Most people know that Energy Star-rated appliances can save you energy and money, but how much? What if a rated appliance costs more than a non-rated competitor? Is it really worth it? The answer to these questions lies in the details of program.

Program Details

Energy Star, a federal government program, sets energy-efficiency standards for a wide variety of appliances and electronics. These standards are periodically reviewed and made more stringent, usually when the rated products achieve a 50% market share in their category. That way, the label will always apply to today’s most energy-efficient models – not those that were efficient in 1998.

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Energy use standards vary according to the product. Manufacturers test their appliances and then apply for the Energy Star label. In order to qualify:
Products must use significantly less energy than non-efficient counterparts.
Products must offer expected features and performance for their category.
If a product costs more than its less-efficient competitor, the consumer must be able to recover the cost difference in a reasonable amount of time.
Products must be labeled with energy information that allows consumers to choose among different Energy Star-labeled products.

You May Qualify for a Tax Credit

If you’re planning or have started a home remodel, 2010 is a particularly great time to purchase an Energy Star-rated product. As part of the Recovery Act, the federal government has given individual states money for a special rebate program for appliances. Each state determines what kind of Energy Star-rated appliances qualify for the rebates and sets the rebate amounts. Find out what your state offers.

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Image by 666isMONEY ☮ ♥ & ☠
Interior pics soon, only a little more work to do. (I’m working on the baseboards now, needs stove and fridge, plus a few finishing touches.) Some of the walls are concrete, adobe-like, thick walls, so I’m going to screw some of the baseboards into plastic anchors. Been working on the house for the past 6+ months, be glad to finish and move on to selling all my vacant lots — stupid investments seemed good during good-times when I could easily sell for twice what I’m ever going to get for the next 10-years.

400-East, 200-North, U can’t live much closer to Ground Zero than this.

Day 20: HELP ME !!


Image by h&b { Lea }
Ok, so it’s a boring photo, but I need some advice.

These are our wall tiles and floor tiles. I have popped the new towel down to give you an idea of ‘the look’.

Ok, all good ?

Here’s the problem:
The stone benchtop I had selected to the cabinetry doesn’t quite ‘go’ with the tones of the floor tiles ( which were hard to select and we really like the colour of ).

SO, I am a great believer in neutral tones/homes, so you can change with the season/style/trends with a quick shift in accessories etc.

Still with me ?

Ok, well the tone that suits for the stone slab countertop best is BROWN. B-R-O-W-N. I am having flashbacks to mission brown kitchens with burnt orange trims and I am SCARED.

The colour of the slab is depicted accurately ( as are the colours in this pic ) in the last tile in the following pic in the comments.

I think it will date. And a big slab of brown quite frankly, scares me.

Convince me ( or help me otherwise ) please !

Faucet and back splash


Image by florador
Luther Falls recommended that they make the back splash higher than the rest of the border, which was a great idea. They actually took off the bottom woodwork from the window, and took the granite all the way up to the bottom of the sill.

Looking In


Image by dvs
Ready for the siding (but of course the siding is backordered)

Cabinets


Image by Sarah_Ackerman
Kitchen Ideas. Ikea. 10.09.

Temuka pottery


Image by Cle0patra
I had no idea my fuses were made by Temuka Pottery.

Visit www.homes.com for local homes for sale in your area. A kitchen renovation is a huge opportunity to add value to your home. And you don’t have to spend a lot of money to make an impact, just follow these tips we’ve provided. First, if you cannot replace the entire or front of the cabinets, consider painting your existing cabinets. Or make a small change such as updated door handles & draw pulls or paint your walls a new color. Adding new lighting also helps modernize the space. If possible, floor changes such as hardwood or sleek tile can be inexpensive while still improving the home’s aesthetics. Adding new countertop also goes a long way. And like the floor choices, you have inexpensive options to make a huge impact. New appliances will go a long way to improving the space and keeping it up-to-date as new devices come out. Space storage options, such as shelving, will never be a negative. Everyone is always looking for more storage. And finally, add a window treatment to the space for a small but simple change. For more home living resources, visit our blog http

Renovation Cover Plate
List Price: 167.95
Price: 146.12

Salt Lake City, UT (PRWEB) June 7, 2007

Because it’s easy to get carried away with a kitchen renovation project and make spaces too large or far away, RenovatorsPlace.com, a leading online home improvement resource, has articles and advice for homeowners featuring smart kitchen renovation trends (http://www.renovatorsplace.com/kitchen-remodeling/kitchen-styles-layouts.cfm).

“Whether you’re all about country or into a more modern style, we’ll help you hone your style, select the right materials, and put it all together in a smart layout,” says RenovatorsPlace.com. Articles with smart kitchen renovation ideas include:

•”Expanding Your Kitchen Design,” http://www.renovatorsplace.com/dsp_articles.cfm?l_article_id=498

•”Finding the Ideal Kitchen Cabinet Layout,” http://www.renovatorsplace.com/dsp_articles.cfm?l_article_id=582

•”Making the Most Out of a Galley Kitchen Renovation,” http://www.renovatorsplace.com/dsp_articles.cfm?l_article_id=583

In a recent article on the dumbest renovation fads, CNN Money writer Duo Dickinson commented, “people think they need enough space to cook banquets for 16,” but what they really needed is a more practical approach. While some homeowners may wish to open up their kitchens, especially those with older galley-style kitchens, a major kitchen renovation is not only an impractical choice, but also a very expensive one. Remodeling Magazine revealed in their 2006 Cost vs. Value report that the average cost of a major kitchen remodel was $ 107,973.

According to CNN’s Dickinson, a smart kitchen design should have the cook moving no more than two steps between every countertop and “no more than three steps between the work triangle of sink, oven, and refrigerator.” Josh Garskof of “This Old House” describes in a recent article on simple kitchen makeovers how it’s possible to “give a tired kitchen new life without breaking the bank.” He suggests that rather than replace sturdy wood cabinets, a smart kitchen renovation could include kitchen cabinet refacing to keep costs down while giving the kitchen a brand new look.

RenovatorsPlace.com is an online home improvement resource that provides tips, articles and local contractor directories. It features interviews with homeowners and photos of their real remodeling experiences.

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More Kitchen Idea Press Releases

Bridgeport, PA (PRWEB) March 11, 2010

RTA Cabinet Store was recently selected by the DIY Network to have their RTA Kitchen Cabinets and bathroom vanities featured in two episodes of a new show called Renovation Rescue, and two episodes of the hit show Kitchen Impossible. As a leader in the RTA cabinet industry, RTA Cabinet Store has established an ongoing partnership with the home improvement channels. Gary Nealon, President of RTA Cabinet Store said, “We have a great, high quality product that fits well with the home improvement and do-it-yourself markets that the DIY Network and HGTV are targeting. With a large inventory, we are able to supply the shows with exactly what they need in a short time frame, which makes for a great partnership”.

The two episodes of Renovation Rescue were being filmed in the Denver area, and were going to feature two different bathroom remodels. The two episodes of Kitchen Impossible are being filmed in the Philadelphia area this month, and will feature complete kitchen makeovers.

Both the DIY Network and HGTV have seen a significant growth in the demand for informative do-it-yourself programming, with new shows constantly being added. This has led to a renewed confidence in home owners that they can in fact tackle their own home improvement projects. “Participating in the filming of the various home improvement shows has been a win-win for both parties. Our sales have grown significantly as a result of the shows, and they have a source for high quality products that the home owners are thrilled to have installed”, stated Gary.

RTA Cabinet Store is one of the fastest growing cabinet companies in the country. As an importer of RTA Kitchen Cabinets and Bathroom vanities, they are able to offer high quality cabinets with a significant savings to the end user- both contractors and homeowners. RTA Cabinet Store has multiple locations in Pennsylvania and carries an average of 3 months supply of all their cabinets. For more information about RTA Cabinet Store, go to http://www.rtacabinetstore.com. To see pictures from the various shows they have participated in, go to http://www.rtacabinetstore.com/news-press-releases

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No range in your kitchen? No problem! You can make lasagna in a toaster oven.

Chicago, IL (PRWEB) October 1, 2010

Feeding your family is one of the hardest parts of a kitchen remodel. The costs–and calories–of microwave meals, fast food and restaurants add up fast. It’s especially rough when the cooktop and oven are out of commission. So why not turn to small appliances to create delicious home-cooked meals during a renovation? The Kitchens.com Renovation Recipes Contest is looking for recipes that are quick, tasty and make use of at least one small appliance.

Contestants can enter recipes in five categories: beverages, appetizers, sides and salads, entrees and desserts. Recipes should make use of at least one small appliance. Five category winners will receive a KitchenAid® Artisan® stand mixer, and one Grand Prize winner will also receive a KitchenAid® coffee maker, countertop oven and toaster. KitchenAid is the official sponsor of the Renovation Recipes Contest.

“Everyone worries about how to cope when they don’t have a fully functional kitchen,” says Kimberly Sweet, editor-in-chief of Kitchens.com. “The Renovation Recipes Contest makes a great addition to our Surviving a Remodel content and is also a fun new way for our readers to engage with each other and with Kitchens.com.”

“We think the Renovations Recipes Contest will inspire cooks to discover new uses for the countertop appliances they may have to rely on when in the middle of a renovation,” notes Deb O’Connor, senior manager of brand experience for KitchenAid. “For example, maybe a blender is always used for smoothies, the countertop oven is used just to reheat and the food processor only comes out for chopping vegetables. Here’s an opportunity to think out of the box and discover the full potential of these often underutilized appliances.”

Readers will vote on the recipes to choose finalists. A panel of judges including representatives of Kitchens.com and KitchenAid will select the ultimate winners from the finalists, who will be recognized on Kitchens.com.

About Kitchens.com: Kitchens.com is a comprehensive resource for homeowners seeking information and inspiration for their ideal kitchen. This independent online publication features photography, design trends and ideas, new product updates, product buying guides, and handy how-to information on planning and budgeting–all in a user-friendly format that puts knowledge at consumers’ fingertips. Founded in 1996, Kitchens.com is based in Chicago.

About KitchenAid: Since the introduction of its legendary stand mixer in 1919 and first dishwasher in 1949, KitchenAid has built on the legacy of these icons to create a complete line of products designed for cooks. Over 90 years later, the KitchenAid brand now offers virtually every essential for the well-equipped kitchen with a collection that includes everything from countertop appliances to cookware, ranges to refrigerators, and whisks to wine cellars. To learn why chefs choose KitchenAid for their homes more than any other brand* visit http://KitchenAid.com.

*Based on a September 2010 survey, KitchenAid was found to be the home kitchen appliance brand chosen most often by members of the International Association of Culinary Professionals and the American Culinary Federation when asked about refrigerators, ovens, cooktops, ranges, dishwashers, microwave ovens, electric mixers, blenders, food processors, kitchen gadgets and toasters.

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More Kitchen Idea Press Releases

The company can greatly help you transform your kitchen into a completely new modern look without the need to remove your existing units. All you have to do is simply swap the doors and get made-to-measure doors from Kitchen Door Workshop. The company features more than 700 doors with 23 different door styles. You can pay a visit to the company’s website to grasp all necessary information. Look for your favourite designs and style, and click the image you are keen to view, and then you will be able to see 36 different colours available.

Since Kitchen Door Workshop does not offer a fitting service, they provide free online videos, and written guides from where you can learn easy to follow DIY techniques to fix replacement kitchen doors and kitchen cabinet doors. The guides and videos show convenient ways of adjusting hinges and fitting drawer boxes. Not just this, but the videos will teach you to fix replacement kitchen doors without the help of an expert.

Kitchen Door Workshop has been maintaining its standards since a very long time now, and customers do not get disappointed with the quality of the doors. The company also deals in the complete range of superb accessories, such as cornice, pelmet, plinth, handles, knobs, hinges, drawers etc. Although, the company’s website has all the necessary information you require, but in case you need the advice of an expert, then you are always free to contact their customer helpline in case of any inconvenience or queries. The company has now become the leading brand in kitchen hardware market, and is still making further improvements to satisfy their customer’s need in all possible ways.

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