The Paoli Group and Graham Custom Homes have partnered to create the Deer Clover project. The project broke ground mid 2009. This 6300 sq ft custom-built spec home is tucked into a vast Aspen grove, just below the infamous Fish Creek Falls trail head. The views through the 16 foot wide glass patio door to the Steamboat valley below and the mountain ranges beyond are breathtaking. Panoramic views from the vaulted great room are awe-inspiring. From the master suite and the private master deck, the Steamboat ski slopes jut into view. Deer Clover boasts six bedrooms, seven bathrooms, plus two powder rooms – including an ample sized guest suite. The oversized four-car garage offers additional storage in the loft area. The outdoor space does not pale by comparison. Over 3000 sq ft of decks and stamped concrete verandas including an outdoor grilling space and a wood-burning fireplace.
With the Paoli Group and Graham Custom Homes working together for you, you can expect a long term relationship and a commitment to surpassing your expectations. Chris Paoli is available to be reached at 970.819.1432, chris@mybrokers.com, or visit their website at www.thepaoligroup.com.
The U.S. Department of Energy website offers a pdf format booklet: Energy Savers - Tips on Saving Money At Home. The booklet provides homeowners with tips for saving energy and money at home and on the road. By following just a few of the simple tips found in Energy Savers, you can make your home more comfortable and easier to heat and cool—while you save money. Energy Savers offers you the latest information on energy-saving, efficient technologies, plus tips for using clean, renewable energy to power your home. Some of the tips are simple to do, while others require more effort and investment. Check it out at http://www1.eere.energy.gov/consumer/tips/
You may have heard the phrase "Home Energy Audit" before, but wondering what it entails? An energy audit is an inspection, survey, and analysis of energy flows for energy conservation in a building, process or system to reduce the amount of energy input into the system without negatively affecting the output(s). Simply put, it can help you assess how much energy your home uses and evaluate what measures you can take to improve efficiency. A home energy audit is often the first step in making your home more efficient and to lower your carbon footprint.
Not sure where to start? Your first step should be to contact your local utility and see if they offer a free home energy audit. Most public utilities will conduct home energy audits for their customers, free of charge. Or you may hire a professional Home Energy Auditor. The pros use a variety of techniques and equipment to determine the energy efficiency of your home. Thorough audits often use equipment such as blower doors, which measure the extent of leaks in the building envelope, and infrared cameras, which reveal hard-to-detect areas of air infiltration and missing insulation.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (USCPSC) reports, on average, 25,400 fireplace, chimney, or chimney connector fires a year. Fireplace safety begins with proper cleaning and maintenance. The safety guidelines set by the National Fire Protection Association call for annual professional inspections of all wood and coal stoves, fireplaces, chimneys, chimney connectors, and all other solid-fueled heating equipment. Follow up cleaning should be done according to inspection results.
The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) offers these tips to keep wood burning fireplaces and wood stoves clean and clear from the top of the chimney to bottom of the firebox:
- Have chimneys inspected annually, and cleaned as necessary, by a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep. This reduces the risk of fires and carbon monoxide poisonings due to creosote buildup or obstructions in the chimneys. To locate a certified sweep, visit the CSIA Web site at www.csia.org or call 1-800-536-0118. A certified sweep can also perform maintenance on your wood stove or help remove gas logs from a fireplace.
- Keep the top of chimneys clear of tree limbs or debris.
- Install a chimney cap to keep debris and animals out of the chimney.
- Fuel the fire safely. For burning firewood in wood stoves or fireplaces, choose well-seasoned wood that has been dried for a minimum of six months to a year and stored properly.
- Build it right. Place firewood or firelogs at the rear of the fireplace on a supporting grate. To start the fire, use a firelighter.
- Keep the hearth area clear. Debris too close to the fireplace, or to a wood stove, could easily catch fire.
- Use a fireplace screen. Use a metal, mesh or screen in front of the fireplace to catch flyaway sparks that could ignite.
- Be careful not to overload the fireplace. Add one manufactured firelog at a time or no more than a couple of pieces of firewood. Never burn garbage or glossy paper products.
- Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Place detectors throughout the house and make sure to check the batteries each month.
- Never leave a fire unattended. Before turning in for the evening, be sure that the fire is fully extinguished. Supervise children and pets closely around wood stoves and fireplaces.
For more information, please visit the Chimney Safety Institute of America at www.csia.org.
