Green Community E-Newsletter Sign Up

By: CCommunity.com Inc.

Starting in February 2009, you will be able to receive your community newsletter via email.

A few residents reported issues with registering their email address. We have resolved these and have implemented some improvements.

One of the features of the website you will be able to view, once you register, is homes in the community for sale and homes sold.

Use your temporary username and password provided on your last two newsleters.

Green Community E-Newsletter Sign Up

By: CCommunity.com Inc.

Starting in February 2009, you will be able to receive your community newsletter via email.

A few residents reported issues with registering their email address. We have resolved these and have implemented some improvements.

One of the features of the website you will be able to view, once you register, is homes in the community for sale and homes sold.

Use your temporary username and password provided on your last two newsleters.

Green Community E-Newsletter Sign Up

By: CCommunity.com Inc.

Starting in February 2009, you will be able to receive your community newsletter via email.

A few residents reported issues with registering their email address. We have resolved these and have implemented some improvements.

One of the features of the website you will be able to view, once you register, is homes in the community for sale and homes sold.

Use your temporary username and password provided on your last two newsleters.

Green Community E-Newsletter Sign Up

By: CCommunity.com Inc.

Starting in February 2009, you will be able to receive your community newsletter via email.

A few residents reported issues with registering their email address. We have resolved these and have implemented some improvements.

One of the features of the website you will be able to view, once you register, is homes in the community for sale and homes sold.

Use your temporary username and password provided on your last two newsleters.

Green Community E-Newsletter Sign Up

By: CCommunity.com Inc.

Starting in February 2009, you will be able to receive your community newsletter via email.

A few residents reported issues with registering their email address. We have resolved these and have implemented some improvements.

One of the features of the website you will be able to view, once you register, is homes in the community for sale and homes sold.

Use your temporary username and password provided on your last two newsleters.

Green Community E-Newsletter Sign Up

By: CCommunity.com Inc.

Starting in February 2009, you will be able to receive your community newsletter via email.

A few residents reported issues with registering their email address. We have resolved these and have implemented some improvements.

One of the features of the website you will be able to view, once you register, is homes in the community for sale and homes sold.

Use your temporary username and password provided on your last two newsleters.

New Federal Incentives Add "cents" to Solar Living

Atlas Service Solar Energy System offers a 100% financing solar hot water installation program that will pay for itself in 3-4 years.  Call 561-369-0025 or MyAtlasSolar.com for more information.

Author: Unitek Collge
On October 3, 2008, the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 was signed into law, in an attempt to deal with the current U.S. financial crisis. While the Stabilization Act covers several areas it is historic legislation for the solar industry and those pushing for solar living in a greener world.

"This long-term extension of the solar tax credits will create a domestic solar industry with hundreds of thousands of jobs while providing clean, affordable, carbon-free energy to millions of American families, businesses, and communities," said Rhone Resch, president of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), in response to the bill being passed.

These tax credits are not small pickings. For instance, the 30% tax credit for solar installations, both residential and commercial, has been extended to eight years. For the layman, this means that any solar installation for your home or business receives a 30% tax credit for eight years.

The eight-year extension has other benefits as well. An economic study by Navigant Consulting, Inc forecasted that the extension would create over 440,000 solar manufacturing and installation jobs around the nation.

The federal incentives for solar energy don't bring all pluses, however. Solar living isn't hard, and even without the tax credits it can save the every-day individual a chunk of money, but the solar industry itself is suffering from a lack of people with solar training. That solar training and certification is imperative for the industry to be able to fill those 440,000 job openings.

Some of those solar jobs will be in photovoltaics (PV). Photovoltaics is a method to generate solar power by using packaged solar cells (pv modules) electrically connected by pv arrays, which ultimately coverts the sun's rays into electricity. This area of solar energy alone has expanded dramatically in recent years.

PV isn't the only area that the solar industry could use individuals with solar training. With the increase of solar appliances, green building and many other areas of every-day living, the need for solar training spans several industries. Electricians, roofers, installers and general contracts could all benefit from solar education and the federal incentives.

A general contractor with solar training and certification, for instance, may realize an increased demand for their services. Likewise with roofer, installers and electricians. Simply put, as appliances and installations go from usable resources to reusable resources (i.e. solar energy), the need for people who can install, repair and maintain "green" installations will rise higher.

Homeowners and green energy enthusiasts could also benefit from the knowledge gained by taking solar courses. Not only can a homeowner learn what appliances and installations fall under the 30% tax credit, they can also find out exactly which installations, appliances and changes it would take to turn their home "green".

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/college-and-university-articles/new-federal-incentives-add-quotcentsquot-to-solar-living-692099.html

For additional information on solar training courses, please visit Solar Training Boot Camps at
Boots on the Roof.

What You Need to Do to Save on Florida Insurance on an Older Home

Get a wind mitigation inspection done at your own expense. Call Don Meyler Inspections or Billing Home Inspections for your wind mitigation inspection.

If you own an older Florida home, if can be challenging for you to find affordable Florida home insurance coverage. Your older home might be more likely to have hurricane damage depending on the building code that was in effect when your home was built. If the electrical, plumbing, and heating systems are outdated, your older home might be more likely to sustain damage from fire, water, or other perils. Finally, the type of roof you have and the condition it is in could result in a larger claim after a Florida hurricane hits your older home.

With all of that said, it is still possible for many owners of older Florida homes to find private homeowners insurance in Florida - and at an affordable price.

As Florida home insurance companies consider the age of a home, they generally group homes into the following categories:

Built 2004 and prior

Built 1994 and prior

20, 30, or 40 years old or newer

Up to 75 years old

The first two categories take into consideration the Florida Building Code modifications of the early 2000's and the mid 1990's. Homes built after each of the building code updates are considered to be more resistant to damage, especially from hurricanes.

The third group above varies by insurance company, but the main theme is this: As homes reach 20, 30, or 40 years old, a 4 point inspection is generally required by home insurance companies prior to issuing coverage. These inspections look at the age and condition of the roof, plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems. Depending on the results of these inspections, you may be required to update one or more of these areas.

Finally, 75 years of age is the cutoff beyond which Florida home insurance companies rarely agree to offer coverage - regardless of the outcome of the inspections and home upgrades that are present.

Before taking into consideration how close your Florida home is to the coast, the following statements are generally accurate regarding how insurance companies look at the age of your home:

Homes built 1995 and later are among the easiest to insure and you will have more companies to choose from.

As your home hits the age of 20, 30, and 40 years old, you will have fewer company options to choose from as each of these milestones is reached.

If your home is 75 years old or older, the chances that it will be covered by a private Florida home insurance company are slim.

Here are some actions you can take to have the best chance at obtaining low cost Florida insurance on your older Florida home:

Get a wind mitigation inspection done at your own expense.

Take immediate corrective action on the deficiencies identified in the wind inspection report. There might be improvements that can be made wall roof connectors that don't require a new roof or other lower cost steps that you can take.

Find out the age of your roof, plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems. Find out how much it will cost to address each of these items and make the improvements that you can afford to make now.

Some improvements might be eligible for Federal energy tax credits or credits from the utility companies for improved efficiency. See if either of these sources might offer you some financial assistance.

Let your local Florida legislators know about your situation and encourage them to extend the My Safe Florida Home program - and to increase the number of homes that are eligible for matching grants to harden Florida homes.

Finally, when it comes to shopping for Florida home insurance, it is essential that you work with more than one independent insurance agent - not just one. Why? Because at this point in time, there are about 40 Florida home insurance companies still writing new business. However, as the age of your home increases, many of these companies won't cover your home. Working with more than one agent will give you the best chance to get quotes from all of the Florida insurance companies that are still covering older homes. If you miss even one of these companies you could end up paying thousands more for Florida home insurance.

Don't rely on misinformation or word of mouth when it comes to finding affordable Florida home insurance on an older home. Follow these steps to give you the most options for insuring your older Florida home.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/finance-articles/what-you-need-to-do-to-save-on-florida-insurance-on-an-older-home-729106.html

Michael Letcher is a former Fortune 500 executive and a licensed Certified Public Accountant. His on-line database can help you find affordable Florida insurance for your older home. Find out the secrets to low cost Florida insurance for your older home in his free newsletter at =>
http://www.homeinsurancebuyers.org

Two Amazing Reasons Why You Should Use a Professional Home Cleaning Service!

The Amazing Maids offers personalized full service Maid Services, either on a scheduled basis or as needed. Please call Jan for a free quote at 954-939-6332 or visit the Amazing Maids website.

Two amazing reasons why you should use a professional home cleaning service!

Beside the usual concept of gaining more time to do the things you want to do there are two other amazing and more important reasons to hiring a professional cleaning company. First, you should consider hiring a professional cleaning company because amazingly the professionals understand your cleaning needs better than you do! That is a bold statement but it is true. A professional cleaning company will spend time researching the field of cleaning chemicals to find the best products to give you the best possible service. Since new cleaning products are constantly being developed and the chemistry of the existing products changes it just makes sense to get the best product for your cleaning needs. Do you really have the time to do the research to find out what are the best products? Did you really kill the virus on the counter? Is the commode really disinfected or does it just look clean? Is the vacuum you use really picking up all the dust and debris from the carpet or did it leave some behind. Is the air you breathe cleaner, the same, or does it contain more dust for you to inhale after you have cleaned and vacuumed? A professional residential cleaning company will leave the air you breathe cleaner after the job is done. When you have a problem with your car you go the service department or an auto repair shop to discover and fix the problem. When you are sick you go to the doctor. When you have an electrical problem at home you call an electrician. You call or visit these professionals because they have the expertise to understand and fix your problem. It is the same with house cleaning. House cleaning can be done by anybody to some degree but it has become a science in this day. To get the best possible job a professional should be hired.

Second, you should consider hiring a professional cleaning company because amazingly your health is at stake every day if the cleaning is done poorly, incorrectly or not at all! Do you have the expertise to know how to get the best cleaning job? Should you vacuum the carpet first then do the hardwood floor or should you do the hardwood floor first then the carpet? Did you really vacuum all the carpet or did you miss a few spots? How long should you leave the cleaning chemical on the surface before you wipe it off? What should you use to wipe the chemical off? Can the food spots be safely removed from your cloth dining room chairs? Is it better to clean windows when the sun is out to help them to dry or is it better to do them in the shade? Is it better to wash walls from the top down or the bottom up? It does make a huge difference if you do it incorrectly. How do you know that you cleaned the entire room without missing any critical areas? What system do you use to clean with or do you just go at it hoping for the best? Do you know how to safely handle all the cleaning products? What products in general do a better job residential products or commercial products? Are you wasting time and money by cleaning things that really do not need cleaned? It amazes me that people spend so much time and money on keeping their car running well but when it comes to the health issues concerning a clean environment they leave it to chance.

These are tough questions to ask yourself. If you care about your health, your family’s health, and the care of your home you should be informed. Your health and well being is important. Your family’s health and well being are just as important. Don’t leave it to chance. Let a professional residential cleaning company handle this ongoing task of caring for and keeping your home clean and as germ free as possible. In the long run you and your family will be healthier and happier. There is a great deal more to finding the right company. Are you curious about what else is important to know? Discovered what else you should be considering before hiring a company by visiting our site to learn more at: http://mr-maid.com/askmrmaid.html

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/customer-service-articles/two-amazing-reasons-why-you-should-use-a-professional-home-cleaning-service-680712.html

Jim Jones
mr_maid@comcast.net
www.mr-maid.com

New Federal Incentives Add "cents" to Solar Living

Atlas Service Solar Energy System offers a 100% financing solar hot water installation program that will pay for itself in 3-4 years.  Call 561-369-0025 or MyAtlasSolar.com for more information.

Author: Unitek Collge
On October 3, 2008, the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 was signed into law, in an attempt to deal with the current U.S. financial crisis. While the Stabilization Act covers several areas it is historic legislation for the solar industry and those pushing for solar living in a greener world.

"This long-term extension of the solar tax credits will create a domestic solar industry with hundreds of thousands of jobs while providing clean, affordable, carbon-free energy to millions of American families, businesses, and communities," said Rhone Resch, president of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), in response to the bill being passed.

These tax credits are not small pickings. For instance, the 30% tax credit for solar installations, both residential and commercial, has been extended to eight years. For the layman, this means that any solar installation for your home or business receives a 30% tax credit for eight years.

The eight-year extension has other benefits as well. An economic study by Navigant Consulting, Inc forecasted that the extension would create over 440,000 solar manufacturing and installation jobs around the nation.

The federal incentives for solar energy don't bring all pluses, however. Solar living isn't hard, and even without the tax credits it can save the every-day individual a chunk of money, but the solar industry itself is suffering from a lack of people with solar training. That solar training and certification is imperative for the industry to be able to fill those 440,000 job openings.

Some of those solar jobs will be in photovoltaics (PV). Photovoltaics is a method to generate solar power by using packaged solar cells (pv modules) electrically connected by pv arrays, which ultimately coverts the sun's rays into electricity. This area of solar energy alone has expanded dramatically in recent years.

PV isn't the only area that the solar industry could use individuals with solar training. With the increase of solar appliances, green building and many other areas of every-day living, the need for solar training spans several industries. Electricians, roofers, installers and general contracts could all benefit from solar education and the federal incentives.

A general contractor with solar training and certification, for instance, may realize an increased demand for their services. Likewise with roofer, installers and electricians. Simply put, as appliances and installations go from usable resources to reusable resources (i.e. solar energy), the need for people who can install, repair and maintain "green" installations will rise higher.

Homeowners and green energy enthusiasts could also benefit from the knowledge gained by taking solar courses. Not only can a homeowner learn what appliances and installations fall under the 30% tax credit, they can also find out exactly which installations, appliances and changes it would take to turn their home "green".

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/college-and-university-articles/new-federal-incentives-add-quotcentsquot-to-solar-living-692099.html

For additional information on solar training courses, please visit Solar Training Boot Camps at
Boots on the Roof.

What You Need to Do to Save on Florida Insurance on an Older Home

Get a wind mitigation inspection done at your own expense. Call Don Meyler Inspections or Billing Home Inspections for your wind mitigation inspection.

If you own an older Florida home, if can be challenging for you to find affordable Florida home insurance coverage. Your older home might be more likely to have hurricane damage depending on the building code that was in effect when your home was built. If the electrical, plumbing, and heating systems are outdated, your older home might be more likely to sustain damage from fire, water, or other perils. Finally, the type of roof you have and the condition it is in could result in a larger claim after a Florida hurricane hits your older home.

With all of that said, it is still possible for many owners of older Florida homes to find private homeowners insurance in Florida - and at an affordable price.

As Florida home insurance companies consider the age of a home, they generally group homes into the following categories:

Built 2004 and prior

Built 1994 and prior

20, 30, or 40 years old or newer

Up to 75 years old

The first two categories take into consideration the Florida Building Code modifications of the early 2000's and the mid 1990's. Homes built after each of the building code updates are considered to be more resistant to damage, especially from hurricanes.

The third group above varies by insurance company, but the main theme is this: As homes reach 20, 30, or 40 years old, a 4 point inspection is generally required by home insurance companies prior to issuing coverage. These inspections look at the age and condition of the roof, plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems. Depending on the results of these inspections, you may be required to update one or more of these areas.

Finally, 75 years of age is the cutoff beyond which Florida home insurance companies rarely agree to offer coverage - regardless of the outcome of the inspections and home upgrades that are present.

Before taking into consideration how close your Florida home is to the coast, the following statements are generally accurate regarding how insurance companies look at the age of your home:

Homes built 1995 and later are among the easiest to insure and you will have more companies to choose from.

As your home hits the age of 20, 30, and 40 years old, you will have fewer company options to choose from as each of these milestones is reached.

If your home is 75 years old or older, the chances that it will be covered by a private Florida home insurance company are slim.

Here are some actions you can take to have the best chance at obtaining low cost Florida insurance on your older Florida home:

Get a wind mitigation inspection done at your own expense.

Take immediate corrective action on the deficiencies identified in the wind inspection report. There might be improvements that can be made wall roof connectors that don't require a new roof or other lower cost steps that you can take.

Find out the age of your roof, plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems. Find out how much it will cost to address each of these items and make the improvements that you can afford to make now.

Some improvements might be eligible for Federal energy tax credits or credits from the utility companies for improved efficiency. See if either of these sources might offer you some financial assistance.

Let your local Florida legislators know about your situation and encourage them to extend the My Safe Florida Home program - and to increase the number of homes that are eligible for matching grants to harden Florida homes.

Finally, when it comes to shopping for Florida home insurance, it is essential that you work with more than one independent insurance agent - not just one. Why? Because at this point in time, there are about 40 Florida home insurance companies still writing new business. However, as the age of your home increases, many of these companies won't cover your home. Working with more than one agent will give you the best chance to get quotes from all of the Florida insurance companies that are still covering older homes. If you miss even one of these companies you could end up paying thousands more for Florida home insurance.

Don't rely on misinformation or word of mouth when it comes to finding affordable Florida home insurance on an older home. Follow these steps to give you the most options for insuring your older Florida home.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/finance-articles/what-you-need-to-do-to-save-on-florida-insurance-on-an-older-home-729106.html

Michael Letcher is a former Fortune 500 executive and a licensed Certified Public Accountant. His on-line database can help you find affordable Florida insurance for your older home. Find out the secrets to low cost Florida insurance for your older home in his free newsletter at =>
http://www.homeinsurancebuyers.org

Two Amazing Reasons Why You Should Use a Professional Home Cleaning Service!

The Amazing Maids offers personalized full service Maid Services, either on a scheduled basis or as needed. Please call Jan for a free quote at 954-939-6332 or visit the Amazing Maids website.

Two amazing reasons why you should use a professional home cleaning service!

Beside the usual concept of gaining more time to do the things you want to do there are two other amazing and more important reasons to hiring a professional cleaning company. First, you should consider hiring a professional cleaning company because amazingly the professionals understand your cleaning needs better than you do! That is a bold statement but it is true. A professional cleaning company will spend time researching the field of cleaning chemicals to find the best products to give you the best possible service. Since new cleaning products are constantly being developed and the chemistry of the existing products changes it just makes sense to get the best product for your cleaning needs. Do you really have the time to do the research to find out what are the best products? Did you really kill the virus on the counter? Is the commode really disinfected or does it just look clean? Is the vacuum you use really picking up all the dust and debris from the carpet or did it leave some behind. Is the air you breathe cleaner, the same, or does it contain more dust for you to inhale after you have cleaned and vacuumed? A professional residential cleaning company will leave the air you breathe cleaner after the job is done. When you have a problem with your car you go the service department or an auto repair shop to discover and fix the problem. When you are sick you go to the doctor. When you have an electrical problem at home you call an electrician. You call or visit these professionals because they have the expertise to understand and fix your problem. It is the same with house cleaning. House cleaning can be done by anybody to some degree but it has become a science in this day. To get the best possible job a professional should be hired.

Second, you should consider hiring a professional cleaning company because amazingly your health is at stake every day if the cleaning is done poorly, incorrectly or not at all! Do you have the expertise to know how to get the best cleaning job? Should you vacuum the carpet first then do the hardwood floor or should you do the hardwood floor first then the carpet? Did you really vacuum all the carpet or did you miss a few spots? How long should you leave the cleaning chemical on the surface before you wipe it off? What should you use to wipe the chemical off? Can the food spots be safely removed from your cloth dining room chairs? Is it better to clean windows when the sun is out to help them to dry or is it better to do them in the shade? Is it better to wash walls from the top down or the bottom up? It does make a huge difference if you do it incorrectly. How do you know that you cleaned the entire room without missing any critical areas? What system do you use to clean with or do you just go at it hoping for the best? Do you know how to safely handle all the cleaning products? What products in general do a better job residential products or commercial products? Are you wasting time and money by cleaning things that really do not need cleaned? It amazes me that people spend so much time and money on keeping their car running well but when it comes to the health issues concerning a clean environment they leave it to chance.

These are tough questions to ask yourself. If you care about your health, your family’s health, and the care of your home you should be informed. Your health and well being is important. Your family’s health and well being are just as important. Don’t leave it to chance. Let a professional residential cleaning company handle this ongoing task of caring for and keeping your home clean and as germ free as possible. In the long run you and your family will be healthier and happier. There is a great deal more to finding the right company. Are you curious about what else is important to know? Discovered what else you should be considering before hiring a company by visiting our site to learn more at: http://mr-maid.com/askmrmaid.html

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/customer-service-articles/two-amazing-reasons-why-you-should-use-a-professional-home-cleaning-service-680712.html

Jim Jones
mr_maid@comcast.net
www.mr-maid.com

New Federal Incentives Add "cents" to Solar Living

Atlas Service Solar Energy System offers a 100% financing solar hot water installation program that will pay for itself in 3-4 years.  Call 561-369-0025 or MyAtlasSolar.com for more information.

Author: Unitek Collge
On October 3, 2008, the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 was signed into law, in an attempt to deal with the current U.S. financial crisis. While the Stabilization Act covers several areas it is historic legislation for the solar industry and those pushing for solar living in a greener world.

"This long-term extension of the solar tax credits will create a domestic solar industry with hundreds of thousands of jobs while providing clean, affordable, carbon-free energy to millions of American families, businesses, and communities," said Rhone Resch, president of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), in response to the bill being passed.

These tax credits are not small pickings. For instance, the 30% tax credit for solar installations, both residential and commercial, has been extended to eight years. For the layman, this means that any solar installation for your home or business receives a 30% tax credit for eight years.

The eight-year extension has other benefits as well. An economic study by Navigant Consulting, Inc forecasted that the extension would create over 440,000 solar manufacturing and installation jobs around the nation.

The federal incentives for solar energy don't bring all pluses, however. Solar living isn't hard, and even without the tax credits it can save the every-day individual a chunk of money, but the solar industry itself is suffering from a lack of people with solar training. That solar training and certification is imperative for the industry to be able to fill those 440,000 job openings.

Some of those solar jobs will be in photovoltaics (PV). Photovoltaics is a method to generate solar power by using packaged solar cells (pv modules) electrically connected by pv arrays, which ultimately coverts the sun's rays into electricity. This area of solar energy alone has expanded dramatically in recent years.

PV isn't the only area that the solar industry could use individuals with solar training. With the increase of solar appliances, green building and many other areas of every-day living, the need for solar training spans several industries. Electricians, roofers, installers and general contracts could all benefit from solar education and the federal incentives.

A general contractor with solar training and certification, for instance, may realize an increased demand for their services. Likewise with roofer, installers and electricians. Simply put, as appliances and installations go from usable resources to reusable resources (i.e. solar energy), the need for people who can install, repair and maintain "green" installations will rise higher.

Homeowners and green energy enthusiasts could also benefit from the knowledge gained by taking solar courses. Not only can a homeowner learn what appliances and installations fall under the 30% tax credit, they can also find out exactly which installations, appliances and changes it would take to turn their home "green".

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/college-and-university-articles/new-federal-incentives-add-quotcentsquot-to-solar-living-692099.html

For additional information on solar training courses, please visit Solar Training Boot Camps at
Boots on the Roof.

What You Need to Do to Save on Florida Insurance on an Older Home

Get a wind mitigation inspection done at your own expense. Call Don Meyler Inspections or Billing Home Inspections for your wind mitigation inspection.

If you own an older Florida home, if can be challenging for you to find affordable Florida home insurance coverage. Your older home might be more likely to have hurricane damage depending on the building code that was in effect when your home was built. If the electrical, plumbing, and heating systems are outdated, your older home might be more likely to sustain damage from fire, water, or other perils. Finally, the type of roof you have and the condition it is in could result in a larger claim after a Florida hurricane hits your older home.

With all of that said, it is still possible for many owners of older Florida homes to find private homeowners insurance in Florida - and at an affordable price.

As Florida home insurance companies consider the age of a home, they generally group homes into the following categories:

Built 2004 and prior

Built 1994 and prior

20, 30, or 40 years old or newer

Up to 75 years old

The first two categories take into consideration the Florida Building Code modifications of the early 2000's and the mid 1990's. Homes built after each of the building code updates are considered to be more resistant to damage, especially from hurricanes.

The third group above varies by insurance company, but the main theme is this: As homes reach 20, 30, or 40 years old, a 4 point inspection is generally required by home insurance companies prior to issuing coverage. These inspections look at the age and condition of the roof, plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems. Depending on the results of these inspections, you may be required to update one or more of these areas.

Finally, 75 years of age is the cutoff beyond which Florida home insurance companies rarely agree to offer coverage - regardless of the outcome of the inspections and home upgrades that are present.

Before taking into consideration how close your Florida home is to the coast, the following statements are generally accurate regarding how insurance companies look at the age of your home:

Homes built 1995 and later are among the easiest to insure and you will have more companies to choose from.

As your home hits the age of 20, 30, and 40 years old, you will have fewer company options to choose from as each of these milestones is reached.

If your home is 75 years old or older, the chances that it will be covered by a private Florida home insurance company are slim.

Here are some actions you can take to have the best chance at obtaining low cost Florida insurance on your older Florida home:

Get a wind mitigation inspection done at your own expense.

Take immediate corrective action on the deficiencies identified in the wind inspection report. There might be improvements that can be made wall roof connectors that don't require a new roof or other lower cost steps that you can take.

Find out the age of your roof, plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems. Find out how much it will cost to address each of these items and make the improvements that you can afford to make now.

Some improvements might be eligible for Federal energy tax credits or credits from the utility companies for improved efficiency. See if either of these sources might offer you some financial assistance.

Let your local Florida legislators know about your situation and encourage them to extend the My Safe Florida Home program - and to increase the number of homes that are eligible for matching grants to harden Florida homes.

Finally, when it comes to shopping for Florida home insurance, it is essential that you work with more than one independent insurance agent - not just one. Why? Because at this point in time, there are about 40 Florida home insurance companies still writing new business. However, as the age of your home increases, many of these companies won't cover your home. Working with more than one agent will give you the best chance to get quotes from all of the Florida insurance companies that are still covering older homes. If you miss even one of these companies you could end up paying thousands more for Florida home insurance.

Don't rely on misinformation or word of mouth when it comes to finding affordable Florida home insurance on an older home. Follow these steps to give you the most options for insuring your older Florida home.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/finance-articles/what-you-need-to-do-to-save-on-florida-insurance-on-an-older-home-729106.html

Michael Letcher is a former Fortune 500 executive and a licensed Certified Public Accountant. His on-line database can help you find affordable Florida insurance for your older home. Find out the secrets to low cost Florida insurance for your older home in his free newsletter at =>
http://www.homeinsurancebuyers.org

Two Amazing Reasons Why You Should Use a Professional Home Cleaning Service!

The Amazing Maids offers personalized full service Maid Services, either on a scheduled basis or as needed. Please call Jan for a free quote at 954-939-6332 or visit the Amazing Maids website.

Two amazing reasons why you should use a professional home cleaning service!

Beside the usual concept of gaining more time to do the things you want to do there are two other amazing and more important reasons to hiring a professional cleaning company. First, you should consider hiring a professional cleaning company because amazingly the professionals understand your cleaning needs better than you do! That is a bold statement but it is true. A professional cleaning company will spend time researching the field of cleaning chemicals to find the best products to give you the best possible service. Since new cleaning products are constantly being developed and the chemistry of the existing products changes it just makes sense to get the best product for your cleaning needs. Do you really have the time to do the research to find out what are the best products? Did you really kill the virus on the counter? Is the commode really disinfected or does it just look clean? Is the vacuum you use really picking up all the dust and debris from the carpet or did it leave some behind. Is the air you breathe cleaner, the same, or does it contain more dust for you to inhale after you have cleaned and vacuumed? A professional residential cleaning company will leave the air you breathe cleaner after the job is done. When you have a problem with your car you go the service department or an auto repair shop to discover and fix the problem. When you are sick you go to the doctor. When you have an electrical problem at home you call an electrician. You call or visit these professionals because they have the expertise to understand and fix your problem. It is the same with house cleaning. House cleaning can be done by anybody to some degree but it has become a science in this day. To get the best possible job a professional should be hired.

Second, you should consider hiring a professional cleaning company because amazingly your health is at stake every day if the cleaning is done poorly, incorrectly or not at all! Do you have the expertise to know how to get the best cleaning job? Should you vacuum the carpet first then do the hardwood floor or should you do the hardwood floor first then the carpet? Did you really vacuum all the carpet or did you miss a few spots? How long should you leave the cleaning chemical on the surface before you wipe it off? What should you use to wipe the chemical off? Can the food spots be safely removed from your cloth dining room chairs? Is it better to clean windows when the sun is out to help them to dry or is it better to do them in the shade? Is it better to wash walls from the top down or the bottom up? It does make a huge difference if you do it incorrectly. How do you know that you cleaned the entire room without missing any critical areas? What system do you use to clean with or do you just go at it hoping for the best? Do you know how to safely handle all the cleaning products? What products in general do a better job residential products or commercial products? Are you wasting time and money by cleaning things that really do not need cleaned? It amazes me that people spend so much time and money on keeping their car running well but when it comes to the health issues concerning a clean environment they leave it to chance.

These are tough questions to ask yourself. If you care about your health, your family’s health, and the care of your home you should be informed. Your health and well being is important. Your family’s health and well being are just as important. Don’t leave it to chance. Let a professional residential cleaning company handle this ongoing task of caring for and keeping your home clean and as germ free as possible. In the long run you and your family will be healthier and happier. There is a great deal more to finding the right company. Are you curious about what else is important to know? Discovered what else you should be considering before hiring a company by visiting our site to learn more at: http://mr-maid.com/askmrmaid.html

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/customer-service-articles/two-amazing-reasons-why-you-should-use-a-professional-home-cleaning-service-680712.html

Jim Jones
mr_maid@comcast.net
www.mr-maid.com

New Federal Incentives Add "cents" to Solar Living

Atlas Service Solar Energy System offers a 100% financing solar hot water installation program that will pay for itself in 3-4 years.  Call 561-369-0025 or MyAtlasSolar.com for more information.

Author: Unitek Collge
On October 3, 2008, the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 was signed into law, in an attempt to deal with the current U.S. financial crisis. While the Stabilization Act covers several areas it is historic legislation for the solar industry and those pushing for solar living in a greener world.

"This long-term extension of the solar tax credits will create a domestic solar industry with hundreds of thousands of jobs while providing clean, affordable, carbon-free energy to millions of American families, businesses, and communities," said Rhone Resch, president of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), in response to the bill being passed.

These tax credits are not small pickings. For instance, the 30% tax credit for solar installations, both residential and commercial, has been extended to eight years. For the layman, this means that any solar installation for your home or business receives a 30% tax credit for eight years.

The eight-year extension has other benefits as well. An economic study by Navigant Consulting, Inc forecasted that the extension would create over 440,000 solar manufacturing and installation jobs around the nation.

The federal incentives for solar energy don't bring all pluses, however. Solar living isn't hard, and even without the tax credits it can save the every-day individual a chunk of money, but the solar industry itself is suffering from a lack of people with solar training. That solar training and certification is imperative for the industry to be able to fill those 440,000 job openings.

Some of those solar jobs will be in photovoltaics (PV). Photovoltaics is a method to generate solar power by using packaged solar cells (pv modules) electrically connected by pv arrays, which ultimately coverts the sun's rays into electricity. This area of solar energy alone has expanded dramatically in recent years.

PV isn't the only area that the solar industry could use individuals with solar training. With the increase of solar appliances, green building and many other areas of every-day living, the need for solar training spans several industries. Electricians, roofers, installers and general contracts could all benefit from solar education and the federal incentives.

A general contractor with solar training and certification, for instance, may realize an increased demand for their services. Likewise with roofer, installers and electricians. Simply put, as appliances and installations go from usable resources to reusable resources (i.e. solar energy), the need for people who can install, repair and maintain "green" installations will rise higher.

Homeowners and green energy enthusiasts could also benefit from the knowledge gained by taking solar courses. Not only can a homeowner learn what appliances and installations fall under the 30% tax credit, they can also find out exactly which installations, appliances and changes it would take to turn their home "green".

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/college-and-university-articles/new-federal-incentives-add-quotcentsquot-to-solar-living-692099.html

For additional information on solar training courses, please visit Solar Training Boot Camps at
Boots on the Roof.

What You Need to Do to Save on Florida Insurance on an Older Home

Get a wind mitigation inspection done at your own expense. Call Don Meyler Inspections or Billing Home Inspections for your wind mitigation inspection.

If you own an older Florida home, if can be challenging for you to find affordable Florida home insurance coverage. Your older home might be more likely to have hurricane damage depending on the building code that was in effect when your home was built. If the electrical, plumbing, and heating systems are outdated, your older home might be more likely to sustain damage from fire, water, or other perils. Finally, the type of roof you have and the condition it is in could result in a larger claim after a Florida hurricane hits your older home.

With all of that said, it is still possible for many owners of older Florida homes to find private homeowners insurance in Florida - and at an affordable price.

As Florida home insurance companies consider the age of a home, they generally group homes into the following categories:

Built 2004 and prior

Built 1994 and prior

20, 30, or 40 years old or newer

Up to 75 years old

The first two categories take into consideration the Florida Building Code modifications of the early 2000's and the mid 1990's. Homes built after each of the building code updates are considered to be more resistant to damage, especially from hurricanes.

The third group above varies by insurance company, but the main theme is this: As homes reach 20, 30, or 40 years old, a 4 point inspection is generally required by home insurance companies prior to issuing coverage. These inspections look at the age and condition of the roof, plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems. Depending on the results of these inspections, you may be required to update one or more of these areas.

Finally, 75 years of age is the cutoff beyond which Florida home insurance companies rarely agree to offer coverage - regardless of the outcome of the inspections and home upgrades that are present.

Before taking into consideration how close your Florida home is to the coast, the following statements are generally accurate regarding how insurance companies look at the age of your home:

Homes built 1995 and later are among the easiest to insure and you will have more companies to choose from.

As your home hits the age of 20, 30, and 40 years old, you will have fewer company options to choose from as each of these milestones is reached.

If your home is 75 years old or older, the chances that it will be covered by a private Florida home insurance company are slim.

Here are some actions you can take to have the best chance at obtaining low cost Florida insurance on your older Florida home:

Get a wind mitigation inspection done at your own expense.

Take immediate corrective action on the deficiencies identified in the wind inspection report. There might be improvements that can be made wall roof connectors that don't require a new roof or other lower cost steps that you can take.

Find out the age of your roof, plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems. Find out how much it will cost to address each of these items and make the improvements that you can afford to make now.

Some improvements might be eligible for Federal energy tax credits or credits from the utility companies for improved efficiency. See if either of these sources might offer you some financial assistance.

Let your local Florida legislators know about your situation and encourage them to extend the My Safe Florida Home program - and to increase the number of homes that are eligible for matching grants to harden Florida homes.

Finally, when it comes to shopping for Florida home insurance, it is essential that you work with more than one independent insurance agent - not just one. Why? Because at this point in time, there are about 40 Florida home insurance companies still writing new business. However, as the age of your home increases, many of these companies won't cover your home. Working with more than one agent will give you the best chance to get quotes from all of the Florida insurance companies that are still covering older homes. If you miss even one of these companies you could end up paying thousands more for Florida home insurance.

Don't rely on misinformation or word of mouth when it comes to finding affordable Florida home insurance on an older home. Follow these steps to give you the most options for insuring your older Florida home.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/finance-articles/what-you-need-to-do-to-save-on-florida-insurance-on-an-older-home-729106.html

Michael Letcher is a former Fortune 500 executive and a licensed Certified Public Accountant. His on-line database can help you find affordable Florida insurance for your older home. Find out the secrets to low cost Florida insurance for your older home in his free newsletter at =>
http://www.homeinsurancebuyers.org

Two Amazing Reasons Why You Should Use a Professional Home Cleaning Service!

The Amazing Maids offers personalized full service Maid Services, either on a scheduled basis or as needed. Please call Jan for a free quote at 954-939-6332 or visit the Amazing Maids website.

Two amazing reasons why you should use a professional home cleaning service!

Beside the usual concept of gaining more time to do the things you want to do there are two other amazing and more important reasons to hiring a professional cleaning company. First, you should consider hiring a professional cleaning company because amazingly the professionals understand your cleaning needs better than you do! That is a bold statement but it is true. A professional cleaning company will spend time researching the field of cleaning chemicals to find the best products to give you the best possible service. Since new cleaning products are constantly being developed and the chemistry of the existing products changes it just makes sense to get the best product for your cleaning needs. Do you really have the time to do the research to find out what are the best products? Did you really kill the virus on the counter? Is the commode really disinfected or does it just look clean? Is the vacuum you use really picking up all the dust and debris from the carpet or did it leave some behind. Is the air you breathe cleaner, the same, or does it contain more dust for you to inhale after you have cleaned and vacuumed? A professional residential cleaning company will leave the air you breathe cleaner after the job is done. When you have a problem with your car you go the service department or an auto repair shop to discover and fix the problem. When you are sick you go to the doctor. When you have an electrical problem at home you call an electrician. You call or visit these professionals because they have the expertise to understand and fix your problem. It is the same with house cleaning. House cleaning can be done by anybody to some degree but it has become a science in this day. To get the best possible job a professional should be hired.

Second, you should consider hiring a professional cleaning company because amazingly your health is at stake every day if the cleaning is done poorly, incorrectly or not at all! Do you have the expertise to know how to get the best cleaning job? Should you vacuum the carpet first then do the hardwood floor or should you do the hardwood floor first then the carpet? Did you really vacuum all the carpet or did you miss a few spots? How long should you leave the cleaning chemical on the surface before you wipe it off? What should you use to wipe the chemical off? Can the food spots be safely removed from your cloth dining room chairs? Is it better to clean windows when the sun is out to help them to dry or is it better to do them in the shade? Is it better to wash walls from the top down or the bottom up? It does make a huge difference if you do it incorrectly. How do you know that you cleaned the entire room without missing any critical areas? What system do you use to clean with or do you just go at it hoping for the best? Do you know how to safely handle all the cleaning products? What products in general do a better job residential products or commercial products? Are you wasting time and money by cleaning things that really do not need cleaned? It amazes me that people spend so much time and money on keeping their car running well but when it comes to the health issues concerning a clean environment they leave it to chance.

These are tough questions to ask yourself. If you care about your health, your family’s health, and the care of your home you should be informed. Your health and well being is important. Your family’s health and well being are just as important. Don’t leave it to chance. Let a professional residential cleaning company handle this ongoing task of caring for and keeping your home clean and as germ free as possible. In the long run you and your family will be healthier and happier. There is a great deal more to finding the right company. Are you curious about what else is important to know? Discovered what else you should be considering before hiring a company by visiting our site to learn more at: http://mr-maid.com/askmrmaid.html

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/customer-service-articles/two-amazing-reasons-why-you-should-use-a-professional-home-cleaning-service-680712.html

Jim Jones
mr_maid@comcast.net
www.mr-maid.com

New Federal Incentives Add "cents" to Solar Living

Atlas Service Solar Energy System offers a 100% financing solar hot water installation program that will pay for itself in 3-4 years.  Call 561-369-0025 or MyAtlasSolar.com for more information.

Author: Unitek Collge
On October 3, 2008, the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 was signed into law, in an attempt to deal with the current U.S. financial crisis. While the Stabilization Act covers several areas it is historic legislation for the solar industry and those pushing for solar living in a greener world.

"This long-term extension of the solar tax credits will create a domestic solar industry with hundreds of thousands of jobs while providing clean, affordable, carbon-free energy to millions of American families, businesses, and communities," said Rhone Resch, president of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), in response to the bill being passed.

These tax credits are not small pickings. For instance, the 30% tax credit for solar installations, both residential and commercial, has been extended to eight years. For the layman, this means that any solar installation for your home or business receives a 30% tax credit for eight years.

The eight-year extension has other benefits as well. An economic study by Navigant Consulting, Inc forecasted that the extension would create over 440,000 solar manufacturing and installation jobs around the nation.

The federal incentives for solar energy don't bring all pluses, however. Solar living isn't hard, and even without the tax credits it can save the every-day individual a chunk of money, but the solar industry itself is suffering from a lack of people with solar training. That solar training and certification is imperative for the industry to be able to fill those 440,000 job openings.

Some of those solar jobs will be in photovoltaics (PV). Photovoltaics is a method to generate solar power by using packaged solar cells (pv modules) electrically connected by pv arrays, which ultimately coverts the sun's rays into electricity. This area of solar energy alone has expanded dramatically in recent years.

PV isn't the only area that the solar industry could use individuals with solar training. With the increase of solar appliances, green building and many other areas of every-day living, the need for solar training spans several industries. Electricians, roofers, installers and general contracts could all benefit from solar education and the federal incentives.

A general contractor with solar training and certification, for instance, may realize an increased demand for their services. Likewise with roofer, installers and electricians. Simply put, as appliances and installations go from usable resources to reusable resources (i.e. solar energy), the need for people who can install, repair and maintain "green" installations will rise higher.

Homeowners and green energy enthusiasts could also benefit from the knowledge gained by taking solar courses. Not only can a homeowner learn what appliances and installations fall under the 30% tax credit, they can also find out exactly which installations, appliances and changes it would take to turn their home "green".

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/college-and-university-articles/new-federal-incentives-add-quotcentsquot-to-solar-living-692099.html

For additional information on solar training courses, please visit Solar Training Boot Camps at
Boots on the Roof.

What You Need to Do to Save on Florida Insurance on an Older Home

Get a wind mitigation inspection done at your own expense. Call Don Meyler Inspections or Billing Home Inspections for your wind mitigation inspection.

If you own an older Florida home, if can be challenging for you to find affordable Florida home insurance coverage. Your older home might be more likely to have hurricane damage depending on the building code that was in effect when your home was built. If the electrical, plumbing, and heating systems are outdated, your older home might be more likely to sustain damage from fire, water, or other perils. Finally, the type of roof you have and the condition it is in could result in a larger claim after a Florida hurricane hits your older home.

With all of that said, it is still possible for many owners of older Florida homes to find private homeowners insurance in Florida - and at an affordable price.

As Florida home insurance companies consider the age of a home, they generally group homes into the following categories:

Built 2004 and prior

Built 1994 and prior

20, 30, or 40 years old or newer

Up to 75 years old

The first two categories take into consideration the Florida Building Code modifications of the early 2000's and the mid 1990's. Homes built after each of the building code updates are considered to be more resistant to damage, especially from hurricanes.

The third group above varies by insurance company, but the main theme is this: As homes reach 20, 30, or 40 years old, a 4 point inspection is generally required by home insurance companies prior to issuing coverage. These inspections look at the age and condition of the roof, plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems. Depending on the results of these inspections, you may be required to update one or more of these areas.

Finally, 75 years of age is the cutoff beyond which Florida home insurance companies rarely agree to offer coverage - regardless of the outcome of the inspections and home upgrades that are present.

Before taking into consideration how close your Florida home is to the coast, the following statements are generally accurate regarding how insurance companies look at the age of your home:

Homes built 1995 and later are among the easiest to insure and you will have more companies to choose from.

As your home hits the age of 20, 30, and 40 years old, you will have fewer company options to choose from as each of these milestones is reached.

If your home is 75 years old or older, the chances that it will be covered by a private Florida home insurance company are slim.

Here are some actions you can take to have the best chance at obtaining low cost Florida insurance on your older Florida home:

Get a wind mitigation inspection done at your own expense.

Take immediate corrective action on the deficiencies identified in the wind inspection report. There might be improvements that can be made wall roof connectors that don't require a new roof or other lower cost steps that you can take.

Find out the age of your roof, plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems. Find out how much it will cost to address each of these items and make the improvements that you can afford to make now.

Some improvements might be eligible for Federal energy tax credits or credits from the utility companies for improved efficiency. See if either of these sources might offer you some financial assistance.

Let your local Florida legislators know about your situation and encourage them to extend the My Safe Florida Home program - and to increase the number of homes that are eligible for matching grants to harden Florida homes.

Finally, when it comes to shopping for Florida home insurance, it is essential that you work with more than one independent insurance agent - not just one. Why? Because at this point in time, there are about 40 Florida home insurance companies still writing new business. However, as the age of your home increases, many of these companies won't cover your home. Working with more than one agent will give you the best chance to get quotes from all of the Florida insurance companies that are still covering older homes. If you miss even one of these companies you could end up paying thousands more for Florida home insurance.

Don't rely on misinformation or word of mouth when it comes to finding affordable Florida home insurance on an older home. Follow these steps to give you the most options for insuring your older Florida home.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/finance-articles/what-you-need-to-do-to-save-on-florida-insurance-on-an-older-home-729106.html

Michael Letcher is a former Fortune 500 executive and a licensed Certified Public Accountant. His on-line database can help you find affordable Florida insurance for your older home. Find out the secrets to low cost Florida insurance for your older home in his free newsletter at =>
http://www.homeinsurancebuyers.org

Two Amazing Reasons Why You Should Use a Professional Home Cleaning Service!

The Amazing Maids offers personalized full service Maid Services, either on a scheduled basis or as needed. Please call Jan for a free quote at 954-939-6332 or visit the Amazing Maids website.

Two amazing reasons why you should use a professional home cleaning service!

Beside the usual concept of gaining more time to do the things you want to do there are two other amazing and more important reasons to hiring a professional cleaning company. First, you should consider hiring a professional cleaning company because amazingly the professionals understand your cleaning needs better than you do! That is a bold statement but it is true. A professional cleaning company will spend time researching the field of cleaning chemicals to find the best products to give you the best possible service. Since new cleaning products are constantly being developed and the chemistry of the existing products changes it just makes sense to get the best product for your cleaning needs. Do you really have the time to do the research to find out what are the best products? Did you really kill the virus on the counter? Is the commode really disinfected or does it just look clean? Is the vacuum you use really picking up all the dust and debris from the carpet or did it leave some behind. Is the air you breathe cleaner, the same, or does it contain more dust for you to inhale after you have cleaned and vacuumed? A professional residential cleaning company will leave the air you breathe cleaner after the job is done. When you have a problem with your car you go the service department or an auto repair shop to discover and fix the problem. When you are sick you go to the doctor. When you have an electrical problem at home you call an electrician. You call or visit these professionals because they have the expertise to understand and fix your problem. It is the same with house cleaning. House cleaning can be done by anybody to some degree but it has become a science in this day. To get the best possible job a professional should be hired.

Second, you should consider hiring a professional cleaning company because amazingly your health is at stake every day if the cleaning is done poorly, incorrectly or not at all! Do you have the expertise to know how to get the best cleaning job? Should you vacuum the carpet first then do the hardwood floor or should you do the hardwood floor first then the carpet? Did you really vacuum all the carpet or did you miss a few spots? How long should you leave the cleaning chemical on the surface before you wipe it off? What should you use to wipe the chemical off? Can the food spots be safely removed from your cloth dining room chairs? Is it better to clean windows when the sun is out to help them to dry or is it better to do them in the shade? Is it better to wash walls from the top down or the bottom up? It does make a huge difference if you do it incorrectly. How do you know that you cleaned the entire room without missing any critical areas? What system do you use to clean with or do you just go at it hoping for the best? Do you know how to safely handle all the cleaning products? What products in general do a better job residential products or commercial products? Are you wasting time and money by cleaning things that really do not need cleaned? It amazes me that people spend so much time and money on keeping their car running well but when it comes to the health issues concerning a clean environment they leave it to chance.

These are tough questions to ask yourself. If you care about your health, your family’s health, and the care of your home you should be informed. Your health and well being is important. Your family’s health and well being are just as important. Don’t leave it to chance. Let a professional residential cleaning company handle this ongoing task of caring for and keeping your home clean and as germ free as possible. In the long run you and your family will be healthier and happier. There is a great deal more to finding the right company. Are you curious about what else is important to know? Discovered what else you should be considering before hiring a company by visiting our site to learn more at: http://mr-maid.com/askmrmaid.html

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/customer-service-articles/two-amazing-reasons-why-you-should-use-a-professional-home-cleaning-service-680712.html

Jim Jones
mr_maid@comcast.net
www.mr-maid.com

New Federal Incentives Add "cents" to Solar Living

Atlas Service Solar Energy System offers a 100% financing solar hot water installation program that will pay for itself in 3-4 years.  Call 561-369-0025 or MyAtlasSolar.com for more information.

Author: Unitek Collge
On October 3, 2008, the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 was signed into law, in an attempt to deal with the current U.S. financial crisis. While the Stabilization Act covers several areas it is historic legislation for the solar industry and those pushing for solar living in a greener world.

"This long-term extension of the solar tax credits will create a domestic solar industry with hundreds of thousands of jobs while providing clean, affordable, carbon-free energy to millions of American families, businesses, and communities," said Rhone Resch, president of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), in response to the bill being passed.

These tax credits are not small pickings. For instance, the 30% tax credit for solar installations, both residential and commercial, has been extended to eight years. For the layman, this means that any solar installation for your home or business receives a 30% tax credit for eight years.

The eight-year extension has other benefits as well. An economic study by Navigant Consulting, Inc forecasted that the extension would create over 440,000 solar manufacturing and installation jobs around the nation.

The federal incentives for solar energy don't bring all pluses, however. Solar living isn't hard, and even without the tax credits it can save the every-day individual a chunk of money, but the solar industry itself is suffering from a lack of people with solar training. That solar training and certification is imperative for the industry to be able to fill those 440,000 job openings.

Some of those solar jobs will be in photovoltaics (PV). Photovoltaics is a method to generate solar power by using packaged solar cells (pv modules) electrically connected by pv arrays, which ultimately coverts the sun's rays into electricity. This area of solar energy alone has expanded dramatically in recent years.

PV isn't the only area that the solar industry could use individuals with solar training. With the increase of solar appliances, green building and many other areas of every-day living, the need for solar training spans several industries. Electricians, roofers, installers and general contracts could all benefit from solar education and the federal incentives.

A general contractor with solar training and certification, for instance, may realize an increased demand for their services. Likewise with roofer, installers and electricians. Simply put, as appliances and installations go from usable resources to reusable resources (i.e. solar energy), the need for people who can install, repair and maintain "green" installations will rise higher.

Homeowners and green energy enthusiasts could also benefit from the knowledge gained by taking solar courses. Not only can a homeowner learn what appliances and installations fall under the 30% tax credit, they can also find out exactly which installations, appliances and changes it would take to turn their home "green".

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/college-and-university-articles/new-federal-incentives-add-quotcentsquot-to-solar-living-692099.html

For additional information on solar training courses, please visit Solar Training Boot Camps at
Boots on the Roof.

What You Need to Do to Save on Florida Insurance on an Older Home

Get a wind mitigation inspection done at your own expense. Call Don Meyler Inspections or Billing Home Inspections for your wind mitigation inspection.

If you own an older Florida home, if can be challenging for you to find affordable Florida home insurance coverage. Your older home might be more likely to have hurricane damage depending on the building code that was in effect when your home was built. If the electrical, plumbing, and heating systems are outdated, your older home might be more likely to sustain damage from fire, water, or other perils. Finally, the type of roof you have and the condition it is in could result in a larger claim after a Florida hurricane hits your older home.

With all of that said, it is still possible for many owners of older Florida homes to find private homeowners insurance in Florida - and at an affordable price.

As Florida home insurance companies consider the age of a home, they generally group homes into the following categories:

Built 2004 and prior

Built 1994 and prior

20, 30, or 40 years old or newer

Up to 75 years old

The first two categories take into consideration the Florida Building Code modifications of the early 2000's and the mid 1990's. Homes built after each of the building code updates are considered to be more resistant to damage, especially from hurricanes.

The third group above varies by insurance company, but the main theme is this: As homes reach 20, 30, or 40 years old, a 4 point inspection is generally required by home insurance companies prior to issuing coverage. These inspections look at the age and condition of the roof, plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems. Depending on the results of these inspections, you may be required to update one or more of these areas.

Finally, 75 years of age is the cutoff beyond which Florida home insurance companies rarely agree to offer coverage - regardless of the outcome of the inspections and home upgrades that are present.

Before taking into consideration how close your Florida home is to the coast, the following statements are generally accurate regarding how insurance companies look at the age of your home:

Homes built 1995 and later are among the easiest to insure and you will have more companies to choose from.

As your home hits the age of 20, 30, and 40 years old, you will have fewer company options to choose from as each of these milestones is reached.

If your home is 75 years old or older, the chances that it will be covered by a private Florida home insurance company are slim.

Here are some actions you can take to have the best chance at obtaining low cost Florida insurance on your older Florida home:

Get a wind mitigation inspection done at your own expense.

Take immediate corrective action on the deficiencies identified in the wind inspection report. There might be improvements that can be made wall roof connectors that don't require a new roof or other lower cost steps that you can take.

Find out the age of your roof, plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems. Find out how much it will cost to address each of these items and make the improvements that you can afford to make now.

Some improvements might be eligible for Federal energy tax credits or credits from the utility companies for improved efficiency. See if either of these sources might offer you some financial assistance.

Let your local Florida legislators know about your situation and encourage them to extend the My Safe Florida Home program - and to increase the number of homes that are eligible for matching grants to harden Florida homes.

Finally, when it comes to shopping for Florida home insurance, it is essential that you work with more than one independent insurance agent - not just one. Why? Because at this point in time, there are about 40 Florida home insurance companies still writing new business. However, as the age of your home increases, many of these companies won't cover your home. Working with more than one agent will give you the best chance to get quotes from all of the Florida insurance companies that are still covering older homes. If you miss even one of these companies you could end up paying thousands more for Florida home insurance.

Don't rely on misinformation or word of mouth when it comes to finding affordable Florida home insurance on an older home. Follow these steps to give you the most options for insuring your older Florida home.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/finance-articles/what-you-need-to-do-to-save-on-florida-insurance-on-an-older-home-729106.html

Michael Letcher is a former Fortune 500 executive and a licensed Certified Public Accountant. His on-line database can help you find affordable Florida insurance for your older home. Find out the secrets to low cost Florida insurance for your older home in his free newsletter at =>
http://www.homeinsurancebuyers.org

Two Amazing Reasons Why You Should Use a Professional Home Cleaning Service!

The Amazing Maids offers personalized full service Maid Services, either on a scheduled basis or as needed. Please call Jan for a free quote at 954-939-6332 or visit the Amazing Maids website.

Two amazing reasons why you should use a professional home cleaning service!

Beside the usual concept of gaining more time to do the things you want to do there are two other amazing and more important reasons to hiring a professional cleaning company. First, you should consider hiring a professional cleaning company because amazingly the professionals understand your cleaning needs better than you do! That is a bold statement but it is true. A professional cleaning company will spend time researching the field of cleaning chemicals to find the best products to give you the best possible service. Since new cleaning products are constantly being developed and the chemistry of the existing products changes it just makes sense to get the best product for your cleaning needs. Do you really have the time to do the research to find out what are the best products? Did you really kill the virus on the counter? Is the commode really disinfected or does it just look clean? Is the vacuum you use really picking up all the dust and debris from the carpet or did it leave some behind. Is the air you breathe cleaner, the same, or does it contain more dust for you to inhale after you have cleaned and vacuumed? A professional residential cleaning company will leave the air you breathe cleaner after the job is done. When you have a problem with your car you go the service department or an auto repair shop to discover and fix the problem. When you are sick you go to the doctor. When you have an electrical problem at home you call an electrician. You call or visit these professionals because they have the expertise to understand and fix your problem. It is the same with house cleaning. House cleaning can be done by anybody to some degree but it has become a science in this day. To get the best possible job a professional should be hired.

Second, you should consider hiring a professional cleaning company because amazingly your health is at stake every day if the cleaning is done poorly, incorrectly or not at all! Do you have the expertise to know how to get the best cleaning job? Should you vacuum the carpet first then do the hardwood floor or should you do the hardwood floor first then the carpet? Did you really vacuum all the carpet or did you miss a few spots? How long should you leave the cleaning chemical on the surface before you wipe it off? What should you use to wipe the chemical off? Can the food spots be safely removed from your cloth dining room chairs? Is it better to clean windows when the sun is out to help them to dry or is it better to do them in the shade? Is it better to wash walls from the top down or the bottom up? It does make a huge difference if you do it incorrectly. How do you know that you cleaned the entire room without missing any critical areas? What system do you use to clean with or do you just go at it hoping for the best? Do you know how to safely handle all the cleaning products? What products in general do a better job residential products or commercial products? Are you wasting time and money by cleaning things that really do not need cleaned? It amazes me that people spend so much time and money on keeping their car running well but when it comes to the health issues concerning a clean environment they leave it to chance.

These are tough questions to ask yourself. If you care about your health, your family’s health, and the care of your home you should be informed. Your health and well being is important. Your family’s health and well being are just as important. Don’t leave it to chance. Let a professional residential cleaning company handle this ongoing task of caring for and keeping your home clean and as germ free as possible. In the long run you and your family will be healthier and happier. There is a great deal more to finding the right company. Are you curious about what else is important to know? Discovered what else you should be considering before hiring a company by visiting our site to learn more at: http://mr-maid.com/askmrmaid.html

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/customer-service-articles/two-amazing-reasons-why-you-should-use-a-professional-home-cleaning-service-680712.html

Jim Jones
mr_maid@comcast.net
www.mr-maid.com

State Farm to stop insuring Florida

State Farm Florida says it will no longer renew policies for 1.2 million customers after regulators denied requests for a 47% rate hike in the hurricane-prone state.

Last Updated: January 27, 2009: 4:17 PM ET

MIAMI, Florida (CNN) -- Florida's largest private insurer is pulling the plug on homeowners' policies in the state, citing the losses suffered since the brutal 2004 hurricane season.

The decision by State Farm Florida comes two weeks after state insurance regulators rejected the company's request to raise rates by more than 47%. The decision means State Farm Florida - a subsidiary of national insurance giant State Farm Mutual - will no longer renew policies for its roughly 1.2 million customers in the Sunshine State.

"This is not an action we wanted to take, but one we must take given the realities of the Florida property insurance market," company President Jim Thompson said in a statement announcing the decision.

The company said it has paid out $1.21 in claims for every dollar of premiums it has collected since 2000 and suffered billions in losses after the 2004 hurricane season, when four major storms hit the state. And it said its net worth had dropped by nearly 25% since 2006 even with no major disasters.

"This is not something any business can afford to do," Thompson said.

Company spokeswoman Michal Connolly said the announcement is the first step in a two-year process that will require the approval of state regulators.

In a statement issued after the decision, Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty said the company had warned that a withdrawal from the homeowners' market was possible when it was seeking a rate increase. He said his office had 90 days to approve the company's plans.

"I will do everything within my power to protect Florida consumers from unnecessary destabilization of the insurance market that this might cause and to ensure that Florida consumers are protected and have access to insurance at rates that are not excessive or unfairly discriminatory," McCarty said.

State Farm Florida was set up as a separate entity in 1998 to address what the company called the "unique risks" of doing business in Florida. It said it had to borrow $750 million from its parent company after 2004, and has been unable to pay that money back.

Florida's largest insurer overall is the state-run, nonprofit Citizens Property Insurance company, established in 2002 to offer coverage in cases where private insurers won't write policies.

Call Brian Samberg, Southeast Insurance, for a no obligation quote at 561.451.1550 or visit his webpage for more information on homeowners insurance .

State Farm to stop insuring Florida

State Farm Florida says it will no longer renew policies for 1.2 million customers after regulators denied requests for a 47% rate hike in the hurricane-prone state.

Last Updated: January 27, 2009: 4:17 PM ET

MIAMI, Florida (CNN) -- Florida's largest private insurer is pulling the plug on homeowners' policies in the state, citing the losses suffered since the brutal 2004 hurricane season.

The decision by State Farm Florida comes two weeks after state insurance regulators rejected the company's request to raise rates by more than 47%. The decision means State Farm Florida - a subsidiary of national insurance giant State Farm Mutual - will no longer renew policies for its roughly 1.2 million customers in the Sunshine State.

"This is not an action we wanted to take, but one we must take given the realities of the Florida property insurance market," company President Jim Thompson said in a statement announcing the decision.

The company said it has paid out $1.21 in claims for every dollar of premiums it has collected since 2000 and suffered billions in losses after the 2004 hurricane season, when four major storms hit the state. And it said its net worth had dropped by nearly 25% since 2006 even with no major disasters.

"This is not something any business can afford to do," Thompson said.

Company spokeswoman Michal Connolly said the announcement is the first step in a two-year process that will require the approval of state regulators.

In a statement issued after the decision, Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty said the company had warned that a withdrawal from the homeowners' market was possible when it was seeking a rate increase. He said his office had 90 days to approve the company's plans.

"I will do everything within my power to protect Florida consumers from unnecessary destabilization of the insurance market that this might cause and to ensure that Florida consumers are protected and have access to insurance at rates that are not excessive or unfairly discriminatory," McCarty said.

State Farm Florida was set up as a separate entity in 1998 to address what the company called the "unique risks" of doing business in Florida. It said it had to borrow $750 million from its parent company after 2004, and has been unable to pay that money back.

Florida's largest insurer overall is the state-run, nonprofit Citizens Property Insurance company, established in 2002 to offer coverage in cases where private insurers won't write policies.

Call Brian Samberg, Southeast Insurance, for a no obligation quote at 561.451.1550 or visit his webpage for more information on homeowners insurance .

State Farm to stop insuring Florida

State Farm Florida says it will no longer renew policies for 1.2 million customers after regulators denied requests for a 47% rate hike in the hurricane-prone state.

Last Updated: January 27, 2009: 4:17 PM ET

MIAMI, Florida (CNN) -- Florida's largest private insurer is pulling the plug on homeowners' policies in the state, citing the losses suffered since the brutal 2004 hurricane season.

The decision by State Farm Florida comes two weeks after state insurance regulators rejected the company's request to raise rates by more than 47%. The decision means State Farm Florida - a subsidiary of national insurance giant State Farm Mutual - will no longer renew policies for its roughly 1.2 million customers in the Sunshine State.

"This is not an action we wanted to take, but one we must take given the realities of the Florida property insurance market," company President Jim Thompson said in a statement announcing the decision.

The company said it has paid out $1.21 in claims for every dollar of premiums it has collected since 2000 and suffered billions in losses after the 2004 hurricane season, when four major storms hit the state. And it said its net worth had dropped by nearly 25% since 2006 even with no major disasters.

"This is not something any business can afford to do," Thompson said.

Company spokeswoman Michal Connolly said the announcement is the first step in a two-year process that will require the approval of state regulators.

In a statement issued after the decision, Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty said the company had warned that a withdrawal from the homeowners' market was possible when it was seeking a rate increase. He said his office had 90 days to approve the company's plans.

"I will do everything within my power to protect Florida consumers from unnecessary destabilization of the insurance market that this might cause and to ensure that Florida consumers are protected and have access to insurance at rates that are not excessive or unfairly discriminatory," McCarty said.

State Farm Florida was set up as a separate entity in 1998 to address what the company called the "unique risks" of doing business in Florida. It said it had to borrow $750 million from its parent company after 2004, and has been unable to pay that money back.

Florida's largest insurer overall is the state-run, nonprofit Citizens Property Insurance company, established in 2002 to offer coverage in cases where private insurers won't write policies.

Call Brian Samberg, Southeast Insurance, for a no obligation quote at 561.451.1550 or visit his webpage for more information on homeowners insurance .

State Farm to stop insuring Florida

State Farm Florida says it will no longer renew policies for 1.2 million customers after regulators denied requests for a 47% rate hike in the hurricane-prone state.

Last Updated: January 27, 2009: 4:17 PM ET

MIAMI, Florida (CNN) -- Florida's largest private insurer is pulling the plug on homeowners' policies in the state, citing the losses suffered since the brutal 2004 hurricane season.

The decision by State Farm Florida comes two weeks after state insurance regulators rejected the company's request to raise rates by more than 47%. The decision means State Farm Florida - a subsidiary of national insurance giant State Farm Mutual - will no longer renew policies for its roughly 1.2 million customers in the Sunshine State.

"This is not an action we wanted to take, but one we must take given the realities of the Florida property insurance market," company President Jim Thompson said in a statement announcing the decision.

The company said it has paid out $1.21 in claims for every dollar of premiums it has collected since 2000 and suffered billions in losses after the 2004 hurricane season, when four major storms hit the state. And it said its net worth had dropped by nearly 25% since 2006 even with no major disasters.

"This is not something any business can afford to do," Thompson said.

Company spokeswoman Michal Connolly said the announcement is the first step in a two-year process that will require the approval of state regulators.

In a statement issued after the decision, Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty said the company had warned that a withdrawal from the homeowners' market was possible when it was seeking a rate increase. He said his office had 90 days to approve the company's plans.

"I will do everything within my power to protect Florida consumers from unnecessary destabilization of the insurance market that this might cause and to ensure that Florida consumers are protected and have access to insurance at rates that are not excessive or unfairly discriminatory," McCarty said.

State Farm Florida was set up as a separate entity in 1998 to address what the company called the "unique risks" of doing business in Florida. It said it had to borrow $750 million from its parent company after 2004, and has been unable to pay that money back.

Florida's largest insurer overall is the state-run, nonprofit Citizens Property Insurance company, established in 2002 to offer coverage in cases where private insurers won't write policies.

Call Brian Samberg, Southeast Insurance, for a no obligation quote at 561.451.1550 or visit his webpage for more information on homeowners insurance .

State Farm to stop insuring Florida

State Farm Florida says it will no longer renew policies for 1.2 million customers after regulators denied requests for a 47% rate hike in the hurricane-prone state.

Last Updated: January 27, 2009: 4:17 PM ET

MIAMI, Florida (CNN) -- Florida's largest private insurer is pulling the plug on homeowners' policies in the state, citing the losses suffered since the brutal 2004 hurricane season.

The decision by State Farm Florida comes two weeks after state insurance regulators rejected the company's request to raise rates by more than 47%. The decision means State Farm Florida - a subsidiary of national insurance giant State Farm Mutual - will no longer renew policies for its roughly 1.2 million customers in the Sunshine State.

"This is not an action we wanted to take, but one we must take given the realities of the Florida property insurance market," company President Jim Thompson said in a statement announcing the decision.

The company said it has paid out $1.21 in claims for every dollar of premiums it has collected since 2000 and suffered billions in losses after the 2004 hurricane season, when four major storms hit the state. And it said its net worth had dropped by nearly 25% since 2006 even with no major disasters.

"This is not something any business can afford to do," Thompson said.

Company spokeswoman Michal Connolly said the announcement is the first step in a two-year process that will require the approval of state regulators.

In a statement issued after the decision, Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty said the company had warned that a withdrawal from the homeowners' market was possible when it was seeking a rate increase. He said his office had 90 days to approve the company's plans.

"I will do everything within my power to protect Florida consumers from unnecessary destabilization of the insurance market that this might cause and to ensure that Florida consumers are protected and have access to insurance at rates that are not excessive or unfairly discriminatory," McCarty said.

State Farm Florida was set up as a separate entity in 1998 to address what the company called the "unique risks" of doing business in Florida. It said it had to borrow $750 million from its parent company after 2004, and has been unable to pay that money back.

Florida's largest insurer overall is the state-run, nonprofit Citizens Property Insurance company, established in 2002 to offer coverage in cases where private insurers won't write policies.

Call Brian Samberg, Southeast Insurance, for a no obligation quote at 561.451.1550 or visit his webpage for more information on homeowners insurance .

State Farm to stop insuring Florida

State Farm Florida says it will no longer renew policies for 1.2 million customers after regulators denied requests for a 47% rate hike in the hurricane-prone state.

Last Updated: January 27, 2009: 4:17 PM ET

MIAMI, Florida (CNN) -- Florida's largest private insurer is pulling the plug on homeowners' policies in the state, citing the losses suffered since the brutal 2004 hurricane season.

The decision by State Farm Florida comes two weeks after state insurance regulators rejected the company's request to raise rates by more than 47%. The decision means State Farm Florida - a subsidiary of national insurance giant State Farm Mutual - will no longer renew policies for its roughly 1.2 million customers in the Sunshine State.

"This is not an action we wanted to take, but one we must take given the realities of the Florida property insurance market," company President Jim Thompson said in a statement announcing the decision.

The company said it has paid out $1.21 in claims for every dollar of premiums it has collected since 2000 and suffered billions in losses after the 2004 hurricane season, when four major storms hit the state. And it said its net worth had dropped by nearly 25% since 2006 even with no major disasters.

"This is not something any business can afford to do," Thompson said.

Company spokeswoman Michal Connolly said the announcement is the first step in a two-year process that will require the approval of state regulators.

In a statement issued after the decision, Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty said the company had warned that a withdrawal from the homeowners' market was possible when it was seeking a rate increase. He said his office had 90 days to approve the company's plans.

"I will do everything within my power to protect Florida consumers from unnecessary destabilization of the insurance market that this might cause and to ensure that Florida consumers are protected and have access to insurance at rates that are not excessive or unfairly discriminatory," McCarty said.

State Farm Florida was set up as a separate entity in 1998 to address what the company called the "unique risks" of doing business in Florida. It said it had to borrow $750 million from its parent company after 2004, and has been unable to pay that money back.

Florida's largest insurer overall is the state-run, nonprofit Citizens Property Insurance company, established in 2002 to offer coverage in cases where private insurers won't write policies.

Call Brian Samberg, Southeast Insurance, for a no obligation quote at 561.451.1550 or visit his webpage for more information on homeowners insurance .