Deadline Newsroom FAQ 92208

When you have questions needing answers that really hit home, contact the Deadline Newsroom. This installment: ID-theft/credit monitoring; solar contractors; disclosing defects.

by Broderick Perkins
© 2008 DeadlineNews.Com


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



Deadline Newsroom - Q: I'm concerned about identity theft. Should I buy a credit monitoring service?

A: Only if you are too busy to take no-cost steps to do it yourself. Everyone should be concerned about identity theft, which happens when someone pilfers your personal information to masquerade as you to make purchases, withdraw cash or open accounts in your name.

Credit monitoring services help you quickly spot evidence of ID-theft by keeping tabs on your credit report for suspicious activity. The services charge you $50 to $100 a year, but Consumer Reports calls the services "overrated, oversold, and overpriced."

That's because federal law allows you to do-it-yourself by getting your credit report from each major credit reporting agency -- Equifax, Experian and TransUnion -- every year. That means, if you spread out the freebie access and obtain one report from a different agency every four months, you've effectively set up your own credit monitoring service. The federally sanctioned freebie is at AnnualCreditReport.com. Avoid similar-sounding Web sites.

Also, under a recent class-action settlement anyone with a credit card account from January 1987 to May 2008 is eligible for free credit monitoring benefits and other related services from TransUnion.

A recent data loss case also resulted in free credit report monitoring services for certain Bank of New York Mellon customers.

Even without free credit monitoring services, consumers who want to keep closer tabs on their information than what's provided by a free credit report every four months can turn to online banking, investment and financial account services that permit daily looks at activity on their accounts. Check with your financial institution for details.



Q: How can I find a competent contractor to install solar panels on my home?

A: Start with local, regional, state and then federal solar incentive programs offering tax and cash back incentives. They typically point to qualifying contractors or contractors affiliated and approved by the programs. In California, designated solar contractors are licensed by the Contractors State Licensing Board, specifically to perform solar energy work and other building or construction work necessary to install an active solar system. A California database; a national database of state incentive programs; and the federal U.S. Energy Department all also offer reference resources.

Q: My real estate agent says I have to disclose defects in my home for sale. But won't that turn off prospective buyers?

A: Maybe, but if you don't, your eventual buyer could sue you for not disclosing known defects that could affect the value or salability of your home. It's the law. Competent real estate professionals have a saying about uncertainty over what to disclose -- "If you can't figure it out, don't leave it out. Disclose. Disclose. Disclose." You can't and you don't have to disclose information you aren't aware of, but it behooves you to disclose to potential buyers everything from access via easements to zoo noise. You local real estate association or agent can give you all the disclosure requirements for your area.

Got questions? Send them to news@deadlinenews.com. We'll do our best to get you the most relevant answer.
© 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 news that really hits home!

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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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San Jose's Solar Home Sales Sizzle

Apparently silicon on rooftops is just as hot as silicon found in all the computer components manufactured at the nation's ground zero for technology research and development.

by Broderick Perkins
© 2008 DeadlineNews.Com

Deadline Newsroom - San Jose, CA, considered the Capital of Silicon Valley, has had its real estate market ups and downs, but certified green homes with integrated solar roofs are selling like hotcakes.

When local new home builder Pinn Brothers recently released the first nine of 51 solar roof homes in the new Orchard Heights development in San Jose, seven of the $1 million homes were snatched up the same day.

Integrated solar roofs are standard on all the homes in the Orchard Heights subdivision as well as on 19 homes at another Pinn development, Falcon Place, also in San Jose.

Pinn worked with BP Solar and Old Country Roofing for the integrated solar roofing design and construction phase of the project.

The San Jose builder's new homes also all meet the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards for new homes developed by the U.S. Green Building Council.

In addition to solar roofs generating up to 60 percent of the households' energy needs, the homes include green designs and materials that make the structure more energy efficient. That's money in the pocket of owners who enjoy smaller utility bills.

They can also boast a smaller carbon footprint than their neighbors.

But in a housing market where sales are down to record lows and prices are flat as a silicon wafer how do you sell energy-efficient million dollar homes?

The energy-efficiency factor is a big draw, but the price point is what seals the deal.

The solar roof systems cost as much as $25,000 for each home, but Pinn didn't pass that cost onto buyers.

Instead, the builder cashed in on volume, incentives from the state's energy commission and incentives from the local power utility.

The result? LEED certified homes that sell for the same price as homes without the LEED certification.

That's some real mean green.

• DeadlineNews.Com offers more green news that hits home.

• DeadlineNews.Com offers more global warming news that hits home.

© 2008 DeadlineNews.Com

Advertise on DeadlineNews.Com

Get news that really hits home for your Web site or blog from DeadlineNews.Com.

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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