March 7, 2008

• Partnership to build houses in Central City

  by Kate Moran, The Times-Picayune
  Friday March 07, 2008, 2:04 PMBy Kate Moran
  Business writer
  Comprehensive Central City Initiative, a partnership that includes faith-based groups, private developers and a major local bank, plans to build 178 houses that will be leased to low-income renters who will be encouraged to buy the property one day.
  "We've been trying to address [...]

March 5, 2008

• Free Construction Training Program Starting March 10

  Operation Reconstruct is a free work-readiness and pre-apprenticeship certificate training (PACT) program developed by Home Builders Institute (HBI) and The Paxen Group. Program participants will receive classroom and worksite instruction and training in employability and life skills, worksite safety and proper tool use, basic residential carpentry, electrical, and plumbing, and construction math. Find out more [...]

February 26, 2008

• Barnes & Noble Chair Commits $20 million for Housing in New Orleans

  The chairman of the U.S.'s largest bookseller, New Orleans officials and other recovery leaders participated in a ceremonial groundbreaking for a $20 million housing initiative. Barnes & Noble Chairman Leonard Riggio is funding the expansive project to build new houses for residents displaced by the storm 2 1/2 years ago, focusing on the Gentilly [...]

February 8, 2008

• Public Comment on Transfer of Properties to Parishes

  BATON ROUGE, La. (February 8, 2008) - The Louisiana Recovery Authority (LRA) and the Office of Community Development recently published an action plan amendment for public comment, which provides details on the approval process of parish governments' disposition plans for Road Home-acquired properties through the Louisiana Land Trust.When homeowners select Option 2 or Option 3 [...]

July 20, 2007

• Storm Window Panels

  Table of contents for Window Treatments & CoveringsWindow AwningsWindow BlindsWindow DraperiesHigh-Reflectivity Window FilmsInsulating Window PanelsMesh Window ScreensWindow OverhangsWindow ShadesWindow ShuttersStorm Window Panels A storm panel added to a single-pane window can reduce winter heat loss by as much as 50%. They are also less expensive than double-glazed windows. You can add them to the exterior [...]

July 19, 2007

• Window Shutters

  Table of contents for Window Treatments & CoveringsWindow AwningsWindow BlindsWindow DraperiesHigh-Reflectivity Window FilmsInsulating Window PanelsMesh Window ScreensWindow OverhangsWindow ShadesWindow ShuttersStorm Window Panels Window shutters-both interior and exterior-can help reduce heat gain and loss in your home.Interior shutters need a clear space to the side of the window when they're opened. They also require hardware that [...]

July 18, 2007

• Window Shades

  Table of contents for Window Treatments & CoveringsWindow AwningsWindow BlindsWindow DraperiesHigh-Reflectivity Window FilmsInsulating Window PanelsMesh Window ScreensWindow OverhangsWindow ShadesWindow ShuttersStorm Window Panels When properly installed, window shades can be one of the simplest and most effective window treatments for saving energy.Shades should be mounted as close to the glass as possible with the sides of [...]

July 17, 2007

• Window Overhangs

  Table of contents for Window Treatments & CoveringsWindow AwningsWindow BlindsWindow DraperiesHigh-Reflectivity Window FilmsInsulating Window PanelsMesh Window ScreensWindow OverhangsWindow ShadesWindow ShuttersStorm Window Panels Properly sized and installed roof overhangs can most effectively shade south-facing windows from the summer heat. If oriented properly, overhangs will allow the sunlight in through the windows during the winter, providing more [...]

July 16, 2007

• Mesh Window Screens

  Table of contents for Window Treatments & CoveringsWindow AwningsWindow BlindsWindow DraperiesHigh-Reflectivity Window FilmsInsulating Window PanelsMesh Window ScreensWindow OverhangsWindow ShadesWindow ShuttersStorm Window Panels Mesh window screens can diffuse solar radiation, reducing heat gain in the summer. Screens should be mounted in an exterior frame and should cover entire windows. They are particularly effective on east- and [...]

July 13, 2007

• Insulating Window Panels

  Table of contents for Window Treatments & CoveringsWindow AwningsWindow BlindsWindow DraperiesHigh-Reflectivity Window FilmsInsulating Window PanelsMesh Window ScreensWindow OverhangsWindow ShadesWindow ShuttersStorm Window Panels An insulating window panel or pop-in shutter typically consists of a core of rigid foam insulation. You can push or clip it into the interior of a window. The panels are made so [...]

July 12, 2007

• High-Reflectivity Window Films

  Table of contents for Window Treatments & CoveringsWindow AwningsWindow BlindsWindow DraperiesHigh-Reflectivity Window FilmsInsulating Window PanelsMesh Window ScreensWindow OverhangsWindow ShadesWindow ShuttersStorm Window Panels High-reflectivity window films help block summer heat gain. They are best used in climates with long cooling seasons because they also block the sun's heat in the winter.The effectiveness of these reflective films [...]

July 11, 2007

• Window Draperies

  Table of contents for Window Treatments & CoveringsWindow AwningsWindow BlindsWindow DraperiesHigh-Reflectivity Window FilmsInsulating Window PanelsMesh Window ScreensWindow OverhangsWindow ShadesWindow ShuttersStorm Window Panels A drapery's ability to reduce heat loss and gain depends on several factors, including fabric type (closed or open weave) and color. With such a wide variety of draperies available, it's difficult to [...]

July 10, 2007

• Window Blinds

  Table of contents for Window Treatments & CoveringsWindow AwningsWindow BlindsWindow DraperiesHigh-Reflectivity Window FilmsInsulating Window PanelsMesh Window ScreensWindow OverhangsWindow ShadesWindow ShuttersStorm Window Panels Window blinds-vertical or horizontal slat-type-are more effective at reducing summer heat gain than winter heat loss.
  Interior Blinds
  Because of the numerous openings between the slats, it's difficult to control heat loss through interior window [...]

July 9, 2007

• Window Awnings

  Table of contents for Window Treatments & CoveringsWindow AwningsWindow BlindsWindow DraperiesHigh-Reflectivity Window FilmsInsulating Window PanelsMesh Window ScreensWindow OverhangsWindow ShadesWindow ShuttersStorm Window Panels You can choose window treatments or coverings not only for decoration but also for saving energy. Some carefully selected window treatments can reduce heat loss in the winter and heat gain in the [...]

July 6, 2007

• Control Air Leakage

  Table of contents for Energy Efficient Building EnvelopeInstall New WindowsInstall Storm WindowsInstall Window Treatments & CoveringsInstall or Increase Attic InsulationInstall Wall InsulationControl Air LeakageInstall Storm Doors Air leakage through holes, gaps, cracks, penetrations, and electrical receptacles is a major source of heat loss from a dwelling unit. Controlling this air leakage through a combination of [...]

July 5, 2007

• Install Wall Insulation

  Table of contents for Energy Efficient Building EnvelopeInstall New WindowsInstall Storm WindowsInstall Window Treatments & CoveringsInstall or Increase Attic InsulationInstall Wall InsulationControl Air LeakageInstall Storm Doors The purpose of wall insulation is to reduce the amount of heat that flows from a dwelling unit through the walls to the cold outside air. By reducing this [...]

July 4, 2007

• 2007 New Orleans Crime Prevention Fair

  [ July 14, 2007; 10:00 am to 11:00 am. ] Join the New Orleans Police Department and the University of New Orleans Police in our first Crime Prevention Fair. There will be several businesses and security specialist, alarm companies and locksmiths from the Louisiana Life Safety and Security Association to address all your safety and security needs.Home Depot and Lowe's will be providing re-building tips [...]

• Install or Increase Attic Insulation

  Table of contents for Energy Efficient Building EnvelopeInstall New WindowsInstall Storm WindowsInstall Window Treatments & CoveringsInstall or Increase Attic InsulationInstall Wall InsulationControl Air LeakageInstall Storm Doors Attic insulation reduces the amount of heat that flows from a dwelling unit through the attic to the cold outside air. By reducing this heat loss, attic insulation reduces [...]

July 3, 2007

• Install Storm Doors

  Table of contents for Energy Efficient Building EnvelopeInstall New WindowsInstall Storm WindowsInstall Window Treatments & CoveringsInstall or Increase Attic InsulationInstall Wall InsulationControl Air LeakageInstall Storm Doors As with storm windows, storm doors save energy in two ways. First, they reduce air leakage through spaces around the existing door. Second, they reduce heat conduction through the [...]

July 2, 2007

• How to Recycle Old Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs

  Compact fluorescent lights do contain some mercury, although none is released while the bulbs are on. The New Orleans Times-Picayune provides the following cleanup guidelines for recycling old bulbs and handling broken ones:
  – Sweep up — don't vacuum — all of the glass fragments and fine particles.
  – Place pieces in a sealed plastic bag [...]