The HOME Monthly Eastern Edition by HAN Network

HOME OCTOBER 2008

HERSAM ACORN NEWSPAPERS

Recycle Rainwater Have Your Lawn & Water It, Too

Leaf Blowers Shattering To Nerves & Nature

Fall Tree Care Adds To Home’s Value

David Ames photo Special Section to: The Valley Gazette • The Oxford Gazette • The Stratford Star • The Milford Mirror • The Amity Observer • The Trumbull Times • Fairﬁeld Sun • The Huntington Herald • The Monroe Courier • The Easton Courier • The Shelton Extra

HOME, a Hersam Acorn special section, Shelton, Conn.

October 2, 2008

LEAF BLOWERS

Shattering to nerves and nature by Jim Carr I love the sound of leaf blowers in the morning; it sounds like victory — victory over nature. My twist on the famous line from Apocalypse Now is satiric, of course. Complete mastery of nature is an illusion, often leading to unforeseen consequences, like destructive floods. Indeed, I, like many people, resent the quiet enjoyment of my property being shattered by the cranking up of what is going to be a steady succession of leaf blowers during the day. Leaf blowers, originally used to clear leaves in the fall, are now routinely used each time a lawn service visits a property. When one finishes, another starts somewhere else. Because their high-pitched scream carries so far, the sound comes to us from a broad area. As a result, we are constantly assaulted by noise. Price Is Twofold For what purpose and at what cost? The first cost is monetary. At least two-thirds of the cost of summer lawn service goes for leaf blowing. Homeowners can see for themselves. For every lawn mower operator, there will be at least two people operating leaf blowers. What are homeowners getting for their money? In summer, after several weeks of combing the lawn with leaf blowers, what is left to blow? Even if a stray leaf should find its way onto a lawn, the routine pass of the mower shreds it out of sight into the grass. The biggest cost, though, is environmental. It is not only the consumption of increasingly precious petroleum, but the pollution leaf blowers spew into the air. On a humid day, the stench can blanket an entire neighborhood. Far worse, however, is the environmental destruction they wreak through the removal of critically important organic matter from the ecosystem of the soil.

Healthy soil is full of life. In the natural world, soil organisms, ranging in size from bacteria to earthworms, maintain soil fertility by decomposing organic matter (the remains of dead plants) into humus, the perfect plant food. Grass deprived of organic mat-

ter starves. Of course, one can fertilize, but this only delays the deterioration of the lawn because the lack of organic matter deprives the lawn of the critically important soil-conditioning properties of humus.

Humus creates a porous, open structure for the soil. This porosity allows life-sustaining oxygen to reach the roots of the grass. Deprived of humus, the soil compacts, the roots suffocate, and the grass starts dying. No amount of fertilizer can reverse this. Soil

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OCTOBER 2008

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VOL II, ISSUE 10

Special Section to: The Valley Gazette, The Oxford Gazette, The Stratford Star, The Milford Mirror, The Amity Observer, The Trumbull Times, Fairﬁeld Sun, The Huntington Herald, The Monroe Courier, The Easton Courier and The Shelton Extra.

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HOME, a Hersam Acorn special section, Shelton, Conn.

October 2, 2008

organisms, too, need oxygen as well as organic matter for food. Compacted, organic-matter-deprived soil cannot support the life within it that is the base of the ecological food chain: no organic matter, no earthworms, no robins.

quiet of the suburbs to the noise of cities should know that, according to a national survey reported to the Acoustical Society of America, average noise levels in the suburbs (56 decibels) are now closing in on those of urban areas (59 decibels).

Humus also has critically important moisture-control properties. It absorbs up to 10 times its weight in moisture. With healthy soil in a hard rain, the water easily penetrates the porous soil, and is soaked up by the humus, which later releases this moisture to the soil as it dries out. Excess water not soaked up by humus has easy passage down into the groundwater. This moisture regulation is of great importance for all of us.

Another hazard is things in the soil that are safe in the soil, but not if blown into the air we breathe. These include bacteria and funguses, alive or their remains, viruses and pollen. Some of these can trigger the growing problems of allergies and asthma, and who knows what else. I have spoken to parents of young children about this, and they often say they bring their children inside during leaf blowing. Unfortunately, this does not solve the problem. Leaf blowers blast an aerosol of fine particles into the air that then settle all around the property (and other properties downwind). Subsequently when we are outside, air movement exposes us to this aerosol. Even opening and closing car doors causes exposure.

Studies have shown that most rainwater runs off compacted soil. One can easily see this by comparing an area of compacted soil with a healthy, porous one in a heavy rain. This may be difficult because most landscaped properties are leaf blown. You may have to use an unmanaged natural area. If it has a stream running through, all the better. In even the heaviest rain, the stream water will remain clear, meaning no runoff. Development is blamed for the increasing runoff that is contributing to ever more serious floods. Indeed, development is implicated, but the compaction of landscape soils caused by leaf blowers is also a significant contributor because landscaped properties cover such a large area. Toll On Health And what about our health? High-decibel noise can cause cardiovascular problems, hearing loss and mental stress. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health guidelines allow a maximum daily exposure of eight hours at 85 decibels. However, the effect on human health doubles for every three-decibel increase. Leaf blower emissions start at about 100 decibels, and go up from there. This means maximum safe exposure is 15 minutes or less. Those who prefer the

What are we doing to ourselves? At some point we must decide that enough is enough. But what can we do about it? We can start with Mahatma Gandhi’s principle that “we each must be the change that we want to see in the world.” We as individuals cannot control society. However, we can control what happens on our properties. We can make ourselves a good example by banning leaf blowers, as I have done. (There are timehonored — and efficient — methods for managing leaves without leaf blowers, even on large properties.) We can also try gentle persuasion with our friends and neighbors. Jim Carr manages residential properties ecologically, which involves the creation and maintenance of landscapes and organic flower, vegetable and herb gardens. He teaches organic gardening and ecological landscaping classes for both homeowners and professionals at horticultural institutions in the metro area. For more information, e-mail Jim Carr at jimcarr3@verizon.net.

ELIMINATE DEBT

How to do it by Don Caiati The so-called experts say, “Pay yourself first.” While some people may take this literally, I think what they’re really saying is, “After you’ve eliminated all your debt, then pay yourself.” Government studies show that 96% of Americans do not achieve financial freedom by the time they retire at age 65. Conventional wisdom wants you to pay yourself first, but it just doesn’t seem to work for most people. Here’s why. If you were to take a $2,000 credit card balance at 17.9% interest, it would cost you $6,827 to pay off over the 30-year-and-fivemonth payment plan your friendly credit card company has set up for you. That’s right, by paying the minimum monthly

payment the bank offers you each month, you will pay nearly $5,000 in interest and about three times more than you originally borrowed. That’s worse than a 30-year mortgage. The “invest in your debt” strategy is to pay your bankers first and in the long run keep more of your money for yourself and your family. You can actually build two to three times more wealth by paying off debt before you start traditional investing — even if it’s into an IRA, 401(k), 403(b), etc. The only exception might be a Roth IRA under certain circumstances. Give yourself a 46% raise by eliminating all your debts. The typical American family uses about 40% to 50% of its pay-

Debt continued on page 5

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HOME, a Hersam Acorn special section, Shelton, Conn.

October 2, 2008

WHOM DO YOU TRUST?

Reliable referrals from Refer Me by RE Glowa You’re hosting the big party. Fantastic mood music is playing, glasses are clinking, the kitchen is filled with laughter, everyone is having a great time. One of the guests excuses herself to go to the bathroom, and the next thing you know, there’s high-pitched screaming, complete chaos and large amounts of liquids exploding from the toilet. Not only does the party come to a sudden, soggy halt and you’re intensely embarrassed, now you need to fix a huge problem. Unless you’re a plumber or particularly handy around the house, you need some serious help. But whom do you call, whom do you trust to stem the tidal wave of toilet trauma? Refer Me to the rescue! Refer Me is an Internet-based referral service, providing an exciting new choice for hiring household help. From leaky faucets to exploding toilets to custom home building, Refer Me is a quick, efficient and reliable source for locating highly qualified contractors. Refer Me is the brainchild of Steve Lein, a plumbing and heating contractor, and Tom Watson, a home-improvement contractor. The two men met 10 years ago

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when Tom needed a plumber for one of his projects. As they continued to work together, Tom and Steve decided their shared business goal of providing exemplary customer care could translate into a distinctive business. Providing homeowners with a dependable referral service and contractors with a forum for those services has turned into a mutually beneficial relationship. By utilizing the simple, speedy and efficient power of the Internet, Steve and Tom have made it possible for homeowners to quickly locate contractors for all their household needs. We worked hard to make the site easy to use,” says Steve. “The Internet is still fairly new, so a lot of people can be skeptical. We can assure homeowners that our site is extremely private and secure, and best of all, it’s a free, no-obligation resource for Connecticut homeowners!” “We help homeowners with the first and most important steps in finding and hiring the contractor to work in the home,” he adds. No more scouring the Yellow Pages, sifting through 15 or more contractors and never knowing for sure if you’ve found the right person for the job.

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HOME, a Hersam Acorn special section, Shelton, Conn.

October 2, 2008

Steve and Tom have focused on alleviating the stress and distrust that is sometimes associated with hiring contractors for home projects. The contractors who participate in the Refer Me network are licensed, insured and pre-screened, assuring high levels of professional service.

choose to receive quotes from up to three contractors. The entire process takes no longer than five minutes. Once the information has been completed, a text message and email will be sent immediately to a contractor, who will then contact the homeowner by phone to discuss the details.

The Refer Me network is an excellent, inexpensive way for contractors to promote themselves. Steve adds, “We are now able to offer the contractors ‘we-design’ services so they can create affordable Web sites and further enhance their message.”

The Refer Me Web site also provides links to other helpful Web sites, including a link to This Old House. A highly regarded and trusted name in the home industry for more than 28 years, the Old House site is filled with articles, tips and advice for nearly every possible home-related project and situation.

Steve goes on to say, “We have been working on building out the site for two years. So far we have 200 contractors signed onto our network, and the response from homeowners has been just great! The search for hiring professional Connecticut contractors begins and ends here! This will be the last time you ever ask, ‘Hey, do you know a good contractor?’” Utilizing the Refer Me site is simple. Start the process by going to ReferMe-ct.com. Click the “find a contractor” tab. Get started by choosing the type of service needed. The list of available categories ranges from appliances, basement waterproofing, chimneys, fencing, general contractor and builder, home theater, metal-stud framing, project designer, and snow removal to tiling, wallpaper and windows. Then create an account with a user name and password. The next page asks for additional details about the services needed as well as the location of the home. Homeowners can

For more detailed information on hiring a contractor, follow the link to the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection, which covers such topics as verifying trade licenses, knowing your rights as a consumer and knowing and understanding how a contract should be written between you and your contractor. Additional helpful hints to be found on the Refer Me site include determining whether or not a project requires a permit, contacting local building officials, what to look for in a good contractor, and home improvement without headaches. As professional contractors themselves, Tom and Steve understand what it takes to get a project done well, and they want the experience to be as positive as possible. Contact Refer Me for the highest level of professional service, 203-373-0012, ReferMect.com.

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Debt continued from page 3 check to service debts — mortgages, car loans, student loans, credit card, and so on. If you did not have these monthly payments, you could increase your monthly cash flow by the same amount without begging your boss for a raise. Take charge and give yourself a raise by eliminating this unnecessary and burdensome debt.

advice; cut up all but one or two. Now, don’t close the accounts, that will hurt your credit score. And don’t put all your energy into having a perfect credit score. Whether you have a 700 or 800 score is not as important to your financial wellbeing as being debt free. Eliminate your debt and you will have a great credit score no matter what. Also, I don’t think that debt is bad either. I don’t even think debt is good. It just is.

Get Out Of Debt Now

True Financial Freedom

According to the best-selling book The Millionaire Next Door, by Bill Danko and Tom Stanley, millionaires in our society do not have consumer debt as they’ve paid for their cars and homes and can afford an affluent lifestyle.

To achieve true financial freedom, have a system that you stick to methodically, month in and month out. Invest those extra funds into your debt before putting money into traditional investments, stocks, etc. Do this by making extra payments on your smallest balance first. Do this easily by using the funds that you are currently putting into traditional investments.

The idea of using other people’s money is a new phenomenon of the last 30 or 40 years. My grandmother did not have credit-card debt, and she lived a lot less stressful life than most people do nowadays. In the old days, they had the audacity to pay cash for their cars (no leases), and some even paid cash for their homes, or, at most, had a five-year mortgage, not the 15-, 30- and 40-year or interest-only mortgages of today. I’m not an advocate of cutting up all your cards. How are you going to rent cars, reserve hotel rooms and buy stuff off the Internet without a credit card? It’s nearly impossible. So here’s my

When you have the first debt paid off, put all the money you had been investing into your first debt into the next smallest debt. Continue this debt elimination process until you have successfully eliminated all your debts except your mortgage. Don Caiati is a managing partner with Caiati Financial Services LLC in Westport. He can be reached at 203227-7794, or by e-mail at don@caiati. com.

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HOME, a Hersam Acorn special section, Shelton, Conn.

October 2, 2008

‘Keep on the Sunny Side of Life’ by Mark Baxter The lyrics of that old spiritual promise “the sun again will shine bright and clear,” and that’s just what is happening all across Connecticut. Solar power’s potential is radiating across the state. It’s not yet mainstream, but generous tax benefits, improved technologies, its viability as a source of clean alternative energy and its promotion by passionate, all-volunteer groups are making it easier and less expensive to tap into the sun’s rays. Solar power in Connecticut is no longer far-fetched or impractical. In fact, Connecticut is quickly becoming a leader in demonstrating that, done right, energy-efficient solar design is simple and affordable. Grassroots Action One education group began working with homeowners 30 years ago, when solar was still in its infancy. Through the years, PACE (People’s Action for Clean Energy) has educated thousands of people all over the state about solar options, and revised their construction priorities in the process. PACE monitors energy legislation in Connecticut, sponsors exhibitions, presents annual environmental energy awards, and runs its now-famous alternative-energy tours throughout the year. “More than 15,000 people have attended our tours of solar and alternative-energy homes in Connecticut and seen firsthand how clean energy is being put to work, right in our back yard,” said Judi Friedman, chairperson and a founder

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HOME, a Hersam Acorn special section, Shelton, Conn.

October 2, 2008

of PACE. “Our goal is to help people make the shift to solar as a saner and healthier lifestyle.” Nuclear Backlash PACE got started back in 1976 as a leader in the debate about nuclear energy in the region. It stemmed from a group of Wesleyan professors and students who challenged installations being planned in Middletown. “We realized that you can’t simply be against something,” Friedman said. “You have to offer a viable alternative, as well.” PACE then began promoting green energy, conservation and energy efficiency as an alternative to the growth of New England nuclear plants. “We’ve been solar pioneers ever since,” Friedman said, “working with other advocates to help homeowners witness the economic, social and health advantages of using solar in their homes.” Connecticut Sunshine According to the state’s Office of Policy and Management, many types of solar designs have been built in Connecticut. With a little help, any homeowner can determine what works best for a particular situation, what is most economical and what factors should be considered for an existing or new home. PACE’s Friedman agrees. “Connecticut is a wonderful state for going solar, as we enjoy more sunshine annually than many countries across Europe, including Germany. Solar also

Solar continued on page 15 Connecticut is becoming a leader in demonstrating that, done right, energy-efficient solar design is simple and affordable.

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HOME, a Hersam Acorn special section, Shelton, Conn.

October 2, 2008

Have your lawn and water it, too by Jeannette Ross

Over and over again we hear how bad lawns are for the environment because they are thirsty, thirsty, thirsty. But let’s face it, we Northeasterners love our lawns, and we love them thick and lush. Then comes a drought or a long dry spell, watering restrictions are imposed for homes on public water, shallow wells can run low or dry, lawns get brown, and homeowners frown. Can we have our lawns — and gardens as well — keep them green, and help the environment by reducing pollutants carried away by storm-water runoff? The answer, in many cases, is yes, with a rainwater-recovery system. The concept is simple. Rainwater is captured from rooftops via a system of gutters and leaders that divert it to an underground system outfitted with a pump and a spigot. The system can also be positioned under a driveway — or a parking lot for commercial sites — to capture runoff from impermeable surfaces. “There are new systems to collect rainwater for gardening purposes instead of using drinking water,” said Jeff Duncan, owner of Duncan’s Gardening and Landscaping. “Instead of siphoning it into drainage systems, we can contain it, pump it out and recycle it into plantings. Rainwater is better for plants than

Lawn continued on page 13

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HOME, a Hersam Acorn special section, Shelton, Conn.

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WHERE DETAILS MAKE THE DIFFERENCE

Luxury living at Chatfield Farms by Robin E. Glowa

Wyndham Homes is now in Connecticut with its exclusive brand of luxury living. Since 1989, Richard Schunk, president of Wyndham Homes, and Bruce Wittenberg have been developing luxury neighborhoods for active adults. Based in New York, Wyndham Homes has brought its commitment to building beautiful neighborhoods of distinctive homes to New Haven County.

basement and main-floor master bedroom, buyers may add their own details to truly personalize their new home. Jay says, “Buyers have a real sense of ‘this is my home.’” Wyndham Homes offers the Flexibuild Home System™, giving the homeowner unlimited personal expression. Residents may enhance the existing layout with garden windows, sunrooms or screened porches. The exterior of the home may be wrapped in a siding of brick, stone, clapboard, or shakes. Homeowners may also choose to add a porch, portico or bay window.

Located high atop a hillside in Beacon Falls, Chatfield Farms is an exciting new concept in active adult living, and Wyndham Homes’ first foray into Connecticut. Jay Metcalfe, vice president of operations for Wyndham Homes, speaks enthusiastically about this latest project. “It’s a fabulous natural setting,” says Jay, “private and bucolic, the majority of home sites back right up to nature. With a majestic view, this is such an absolutely beautiful spot.” Chatfield Farms will have 233 homes and, according to Jay, “It’s like a private sanctuary.”

With all these custom embellishments, no two homes in the neighborhood are exactly the same, thereby eliminating the cookie-cutter syndrome and creating an exceptionally attractive neighborhood. Every Wyndham Homes design is created inhouse. The Andover model recently received a top honor by winning the best of 50+ housing award for home design, making Chatfield Farms a hallmark for a new standard in luxury active-adult communities. Jay adds, “We thought we could definitely serve a niche for folks who wanted this type of luxury living, who wanted to avoid limited flexibility and The Andover model recently received an award for best home design in 50+ housing.

Geared specifically to residents 55 years of age and older, Chatfield Farms offers residents the option of choosing from three basic floor plans: the Andover, the Brookfield and the Cambridge. While each of the attractive homes comes with a two-car garage, full

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cookie-cutter homes that seem to be stamped from a giant machine.” These sun-filled homes are filled with plush details. Kitchens feature handsome granite countertops, gleaming GE stainless-steel appliances, elegant crown moldings, and beautiful oak hardwood floors. Bathrooms are like luxury spas, with corner soaking tubs, large ceramic tile showers with benches, vanity counters, and extra-tall cabinets with storage drawers. Residents of Chatfield Farms live in a vacation setting all year long. Life within the gated entrance is blissfully maintenance-free. All the grass-cutting, landscaping, leaf removal, gutter cleaning, snow and trash removal, and recycling are taken care of, so homeowners are able to relax and fully enjoy a host of amenities. A private lake provides a tranquil spot for relaxation, while three miles of walking

trails offer a delightful way to commune with nature. Soon residents will be able to enjoy a magnificent new clubhouse, the Fieldstone Club. It will open in the spring of 2009 and will include an array of activities, including aerobics, Pilates and yoga classes in the Fitness Center, along with an indoor spa. Residents may enjoy a challenging round of billiards or darts as well as plasma TV in the parlor, indulge in a lively game of poker or bridge in the club room, or relax and enjoy a book in the Madison room. Also at the Fieldstone Club is the Chatfield room, which will be the gathering place for community parties or where residents may host their own family celebrations, complete with fantastic views and a fullservice catering kitchen. The fun continues outside the clubhouse, where residents may splash about in a sparkling swimming pool, cook a delicious dinner on the outdoor barbecue or gaze at the stars while soaking up the

heat of a crackling fire at the outdoor fire pit. With its convenient location close to routes 8, 84 and 95, Chatfield Farms is just a short drive to all the terrific activities that abound in Connecticut, such as theaters, fine dining, musical venues and museums, antiquing, and shopping. Wyndham Homes prides itself on building homes where “details make the difference.” Richard Schunk, Bruce Wittenberg and Jay Metcalfe invite potential residents to tour the site and “raise your expectations” by experiencing luxury activeadult living as it should be: private, estate-like setting, thoughtful amenities, maintenance-free lifestyle, and beautiful, quality homes that are designed for you and by you. Chatfield Farms is at 639 Skokorat Road, Beacon Falls, 203-723-7366, chatfieldfarms.net, WyndhamHomes.com. Prices start at $402,000.

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October 2, 2008

Fall tree care adds to home’s appeal and value by Jane K. Dove

With early fall already here, many area homeowners are ready to take a well-earned break from outdoor work. But landscape maintenance at this time of year is still important, especially when it comes to the needs of valuable trees. Trees are important focal points and add tens of thousands of dollars to property value if they are healthy and well-tended. Some simple steps taken now will not only make a property look better but will pay dividends in the spring and insure thriving specimens that will continue to add aesthetic appeal and value. Ken Clear, a licensed arborist and executive vice president of The Care of Trees, a full-service tree-care company serving all of Fairfield and Westchester counties, offers some tips. Although some areas of the country have been overwhelmed with rain, this has not been the case here he said. As a result, trees may still need some extra water. The larger the tree, the more water is needed. Homeowners should provide an inch of water every seven to 10 days when conditions remain dry. Mr. Clear says trees may have a root mass equal to that of the entire tree, and roots may

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Summer, now gone, is the prime time for disease and insects to take their toll on trees. Trees that looked healthy and vigorous in spring and summer may show unsightly signs of insect infestation and disease in early fall.

Deeper, less frequent watering is more beneficial than more frequent, superficial treatments. “You want to promote the steady growth of the root system,” Mr. Clear says.

“Now is not too late to address and treat some of these problems,” Mr. Clear says. “Homeowners should take a survey of their trees and identify those that have been stressed. An arborist can then come to evaluate the problem and test the soil to make sure it’s in proper balance for the particular species.”

Proper mulching is also very important. “Adding mulch under a tree is a way of replicating natural conditions found on the forest floor,” Mr. Clear says. “Mulch holds moisture in the soil and is especially beneficial for trees that have to compete with grass.” Mr. Clear notes that proper mulching leaves the root crown exposed. “You should see the flare of the roots extending outward from the trunk,” he said. “And avoid so-called volcano mulching, where the mulch is piled up around the trunk. This can be very harmful and even kill a tree over time.” In addition to providing “health benefits” to trees, mulch adds lots of visual appeal and is a quick and inexpensive way to spruce up the yard.

Many trees struggle because of unknown soil deficiencies. “Now is a good time to make adjustments, including organic soil amendments,” he says. “Once treated, a tree that is having problems now will often look much better come spring.” And it’s not too late to treat trees. Depending on the insects and disease cycle, some problems can be managed with spraying, even at this time of the year. With others, the tree can tolerate the damage until a spring treatment. “Many homeowners ignore obvious problems and believe trees will magically improve on their own in the spring, but this is usually not the case,” Mr. Clear says. “Once insects and

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Whether homeowners are advised to treat their trees now or wait until spring, a simple pruning of dead limbs can help the tree conserve energy, improve appearance and insure the overall safety of the property. “Homeowners can remove unsightly branches now or wait until the winter for a major pruning of specimen trees,” Mr. Clear says. “Dead limbs are not only unattractive but can be dangerous if they impact the home or power lines.” The final step in fall tree care is fertilization. “Trees continue their root growth well into the fall,” Mr. Clear says. “It is beneficial to fertilize them up to Thanksgiving and even into mid December, based on soil temperatures. Many homeowners think once the tree is bare of leaves, there is no point to fertilization, but this is not true. For information on tree care, visit www.thecareoftrees.com, or call 203-222-5595 or 800729-1919.

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disease take hold, the tree weakens over time, and waiting will not bring any positive results. Damage not addressed in the fall should be addressed right away in the spring. But there is no hard-and-fast rule for this, so a consultation with an arborist is needed to assess the situation.”

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extend well beyond the tree canopy. The best way to water is with a garden hose placed under the tree canopy. The water should be allowed to gently trickle into the soil beneath the tree until the soil is thoroughly moist.

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HOME, a Hersam Acorn special section, Shelton, Conn.

October 2, 2008

Lawns continued from page 8 treated tap water,” he added, because rain contains micronutrients. “Rain that falls during a lightning storm is rich in nitrogen.” How much water are we talking about? During a storm that drops one inch of rain, a house that measures 40 feet by 20 feet will have 500 gallons of water coming off the roof, Jeff said. A lot of that will run down a driveway, more will run into the street if the ground is rock hard or saturated and can’t absorb it all. From the street, it might run directly into streams and rivers or through storm drains that eventually empty into waterways that flow into the ocean with all the pollutants the water has picked up along the way. Sometimes, runoff will spill onto a neighbor’s property, prompting some sort of remediation. The rainwater-recovery systems Jeff installs are underground cisterns. They can be under-

ground holding tanks that collect excess rainwater and slowly release it back into the earth, or they can be outfitted with a pump to recirculate it for reuse. Installation of the system involves digging a big hole. For a 1,000-gallon cistern, the hole would have to be eight to ten feet square, although the shape can be altered. It is then lined with thick rubber sheeting. The chamber is created with a frame of interlocking, reinforced plastic cubes. The cubes are strong enough to shoulder the weight of a driveway or parking lot. The system is topped off with gravel and dirt. The top of the system sits about 18 inches beneath the surface. When rain hits the roof it flows into a gutter and down the leader into a smaller cistern outfitted with a flush filter. It then flows through a pipe into the main cistern, from which it is pumped back to the surface and can be accessed through a tap. A smaller cistern nearby will collect any overflow and leach it back into the ground. Costs vary depending on a homeowner’s needs, the site,

and excavation, but Jeff said most residential units cost in the neighborhood of $4,000 to $7,000. Larger or multiple systems, say for a golf course or commercial site with large paved areas, are available. The benefit to people on public water is lower water bills. Those with private wells, Jeff said, should ask themselves these questions. How good is my well? Can I shower and water my lawn at the same time? Is my well shallow? The downside to the system is that it is not 100% foolproof. In times of extremely dry weather, it would be possible to use up all the stored water. With less than one percent of the Earth’s water available for drinking, Jeff said, he believes these systems will become more popular in the near future. “These systems help disperse pollutants rather than blowing them out through our storm drains and rivers,” he said. “Everything we can do to filter runoff before it gets to our rivers and wetlands, the better it is.

“I believe it will become a huge problem in the next 10 to 20 years. Until we’re starving or thirsty, we don’t do anything,” he said. “Are we going to start now or be lazy?” For more information, Jeff can be reached at 203268-2368 or 203-807-1358.

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HOME, a Hersam Acorn special section, Shelton, Conn.

October 2, 2008

HOME OF THE MONTH

Family Values LOCATION: This house in Monroe has an appealing setting among the greenery of mature trees. PROPERTY: Set on more than two professionally landscaped acres, the house has several decks from which to enjoy the view and a handy circular driveway. HOUSE: Built in 1996, the custom colonial has an attractive two-story entry that opens to a spacious floor plan: living room, dining room, family room with fireplace, large kitchen with granite counters, a home office, four bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, and lots of storage. GARAGE: Two-car attached. PRICE: $739,900. REALTY: William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty. Agent: Lisa Cardi, 203-610-3968. Photography: David Ames.

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HOME, a Hersam Acorn special section, Shelton, Conn.

October 2, 2008

Solar continued from page 7 helps each one of us develop our own decentralized power, instead of relying exclusively on an aging and vulnerable centralized system to generate and transmit our electricity.” Solar Options Friedman itemized a number of methods homeowners can employ to use solar effectively. The first consideration, she said, is to note the sun’s path in relation to your home, and to use it effectively for heating in winter, for year-round hot water, and for sun-shading in summer. Solar options include the following: Passive solar: Passive solar is not a new or expensive idea. Simply face windows and skylights to the south for optimal cost-effective heating, says the state’s Office of Policy and Management. To achieve maximum comfort and efficiency, floors should be of tile, brick or stone to “capture” the sun’s heat and return it to the room. Conservation and Energy Efficiency: Make efficient use of all resources to cut energy use. Use energy-efficient construction materials and fixtures. Use compact fluorescent lightbulbs and efficient lighting. Buy Energy Star appliances. Insulate walls and reduce air leaks. Use a minimum R-38 insulation in the ceiling, R-26 in the walls and R-19 in the floor or basement walls. Solar Hot Water: A typical family of four uses more than 60 gallons of hot water a day. The most economic solar investment for your home, then, is often a system that heats water, which can cost less than $5,000. One system

uses a fluid that circulates through pipes in the solar roof panels, where it is heated, and then returns to heat water in a storage tank. Solar Electric: Solar thermal devices use direct heat from the sun, typically via collector panels on the roof, and convert it to power and/or heat for the home. (For more information on these methods, download the Connecticut Consumers’ Guide to Solar, available free from the PACE Web site.) Healthy Investment The cost of solar continues to decrease in Connecticut, and, with the energy savings and new state tax rebates, it’s becoming much more attractive, as well. Solar power has become so hot, in fact, that the state now wants to get 20% of its electricity from renewable energy sources. According to the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund (CCEF), established by Connecticut’s legislature, today’s solar technology is proven and can provide a significant portion of the electricity needed to power a home.

Compact, adaptable solar panels can provide energy savings for many homeowners.

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To encourage more installations, the CCEF issued new guidelines that make residential photovoltaic systems with a capacity of up to 10 kilowatts eligible for rebates. (The old limit was 5 kilowatts.) CCEF currently offers rebates, through designated participating installers, to Connecticut homeowners who install solar PV systems – up to a $46,500 rebate per household plus sales tax. Homeowners also may be eligible for additional federal tax credits.

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In fiscal year 2007, CCEF either disbursed or approved rebates for 167 installations that together will generate 838.7 kilowatts of clean electricity. And PACE has sponsored tours this year alone of more than 10 Connecticut solar homes across the state, ranging from passive to solar thermal to solar electric. With continued acceptance, demand and new technologies, it’s a certainty that more and more homeowners will soon be enjoying the “sunny side of life.”

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HOME, a Hersam Acorn special section, Shelton, Conn.

October 2, 2008

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