Hawaii Renovation July 29, 2012 by Oahu Publications, Inc

HAWAIIRENOVATION.STARADVERTISER.COM

JULY 29, 2012

AN EDITION OF

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TIES TO YOUR HOME’S PAST

ave you ever heard of predecessor energy? Have you ever searched for a new place to live but noticed that some spaces just don’t feel good even though they look appealing? You were probably intuitively feeling the predecessor energy of the space.

What is predecessor energy? Predecessor energy is the unseen energy of either the land itself or the former occupants of the space. Although unseen, predecessor energy is impactful because it has a life force that can be felt.

value and desirability in the same neighborhood, I would want to know why the buyer is selling the home. If one home is being sold because of a divorce, its predecessor energy may be dense, filled with grief and sadness. If the other home is being sold because the owners are doing well financially and want to buy a bigger home, the predecessor energy may be lighter, filled with optimism and prosperity. Naturally, I would choose the latter due to the favorable energy.

©Depositphotos/feverpitch

Predecessor client story One of my clients moved into a cottage without being aware of the importance of predecessor energy. A selfemployed woman, her business was financially OK and for years she had been making enough to support herself. At the time she moved into her new space, her health was good, and she was close to her adult daughter and on good terms with her ex-husband, who owed her some money and was slowly paying her back.

Consider predecessor energy

Going downhill fast

Before purchasing a home, or anything that has been used in the past, I always consider the effect predecessor energy can have. If I were considering purchasing two homes of equal

By the time she called me eight months later, she had lost 75 percent of her clients, her exhusband had stopped sending her the money he owed her and her relationship with her daugh-

ter had become unusually tough. In addition, she felt drained and was dealing with some medical challenges that arose after she moved into her new space. She felt as if her life was crumbling around her and wondered if her home’s feng shui was “really bad.” She called me as a last resort.

Hawaii Renovation is a weekly advertising supplement published by the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. SALES MANAGER

What is the problem? As I was driving over, I didn’t know what to expect — was her door’s energy blocked? Was she sleeping under large beams? Was her bed in

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oncrete stains provide a simple, stylish and sensible flooring solution. With concrete already preexisting in most homes, exposing it and applying effects such as staining and saw-cutting makes concrete a viable flooring option. Turn your existing dull and gray concrete slabs into beautiful, richly colored spaces. Granicrete applies stains directly onto your existing concrete slab or onto its concrete overlays to create a smooth, stone or decorative texture. Great for interior and exterior spaces, stained concrete flooring offers numerous benefits and yields an excellent return on investment.

A distinctive finish A unique look is created with each floor. The possibilities are limitless, as stains are available in a wide spectrum of colors and metallic tints. Choose neutral colors such as browns and grays, or go bold with vibrant blues, greens and reds. Mix colors to create a natural stone, marble, leather or wood effect. Saw cuts made on your existing slab can add decorative borders or designs.

foot traffic, food and drink spills, etc. No other surface resists chipping, discoloring, warping and staining like a concrete floor does.

Eco-friendly Stained concrete flooring is a sustainable choice. Enhance your existing concrete floor with stains rather than covering it up with other materials that will eventually need to be replaced. You’ll conserve materials and eliminate the need for their removal and disposal.

can be covered by a thin Granicrete overlay, and then stained to create a warm, inviting new look.

Prepping your floor Removing your existing carpeting, tile or linoleum to expose the concrete beneath will require cleaning and maybe some repair work or patching. These imperfections

Granicrete Hawaii invites you to discover how decorative concrete flooring can be utilized in your next project. Visit the company’s new showroom opening soon at 525 Kokea St. Unit C7, convenient-

ly located off Dillingham Boulevard. It will be open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays by appointment. View the photo gallery at www.Granicrete Hawaii.com. The company also offers do-it-yourself classes every second Saturday of the month for decorative concrete flooring and countertop overlays. Call 626-5418 for more information.

Easy maintenance Stained concrete floors are easy-to-maintain and provide resistance to moisture, stains, mold and bacteria. They are a great choice for those with allergies, as concrete floors won’t trap dirt, animal dander, dust mites or other allergens.

Built to last Concrete floors provide excellent durability and resistance to abrasion. They withstand the elements including

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TO LEASE OR BUY?

Choosing the right solar system for you he solar industry’s highly competitive marketing climate offers an abundance of choices from many companies. Over the past year, additional options have enabled consumers to benefit financially in ways other than a straight purchase of a photovoltaic (PV) system. While there is little doubt that “going green” is wise, being aware of certain facts can keep you from making imprudent choices. Power Purchase Agreements are the latest wrinkle in marketing PV systems. This is essentially a leasing plan under which you substitute the solar company in place of the utility provider. The premise is that payments to them are supposedly lower than what the utility company would charge you, and that payment increases would be manageable. Up-front costs could be “zero down” (with escalating payments up to 4 percent each year), “some money down” (e.g. $5,000, with lower non-escalating payments) or a “prepaid lease” (a huge up-front down payment of about 45-48 percent of the cash purchase price with no monthly payments). The big attraction is avoiding the large initial cash outlay.

They operate on a long-term basis of 20 years. The structure and terms of leases are dependent on interest-rate concessions and the application of rebates. For PV leases, the energy tax credits are the major component as the solar company, not the consumer, owns the system and keeps the credits. The claim is that the consumer is freed from concerns that taxing authorities might modify or eliminate the credits, but you can be sure that the leasing deals would be adversely affected and markedly different should that ever occur. In addition, a minimum FICO score of 700 is required for standard leasing programs. For example, a 33-panel, “three-system” design is priced at $49,182. The underlying premises are that: 1) The current electric bill is $300 monthly. 2) After installation, a $16 monthly connection fee is still paid to HECO. 3) The $300 monthly billing averages $552 over the next 20 years. Purchasing has a net cost of $19,517 after application of the federal ($14,665) and

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state ($15,000) energy credits. Based on the 981 kWh power production, the PV system replaces $132,517 of electricity costs over 20 years for a net savings of $113,000. In contrast, the pre-paid leasing program requires a lump-sum deposit of $23,286. The $16 minimum charge is still paid to the utility company. The net savings check in at $23,286. With a $5,000 initial down payment, $217 per month is paid to the solar company. The net savings is $61,474. At “zero down,” $230 per month — with a 3 percent annual escalation — is paid to the solar company. The total savings is $44,335. The above examples are derived from an actual proposal. Since the company’s own figures actually show the superiority of purchasing over leasing, can you imagine how another comparable sys-

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he Building Industry Association of Hawaii (BIAHawaii) will present the 56th annual BIA Parade of Homes during the open house weekends of Oct. 6-7 and 13-14. This premier showcase of new homes in Hawaii will educate consumers on the latest trends, technology and design innovations in residential construction. The 2012 BIA Parade of Homes theme is “2012 BIA Parade of Homes — A New Home Revolution,” and featured homes will include “Nohona III at Kapolei” by Castle & Cooke Homes Hawaii Inc., “Kahiwelo at Makakilo” by DR Horton Schuler Homes LLC, “Trades by Gentry” and “Sandalwood by

Gentry” by Gentry Homes Ltd. and “Ka Makana at Hoakalei” by Haseko Development Inc. Developers and contractors may still enter single-family and multifamily homes, town homes, high rises, builder spec homes, sales offices, units in vacation ownership projects and conversions. The 2012 parade also will include the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Green Building Standards for residential construction. The 56th annual BIA Parade of Homes Golf Tournament will be held Aug. 1 at Hoakalei Country Club, and the Awards Gala, to announce award winning entrants and the 2012 Grand Champion, will be held Oct. 2 at The Royal Hawaiian Hotel. For more information and to obtain a BIA Parade of Homes or golf

tournament entry form, call Clarice Watanabe at 629-7503 or email ckw@biahawaii.org. Chartered in 1955, the Building Industry Association of Hawaii is a professional trade organization affiliated with the National Association of Home Builders, representing the building industry and its associates. The 500 members of BIA-Hawaii are developers, contractors, suppliers, Realtors, architects, financial institutions and a host of other professionals who serve the building industry. BIA-Hawaii takes a leadership role in unifying and promoting the interests of the industry to enhance the quality of life for the people of Hawaii.

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NOTICING YOUR HOME’S TIES TO THE PAST Moral of the story

Although that was an extreme case, it will hopefully leave an impression so that the next time you seek out a new space to live or do business in, you will make certain to research its history beforehand. Avoid spaces that you know are associated with failure, bankruptcy, physical violence, illness, chronic poverty and so on.

Clearing predecessor energy

©Depositphotos/get4net

©Depositphotos/chaoss who lived there previously had been a tenant for more than seven years, but had stopped paying rent two years before he actually moved out. The tenant had lost his job, his family support and his health, and he began taking illegal drugs. The landlord started further legal proceedings after unsuccessfully trying to evict him. Ultimately, the tenant had to be forcefully carried out of

FROM PAGE 2

a disempowered position? Surprisingly, it was none of that. Of course, I made some suggestions, but nothing more than I would make on an average home visit. So I asked her who lived in the space before her.

The predecessor According to the landlord, the man

the apartment. My client had moved in only two weeks later and unknowingly walked into the predecessor energy, which was in a downward spiral. When she saw the parallels between the prior tenant’s life and hers, she knew without a doubt that she wanted to move when her lease was up. In the meantime, we adjusted the home’s feng shui and blessed it to clear as much of the energy as we could.

If you are already in a space and feel that unhealthy predecessor energy is present but do not want to move, “clear the energy” with a blessing. Any type of spiritual ritual or blessing can help to “reset and refresh” the energy, making a difference to the energetic feel and impact of the unseen environment. The good news is that if you have occupied your current space for more than seven years, energy from previous occupants is likely gone. Just the same, you may want to bless your home to give it the energy of renewal and everyone occupying the space a fresh start.

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10 | HAWAII RENOVATION | JULY 29, 2012

of-the-art facility in Hillsboro, Ore., according to Bonterra founder and principal Andrew Yani. “SolarWorld has been the largest U.S. manufacturer of solar products for the past 35 years,” Yani said. “That’s quite a record, especially when you consider the competition U.S. solar manufacturers

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face from around the world. Everything we get from SolarWorld is top-quality, is made in America and comes with an ironclad warranty. And we augment SolarWorld’s product warranty with our own installation warranty so our customers are doubly protected.” Bonterra was one of the first companies to use SolarWorld products, which has created a tight bond between the two companies. In order to become an approved installer of SolarWorld products, a company has to pass a rigorous review. Not every solar installer makes the cut. SolarWorld believes that with Bonterra, it has found an exemplary company in all the categories it considers important: high-quality design work, great installation practices, high customer satisfaction, community spirit and a true desire to promote renewable energy while helping to wean Hawaii off the high cost of electricity generated by burning oil. Yani said Bonterra gets a leg up on its competitors in Hawaii thanks to SolarWorld’s advanced solar product manufacturing process. “SolarWorld has the largest vertically

integrated solar production plant in the country,” he said. “Vertically integrated just means that SolarWorld does every step of the manufacturing process in its Oregon plant — from raw silicon all the way to finished solar panels. That’s important because it means they can control quality at every point in the process.” SolarWorld’s corporate hub is in Camarillo, Calif., and its roots go back to 1975, making it one of the nation’s solar pioneers. It not only has survived in an industry that has seen the death of many U.S. solar manufacturers, but it also exports its products to Canada and Latin America. “We’re proud to be associated with SolarWorld,” Yani said. “With SolarWorld’s outstanding products and Bonterra’s expert contractors, electrical engineers and installers, we are providing the best solar systems to homeowners, commercial customers and housing developments in Hawaii.”

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SALTWATER POOLS ne of the hottest summers in U.S. history has sent everyone scurrying into their pools to cool off, and the biggest new trend in swimming pools is salt water. First developed in Australia, saltwater pools offer several advantages over conventional chlorine and have become incredibly popular in the last decade. People no longer have to tolerate the eye-burning, nosecurdling sting that comes from chlorine. Saltwater pools only have one-tenth the salt of ocean water and about one-third when compared to human tears. They are also gentler on the skin and hair than traditional chlorine pools. And pool owners don’t have to purchase, store and handle harsh chemicals, so maintenance is easier, more convenient and saves time and money. Across the country, more chlorine pools are being converted to salt water and today there are more than 1.4 million saltwater pools in operation nationwide. An estimated 75 percent of all new in-ground pools are salt water, compared with only 15

percent in 2002, according to data published in Pool & Spa News. In saltwater pools, chlorine is automatically produced as water passes through the generator. As the water exits the generator and enters the pool, the sanitizing chlorine reverts back to salt, and the process repeats itself, conserving salt and keeping sanitizer levels balanced. Saltwater pools require less maintenance than traditional pools, but pool owners still should test weekly for pH and chlorine, and monthly for other water-balance factors and for salt levels, which can drop due to splash-out, rain and filter back-wash-

License No. C-26041

ing. Most pool owners test pool water with test strips and periodically bring a sample to a pool retailer for testing. Anyone who has made the decision to move to a saltwater pool should make certain they use salt specifically designed for that use. An average 20,000-gallon pool requires 530 pounds of salt at startup; with quantities that large, even small amounts of contaminants within the salt can cause pool problems. That’s why ultra-pure salt is best for saltwater pools. There have also been questions about the effect of salt water on pool construction materials, decks and surrounding structures. When pools are properly constructed and normal maintenance is followed, salt water has no effect on pool finishes, equipment and decks. Most materials are suitable for saltwater pool construction, and most kinds of stone and decking materials will last if treated and sealed properly and periodically rinsed off. You can also find more information at the Salt Institute website.

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tion project seems too drastic, perhaps an entire rebuild of your home is the best option, which would make an Owner/ Builder Construction Loan the best loan program for this situation. The highly experienced home loan specialists at Hawaii Central FCU are available to assess your

financial situation. The consultation is free, and the specialists understand the urgency of getting your project started on time. If you choose to open a Home Equity Line of Credit for your project, you may be approved and funded in as little as two weeks. To apply for any of Hawaii

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OR That’s the home improvement question M aintenance and improvement are both essential realities of homeownership. But how do you know when something like a skylight simply needs repair or merits being replaced? While many modern skylights are energy-efficient, qualify to use the Energy Star mark and are leak-free, if you have an older plastic model, it’s probably a good idea to replace it. Not only are these older plastic bubble-type skylights often faded and unsightly, reducing visibility, they are not UV-ray resistant, are not energy-efficient and

are much more likely to leak. “There are millions of those unattractive, cracked and yellowed plastic skylights still out there,” said Ross Vandermark, national product manager of VELUX America, which markets the warranted “No-Leak Skylight.” “Replacing them with new energy-efficient, double-pane (insulating) glass models is quick and easy.” In fact, based on an estimate of 15 cents per kWh/hr, replacing an old plastic skylight with an Energy Starqualified VELUX skylight can save a 2,000-square-foot home about $194 a

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year on cooling costs, a company study shows. Add skylight blinds — which are available in a variety of styles that can be remote-controlled including blackout to block light, light filtering to diffuse light or Venetian to adjust light

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also gone in two directions. One trend is toward making cheaper roofing products, where the quality and price have been lowered. Incredibly, the manufacturers’ warranties appear to have been enhanced, even though these materials don’t perform better than the older materials. On the other hand, one aluminum roof system is a tremendous improvement

system is step one. If you want this to be the last time you deal with a roofer, you need to consider that the roofing contractor’s workers must have the training, experience and commitment to quality work to install the roof system properly. Aluminum Shake Roofing’s (BC15135) craftsmen are experts in metal roofing and are the best in the industry. They have specialized in installing the CMS system for more than 23 years in Hawaii. Execution, patience, attention to detail and corporate integrity are the keys to a successful installation. Call senior analyst Fred Rehm now for a free estimate that is professionally and clearly detailed, so you will have no doubt about what you will be getting.

metal framing clips, which significantly increase the overall durability and strength of a home, so much so that building professionals would never think of not using them. Roofing materials have

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o one likes the idea of doing any sort of home maintenance, and perhaps a homeowner’s least favorite thing to do is to deal with roofing problems and roofing contractors. It simply isn’t something people look forward to. Have you, the homeowner, ever wondered how you can capitalize on advances that have been made in building technology and make this the last time you have to deal with a roofing contractor? Over the years, the development in building materials has gone in two directions. Sometimes it goes toward lower-priced products. Unfortunately, those lower-cost products also mean lower quality, a lack of reliability and a shorter life. Have you ever installed a 50 cent light switch? It’s not a good idea. The other direction is toward products such as

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• Make sure to wash only full loads of laundry. Using a high-efficiency washing machine is ideal, as they use about 28 gallons of water per load, versus an average machine that uses 41 gallons.

YOUR HOME

Start at the tap n today’s environmentally conscious times, it seems we’re surrounded by the need to shop, act and live “green.” Some of our choices are easy and small, while others can be big and costly. But one thing is for sure — each choice can make a significant difference. Some of the most important green choices we can make are right within our own home, according to Kevin McJoynt at Danze Inc. “Installing items like Energy Star appliances and energy-efficient windows is a great step in moving your home to be more green,” said McJoynt. “But changing your in-home water usage can have the most impact.” According to McJoynt, water shortages, energy demands and the cost of transporting water continue to rise. “Finding ways to simply reduce our usage without dramatically altering our lifestyle could save billions of gallons of water each year in the United States.” McJoynt offers up these tips on how you can immediately start conserving water:

• Replace older toilets (1992 or earlier) with newer, highefficiency toilets (HETs). They operate at 1.28 gallons per flush and could save 11 gallons of water per toilet per day. Danze has several new HETs that outperform and are more stylish than many toilets

found in current homes. • Be sure to turn off the tap when brushing your teeth — it could save nearly 3,000 gallons of water per year. • Update your bathrooms with newer WaterSense-certified lavatory faucets.

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saved, plus $600 million in energy costs for heating the water. • Always turn the water off between tasks. Letting your faucet run for five minutes uses about as much energy as letting a 60-watt light bulb run for 14 hours.

neering of many new bathroom products actually gives the user improved performance as well as efficiency,” added McJoynt. “Faucets, toilets and showerheads are great examples. They’re just like other appliances that use less energy, but still work very well.”

• Take a shower rather than a bath. A full bath tub requires up to 70 gallons of water, while taking a fiveminute shower uses 10 to 25 gallons. And switch your showerhead to a water-saving option.

If all the water-saving green choices still have you overwhelmed, select one tip at a time and incorporate it into your home. Visit the EPA’s WaterSense website. For more information about Danze faucets, showerheads and toilets, visit www.danze.com.

• Fix those leaks. Most leaky faucets can waste more than 3,000 gallons of water each year. “Better design and engi-

• choosing the best tile for your lifestyle & outdoor or indoor space • differentiating between natural stone & ceramic tile • using tile in place of carpet, concrete, or wood flooring • the many benefits of natural tile Saturday, Aug. 18, 9 a.m. • 701 North Nimitz Hwy. Register at bellapietra.com 587-7779

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Air Resource Board) and has a long warranty. Homeowners Design Center features many cabinet lines that will meet those guidelines or exceed them with lifetime warranties and USA-made materials. The company also can help you choose the perfect granite, marble, maple butcher block, Corian, Staron, Silestone or Zodiaq countertop for your kitchen or bath. To find the right flooring, choose from wood, carpet, vinyl, ceramic and laminates. For window coverings, choose from elaborate drapery and valance combinations, or clean vertical blinds as well as matching fabric shades.

omeowners Design Center has been family owned and operated since 1969. Whether you are looking for flooring, kitchen or bath cabinets, countertops or window coverings, Homeowners Design Center provides one-stop convenience with a large selection of the latest products.

Quality design proves the company listens The company has a specialist in every department. Consultants have many years of experience in their fields and will work HOMEOWNERS together to provide DESIGN CENTER you with coordinating designs, quality prodcontact // 847-0216 ucts and professional address // 1030 Kohou St., Ste 201 installations. The web // www.homeownersdesign.com company also provides design services for customers with its free estimates. Kitchens have become the gathering place for family and friends. Open and warm, they are no longer the A company that chooses closed-off spaces they were 20 years ago. the best for its customers Access to a variety of products and venHomeowners Design Center’s staff of dors means Homeowners Design Center experienced kitchen and bath designers, along with its flooring consultants, can will recommend what will work best for develop a design that fits your lifestyle, you, regardless of the brand. The company’s constantly updated sample and disspace and budget.

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The company believes in measuring the value of your investment over the long term, which has enabled its success for more than 43 years. High-quality products are professionally installed and designed to last, along with worry-free customer service that saves you time and money.

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A PRIME COAT OF PAINT FOR YOUR HOME By Kyle Galdeira immy Suh has honed his craft for more than 25 years and can quickly diagnose problems with paint jobs that have resulted in unsightly chipping and peeling. The owner of Deep Purple Painting is a strong believer that a stellar paint job stems from proper preparation, and that there is no excuse for taking shortcuts. Suh explains that the tedious tasks of sanding down surfaces and filling in any cracks or imperfections with quality patching materials go a long way in ensuring a paint job’s effectiveness. “A painter needs to follow the proper procedures,” Suh said. “That’s why there are so many problems here in Hawaii with painting projects. You need to sand and prime the area, and prepare it properly. It’s worth the price for a premium paint job that’s done right the first time, saving time and money in the long run.” One of the problems Suh often encounters in Hawaii’s humid climate is the presence of mildew. The problem with the pesky growth is that it keeps expanding, even when painted over, unless treated properly during the early priming stages. “Lots of mildew — it just won’t die!” said Suh, who uses a high-quality primer

on all his projects to inhibit mildew growth and create a stronger bond with the top

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coat. “The mildew will keep growing under the paint unless you kill it from the start.” Suh moved to Hawaii in early 2010 to be closer to family and friends, and brought his successful painting business with him to the Islands. The contractor spent nearly 20 years in San Francisco

building his business and cultivating a sterling reputation for producing quality results. Whether the job involves painting a home’s exterior or a few walls of a commercial space, Deep Purple can cover it. “I’ve been painting for 25 years, and my main goal is to produce a quality job — that’s the most important thing,” Suh said. At the onset of each job, Suh confers with the owner to determine the necessary steps involved in refinishing the desired surfaces. The painter considers

many factors, including the relationships between colors and how they complement one another, and presents the owner with the viable options. Suh has cultivated a host of positive referrals from satisfied customers. When meeting with Suh, customers are encouraged to view the completed jobs in person in order to fully understand the stellar workmanship that goes into every Deep Purple project. After the look and feel of the project is determined, the client is presented with a written estimate of both the cost of the job as well as a timeline detailing the work to be performed. “The word of mouth referrals that I receive come from the extensive preparation and excellent results from numerous jobs, both residential and commercial,” said Suh of many notable projects in both Hawaii and San Francisco. “That’s why people like how I do business.” For more information or to set up a consultation with Suh, call 739-2000. Before

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UNCOVER THE ADVANTAGES OF ORANGE OIL TREATMENTS s our staff at Akamai Pest Solutions is getAKAMAI PEST SOLUTIONS ting ready to complete our first full year of offering contact // OAHU: 754-3393 • MAUI: 280-4300 orange oil treatments, we are web // www.akamaipestsolution.com so pleased with the response we have had here on Oahu. We have had the privilege of ic orange oil treatment, and a five meeting and helping so many year warranty for our Termidor people, and we look forward to ground treatment. another year of providing customers with a safe alternative to Q: Do you treat for ground tent fumigation. We have suc- termites? cessfully treated hundreds of A: Yes, and we do that by placing houses in Oahu. Many people ask a liquid barrier around the strucquestions about our treatments, ture. so we wanted to mention a few of the most common ones we get: Q: Can I stay in the house

Q: Do you offer a warranty with your treatments? A: Yes, we usually offer a warranty of two years for our organ-

while it’s being treated? A: Yes, you can. Since we are only targeting the infested areas, all we leave behind is a pleasant orange smell.

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on the size of the structure and amount of infestation. It may be higher than fumigation prices in many cases, but as a customer, you have no move-out costs or damage costs to worry about.

ence in thousands of inspections to locate the areas of infestation, and we have many tools at our disposal to assist us.

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dential or commercial structure. Business owners and tenants don’t have to move out or close their businesses.

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treatments in California for 20 years and the new law in California now requires people to be out of their homes for three days. We have been using this method for eight years. For more information, visit XT2000.com.

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ENERGYPROHAWAII

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he solar industry is evolving constantly, which continues to bring down the cost of a typical system. Samsung has introduced a new 255-watt panel that works well with the Enphase M215 micro-inverter. It costs

less than the older, less powerful panels. Samsung also has upped the warranty period for the improved panels to 10 years, which is double the industry standard. Enphase micro-inverters allow maximum production from your system and they come with free lifetime online monitoring and a full 25-year warranty. Right now, EnergyPro Hawaii is offering a summer special of $24,999 for a 4.59 kw system. This 20 | HAWAII RENOVATION | JULY 29, 2012

includes 18 Samsung 255-watt panels with Enphase M215 micro-inverters, two circuits and installation. This is for a standard installation, which does not require electrical upgrades on standard asphalt shingle roofing. Other-sized systems are available at similar pricing, and help is always available for more challenging installations that require additional electrical work or are placed on non-traditional roofing. Circuit penetrations reduce the number of PV systems that can be installed in a neighborhood and make system installation difficult or impossible once the 15-percent penetration level has been reached. EnergyPro Hawaii has experience with checking penetration levels and designing systems that will oftentimes work in areas that appear to be closedoff. Keeping your solar electric system under the 10 kw threshold means that you don’t have to provide additional insurance for your system to HECO, and installing a solar hot water system

contact // 596-289 0 web // Energyproh awaii.com

with your PV system can eliminate or greatly reduce your electric bill. Solar hot water still provides the best financial return and is the most efficient form of solar power available. If you don’t already have a solar hot water system, it makes sense to incorporate one into your solar plan. EnergyPro Hawaii is licensed to install both hot water and electric systems. The company has saved many homeowners a significant amount of money and heartache by designing an overall energy solution. Did you know that you can add

solar electric panels to an existing system and get an additional tax credit, without having to add circuits or wiring? As long as it’s in a different calendar year, you don’t need to justify your tax credit by adding circuits to your system. This allows you to install a starter system or a solar electric system along with a solar hot water system and not worry about paying for extra panels that you might not need. You can monitor your electrical usage for several months to fine-tune the number of panels that you need to offset your electrical bill as much as possible. Call EnergyPro Hawaii at 596-2890 for more information or a free energy consultation — you have nothing to lose. Or visit the website at Energyprohawaii.com.