Remodeling trends come and go, which is a good thing if you're talking about shag carpet or avocado-colored Formica. But some trends have both staying power and universal appeal, such as the strengthening movement toward homes that are more energy efficient and eco-friendly.

"Demand is high for homes that are not only attractive and comfortable, but also that perform well," says Patrick L. O'Toole, editorial director and publisher of Professional Rebuilder magazine. "Today's homeowners are looking for remodeling options that make their homes more energy-efficient. Cost-savings over the long-term and minimizing a home's environmental footprint make energy- efficient remodeling very appealing to homeowners. At the same time, they're not willing to sacrifice quality design and beauty."

Upgrading a few key systems can help homeowners involved in remodeling projects improve their homes' energy efficiency and operate their households in a more environmentally conscious way. If you're planning some remodeling in the coming year, O'Toole suggests keeping these "green" points in mind:

Energy-efficient appliances

Household appliances account for nearly 35 percent of a home's energy consumption, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration'sResidential Energy Consumption Survey. Reducing the amount of energy appliances consume can help homeowners lower utility bills and save hundreds of dollars over the lifetime of an appliance. The federal ENERGY STAR program provides consumers with a valuable reference when shopping for energy efficient appliances. A newer designation called "ENERGY STAR Most Efficient" recognizes the top products in their category for efficiency, across categories like appliances, TVs and electronics from leading brands like LG. This new classification can be especially helpful to environmentally- conscious consumers when they're renovating, according to O'Toole.

"Increased awareness of the value of energy efficiency has made an ENERGY STAR rating a 'must' for many homeowners when they're shopping for new appliances," he says. "Replacing older, less efficient appliances with newer, ENERGY STAR-rated ones can both transform the look of a kitchen and ensure long-term cost savings while addressing climate change."

Many remodelers today are seeking premium built-in design and innovative technology along with enhanced efficiency, all of which can be found in LG Studio appliances. This high-end suite of appliances, from refrigerators to cooktops, and wall ovens to dishwashers emphasizes savvy, state-of-the art design that is as user-friendly as they are efficient. For example, the 42-inch side- by-side refrigerator/freezer is ENERGY STAR-qualified and offers 26.5 cubic feet of capacity, and the SpacePlus Ice System that frees up valuable top-shelf space by moving the icemaker into the refrigerator door. Also, the counter-depth Door-in-Door Refrigerator provides a built-in and seamless look while the unique, Door-in- Door feature offers convenience and easy organization as well as keeping the cool air from escaping the refrigerator by not opening the main door.

Solar options

Solar energy is becoming increasingly practical and affordable for residential use. Currently, the most common uses for solar power in homes are in heating water and generating electricity.

Water heating accounts for nearly 18 percent of a home's energy consumption, according to the Energy Information Administration survey. Replacing an older, less efficient electric water heater with an ENERGY STAR-qualified solar water heating system can reduce hot water costs by 50 percent, EnergyStar.gov says. These heaters also reduce a home's carbon dioxide emissions by half and can last as long as 20 years.

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Energy Efficiency, a Remodeling Trend That's Here to Stay

WILLMAR - TPI Hospitality, owner of the Holiday Inn Hotel and Conference Center in New Ulm, is announcing the start of a multi-million dollar major reconstruction project of the facility.

In addition to an extensive renovation of the hotel guest rooms, a reconfiguration and remodel of the hotel public spaces will include the addition of two elevators to allow guests easy access to all hotel facilities, a new larger fitness room, and expanded lobby area offering a full hot complimentary breakfast to guests daily.

Exterior upgrades to the parking lot and landscaping, an expansion and remodeling of the New Ulm Conference Center. The current restaurant will be expanded to include an extensive outdoor patio and fireplace.

Staff photo by Steve Muscatello The Holiday Inn in New Ulm will undergo a multi-million dollar reconstruction project, according to owner TPI Hospitality. When completed the hotel will become a Best Western Plus.

The project will be completed in five phases.

"We take great pride in the fact that we have been a member of this community for 35 years," said Mitch Peterson, President of TPI Hospitality.

When the project is completed, the newly renovated hotel will become a Best Western Plus facility.

Preliminary work on the first phase of construction began this week. The renovation of the hotel's public areas is expected to be completed by late spring, followed by the exterior upgrades in June and the hotel room renovation in late summer.

The final stages of the project will include the restaurant and conference center, both of which are expected to be completed in late summer or early fall, in time for Oktoberfest.

Company spokesperson Dee Anne Osborne said the hotel would continue to operate throughout the construction phase. The restaurant renovations will require that it be shut down sometime in the summer for about a week, but not until the lobby has been completed and is serving breakfasts.

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Extensive remodeling planned at Holiday Inn

An architect's rendering of what Brancheau PE Complex will look like after a major overhaul of the recreation facilities. Completion date is projected to be spring 2015. (Courtesy art)

SILVER CITY >> WNMU will soon begin a complete overhaul of the recreational facilities around Old James Stadium, including the repair and redesign of the university swimming pool. At the most recent Board of Regents meeting, a resolution was passed to seek $4 million in outside funding, with a student fee being used to pay back the debt.

"It is amazing to know that soon our students will benefit from an extraordinary project with the addition of this new recreation center," student body President Edna Reyes said in a news release. "It is time to offer our students a great quality experience on campus through more choices. I know it will be a great addition to this campus."

A blueprint shows a running track beneath the bleachers and around the border of Old James Stadium, as well as a basketball court and sand volleyball court. Within the Brancheau PE Complex, more than 10,000 square feet of the existing facility will be renovated to include two 25-meter swimming lanes in addition to a large shallow swimming area for programs such as aqua aerobics. The reduction in size of the existing pool will make way for a state-of-the-art fitness and weight room and an improved changing room and locker facility.

"Since I came to Silver City, reviving the swimming pool has been a priority because I believe it will continue to enhance our students and our community's quality of life," WNMU President Joseph Shepard said in the news release. "Further, the recreation complex will allow us to more effectively recruit and retain students, since studies indicate that if students form relationships among their peers they are more likely to persist and earn degrees. Facilities such as the recreation center provide opportunities for developing these relationships," Shepard added.

Shepard met with several university departments to brainstorm the programs that will operate in the new facility. Students, faculty and staff will receive free memberships to the facilities, with a membership fee for community members.

Originally constructed in 1979, the Brancheau PE Complex was named after former Mustang coach Tim Brancheau. After more than 30 years, an imbalance in chemical stability paired with excessive water loss led to the closure of the pool facility about three years ago.

Renovations will begin once cost estimates are finalized and bonds are issued. The facility is projected to open in spring 2015.

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WNMU's former pool and P.E. complex set for modernizing and remodeling

Siding with more than 30 residents fearful of overloaded utilities and radiation emissions, the Malibu City Council on Monday unanimously rejected the installation of a tenth T-Mobile cell phone antenna node on an already-existing utility pole in Point Dume.

The cell equipment rejection was the first of its kind by the city council, according to Planning Director Joyce Parker-Bozylinski, and raised a larger question among officials and residents regarding the safety of cell phone and utility equipment distribution throughout Malibu. Many noted a risk in the piecemeal add-ons, with more and more communications equipment being added to utility poles and little scrutiny being given.

We need to take a look at the way we do cell towers in this city, said Councilman John Sibert.

An application by Crown Castle Communications to install the antenna for T-Mobile was first appealed last year by a group of Point Dume neighbors who live near the pole in question. The Malibu Planning Commission denied the appeal in December, siding with city staffs assertion that the cell antenna met all necessary design and installation standards. Grayfox resident Matt Rapf then appealed the planning commissions decision to the city council.

Components of the installation would have included a 24-foot utility cable, 4-foot radio reception unit, 2-foot by 7-inch antenna and one-foot utility box on an already-existing utility pole on Grayfox Street.

Carver Chiu, a representative for antenna applicant Crown Castle, said the installation on Grayfox Street would fill an important void for coverage in Point Dume by servicing 44 homes and a beach access pathway in the eastern peninsula of the neighborhood.

Theres a growing demand for the infrastructure to support our societal craving for technology, he said.

But residents argued adding another antenna to a pole already seemingly overloaded by other communications equipment was a huge safety risk.

Theres all kinds of people working [at that utility pole] all the time. Weve had a lot of new loads put on those poles, said Madelyn Glickfeld, a Grayfox Street resident. I dont think anybodys looking at the weight of those poles.

Laetz, who helped overhaul statewide safety regulations on utility poles, spoke out against the new antenna as well.

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City Council Rejects Cell Antenna; Implications for Future Building?

VALLEY FORGE, PA -- Your family home could be the next to receive the ultimate facelift from CertainTeed Corporation. North America's leading brand of building products has begun its hugely popular annual call for video entries from homeowners to showcase their wish lists for a dream house exterior redesign.

This summer, one lucky winner will receive $75,000 worth of exterior building products, including installation, through the 2014 CertainTeed Exterior Living Spaces Home Makeover Contest.

To enter the contest, homeowners need to wrangle up their cast of kin, show off their acting talents and upload their most entertaining 30- to 90-second video to the CertainTeed Living Spaces Facebook page (www.facebook.com/certainteedlivingspaces). Videos should creatively explain why their home needs a makeover using CertainTeed's expansive selection of polymer, insulated and vinyl siding, roofing, housewrap, decking, railing, fence and trim.

CertainTeed will be accepting entries through 11:59 p.m. EST on May 19 and will announce the winner on or about June 6.

Video entries will appear on the CertainTeed Living Spaces Facebook contest page where visitors can vote for their favorite until 11:59 p.m. EST on Memorial Day, May 26. The top 10 videos, as selected by Facebook users, will be in competition for best overall pick by CertainTeed judges. The winning family will also star in a series of Facebook and YouTube(R) video webisodes featuring their home's remarkable transformation, with the freedom to choose the latest mix and match of products, colors, styles and textures for exceptional curb appeal. Nine runners-up will each receive $500 exterior living spaces prize packages. For more information and complete contest details, visit http://www.facebook.com/certainteedlivingspaces.

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Enter CertainTeed's $75,000 Exterior Living Spaces Home Makeover Contest

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Culpeper VA metal roofing | Alpha Rain | 540-222-1642
Old tin roof that is going to be recycled, new therma-ventilation system under new metal roofing. We are installing a new metal roof in Culpeper VA, we are ...

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