Buyers pay a premium for solar homes

An array of recent studies indicate home owners can shed concerns about recouping the high, upfront cost of a solar system and other energy-efficient upgrades and instead take their commitment to conservation to the bank.

by Broderick Perkins
© 2011 DeadlineNews.Com

Unauthorized use of this story is a copyright violation -- a federal crime

Deadline Newsroom - A residential solar panel system can literally pay for itself, not from reduced utility bills, but from its selling price.

Home buyers bent on reducing their carbon footprint and lowering their utility bill, perceive so much earth-saving, cash value in a solar-panel equipped home, they are willing to pay a premium that equals the seller's cost to install a solar system.

This is big news.

"We find compelling evidence that solar photovoltaic (PV) systems in California have boosted home sales prices," says Ben Hoen, a researcher at the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL).

What's more, not only will solar homes generate smaller utility bills and a premium when they sell, they also sell for a price closer to list than comparable conventional homes and they sell faster.

An array of recent studies indicate home owners can shed concerns about recouping the high, upfront cost of a solar system and other energy-efficient upgrades and instead take their commitment to conservation to the bank.

Get the full story: "Buyers Pay A Premium For Solar Homes, Energy Efficiency."

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© 2010 DeadlineNews.Com

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Broderick Perkins, an award-winning consumer journalist, parlayed 30 years of old-school journalism into a digital real estate news service, the San Jose, CA-based DeadlineNews Group, including DeadlineNews.Com, a real estate news and consulting service and Web site, and the Deadline Newsroom, DeadlineNews.Com's news back shop.

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Energy Star shines brighter after DOE crackdown

DeadlineNewsGroup here!

How do you squeeze more energy efficiency out of your home appliances? Have the Department of Energy blow a fuse over manufacturers whose appliances don't make the energy efficiency grade.

by Broderick Perkins
© 2010 DeadlineNews.Com



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Deadline Newsroom - A U.S. Department of Energy crackdown on appliance makers who didn't measure up to the Energy Star logos they slapped on their products, as well as other energy efficiency requirements, has apparently generated the certification of 600,000 residential products from 160 manufacturers.

Full story here: Energy Star Shines Brighter After DOE Crackdown

Also see Energy Star dimmed

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© 2010 DeadlineNews.Com

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You are reading a sample of "News that really hits home!", now available from several beats and published in a growing number of locations.

Broderick Perkins, an award-winning consumer journalist, parlayed 30 years of old-school journalism into a digital real estate news service, the San Jose, CA-based DeadlineNews Group, including DeadlineNews.Com, a real estate news and consulting service and Web site, and the Deadline Newsroom, DeadlineNews.Com's news back shop.

Perkins is also the first Examiner to cover three beats for the Examiner.com news service:
• National Offbeat News Examiner
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• National Real Estate Examiner

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'Not So Big' approach goes great with green remodeling

'Not So Big' re-greening

Architect and "Not So Big" life style visionary Sarah Susanka says when it comes to green remodeling it's not only about sustainability, energy efficiency and durability, but also innate beauty and the appropriateness in size. Here's how to make homes more comfortable, functional and sustainable through green remodeling or "regreening."

See all "regreening" stories.

by Broderick Perkins
© 2008 DeadlineNews.Com


Unauthorized use of this story is a copyright violation -- a federal crime

Deadline Newsroom - A decade ago, architect and "Not So Big" life style visionary Sarah Susanka started up the road to guru status with a blueprint for living that extolled the values of living responsibly, sustainably and meaningfully.

She was ahead of her time.

Susanka nearly single-handedly, revolutionized the way people think about where they live while prompting others to trade in the bigger-is-better approach for a livability-is-larger mantra.

The true feeling of home, she said from the beginning, is not about the kind of emotional lust that put the economy in a tailspin, but the need to tailor a home to fit the human form and the need to scale a house in proportions that serve real human functions.

Your house, truly should be your home, not a box stamped -- inside and out -- from a cookie cutter assembly line.

'House Not Beautiful' is 'House Not Sustainable'

Today she sheds that same light on making homes more comfortable, functional and sustainable through green remodeling.

The Not So Big definition of "green" is not only sustainability, energy efficiency and
durability, but also innate beauty and the appropriateness in size.

Susanka says a house that fits its inhabitants in both form and function is a sustainable home because it is more likely be well cared for by its residents.

Here's how to go green when remodeling the "No So Big" way.

The basics

• Give your home the once over. Obtain an energy audit from a home energy expert to identify problem areas and pinpoint areas that need energy efficient improvements.

• Tighten the ship. Get a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) contractor's check up. Seal major air leaks identified by the energy audit, replace defective or substandard ductwork and seal all ductwork.

• Tighten it more. Increase the level of insulation in the house especially in attics and crawl spaces. Choose from sprayed-in, closed-cell and Volatile Organic Compounds-free (VOC) foam insulations that can achieve a high insulation value even in small stud or rafter cavities.

Material world

• Weight didn't break the wagon, waste did. Reuse original components from the home. Recycle items that can't be reused. Repurpose materials, such as grinding up old stucco for the driveway base.

• Be a good Material Girl...or Boy. Choose VOC-free paints and varnishes. Seek engineered wood products and Forestry Stewardship Council-certified (FSC) woods, as well as carpet made from natural fibers such as wool.

See the big picture

• Improve energy efficiency. To increase efficiency and lower bills, install the latest, most efficient HVAC equipment, using double or triple-paned windows with reflective coating. Select EnergyStar rated appliances. Install newer low-flow, dual flush toilets that flush once for liquids and twice for solid waste.

• Top off improvements with a green roof. Extend the roof overhangs to protect the exterior from weather and shade the house from the high summer sun. Install solar equipment on a roof area with unobstructed, south-facing access to sunlight.

Think big, start small

• One beats a zero. Include as many green upgrades as possible when remodeling, but if it all seems overwhelming, choose one and do it well. One small green step for each home, is one collective green step for the planet. Simply changing the furnace filter once a month is one of those small steps.

• Also see: How to get the goods on 're-greening'

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© 2008 DeadlineNews.Com

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Broderick Perkins, an award-winning consumer journalist, parlayed 30 years of old-school journalism into a digital real estate news service, the San Jose, CA-based DeadlineNews Group, including DeadlineNews.Com, a real estate news and consulting service and Web site, and the Deadline Newsroom, DeadlineNews.Com's news back shop. Perkins is also a National Real Estate Examiner. All the news that really hits home from three locations -- that's location, location, location!

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How To Find A Solar System Contractor

Finding a contractor to install a photovoltaic solar system on your home is not unlike finding any other specialist to complete a home improvement, provided the contractor has solar savvy.

by Broderick Perkins
© 2008 DeadlineNews.Com

Unauthorized use of this story is a copyright violation -- a federal crime

Deadline Newsroom - With city, state and federal initiatives shouting 'solar!' from the rooftops, finding competent solar equipment installers is paramount.

Solar and other renewable energy rebates and initiatives from the federal government down to city jurisdictions are prompting more contractors to hang a "solar installer" shingle, take to rooftops and cash in on the demand.

It's relatively simple to install and maintain a $30,000 flush-mounted, rooftop, 320-square-foot, PV array efficiently generating 3 kilowatts -- enough power to meet the needs of a 2,500 square foot home.

Simple that is, provided the PV panel installer is experienced in the task at hand.

As with hiring any professional, a good start to finding a solar contractor is to seek referrals from family, friends, neighbors, co-workers and others you trust who also recently purchased a system with which they are satisfied.

The referrals should be to licensed contractors or, better yet, licensed solar contractors who work in your area. Contractors typically obtain a license by proving their skills through education or training, testing, in-the-field experience or some combination of all those efforts.

More specifically, solar contractors are licensed after meeting requirements specific to the specialty.
In some states, designated solar contractors are licensed to perform solar energy work and only other building or construction work necessary to install an active solar system.

The licensing process typically also comes with continuing education services to keep contractors current on techniques, codes and the like. It also includes a regulatory system that helps weed out the bad apples. Consumers get an official agency where they can check the record of contractors, lodge complaints and seek redress for problems.

Truly professional contractors also won't work without a permit, which means the local building inspector will examine the work for compliance with current building codes. Avoid any contractor who attempts to circumvent the permit process.

Most states don't have regulations for a designated "solar contractor," but each state's renewable energy incentive program can help.

The Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy offers a clickable-map data base of federal, state and local renewable energy programs, each of which can help you find qualified contractors and educational and financing information for consumers.

Even where there's no "solar contractor" license category, incentive programs typically come with state-registered or program-registered contractors and or approved solar and other renewable energy systems.

You can also tap solar energy trade groups to find contractors, especially in areas where they aren't regulated. Trade groups typically come with a code of ethics, training requirements and a network of product research, development and educational services for its members.

Home owners considering hiring a professional solar system installer should also get schooled in solar technology to be better equipped to interview prospective contractors.

Select a contractor who has years of experience installing grid-connected systems and who isn't afraid to refer you to satisfied customers.

The contractor should also have site savvy -- clear, unobstructed access to the sun is crucial. The contractor should also be able to help you decide what size system you need to generate all the power necessary for your home or just a portion. It's up to you not to let the contractor sell you more power than you need.

The incentive programs and utilities can help you calculate how much of a rooftop array you really need based on past energy use.

The contractor should also be familiar with special features your system may need including an inverter necessary to change the direct current (DC) power from the solar panels into alternating current (AC) electricity to power your electrical devices and to be compatible with the electric grid. Batteries, which increase your cost, provide back-up and storage power for your home during grid outages and gray days.

Each incentive program explains the local utility connection requirements including which utilities will buy excess power and which will let you pump juice back into the grid without reimbursing you, but the contractor also should be familiar with grid connections, metering and what happens to excess power.

Finally, get several bids and make sure the bids are for the identical solar system.

© 2008 DeadlineNews.Com

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Broderick Perkins, an award-winning consumer journalist of 30 years, is publisher and executive editor of San Jose, CA-based DeadlineNews Group -- DeadlineNews.Com, a real estate news and consulting service and Web site and the new Deadline Newsroom, DeadlineNews.Com's news back shop. In both cases, it's where all the news really hits home.

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SF Shouts 'Solar!' From Rooftops

Add San Francisco's new solar panel rebate to existing incentives and the cost for a typical $30,000 photovoltaic system is slashed nearly in half. A $0.00 electric bill also boosts affordability.

by Broderick Perkins
© 2008 DeadlineNews.Com

Unauthorized use of this story is a copyright violation -- a federal crime

Deadline Newsroom - San Francisco just thrust solar power further into the limelight.

The city's Board of Supervisors recently voted to launch a citywide cash incentive program for rooftop solar panel power generation.

It's the largest municipal solar initiative in the nation.

That means you get money back -- and lots of it -- for installing rooftop solar systems to generate electricity.

The big news is that the city's solar panel incentive piggy-backs rebates onto existing state and federal incentives.

For example, an average solar system costs about $30,000 including installation.

With the maximum rebates available, San Francisco residents can get $6,000 through the San Francisco Solar Energy Incentive Program; $2,000 from federal energy tax credits and $4,500 from the state's California Solar Initiative.

That's a maximum total of $12,500 that can be rebated to San Francisco residents, leaving them on the hook for the remaining $17,500.

To help lower costs more, a community movement in San Francisco, called One Block Off The Grid, is coordinating a group buying effort to cut costs.

Also, a growing number of lenders offer special, low-interest loans for solar panel purchases and installation.

Rooftop solar panel installation also can be eligible for an Energy Efficient Mortgage.

What's more, solar panels can increase the value of your home.

Let the sun shine in.

© 2008 DeadlineNews.Com

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Broderick Perkins, an award-winning consumer journalist of 30 years, is publisher and executive editor of San Jose, CA-based DeadlineNews Group -- DeadlineNews.Com, a real estate news and consulting service and Web site and the new Deadline Newsroom, DeadlineNews.Com's news back shop. In both cases, it's where all the news really hits home.

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Site To See: Green Condo Life

A new Web site and best practices manual is designed just for homeowner association members who want to pitch in on the world's 'green' movement to help save the planet.

by Broderick Perkins
© 2008 DeadlineNews.Com



Deadline Newsroom - Just because you live in a homeowner association (HOA) governed community doesn't mean you always need permission to go green at home.

Granted, a condo, townhome, loft or other home in an HOA community isn't always your castle when it comes to certain home improvements, but there are many other approaches you can take to help save the planet.

Community Associations Institute (CAI) has launched an interactive, Net-based initiative, Community Green to help HOA communities turn global thinking into local action through environmental awareness and activism by community association leaders and the 60 million people who live in HOA communities.

The principles are simple:

• Collaborate with neighbors to develop sustainable, consensus-driven decisions.

• Respect property rights and honor private agreements that are compatible with sustainable environmental practices.

• Be vigilant in actions that minimize the environmental footprint.

And developing green habits in a condo home is easy. Here are some ideas:

• Buy Energy Star. Appliances account for 20 percent of a household's energy consumption. Upgrading your kitchen with a new refrigerator will save the most. Don't forget the dishwasher, stove, oven and clothes washer and dryer.

• Tighten up. Close the fireplace damper when not in use. Insulate. Plug holes. Check air ducts for leaks. Patch the roof.

• Be cool with heating and cooling. Heating and cooling account for more than 40 percent of a home's utility bills. Keep your system well maintained, clean filters regularly and consider upgrading to the latest energy efficient models as soon as possible. Keep the thermostat as low as is comfortable in the winter and as high as is comfortable in the summer. Turn kitchen, bath and other ventilation or exhaust fans off as soon as possible or they'll suck out warmed or cooled air.

• Landscape smart. Choose indigenous plants with deciduous trees planted on the south and on the west sides to keep your house cool in the summer and allow sun to shine in the windows in the winter. Vines also provide shading and cooling. Growing on trellises, vines can shade windows or the whole side of a house. Winter winds can be deflected by planting evergreen trees and shrubs on the north and west sides of the house.

• Lighten up. Replace 25 percent of your lights in high-use areas with fluorescents and you'll save about 50 percent of your lighting energy bill. Why not replace them all? Fluorescent lamps also last six to 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs. Whenever possible, use solar powered outdoor lighting. Otherwise use photocells or a timer on outdoor lights so they will turn off during the day.

• Make windows winners. Windows account for 10 to 25 percent of heating and cooling bills. Replace old single-pane windows with new double-pane glazing and high-performance glass. In cold climates select windows that are gas filled with low-emissivity (low-e) coatings to reduce heat loss. In warmer climates, select windows with spectrally-selective coatings to reduce heat gain. New solar control spectrally-selective windows can cut the cooling load in half. If you can't replace your windows or decide not to, install white window shades, drapes or blinds to reflect heat away from the house; close curtains on south- and west-facing windows during the day;
Install awnings on south- and west- facing windows; Apply sun-control or other reflective films on south-facing windows to reduce solar gain.

"Best Practices: Energy Efficiency" by the Foundation For Community Association Research contains more greening information for HOA dwellers including remodeling tips and case studies of HOAs that successfully made it a priority to reduce their energy consumption and costs.

The report is available on the new Web site Community Green, along with a host of related information for HOA members.

"Site To See" reviews are occasional but timely critiques of content-heavy real estate Web sites deemed unique, consumer-friendly, informative and easy to use.

© 2008 DeadlineNews.Com

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Broderick Perkins, an award-winning consumer journalist of 30 years, is publisher and executive editor of San Jose, CA-based DeadlineNews.Com, a real estate news and consulting service, and the new Deadline Newsroom, DeadlineNews.Com's new backshop. In both cases, it's where all the news really hits home.

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Give Green Lighting A Go

The next time that light bulb goes on over your head, make sure it isn't an incandescent bulb, turn it off when you are done and recycle it properly.

by Broderick Perkins
© 2008 DeadlineNews.Com

Deadline Newsroom - And you thought green lighting was simply a matter of swapping out old incandescent bulbs for fluorescent lighting.

Boy do you have a lot to learn.

When it comes to saving the planet there's a lot more to brightening your home with cooler, less energy demanding light bulbs.

Just check in at TreeHugger.com.

The upstart media outlet is dedicated to driving sustainability mainstream with news, tips, solutions and product information designed to help put a chill on global warming.

The green light section alone is reason enough to, well, go.

When it comes to lighting the way to a healthier planet, here's what Treehugger teaches.

• Fluorescents have come a long way. Now available as screw-in compact florescent bulbs in a variety of shapes, sizes, even colors they can also produce the same warm hue of light available from less expensive but more energy-draining incandescent bulbs. They last as long as 10,000 hours and use one fourth the energy sucked down by incandescents. They also release less heat and that means more money saved on cooling during warm weather.

• Consider LEDs. Light emitting diodes (LEDs) are the next generation of light efficiency. Right now, they cost more than fluorescents, but try popping some cheaper ones in your night lights or using LED task lighting. Savings from just those two uses will really put a light bulb over your head. IEDs can last 10 times as long and reduce lighting energy consumption by 80 to 90 percent. What's more, they don't blow. They may dim over time but breakage isn't an issue and they never burn completely out.

Whatever bulb you choose, follow your local jurisdiction's instructions for safe disposal. CFLs and fluorescents contain some mercury. Recycle, don't trash them .

• Consider form and function. Treehugger says sustainability in lighting isn't just about bulbs, but also the fixtures they go into. Remember those bottle lamps you made in middle school? You don't have to go that retro, but you can find eco-friendly lamps and fixtures that use natural, recycled or reused materials.

• Wall warts. Treehugger calls "wall warts" those devices attached to lamps, light fixtures and electrical cords that stay warm and draw energy even when the lighting is not being used. Replace them or attach them to power strips you can turn off when not in use. "Smart" power strips know when devices are off.

• Natural lighting. The sun is no-brainer lighting. Make the most of it by day and consider adding skylights, or fiber optics to "pipe in" solar light. The sun cranks out some free heat gain during the day too. Open those blinds and curtains!

Treehugger says for those who burn the candle power at both ends, whenever possible, try some days planned around the cycle of the sun. Work when there's light available. Go to bed when it isn't. It's good for you and the planet. Besides, if you want to soar with the eagles in the morning, you can't hoot with the owls all night.

• Lighten up. Efficient lighting is only as efficient as your habits allow. It should be second nature to turn off lights when not in use. More specifically, Treehugger says to turn off incandescent bulbs even if you leave the room for a few seconds. Turn off CFLs if you leave the room for 3 minutes. Turn off standard fluorescent bulbs if you leave the room for 15 minutes. Motion sensors, timers and dimmers can help you with your behavior.

• Pay extra. Buy green power from your local utility when it's available. You'll pay a few dollars more a month to support renewable energy development.

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© 2008 DeadlineNews.Com

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Broderick Perkins, an award-winning consumer journalist of 30 years, is publisher and executive editor of San Jose, CA-based DeadlineNews.Com, a real estate news and consulting service, and the new Deadline Newsroom, DeadlineNews.Com's new backshop. In both cases, it's where all the news really hits home.

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Cool LEDs Getting 'Green' Light

LEDs are poised to take over your home's lighting chores. Here's what you should know about this new bright technology designed to also lighten the load on your wallet.

by Broderick Perkins
© 2008 DeadlineNews.Com

Deadline Newsroom - Just about ready for prime time, the LED is lighting the way to what will become the greatest cost savings yet in household illumination.

Getting a boost from global warming and the need to squeeze more savings out of lighting in general, the tiny LED needs only to match upfront costs with its size to make its energy-efficient lighting technology more economically viable.

LED is short for "light emitting diodes," tiny devices that resemble a very small computer chip sandwiched within thin layers of glass or plastic. When charged with electricity the diode emits light.

LEDs were originally developed as a cheap, reliable solution for both indicator lamps and character displays, say on electronic devices, where they are still used. They are found in consumer electronics, motor vehicle dashboard displays, or any tiny, tight, enclosed area or component requiring a long lasting light source but is not readily suitable for disassembly, repair or replacement.


LEDs are also found in commercial signage and lighting, traffic lights, flashlights, nightlights, book lights as well as jumbo-trons, those massive video displays in Times Square and sporting arenas, according to American Lighting Association

Most LEDs are entering the home today as holiday decorations, small-area task or directional lighting, as well as new lighting fixtures and mainstream, screw-in replacements for compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) and older incandescent bulbs. It's the mainstream screw-in and fixture replacement area were LED cost premiums create, at first glance, a cost barrier.

For example, a 60-watt incandescent bulb costs less than a buck while a comparable 2 watt LED light bulb, generating an equal level of lumens, costs more than $30.

But don't stop at the upfront cost of a single LED lamp to get a true comparison of the savings. Lamp life, electricity use, and maintenance costs over the expected life of the LED product also must be considered.

• LEDs don't have a filament. Instead of burning out they get progressively dimmer over time.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy good quality LEDs in properly designed fixtures can last as long as 50,000 hours. Some researchers say LED life can be double that. But even DOE's estimated LED lifespan, compared to an incandescent lamp that lasts only 1,000 hours, makes it much more affordable. If it takes 50 incandescent bulbs to match the lifespan of one LED, the replacement costs for the incandescent lamp, at $50, wind up costing more than LED lighting.

CFLs stack up better against LEDs, lasting up to 10,000 hours and larger fluorescent tubes and lamps in fluorescent fixtures can last up to 30,000 hours and more, but there's ballast replacement costs and maintenance to consider.

• Incandescent filament bulbs also waste energy generating heat to create light. Only about 5 to 10 percent of the energy consumed by filament bulbs is used to create light. Because LEDs have no filament they generate very little heat. A much higher percentage, 80 to 90 percent of the electrical power goes directly to generating light in an LED.

Right now, that makes LEDs energy efficiency on par with fluorescent lighting, according to the DOE. But fluorescent efficiency has just about capped out as LED research and development continues to improve efficiency. New generations of LED devices become available approximately every 4 to 6 months, according to the DOE.

• LED's are much more durable and resistant to vibrations and than both incandescent and fluorescent lamps which are prone to breakage, according to the New York State Electric & Gas Corporation. The corporation also said the life span of both fluorescents and incandescent bulbs are shortened by frequent on and off switching.

• Finally, aging baby boomers need more light with less glare and LED lights, which tend to focus and beam light with a reduced glare, fills the bill.

There are many larger energy guzzlers in the home. Lights only account for 25 percent of the home's electric bill, according to the American Lighting Association. But homeowners often tackle light efficiency first because it is energy use you can see, fixtures are easy to get at, change is generally cheap and the savings immediate.

Keep an eye out for LED advances and other technological improvements that really hit home on the DeadlineNews.Com web site.

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Broderick Perkins, an award-winning consumer journalist of 30 years, is publisher and executive editor of San Jose, CA-based DeadlineNews.Com, a real estate news and consulting service, and the new Deadline Newsroom, DeadlineNews.Com's new backshop. In both cases, it's where all the news really hits home.

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Equity-Saving Home Improvements

by Broderick Perkins
© 2007 DeadlineNews.Com

Deadline Newsroom - Housing market conditions are squeezing the equity out of homes, but the right home improvement on the right home can help shore up equity and even improve the home's value.

That could mean a higher price when it's time to sell.

The Federal Reserve's third quarter 2007 U.S. Flow of Funds Accounts report says the amount of equity homeowners nationwide hold in their homes slipped in the third quarter to just over 50 percent, the lowest level on record.

Falling home prices, a surge in cash-out refinances, home equity loans and the increase in low- and no-down payment loans from the past housing boom have contributed to deteriorating home equity.

Economists say the equity-holding share could drop below 50 percent by the end of this year, due a soft housing market.

However, homeowners who perform improvements that bring their home up to par with other homes in the neighborhood -- or make them slightly above par -- stand the best chance of holding onto equity and even increasing home value.

"Upgrading what you have in your home now will always gain you something, either enjoyment and a return on your investment or a quick turn-around in the market," says Cindy A. Carey, co-owner of Starburst Construction Co. in San Jose.

That's especially true if homeowners perform home improvements that provide the greatest cost-vs-value return for the money and Hanley Wood's Cost vs. Value 2007 report helps take the guess work out of deciding which job provides the most return.

Here's a look at the top cost-vs-value jobs in the report's tri-state Pacific Region. The numbers are not absolutes. Do not overlook the impact your local community or neighborhood market conditions have on home improvements' value.

Each brief job description includes: 1) the Pacific region's average cost for the job, 2) the region's average dollar amount added to your home's value and 3) a percentage that represents how much of your original expenditure is returned to you in the form of increased value.

• Wood deck addition: A 16-by-20-foot deck using pressure-treated joists supported by 4x4 posts anchored to concrete piers, including a built-in bench and planter of the same decking material, stairs, and railings, $12,812; $13,836; 108 percent.

• Minor kitchen remodel: Updating a 200-square-foot kitchen with 30 linear feet of cabinetry and countertops. New cabinet and drawer prefacing; energy-efficient wall oven and cooktop; laminate countertops; mid-priced sink and faucet. Repaint trim, add wall covering, new flooring, $22,698; $23,494; 103.5 percent.

• Wood framed window replacement: Replace 10 existing 3-by-5-foot double-hung windows with insulated wood replacement windows, $13,120; $13,497; 102.9 percent.

• Vinyl window replacement: Replace 10 existing 3-by-5-foot double-hung windows with insulated vinyl replacement windows, $12,164; $11,978; 98.5 percent.

• Attic bedroom remodel: Convert unfinished attic space to a 15-by-15-foot bedroom with 5-by-7-foot bath with shower. Include a 15-foot shed dormer, four new windows, closet space under the eaves, more, $55,306; $54,186; 98 percent.

• A basement remodel, bathroom remodel and major kitchen remodel all returned, to the value of the home, more than 96 percent of the money spent.

Jobs including full additions, a new roof, siding and a home office remodel all returned about 90 percent or less.

"A sure fire return is on any green improvements in the home's energy performance. From here on out, home buyers will be likely to purchase the remodeled home that has included these energy savings improvements," said Clayton Nelson, a residential remodeling contractor and owner of Clayton Nelson & Associates in Los Gatos.

Hanley Wood concedes, for any project, the true cost-vs-value depends upon a host of factors -- the condition of the rest of the house, the value of nearby similar homes, the rate of local property value changes, the urban, suburban, or rural setting, the new home market and more.

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Broderick Perkins, an award-winning consumer journalist of 30 years, is publisher and executive editor of San Jose, CA-based DeadlineNews.Com, a real estate news and consulting service, and the new Deadline Newsroom, DeadlineNews.Com's new backshop. In both cases, it's where all the news really hits home.

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