Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

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SANTA FE, N.M. I was visiting our friends Joe and Alice Hardy in their home in coastal southern Maine a year or so ago. They have solar panels and wood stoves but, as Joe explained, they also have a heat pump.

What are heat pumps? I asked. Joe tried to explain how heat pumps work. They work a lot like refrigerators, you know, he said, assuming I knew all about how refrigerators work. I honestly didnt understand what he was saying at the time or its implications.

So, what are they and how do they work? As I have since learned, heat pumps are an efficient home heating and cooling system that can save you money. They work because, believe it or not, heat can be extracted from cold air.

Joe was right. Our refrigerators are a lot like heat pumps. But a heat pump has a condenser unit that is outside your house. It yields both hot and cold air, and it also has an indoor unit that passes the hot or cold air into your home. Heat pumps use electricity and refrigerant to move heat from one location to another. A heat pump extracts heat from the air, transferring it to the coolant. When the coolant is compressed, heat is produced. Then the coolant is transferred to the indoor unit, where it releases heat.

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What heat pumps do is provide heat, air-conditioning and humidity control. In the cold time of year, they move heat from outdoors to your home. In the hot time of year, they move heat from your house to the outside. And, as Consumer Reports states in its buying guide, they are often more cost-efficient than conventional furnaces, which generate heat by burning fossil fuels. The most common are air-source systems. They have both an indoor and an outdoor unit. The refrigerant circulates between the two units absorbing and releasing heat. But Consumer Report says that, if your winter temperatures are below 10 to 25 degrees, you will need an auxiliary heating system.

When this concept is applied to residential heating and cooling applications, it works because, in a heat pump, less energy is used to produce the hot or cold air than the heat or cold generated. And heat pumps work well for both applications. They also improve indoor air quality since fresh air is introduced into your home.

It seems counterintuitive, but even extreme cold has heat energy, and the heat pump extracts it and transfers into your home. However, they are not as efficient in cold temperatures, since more heating than cooling is required. So, in colder climates, heat pumps often require a back-up heating source. And make sure your home is well-insulated before you consider a heat pump. If you have a super insulated home, they could work very well.

There are three basic types: air source described above, water source should you have a nearby body of water, and ground source or geo-thermal. They all gather heat from different sources. The cheapest and easiest is air-source, but they need to be customized for maximum efficiency. Both ductless and ducted systems are available and they can be multi-zoned. All systems sold have an EnergyGuide label that explains their heating and cooling efficiency.

You can get a lot of information about heat pumps at energy.gov, or you can just ask your plumber, like I did.

My plumber referred me to Bob Deeds of Santa Fe Home Services. Bob moved here from Phoenix. He told me, Almost everyone in Phoenix is using heat pumps for both heating and cooling. They are up to three times more efficient than conventional systems.

He installs heat pump systems regularly. But he cautioned, here, you may need auxiliary heat and heat pumps are electric, so heating bills may be higher. Most people who put them in here do so for cooling because conventional cooling systems require so much maintenance.

Bob believes that, as we transition more from fossil fuels, heat pumps will play a much bigger role and that, eventually, heat pump systems will be automatically placed in new homes.

Joe Hardy runs his heat pump with solar. According to Joe, Efficiency Maine, a statewide program, hopes to help install 100,000 residential heat pumps in the next five years.

If it is time to replace your old furnace, you might consider a heat pump. Heat pumps can play a large role in reducing global emissions as we move from a carbon-intense economy. The bottom line is that, if they work in Maine, they can work even better here in a much warmer climate.

Judith Polich/For the Journal

Judith Polich, a longtime New Mexico resident, is a retired attorney with a background in environmental studies and is a student of climate change. She can be reached at judith.polich@gmail.com>href=http://judith.pol>judith.polich@gmail.com

Read the rest here:
What are heat pumps and why would you want one? - Albuquerque Journal

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) As the winter cold snap continues to move through the Midwest, energy cooperatives are urging members to conserve energy.

The Southwest Power Pools (SPP) region is experiencing a generation shortfall due to historic low temperatures along with limited wind resource output from North Dakota down to Arkansas according to a Facebook post by Oahe Electric Cooperative.

Oahe Electric is asking their members to help reduce the energy demand while these frigid temperatures continue by limiting showers, drying clothes, grain handling and drying, baking and other high energy demand activities during this cold snap.

Here are some of the other ways you can conserve energy in your household, according to energy.gov:

The sunlight is a good way to add some extra warmth to your house. Open curtains on south-facing windows during to day to allow sunlight to naturally heat your home. Make sure to close these curtains at night though, to reduce the chill from cold windows.

Using window treatments and coverings can help to improve your energy efficiency and reduce the amount of cold draft throughout your house. Apply a heavy-duty, clear plastic sheet on a frame or tape a clear, plastic film to the inside of your window frames, making sure they are tightly sealed to the frame to reduce infiltration. Install tight-fitting, insulating drapes or shades on windows that continue to feel drafty after weatherizing.

Adjusting your house temperature is an easy way to reduce your energy usage. When you are awake and home, set your thermostat as low as comfortable. When you are asleep or out of the house, turn your thermostat back ten to fifteen degrees for eight hours to save around ten percent on your heating and cooling bills. It is recommended to use a smart or programmable thermostat, which can make it easy to set back your temperature.

If you have a heat pump, maintain a moderate setting or use a programmable thermostat that is designed to be used with heat pumps.

Detect air leaks around the utility cut-throughs for pipes, gaps around chimneys and recessed lights in insulating ceilings and unfinished spaces. You should also add caulk or weather-stripping to seal air leaks around doors and windows.

Make sure you are maintaining your heating systems and schedule service for them. Replace you filter for furnaces and heat pumps once a month, or as need. When using wood-and pellet-burning heaters, make sure to clean the flue vent regularly, along with cleaning the inside of the appliance with a wire brush periodically.

Use can reduce heat loss from your fireplace by keeping the damper closed unless a fire is burning. When you use the fireplace, open dampers in the bottom of the firebox or open the nearest window slightly and close the doors into the room, while lowering the thermostat setting to between 50 and 55 degrees.

If you never use the fireplace, plug and seal the chimney flue to reduce heat loss. If you do use the fireplace, install tempered glass doors and a heat-air exchange system that blows the warmed air back into the room. You can find out more ways to improve fireplace efficiency at energy.gov.

Lower your water heating costs by turning down the water heater temperature to the warm setting (120 degrees F).

Read more:
Ways to conserve energy during the winter months - KELOLAND.com

Hello, Earthlings!This is our weekly newsletter on all things environmental, where we highlight trends and solutions that are moving us to a more sustainable world.(Sign up hereto get it in your inbox everyThursday.)

This week:

Why geothermal is a hot trend in new condos

Building an energy hub on an artificial island

Ontario has fewer Canada jays, likely thanks to climate change

Many condominiums being designed and built right now in Canada are greener than their predecessors not just from the ground up but also deep down. That's because many are turning to fossil fuel-free geothermal or geoexchange technology for their heating and cooling.

While most geothermal systems in the past 40 years have been installed in single-family homes, those in the industry say growth in the market is now driven by condominiums.

"That market is increasing and actually increasing very, very quickly right now," said Stanley Reitsma, president of the Ontario GeothermalAssociation.

Geoexchange is a type of electric heating and cooling that draws heat -- and cooling -- from the ground. (Note: While "geothermal" is the more commonly used term, "geoexchange" is preferred in the industry because it's less likely to be confused with geothermal energy, a different technology for power generation.)

In the past five years, the proportion of condos with this type of electric heating has more than doubled to five per cent in Ontario, Reitsma estimates.

Lloyd Jacobs, general manager of FortisBC Alternative Energy Services, which has installed geothermal systems in dozens of multi-residential buildings in B.C., said there is "a huge demand" for alternative heating systems in large buildings that might have been heated by fossil fuels or baseboard heaters in the past.

Traditionally, a challenge for geothermal energy is the high cost of digging and installing the borefield that is, the liquid-filled underground loops that store and supply the heating and cooling to the system.

But Martin Luymes, vice-president of government relations for the Heating Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada, said those upfront expenses are now offset by savings from things like lower energy and maintenance costs in as little as three to five years for large buildings.

Luymes and Reitsma said there are a few reasons for that and for why condos might want to install geoexchange systems now.

They include:

Green building regulations. Many cities are tightening building standards for efficiency and emissions. For example, the Toronto Green Standard is on track to require new buildings to have close to zero carbon emissions by 2030. Reitsma points out that's not too far away, so many builders want to learn and gain some experience with geoexchange systems now. Similarly, B.C.'s Energy Step Code aims to make all new buildings "net-zero energy ready" by 2032, prompting many condo developers to look for solutions, Jacobs said.

New ways to pay. Builders now have an alternative to paying the upfront infrastructure cost themselves third parties such as FortisBC Alternative Energy Systems and Toronto-based Diverso Energy will build and operate the borefield, then charge a monthly or annual service fee over decades to the condo owners. This way, "the developer gets to offload the risk and the costs associated with geothermal," said Jon Mesquita, Diverso Energy's chief operating officer. In B.C., such utilities are regulated and there are regulatory incentives for signing up with them.

Cheaper cooling and more leasable space. Reitsma said a big difference between condo buildings and smaller buildings is the cooling requirements. Highrises usually require bulky, expensive cooling towers. Because geoexchange systems cool as well as heat, they eliminate the need for cooling towers. That often frees up rooftop space that can be used for penthouse suites, rooftop gardens and other amenities. In multi-use buildings, Jacobs said, heat captured from commercial spaces during cooling can often be used in residential parts of the building.

Interest in and adoption of geoexchange isn't even across the country. Luymes said that's partly because the emissions reductions and therefore the incentive to switch away from heating with fossil fuels are greater in provinces with a clean grid.

He suggested that could change in the future as provincial governments work to decarbonize their electricity grids.

Given the current rock-bottom prices for natural gas, he said, "geoexchange probably won't become a predominant or default technology in our industry ever unless and until supportive policies by the government are implemented."

Emily Chung

Last week, Jade Prevost-Manuel wrote about the relative lack of rooftop solar installations in Canada compared to other countries and some of the reasons.

A number of you pointed out that one disincentive in Canada is our electricity bills have a lot of fixed charges, such as distribution and transmission.

Rochelle Jackson wrote: "I've looked into this and if we were to put solar panels on our home and generate our own power, we would still have to pay all those other charges, regardless of how much power we use from the grid. Where is the incentive for homeowners to pay for panels when the bulk of the bill they now pay will still arrive every month?"

There are also some risks with solar in urban areas.Christine Brown wrote: "We have a south-facing roof on our Toronto house, and would gladly install solar panels, except for one problem. In many neighbourhoods in the city, additional floors are constantly being added to existing residential structures. As there are no real restrictions to prevent this, any solar panels we might install could be rendered useless should our neighbour to the south decide to add another story. Urban planning and licensing need to be part of the solar energy strategy."

Some of you also noted that utility-scale solar is much cheaper than rooftop solar.

Robert Macinnes wrote: "Community-built fields of collectors are far more efficient in terms of labour and cost. Each municipality should offer its citizens a chance to buy shares in a large solar array. This has been realized the world over with very satisfactory results."

There's also a radio show! As the rescue in Uttarakhand, India, unfolds after deadly flooding that followed part of a glacier breaking away, scientists are questioning whether climate change was the cause. This week, we explore cascading climate impacts of glaciers, and what can be done to help keep people safe. Listen to What on Earth on CBC Radio One on Sunday at 12:30 p.m., 1 p.m. in Newfoundland, orany time on podcast orCBC Listen.

Denmark is the largest oil producer in the European Union, but the country plans to phase out fossil fuel extraction by 2050. As part of its transition strategy, the Danish Energy Agency is building an artificial island in the North Sea to gather and distribute green energy from hundreds of offshore wind turbines to countries in Europe. The energy hub, billed as the first of its kind in the world, will be 80 kilometres offshore and cover at least 12 hectares -- the size of nearly 15 Canadian football fields. In the first phase, about 200 wind turbines will generate five gigawatts of energy, or enough to power three million homes. Later, the plan is to expand that to 12 gigawatts, or enough to power 10 million homes. The Danish Energy Agency announced an agreement earlier this month to build the hub as a public-private partnership, although the island itself will be majority-owned by the government. It is scheduled for completion by 2030.

The number of Canada jays in southern Ontario is decreasing because of more frequent freeze-thaw days as a result of climate change, according to recently published research.

The birds' winter food stock was compromised when fall temperatures fluctuated. The food would defrost, grow bacteria and in some cases become inedible.

And that had an effect on the birds' reproduction and population numbers, University of Guelph researchers found in a study recently published in the scientific journal Global Change Biology.

"If your food is being spoiled, you have less food that you can devote to survival and reproduction," said Alex Sutton, who was a PhD student at the University of Guelph when he co-led the study with Ryan Norris, an associate professor in the university's department of integrative biology.

"What seems to be happening is that they need to decide either to survive or to reproduce," said Sutton, now a post-doctoral fellow at Kansas State University.

If the warming pattern in the fall continues to affect reproduction and food supply, the birds could become locally extinct from Algonquin Provincial Park and other southern Ontario ranges, said Sutton.

Canada jays are known for storing their food which can be anything from berries to roadkill meat in nearby trees for the winter.

However, when their food supply degraded with the freeze-thaw weather, the non-migratory birds produced fewer young or hatchlings in poorer condition, Sutton said.

"On average, the number of nestlings has declined over time, or at least in years where there's unfavourable fall conditions," he said.

And that has long-term implications, according to the study with data spanning almost 40 years.

The study looked at the birds in a small part of the park, which is about 280 kilometres northeast of Toronto. However, the Canada jay population that has been studied in the park has ranged from a high of 85 to now between 40 and 50 depending on the year, Sutton said.

"Reproduction was really the key thing that was promoting this decline in Algonquin."

The study used bird population numbers from 1980 to 2018, as well as environment data recorded in Algonquin Provincial Park since 1977 to look at the effects of the fluctuations in temperatures on the bird population and their food supply.

Between 1980 and 1996, which had 10 years of above-average freeze-thaw cycles, the researchers found that the birds' numbers dropped significantly.

Although there were fewer above-average number of freeze-thaw cycles and more breeding success in later years, the birds' numbers never rebounded from "a period of poor environmental conditions that occurred several decades prior," according to the study.

David Bird, a retired professor of wildlife biology at Montreal's McGill University, said the amount of detailed data included in the study is impressive but the results are troubling.

"There's still lots of challenges out there," he said. "Climate change is very worrisome."

Sutton and Bird believe the effects of climate change on the birds' food supply could eventually push the species further north.

The Canada jay can be found in every province and territory, but little is known about the effects of climate change on northern populations.

The study said citizen science databases, like Christmas bird counts, "help to fill this gap in our knowledge and be used to estimate population trends at more northern latitudes." The bird is important to many Canadians, so much so there's a campaign led by Bird and others, like Norris, to name the Canada jay the country's national bird.

Sutton said it's important that we find out more about the Canada jay.

"I think it's really important that we try to understand how this species is actually responding to climate change throughout its entire range," Sutton said.

"This could be a really key point to understanding how future population declines or even changes might occur with changing climate."

Stephanie Dubois

Are there issues you'd like us to cover? Questions you want answered? Do you just want to share a kind word? We'd love to hear from you. Email us atwhatonearth@cbc.ca.

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Editor: Andre Mayer | Logo design: Skdt McNalty

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Why geothermal is a hot trend in new condos - CBC.ca

The Solar Initiatives (tSI) heat pump subsidy program has proved to be very popular. Over 40 island families have signed up or are ready to learn more. tSI is offering up to $6,000 to offset the cost of a home heat pump installation. That sounds great, but what is a heat pump and how does it work?

Some heat pump facts:

1. A heat pump does not generate heat; rather it moves (pumps) heat from one place to another, for example, from outside to inside your home. Because it does not generate heat, it is much more efficient regarding energy consumption than the old resistance type electrical heating systems.

2. Not surprisingly then, a heat pump system has two major components: the pump, which is located outdoors and an air-handler (which many folk call a minisplit), which is located indoors.

3. The outdoor unit contains a fan which blows air across a coil. Thus heat is transferred to the fluid in the coil. Then a condenser condenses the fluid making it even hotter and pumps it indoors.

4. At that point the indoor unit goes to work blowing air across the now fluid, heated coil and into the rooms of your home.

5. The fluid that conveys the heat is usually a refrigerant, thus necessitating licensed installers.

6. The connection between the outdoor unit and the indoor one are two pipes, usually about one inch in diameter. Often these pipes are hidden in a soffit for aesthetic reasons.

7. Now one of the magical things about this heat pump system is that it can work backwards! When the direction is reversedit takes heat out of your house and pumps it outdoors. So one heat pump system is a heater in the winter and an air conditioner in the summer.

8. And while cooling your house in the summer, it condenses moisture which is typically drained outside via--wait for it--a drainage hose.

9. Now heat pump systems are generally much more efficient than other heating sources. But when the temperature drops down below 10 degrees F, its efficiency declines. For homes with an existing heat source, the Solar Initiative recommends maintaining that system for use on extremely cold days.

10. Although heat pump systems use pre-manufactured components, the exact sizing and configuration needs to be customized to each home and the owners needs and wishes. Once COVID allows us to resume proposals, contracts, and installations we will do so, but it may be some time before we can install systems in every home that wishes one.

Now lets talk about the subsidy. If the equipment you order for the installation at your home equals or exceeds $6,000 you will receive the full subsidy of $6,000. If not, then you will be eligible for a two thirds subsidy of the installation up to a cap of $6,000. However, you must contact me by email at pappas.anthony@gmail.com before March 31st to be on the subsidy list. Subsequently, CoolEnergy will make a proposal which you will be free to accept or reject.

David Reidy of CoolEnergy is our installer. He will be contacting everyone on our list as soon as health and safety factors allow.

For more information, feel free to call me at 508-272-8822.

See the original post:
Everything you always wanted to know about heat pumps but were afraid to ask - Block Island Times

Everyone wants a home or work environment thats enjoyable to be in. However, some spaces fall short of our ideal with draughty doors, windows that rattle in bad weather, or other such common issues.

Flores Construction offers a variety of construction-based services in the Baltimore, Maryland area. Whether you are fully renovating your space or simply installing new doors and windows, you can rely on the talented and friendly Flores Construction team to provide you with high-quality workmanship and first-class customer service. With their help, you can instantly update your home or workspace and make your money stretch further for the amazing results you get.

Professional, affordable, durable

If youre searching for stylish new window and doors, or perhaps want to complete a bigger remodeling project for your home or office, then look no further than Flores Construction, Baltimore. The company offers reliable and professional window and door installation services to meet every requirement.

For years, the Flores Construction team have been helping homeowners and business owners select and install top quality windows and doors that are suited to every style and budget, all the while consistently offering great value for money and exceptional customer service. The company offers a variety of different types of glass for their window installations, such as clear, frosted, tinted, or even etched. This ensures that there is something to suit every customers unique sense of style and privacy or security needs.

When it comes to doors, Flores Construction once again always strives to meet your design, efficiency and security requirements in your home or office. From start to finish, Flores can guarantee an exceptional service; every team member has the knowledge and professional expertise to perform tasks safely and efficiently, and will carry out the necessary work with utmost respect for you and your property.

A wise investment

Flores Construction knows that replacing draughty old doors and ill-fitting windows is a great investment in your home or place of business. By doing this, you can not only easily update your space on a budget, you can also:

So, if youre in need of door replacement Baltimore, MD or window installation Baltimore, MD, reach out to the team today!

More information

Flores Construction is an expert renovation company based in Baltimore, MD, specializing in window and door installations. For more information, you can visit https://floresconsinc.com/. If you would like to request a free quote or arrange a no-obligation consultation about your design options, you can email [emailprotected] or call the team on (410) 705 2590.

Source:https://thenewsfront.com/flores-construction-specialists-in-window-and-door-installations-and-home-renovations/

Link:
Flores Construction: Specialists in Window and Door Installations and Home Renovations Latest News on The News Front - The News Front

KANSAS CITY, MO (KCTV) Having your heating bills rise in this extreme cold is almost unavoidable, but there are ways to lessen that expense.

Two energy efficiency representatives, one from electricity supplier Evergy and one from natural gas supplier Sprire, walked us through a house to highlight those places and solutions.

I like to work from the bottom and go up, said Evergys Nicholas Newport, move the same way the air does, from the basement into the attic.

Newport said one thing to look for is cobwebs.

Wherever you see cobwebs is actually where the air is moving in and out of the house, Newport explained.

If you have an unfinished basement, you might notice them in the corners of the ceiling. That means you should add some insulation on those upper walls

The basement windows we looked at were filled with cobwebs and on closer inspection, there was light coming through gaps in the wooden window frames.

You can feel that air coming in and now you can see the light coming in, Newport said as he held his hand up to the window.

The way to fix that is with window caulk or low expanding foam.

Another culprit is the pipes, starting in the basement then working your way up.

When youre thinking about air infiltration coming into your house, its coming in from outside and going up through your house and to your attic. And the leading spot for that actually is the bathroom. Newport said.

Those gaps should be filled with an expanding foam spray.

Once upstairs, check your doors. Feel for air. Look for light coming through the sides or bottom.

Spire energy efficiency representative Lemartt Holman suggested a test that involves nothing more than a piece of paper.

If I simply open the door and I place a piece of paper in, [then shut the door], and Im able to easily pull it out, thats another opportunity for insulation, Holman described.

Weather stripping, including door sweeps for the base of the door, can accommodate even canted door frames in a house that has settled over many years

When you screw it into your door, you can adjust the angle of it, Newport clarified.

Until you get to the hardware store for that, theres the quick short-term fix of shoving an old towel up against the bottom of the door.

Then there are the windows.

Youve probably heard about the heat-sealed plastic that can seal windows. You might not want it on windows through which youd escape a fire, but there are other windows you might not think about.

Newport noticed a decorative back door with windows.

On your door here, you have a lot of single pane windows. And this actually get very cold, he noted. To touch it felt like reaching into the refrigerator.

Thats why a storm door is important, but its also where that plastic works well.

Newport said the plastic can go on either side of the window. Pick the side less likely to get paint damage, which is a possibility when removed. If you want the edges less visible, consider putting it on the outside.

And you put on this tape right around the edges here, attach the film to it, cut it to size and use a blow dryer to make it tight, he demonstrated.

Another option is heavyweight curtains.

Holman said its also a good idea to double check the windows with sashes to be sure they are securely closed.

One of the ways that youre able to stop airflow from coming into your home is to make sure that your windows are completely locked, pressing completely to the top, and then locking these, it will help to keep the insulation engaged, he said.

Also, be sure your screen is switched to the storm if you have one. It seems obvious, but some of us might have neglected that.

Spire and Evergy both have programs that offer assistance for bills and rebates for audits and repairs.

*During the winter months, your heat will not be turned off for non-payment. However, the payment is not forgiven, and you will need to come up with a payment plan by Spring.

*Spire and Evergy do offer a Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) which provides federal funding to assist families with maintaining or restoring heating services. You can find more information on whether you qualify and whom to contact in each state here.

*Evergy participates in a program called Dollar-Aide. The money comes from individual customers to help fellow customers who might be struggling. The funds are delivered not directly through the utilities but through local social service agencies who work with those in need of funding for their heating, cooling and water bills. Click here to find out how to donate.

*Spire has a similar program called DollarHelp. You can donate here.

*Evergy is currently offering a free ecobee smart thermostat for enrolling in a program that allows the utility to adjust your thermostat settings remotely during times of high use throughout the region. There is a $50 charge for installation. You can find more on that limited time offer here.

*On the Missouri side, Evergy and Spire work jointly with low income families who are interested in an energy efficiency assessment. Its essentially a home walk-through that can also now be done virtually. There is no charge if you qualify. The home energy audit team will leave you with some energy efficiency materials such as low flow faucet aerators and LED light bulbs. Information can be found here.

*The U.S. Department of Energy has a list of all low-income weatherization and subsidy programs offered throughout the nation by state and county. That can be found here.

*In both Kansas and Missouri, the two utilities have a joint program with no income restrictions in which they connect you with a contractor to do a thorough evaluation of the home and install improvements such as insulation. The cost of the service must be paid by customers, but rebates are offered by the utilities to offset the cost. Contact the utility's customer service for more information.

Follow this link:
How to find where cold air is coming into your house and how to fix it - KCTV Kansas City

The number of pending contracts for homes in the U.K. was up 7% in January compared to the previous year, according to a Monday report from Rightmove.

In addition, the average listing price of U.K. residences ticked up by 0.5% in January, compared to the previous month, as a shortage of homes for sale continued to drive price growth. New listings dropped 21% last month, compared to 2020, the data showed.

More: London-Based Interior Designer on Creating Luxury Layouts

As well as the current lockdown motivating buyer demand again, the restrictions have also been a factor in limiting new supply, leading to some modest upwards price pressure, Tim Bannister, director of property data at Rightmove, said in the report. These are strong signs that new buyer demand is not facing a cliff-edge after March 31.

That date marks the end of the stamp duty holiday in the U.K. that has saved buyers of homes under 500,000 (US$695,175) from having to pay the levy. For buyers of more expensive homes, the tax break amounts to 15,000 in savings.

It remains to be seen if this momentum will be enough to make up for the removal of the stamp duty savings that are benefitting many buyers and have been adding a sense of urgency to the whole market, Mr. Bannister said.

About 100,000 buyers, or one in five, who agreed to buy a home last summer still have not completed the deal and could lose out on the tax savings, according to the report.

More: London-Based New Development Expert Says Builders Need to Offer More

U.K. Chancellor Rishi Sunak is reportedly considering extending the holiday six weeks, which could mean tax savings on between 120,000 and 160,000 additional transactions, Rightmove said in a separate news release Tuesday.

Sellers who agreed to a sale last year...are now desperately trying to get their deals over the line, Mr. Bannister said. The delays have been a result of the huge number trying to go through, along with the many challenges of the people involved in the process working from home. If there was a six-week extension, it should give the majority of the sales from last year the chance to complete in time.

Follow this link:
U.K. Home Deals Rose 7% in January Year Over Year - Mansion Global

Welcome back from a long holiday weekend that, for many in the U.S., saw startlingly low temperatureswelcome or not, an excuse to sit inside. (Perhaps an apt moment to take a lesson from the cohort of South Korean homebodies vlogging about the simple pleasures theyve cultivated at home.) As the industry returns to desks this week, stay in the know with our weekly roundup of headlines, launches and events, recommended reading, and more.

BUSINESS NEWS

Zillow Group has entered into a $500 million agreement to acquire ShowingTime.com, an online scheduling platform for home showings. With a network of nearly 1 million agents across the U.S., the platform is poised to augment Zillows engagement in new and existing markets.

Monroe, Michiganbased furniture manufacturer La-Z-Boy has announced that Kurt Darrow will retire from his position of president and CEO after more than 40 years of service at the company, reports Furniture Today. Darrow will remain chairman of La-Z-Boys board of directors in a nonexecutive capacity, and former chief financial officer Melinda Whittington will succeed him as CEO.

Louisville, Kentuckybased virtual staging startup Stuccco has announced a $500,000 seed round. The company, founded in 2015, targets homeowners and real estate agents to provide e-designs starting at $499.

As reported by CNBC, despite a 15 percent slump in demand in Q2 of 2020, Danish shipping mogul Maersk just reported a 16 percent year-on-year increase in revenue for Q4, to the tune of $11.3 billion. A striking resurgence of demand came toward the end of last year, as global supply chains recovered from pandemic-related shutdowns earlier in the year, hitting the company with an unprecedented surge in demand, both from a rise in consumer spending and a mass restocking on the part of large retailers.

Cond Nast is refusing to pay its $24 million rent on its 1.2 million square feet at One World Trade Center. According to Business Insider, a statement from Conds owner, Advance Publications Inc., says the company is in discussions about bringing the lease in line with current market conditions and its ongoing needs at One World Trade. In response, Ben Branham, on behalf of Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (the buildings owner) has said, These companies are entirely capable of satisfying their legal obligations, and the Port Authority has strong rights to enforce full payment.

This week, Best Buy Co. notified store workers that it would be cutting some jobs and reducing hours as the big-box retailer adjusts to a surge in online sales. According to The Wall Street Journal, the company saw a 23 percent rise in sales in the Q3 of 2020, with a large portion of those gains owed to online orders, which nearly tripled in the U.S. in Q4. Best Buy has not yet disclosed the extent of these cuts, but one formerly full-time employee told WSJ that his once 30- to 40-hour work week would now be capped at 28 hours.

LAUNCHES, COLLABORATIONS & PARTNERSHIPS

Television retailers QVC and HSN have announced 63 new home and culinary brands that they will roll out this year as part of their Big Find initiative, which launched in 2019 as a way to promote new entrepreneurs. The group introduced new categories in the 2020 edition, including home decor, home innovation, electronics and culinary.

Hologram Tom Dixon at Stockholm Design WeekCourtesy of Tom Dixon

As part of the launch of his new Cloud collection, British designer Tom Dixon deployed a 24-hour activation at Stockholm Design Week to accompany his line of hand-beaten aluminum vessels, vases and platters. Due to the current restrictions, Dixon was unable to travel, so he turned up in a hologram.

HGTV star and interior designer Brian Patrick Flynn is launching a new television series, Mind for Design, where he will navigate projects across a spectrum of budgets and scopes. The show will find a home at the forthcoming Magnolia Network by Chip and Joanna Gaines, with streaming available through Discovery+. Last week, Flynn released a preview of the show by way of YouTubeto view the trailer, click here.

Designer J. Randall Powers has released a collection of window and wallcoverings through Hartmann&Forbes, a six-part line of checks, stripes and classic plaids.

Decorative fabric wholesaler Fabricut has introduced leather into its arsenal, offering a variety of hide sizes in a broad array of colors. Many of the companys furniture options are also available in leather upholstery.

A plate from Fabien Cappellos collection with HemCourtesy of Hem

Global design brand Hem has released the latest piece in its limited-edition decorative accessories collection, curated in partnership with Modern Design Review. In collaboration with Mexico-based French designer Fabien Cappello, the collection is made up of a series of unique glass offcut plates in a bright palette of high-contrast colors.

The NY Luxury Design Fair (formerly known as the Architectural Digest Design Show) has announced the launch of the first annual Editors Choice Awards, which will recognize outstanding products across nearly 20 categories. Submissions will reflect the wide range of products on exhibit, with close to 20 categoriesfrom lighting and kitchen and bath to furnishings and residential interior design. The fair and contest will take place September 9 to 12 at the Javits Center.

The Bay Areabased Good Future Design Alliance has launched a Colorado chapter with dedicated resources to help elevate environmentally sustainable and ethical design practices.

Paint company Behr has announced its 2021 Color of the Year: Canyon Dusk, a warm and dusty blush.

CALENDAR UPDATES

Be Original Americas will host its second annual Virtual Student Design Fellowship from June 2 to 25 for an international group of current university students. The 2020 program saw participation from more than 3,400 students across five continents, and will again be virtual and free of charge.

SHOWROOM REPRESENTATION

Italian appliance manufacturer Fulgor Milano has announced an expanded partnership with Pinnacle Sales Group Inc. for product distribution in the Northeastern U.S., adding to the 20 states where Pinnacle already distributes the brands products.

The Luna counter stool by Taylor ForrestCourtesy of The Beck

Pieces by New Yorkbased furniture designer Taylor Forrest are now available at The Beck, the Hudson Valley showroom and shop owned by interior designer Ana Claudia Schultz.

RECOMMENDED READING

Increasingly, home insurers like Chubb, Pure and AIG Private Client Group are playing a larger role in home repairs, reports The Wall Street Journal. As part of their due diligence, insurance companies are putting their risk-management specialists to work, having them evaluate clients properties and recommend and secure contractors to make upgrades. From installing app-controlled water and temperature sensors to alert homeowners of possible threats, to providing art preservationists who can develop escape plans for valuables, insurance companies are raising the bar for their wealthy clients.

In the late 19th century, France became a locus of Japonisme (the country's interpretation of Japanese aesthetics), which indelibly shaped all modern design henceforth, writes Nancy Hass in T: The New York Times Style Magazine. For more than 40 years, [Japonisme] inspired the furthest reaches of the design world: tea sets by Herms, silver and cloisonn centerpieces by Boucheron ... lacquer dressing screens by the Irish-born, Paris-based architect and designer Eileen Gray, jeweled brooches by Lucien Gaillard, glass by Ren Lalique, and wallpaper designed by the legendary art deco interior designer mile-Jacques Ruhlmann.

In a new series from The Wall Street Journal titled Thats Debatable, the publication tackles a gamut of issues, from scented moisturizers to Color of the Year trend announcements. This week, WSJ takes a look at a growing interior design trend: the double dining room table. Increasingly, for residences that have the space, designers are incorporating two dining tablesthose in favor claim it adds functionality to an underutilized space, while naysayers find the look impersonal, introducing an unnecessary hierarchy to the room.

CUE THE APPLAUSE

The National Kitchen & Bath Association has announced the winners of its 2021 Design + Industry Awards, which recognizes professionals whose work is elevating kitchen and bath design. Best Overall Kitchen was awarded to Chicago-based Summer Thornton; Best Overall Bath went to San Antonio, Texasbased Shea Pumarejo of Younique Designs; and first place for Contemporary Kitchen, Large went to Vancouver-based designer Madeleine Sloback. To view the award ceremony, click here.

Home linens brand Parachute has announced the first recipient of its Home for Dreams mentorship and grant program: Taylor Long, founder and creative director of size-inclusive swimwear brand Nomads Swimwear. The initiative was launched to support Black-owned, product-centric businesses by way of capital and business advisory.

A chandelier from Kalco Lightings award-winning Redding collectionCourtesy of Kalco Lighting

Las Vegasbased brand Kalco Lightings Redding collection has been named to this years 30 Most Innovative Kitchen & Bath Products award, given by Better Homes & Gardens: Beautiful Kitchens & Baths.

CALL FOR ENTRIES

NYCxDesigns The Magazine is now accepting submissions from New Yorkbased creatives. Until March 15, entries will be accepted across the categories of Tools, Collections and Inspirations. To learn more or submit an entry, click here.

In partnership with the New York Knicks, website platform Squarespace has announced its fourth annual Make It Awards, which grant $30,000 to four New Yorkbased entrepreneurs. Nominations will be accepted until March 12. To nominate an entrepreneur, click here.

Homepage image: Wallcovering from the J. Randall Powers collection with Hartmann&Forbes | Courtesy of Hartmann&Forbes

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The Magnolia Network has a new star, Tom Dixon is a hologram, and more - Business of Home

A LIMERICK interior designer is set to take the limelight as a new judge on the RT show Home of the Year.

Suzie McAdam, born and bred in Castletroy, is one of two new judges on RT favourite Home of the Year

After spending her secondary school years studying in the Crescent Comprehensive, Suzie moved to Dublin in 2005 to chase a career in architecture.

However, Suzies natural talent in art and her creative streak, made her turn more towards interior design: I moved away from architecture as I realised I was really drawn to colours and textures and the internals of the building appealed to me more than the building itself.

From there, Suzie has built a successful business in Dublin. Then, in the summer of 2020, she was contacted by RT to take part in this years Home of the Year. She was a bit apprehensive at first as she had just given birth to a baby in the springtime, but the opportunity beckoned her and she couldnt say no: I was a big fan of the show, Ive been watching it for years. I love seeing peoples homes, as it is what I do in a way," she told the Leader.

This years show has homes from all over the country, and Suzie says the standard is impeccably high: "I was really impressed with the level people had gone to. Ireland is not really known for its interior design but I definitely think were packing a punch when it comes to style, influences and creativity.

Suzie says the show had set criteria when it came to judging. The homes had to have a clever design, creativity and functionality. Suzie had to push her own stylistic choices aside and bring a fresh set of eyes to the judging panel. However, the main thing Suzie looked for in the homes was individuality: Homes should reflect who we are and what we love.

Suzie got the chance to travel to Limerick to judge a house for the show and said she welcomed the trip home to see her family.

I really miss Limerick actually, particularly the people. There is a humour in Limerick that is so distinctive. You dont get it anywhere else, not even in Galway or Clare. They have a kind of friendliness that isnt too much, it's got a perfect balance of wit, humour and kindness.

Suzie gave a last piece of advice for budding home decorators in Limerick as well, the most important thing, I think, is to be brave. Interior design is a medium that allows you to make bold and bright choices. You dont need to be afraid of beautiful things. You can make mistakes, you can always repaint something, I think its always better to experiment.

You can catch Suzie on Home of the Year with the first episode airing on RT One television at 8.30pm this Tuesday.

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WATCH: Limerick interior designer joins judging panel on RT's Home of the Year - Limerick Leader

Home Design

The modified Greek Revival farmhouse is the brainchild of architect Zoe McManus and interior designer Holly Gagne.

The minimalist range hood drove the placement and thickness of the cantilevered shelves in the kitchen, which also features zellige tile from Ann Sacks. The mermaid ink drawing is by local artist Paul Timmons. / Photo by Jared Kuzia

The Barretts wouldnt be that family. The one that demolishes a long-standing house on a sleepy street to erect an out-of-character replacement that would make the neighbors groan. Although Renee and Jeff Barrett favor a contemporary aestheticthe empty-nesters raised their three kids in a midcentury-modern home in Concordthey were too sensitive to make that mistake. We like design and wanted to have fun, but the neighborhood couldnt support contemporary, Renee says.

Instead, they hired architect Zoe McManus and interior designer Holly Gagne to conceive an airy interior within a traditional shell. The new dwelling supplanted a tired house just a block from the harbor on Rocky Neck in Gloucester, an area the couple love as much for its proximity to the water as for its funky, art-colony vibe. McManus designed a modified Greek Revival farmhouse with a wraparound porch that adheres closely to the original buildings footprint. It was a three-dimensional chess game, McManus says. Still, she successfully incorporated three bedrooms, a mudroom, and an office into 2,310 square feet.

Sourced from Lindas Barn in Strafford, NH, an Oushak rug provides a neutral pattern in the living area while the abstract painting by local artist Sallie Strand adds a pop of color. / Photo by Jared Kuzia

The offices sliding-glass bran door was a cost-conscious compromise to installing a full wall of glass. / Photo by Jared Kuzia

The result is anything but constrained. The open floor plan flows from the entry, around the central stair, and into the kitchen and living area. They wanted all the rooms to relate to each other and feel as big as possible, McManus says. Even Renees office feels a part of the action thanks to its transparent barn door. The glass provides privacy without isolation and doesnt interrupt the natural light. Overall, the house lives large. Were a tall family and we feel comfortable in every room, Renee says.

The design also makes the most of the seaside locale. Windows catch snippets of water views between surrounding homes without staring at their faades straight on. The kitchens back wall is solid to avoid an eyeful of shingle, while the office and the dining nook are located in windowed corners with less cluttered sightlines. You get the ambiance of Rocky Neck, McManus says. The colors and materials used throughout the home enhance this coastal flavor. The scheme is inspired by the oceans many shades of gray, blue, and green, Renee says. I saw an article recently that said gray is out. Well, it isnt if you look out our windows.

Scalloped wall tiles offer a playful touch in the powder room. / Photo by Jared Kuzia

Taking cues from the organic theme and Jeffs interest in woodworking, the couple chose character-grade, quarter-sawn oak floorboards from a mill in Vermont. Richly stained, rift-sawn oak cabinetry in the kitchen plays off the floors and grounds the space. The dark color provides contrast and depth, but doesnt feel heavy since there arent any uppers, Gagne says, referencing the single stretch of shelving on either side of the minimalist stainless steel hood.

A family trip to Italy during the design process informed the backsplash itself. Renee was inspired by the tactile quality of Italian tiles and marbles, which led to the taupe-y gray, hand-glazed terracotta tiles, Gagne says. Renee confides she initially envisioned much more colorful specimens, but that Gagne gently steered her toward neutrals. I enjoy that tile every day, the homeowner says. The beauty lies in its imperfections.

Gagne went neutral with the cushions on the adjacent banquette, too, so that Renee could showcase her collection of colorful pillows made from global textiles. The team commissioned local woodworker Andy Tolliver to craft the dining table using two slabs of Japanese elm connected by a river of dark blue epoxy. The family eats here and also uses the area for working and hanging out. Pre-COVID, neighbors climbed in to talk and drink wine; it was like the old-fashioned kitchen table, Renee says.

The living area, just beyond the dining nook, is outfitted with a comfy sectional for lounging. The wood stove, a must-have for Jeff, is the focal point. Gagne balanced the off-center stove with the wall-hung television and a cantilevered shelf. It looks so simple and obvious now, but we went through so many permutations, Renee says about the arrangement. A sitting room with a more symmetrical setup that boasts four fuzzy chairs around a rattan table occupies a niche behind the sectional. While theres no wall between the two spaces, the sitting room feels private. Its all about being cozy, Gagne says.

A Phillip Jeffries wallcovering lines the backs of the custom bookshelves in the sitting room. / Photo by Jared Kuzia

In the couples bedroom, woven Roman shades allow privacy from the neighbors and lend a coastal touch. / Photo by Jared Kuzia

Brushed-gold and lacquered-brass fixtures warm the primary bath, which boasts two vanitiespainted Benjamin Moores North Seaby Newbury Cabinetry. / Photo by Jared Kuzia

The vanity in the hall bath, also by Newbury Cabinetry, sports coats of Benjamin Moores Rushing River. They had fun exploring color in the baths, interior designer Holly Gagne says of the homeowners. / Photo by Jared Kuzia

For true privacy, the couple retire to their bedroom upstairs. Gagne designed built-ins for efficiency and combined elegant marble surfaces with splashes of blue in the en suite bath. The punch of color is coastal but not cute, she says. The hall bath follows suit with a vanity painted green.

The family, who sheltered together in their new home last spring, are delighted with it, as are the neighbors. The prior owners daughter stopped by to see the house and loved it, Renee says. Thats a big compliment.

ArchitectZoe McManus

CabinetmakersAndy Tolliver Woodworks; Newbury Cabinetry

ContractorRobert E Cahill Construction

Interior DesignerHolly Gagne Interior Design

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This New Gloucester Home Draws Inspiration from the Colors of the Ocean - Boston magazine