LIGHTEN UP
Have you been wondering if there’s a
way you can cut your energy bills while
helping to contribute to a greener
environment? Though Pennsylvania
may not immediately spring to mind as
a sunny locale, solar power is readily
available and already being used in
hundreds of area homes successfully.
Think of it like this: If there were a river
flowing by your house and you only had
a five-gallon bucket to collect the water,
you would only be able to use five
gallons. But if you had 20 five-gallon
buckets, you could have all the water
you needed. Solar energy functions in
a similar way. If you live in an area that
does not get a lot of sun, by adding more
solar panels you can collect more sun.
According to lead designer Ian Smith
of Energy Independent Solutions, the
Pittsburgh area is able to produce about
80% of the solar power that Miami,
Florida, does! There are also attractive
options for installing the panels, such
as all-black panels and solar shingle
products that blend the panels in with
your roof. Solar awnings can be installed
on a pergola or carport. And with flat
roofs, the panels are generally not
visible at all. There are also ground-
mounted systems that are separate
from your home.
Smith adds that the initial cost
for an average-size home of
2,000 sq. ft. might range from
about $15,000 to $25,000,
which is recouped over a few
years. Some areas may also
offer incentives or tax benefits
for switching to solar.
24
724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE
❘
icmags.com
ground level or elevated. When considering which option is best for you, you’ll
want to look at the costs and also which one works well with the style of your home.
The good news is that regardless of the option you choose, you’ll get a positive
return on your investment, somewhere between 30% and 75%.
For a wood frame house, wooden, composite or PVC decks can match the trim
of your existing home. Since wood can be painted, a wooden deck offers the most
color options; however it will also require frequent repainting. Both PVC and
composite decks are available in a wide range of earth tones to match your home’s
style.
Vince Lorenzi, owner of Lorenzi Home Design Center, explains that there are
cost differences, but feels that PVC and composite decks require less maintenance
in the long run.
He says wooden decks will run about $2 to $3 per square foot. These are
attractive, but they do require more maintenance and will have to be resealed every
few years to give them maximum life.
Both PVC and composite decks will run an average of $8 to $9 per square
foot. They will require power-washing for cleaning, with frequency depending on
location. If the deck is adjacent to trees and shrubbery, leaves and pollen will settle
on the frame so washing is required to keep it looking sharp.
If your home is made of stone, you may opt for a patio that is a continuation of
the stone look, but this also works well with a wood frame or brick home. Patios
work best in yards that are level, while a deck can be placed pretty much anywhere,
including a hilly or uneven lawn.
According to Marci Buckiso of The Fireplace and Patioplace, a local expert
in furnishing outdoor living spaces, homeowners are especially keen to add fire
features to their outdoor area, which function as a gathering point for both family
and guests. Traditional wood-burning fireplaces not only add physical warmth and
beauty, but emotional warmth as well.
Contemporary homeowners are opting for very modern linear gas fireplaces, with
smooth, clean lines to mirror the style of their home.
“For those homeowners who don’t have the space for a traditional fireplace, fire
pits make a great feature, creating a beautiful flame that glows through crystal rock,”
says Buckiso. And they’re available in three different heights, with a lower coffee-
table height, dining table and bar height. The homeowner also has the option of
selecting wood- or gas-burning fire pits.
OUTDOOR KITCHEN SPLENDOR
When the summer heats up, the prospect of slow-
cooking a roast or searing some ribs is just not as
appealing when you know it’s going to heat up your
house and drive up your air-conditioning bill.
Take a tip from our pioneer ancestors who baked
their bread and cooked their meats outdoors
in the summer to maintain a cool house. This
simple idea can really help keep your home cool
during the dog days of summer, while saving you
money on energy costs.
With an outdoor oven and grill, barbeques can
be a spontaneous dinner idea, rather than a major
event that must be planned days in advance. The
grilling process gives steaks, chicken, fish and pork a
wonderful smoked flavor, while reducing the overall fat
content.
And it’s not just meats that can benefit from grilling. Bell peppers, onions,
zucchini and tons of other vegetables take on a wonderful flavor when tossed lightly
with olive oil, wrapped in foil and cooked on a grill.
With an outdoor kitchen, grilling is not just for summer either. With a covering
for rainy days and outdoor heating available, it can be used virtually year-round.