the roof and some exterior walls before the weather turns cool again. He is unemployed, and Seifert is a full-time student.

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Tuesday fire damages family's home

CHESTER, Pa., March 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Continuing uncertainty in the real estate market has homeowners asking a major question as the market warms this spring is it smarter to move or to improve? Cost is the driving factor behind home improvement projects again this year, and it's important to choose projects that will provide the biggest return on investment. Power Home Remodeling Group, the nation's fourth largest home remodeling company, empowers homeowners to get the biggest bang for their home-improvement buck this spring, whether updating a home to increase it's resale value or infusing the place with some personality to create your dream home.

"Giving your home some added curb appeal with an exterior makeover will automatically boost the resale value of your property," said Jeff Kaliner, Power's Founding Partner. "If you plan to stay put, focus on cost effective renovations that make your home more comfortable, functional and low maintenance for your family. Either way, enhancing your home this spring will help protect your greatest investment."

Power shares the following tips to stay on trend with home improvements this spring:

About Power Home Remodeling Group Family-owned since 1992, Power Home Remodeling Group is the nation's fourth largest home remodeling company with more than 1,100 employees and $135 million in sales. Headquartered in Chester, Pa., Power provides energy-saving and environmentally friendly exterior remodeling solutions to residents on the East Coast, including Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington, DC. An Inc. 5000 company, Power has served more than 50,000 homeowners and is recognized as a home improvement leader by its "Dealer of the Year" award from Window and Door Magazine and the 2011 "Top Workplace" from The Philadelphia Inquirer. For more information please visit PowerHRG.com, or follow the company on Twitter @PowerHRG and Facebook at facebook.com/PowerHRG.

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Home Improvement Trends for Homeowners Looking to Spring Forward

Posted: Mar. 8, 2012 | 2:03 a.m.

Want to know what the "next big thing" in home ownership will be? No one can predict the future with absolute certainty, but there are no safer predictions than these: Nonrenewable energy sources will become increasingly scarce, energy costs will rise over time and people will continue to desire comfortable homes that are affordable to maintain. Wrap it all up in a solution that makes sense for the vast majority of existing homes and, voil: The next big thing is ... drum roll please ... the energy efficient retrofit.

It may not seem very sexy, but no one can deny that slashing home-energy bills is an attractive goal. Did you ever wonder why they are so high in the first place? Don't blame the power company. There is no free lunch. We pay a lot because we use a lot, and we use a lot because most of our existing buildings are, I will say this as delicately as possible, gross energy hogs.

In fact, suburban America was mostly built using a flawed strategy of resource extraction, depletion, externalized costs and the short-term availability of cheap fossil fuels. James Howard Kunstler, author of "The Geography of Nowhere: The Rise and Decline of America's Man-Made Landscape," has called it "the greatest misallocation of resources in history."

Our economic system is designed to maximize profit (referred to as "shareholder value") while minimizing long-term value for the end user.

Rather than wring their hands and wish for a magic solution that will never come, some people are actually dealing with this issue head on, developing practical approaches that incorporate state-of-the-art science, materials and techniques. The results are often spectacular.

I recently attended an open house event that showcased two home-energy remodeling projects. Turning decrepit old energy hogs into beautiful, affordable, power-sipping homes requires some effort, but the results are so worthwhile.

The process involved four basic steps:

1. Energy assessment: Test the current performance level and diagnose the best opportunities for an energy-efficient remodel.

2. Develop the plan: Determine the specific items and tasks to provide optimum performance in energy, comfort and health.

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Retrofit Energy Hog Homes Into Power Sippers

Progressive, seeing the value of education in the construction/retrofit industry, invests in a new learning center for the training of employees, partners and customers. The inaugural event featured Energy Upgrade CA training for contractors. The ongoing need for training is being driven by energy conservation changes in the California Energy Commission, the Public Utility Commission and the California state building code.

Chatsworth, CA (PRWEB) February 29, 2012

The first event held in the training center was a class from Energy Upgrade CA program, where attendees were able to benefit from Progressives interest in educating both the consumer and the contractor. A clear understanding of the issues of whole house performance is vital to accomplishing the goals of energy efficiency.

The old rule-of-thumb school of building a house is no longer an acceptable model for construction or remodeling, said Steve Anderson, President of Progressive. "Progressive's new Learning Center is an outstanding contribution to the educational process," he concluded.

Progressive has maintained an active training program in conjunction with the Progressive Learning Center for the past 10 years. With a steady stream of advancement in the field of whole house performance, it is not only necessary to educate employees and contractors, but homeowners as well.

Anderson is quick to point out that the tenets of building science have become a part of the California Building Code, which dictate the standard for new houses. By extension, the retrofit business has the daunting task of helping thousands of homeowners in older homes, built prior to the growth in building science, to see the financial and comfort benefits of increasing the energy efficiency of their homes even though at this point they are not required by the code to do so. Retrofit business focuses on bringing older homes up to code so that they perform with energy efficiency.

Energy efficiency is an intangible product, unlike beautiful new windows which the casual observer driving down the street can see. Energy efficiency is hidden in the walls, the attic and the crawl space of every home. Dirty old insulation that is compressed or simply missing, contributes to high utility bills and the shortened life of HVAC systems. But it takes some training to clarify the connection between high utility bills and missing insulation, as obvious as that may seem. In addition to the aspects of comfort and savings on utility bills, there is the issue of bad air quality inside the home, a growing concern among doctors dealing with allergies and asthmatic conditions. All of these combine to demonstrate the need for an active training program and the presence of Progressives Learning Center.

The Environmental Protection Agency notes Californias new standards that mandate that all new construction reduce energy use by 15 percent, water use by 20 percent, and water for landscaping by 50 percent. The energy savings in the new standards will come from a combination of more efficient appliances, better insulation, and more efficient windows. The code also identifies a number of improvements to air quality. The new language allows localities to adopt tougher standards.

The green building code changes became mandatory in 2010. On April 23, 2008, the California Energy Commission (CEC) approved dozens of changes to the state's building energy efficiency standards for new construction, commonly known as Title 24. On October 19, 2007, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) adopted a target that all homes built in California after 2020 be energy neutral. This goal will be achieved through advanced insulation systems as the initial step.

About Energy Upgrade California

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Progressive Insulation & Windows Relocates Progressive Learning Center

Following extensive renovations, Thomas Keller’s Bouchon Bakery and Ad Hoc restaurants are reopening this week.

The popular Yountville bakery opened on Sunday, with Ad Hoc to follow Thursday.

The bakery remodeling follows an attic fire that caused considerable damage to the structure last fall.

The retail section of Bouchon Bakery has been redesigned to have distinct entrance and exit doors to ease the flow of foot traffic.

Nearby at Ad Hoc, the renovations include a revamp of the current kitchen, featuring state-of-the-art Viking cooking equipment, in line with the kitchen standards that Keller strives to provide his culinary teams. The dining room has also been upgraded with a reception area and a private dining alcove that seats up to 18 guests.

To celebrate Bouchon Bakery’s reopening, its version of the venerable “ho-hos” — previously only available at its sibling locations in New York City — will debut in Yountville. Both properties will also host one-of-a-kind offers on their respective social media pages.

The bakery is also introducing a new dedicated phone line, 707-754-4272, for customers who prefer to place their sandwich orders in advance.

“It’s all about streamlining,” explained bakery manager Marie Betts. “We are always looking for ways to improve our guests’ experience. Once we decided to renovate, we put all our ideas on the table. We hope everyone appreciates the new systems we are putting in place.”

Chef Keller opened his third Yountville outpost, Bouchon Bakery, in July 2003. In the style of classic boulangeries, the bakery features a selection of artisanal breads and a wide array of classic French desserts.

Highlights from Bouchon Bakery’s menu include traditional items such as baguettes, campagne and brioche loaves. Pastry choices include an array of classic Viennoiserie, such as croissants and pain au chocolat, and seasonal dessert options. The bakery also offers daily sandwich selections, soup, salads and its own Bouchon Blend coffee.

Bouchon Bakery’s hours of operation are from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. The main phone number is 944-BAKE.

The proprietor of The French Laundry and Bouchon restaurants opened his fourth venue on Yountville’s Washington Street, Ad Hoc, in September 2006. Ad Hoc, which literally means “for this purpose,” is Keller’s long-desired restaurant from which he serves dishes inspired by the comfort food he enjoyed growing up, such as fried chicken, pot roast and beef stroganoff.

Originally intended to be temporary, Keller decided to keep Ad Hoc open as a permanent fixture in Yountville due to its popularity with both local residents and visitors alike. With a family-style menu designed to change daily, Ad Hoc features a handwritten chalkboard heralding each day’s four courses.

Ad Hoc is open Thursdays through Mondays for dinner from 5 to 10 p.m. and serves Sunday brunch from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Reservations can be made by calling 944-2487.

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Bouchon Bakery, Ad Hoc reopen after renovations

Should a roof exhibit any signs of decay, homeowners should address those issues immediately to avoid further damage. Metro Creative Services

Metro Creative Services

Replacing a roof is a costly venture few homeowners look forward to. According to Remodeling magazine’s 2010-11 “Cost vs. Value” report, the national average cost of a roof replacement is nearly $22,000, a costly endeavor considering the tenuous nature of the economy.

What’s more, homeowners who choose more upscale roofing materials can expect to spend almost $40,000 on their roofs.

Such costs make it no small wonder that many homeowners fear the dreaded diagnosis that their home needs a new roof.

While there’s little homeowners can do to reduce the cost of a roof replacement, there are warning signs homeowners can look for that might indicate a roof replacement is on the horizon.

Recognition of these signs can help homeowners be more financially prepared should the day come when the roof needs to be replaced.

• Algae — If the roof has lots of dark streaks and stains clinging to it, that is likely algae, which can grow on the roof for quite awhile.

Algae does not necessarily do any damage to a roof, but it does do some damage to a home’s physical appearance, as algae on the roof is not very pleasing to the eye.

Algae is most often found on the roofs of homes located in climates that have warm, humid summers. If algae is a problem on your roof, spray washing with a mixture of water and bleach can effectively remove it.

• Buckling shingles —Like algae, buckling shingles are another unsightly problem on a roof. But buckling shingles are more than just an eyesore, they actually might indicate significant problems. When shingles buckle, that’s typically because hot air from the attic is forcing the shingles away from the home. Continued...

Buckling shingles also indicate that the roof is poorly ventilated, which can take years off the roof’s life expectancy while driving up home cooling costs along the way.

• Granule loss — Granule loss is typically a byproduct of normal shingle wear and tear that results from inclement weather, such as hail. Older roofs might experience granule loss, but granule loss can also occur on a new roof if a defective roofing product was used.

Any granule loss, even if slight, should be addressed, as the side effects of granule loss include a weakened roof and leaking. If granule loss is not addressed, the consequences could be severe the next time a storm occurs.

• Mold — Unlike the warning signs already discussed, mold is not visible on the outside of the home. Instead, homeowners should look in the attic of a home to see if there is any mold growth.

If there is, the roof is likely leaking, and the health risks of mold growth in a home are substantial. Mold is not necessarily easy to detect, so a professional inspection might be in order if mold growth is suspected. If a professional determines mold is, in fact, present, then the mold will need to be removed and all options, including a roof replacement, must be considered to keep mold from coming back.

• Roof rot — Perhaps the most discouraging sign a homeowner can see on his or her roof is roof rot. Roof rot appears when a roof is in considerable decay and, if not addressed, its consequences can stretch far beyond the roof, damaging other parts of the home thanks in large part to water getting through the roof.

If roof rot is either not noticed or just ignored, it won’t take long for water to get through the roof and blaze a destructive path through the rest of the home.

Homeowners might fear a full roof replacement because of the cost associated with such a project. But if ignored, problems with a roof could eventually prove far more costly than the price of replacing the roof.

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Home & Garden: Five signs of roof wearPublished Feb. 26, 2012