munsons

with Woodsman Stains Start your painting project right with a lifetime warranty

True Value & Just Ask Rental From chairs & tables to canopies and lights...

5662 State Highway 7 Oneonta, NY (607) 432-8756 www.munsonstruevalue.com email: munsons@stny.rr.com

SPRING HOME & GARDEN 2011

7 THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2011

It has been 32 years since David Austin, owner of Great Brook Solar
started installing Renewable Energy Systems throughout Central New York. His mission statement has not changed in all of these years, To help people save money & raise their standard of living through the use of renewable energy & to provide a measure of freedom from dependency on centralized energy distribution.

How to build the greenest home

You are in the driver's seat when it comes to the quality of the features and fixtures in your dream home. Indeed, building from the ground up is a golden opportunity to create the most energy efficient and environmentally friendly house of a lifetime -- and for those committed, good advice is readily available. So where does one begin? "Create a checklist for the latest technology in walls, windows, siding, drainage, solar power, water management, ventilation, plumbing, heating and cooling systems," says Nudura marketing manager, Todd Blyth. "An energy efficient checklist would also include the most insulated building envelope. For this, concrete, instead of wood, champions them all. "Wood framing is outdated now," Blyth continued. "Concrete, on the other hand, saves the forest, eliminates toxicity, and delivers superior structural, environmental, and human health benefits. Nudura walls are preassembled forms, each one stacked, reinforced, and then filled with concrete. Once locked together (like Lego) the system creates a solid, monolithic wall. This advanced method has shown to deliver energy savings of up to 70 percent and delivers a building envelope up to three times more sound resistant, four times more fire resistant, and nine times stronger.

Spring Home & Garden - THE DAILY STAR AND THE COOPERSTOWN CRIER

2010 WAS A YEAR OF TREMENDOUS GROWTH FOR GREAT BROOK SOLAR. In fact they installed more renewable energy systems in 2010 than had been installed in any previous year. With an installation crew of 5 men, Great Brook Solar installed 13 Grid Tied Solar Electric Systems, 2 Commercial Grid Tied Solar Electric systems, 2 Solar Hot Water Systems, 3 Off Grid Systems and 1 Geothermal Heat Pump System. GREAT BROOK SOLAR OFFERS THE MOST EXPERIENCED renewable energy system sales and installation in Upstate New York. Dave is a NABCEP Certified PV Installer & also IGSHPA certified. All of their installers are educated and knowledgeable in the installation and service of the various systems. Dave and his team take advantage of the winter months by taking classes to further their knowledge and education in this ever changing industry. GREAT BROOK SOLAR DESIGNS & INSTALLS COMPLETE ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SYSTEMS. Each system is designed to fit the customers unique needs. They pay attention to detail and take pride on their top level of workmanship. Great Brook Solar obtains utility approvals, building permits and all inspections needed during the installation process.

Builders expect to hear requests for green features

Due to demand, builders today are constantly learning about the new and advanced technologies for home construction. Owner-clients want to be assured of living in the healthiest, most durable, least wasteful house possible and therefore, building a home from the ground up is the best opportunity to get it right. "In addition to fixtures and materials, be sure to ask for the most advanced construction methods," says Todd Blyth at Nudura, a leading name in building system technology. "For example, more and more builders, on request, are discarding the traditional wood-framing method now seen as inefficient and wasteful in favor of concrete walls." Why concrete? This advanced technology consists of pre-assembled, interlocking forms delivered to the construction site. The specialized panels consist of two, stay-inplace forms of Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) connected with a hinged, folding web. The forms are stacked, reinforced, and then filled with concrete, creating a solid monolithic wall. "The benefits are extensive," Blyth explains. "Architects are inspired by new design possibilities; builders cut their construction time in half; and the homeowner (or commercial building owner) can feel satisfied for cutting back on an enormous amount of wood." As importantly, the quality of life continues long after construction is completed, he continued. As time goes on within "the most technologically advanced walls", your energy bills could drop by as much as 70 percent. "This type of concrete building envelope delivers twice the efficiency compared to stick frame walls -- and with no wood rot and mould it delivers none of the related toxicity. Concrete walls are up to three times more sound resistant; up to four times more fire resistant; nine times stronger; and far more resistant to thermal bridging where outside cold seeps in to cause uncomfortable cold spots, drafts, and mustiness." Floor and ceiling construction is now far advanced too.

New York State now has an incentive program for Solar Thermal installations as well as the continued Solar Electric incentives.
Great Brook Solar is looking forward to another successful year in 2011.

If you would like to learn more about Renewable Energy Systems for your home or business, visit their website or call their office at to request your personal site survey.
Covers the Following Counties CHENANGO DELAWARE GREENE ULSTER HERKIMER MADISON ONEIDA OTSEGO SCHOHARIE SULLIVAN MONTGOMERY OSWEGO LEWIS JEFFERSON

607-847-6366

819 County Rte.28, S.New Berlin, NY

WWW.GREAT-BROOK-SOLAR.COM Tax Credits Available

A GREAT RATE ON A HOME EQUITY LINE OF CREDIT.

INTRODUCTORY RATE

1.00

Straight talk and a fair deal % from NBT Bank.

APR*

FIXED FOR 6 MONTHS

CURRENT VARIABLE RATE

AFTER DISCOUNT PERIOD

3.25

%
APR*

We understand that when it comes to home equities, people want options that are straightforward. So, here it is. Straight up. Were offering a home equity line of credit with a six-month introductory rate of just 1.00% APR for a limited time. Great fixed rates on home equity loans are also available now. Looking for a bank that puts customers first? Stop by, call or visit us online today.

AS LOW AS PRIME

800.NBT.BANK

www.nbtbank.com

* To qualify for the promotional rate, a minimum line of $20,000 must be approved for a new home equity line of credit. Customers with an existing home equity line of credit from NBT Bank or Pennstar Bank must be approved for an additional $7,500 to qualify. Residence must be a 1-4 family owner-occupied dwelling with a maximum loan to value of 80%. Rates shown are as of March 14, 2011. The 1% Annual Percentage Rate (APR) is an introductory rate for 6 months, and after that your rate can be as low as 3.25% APR. The APR after the introductory discount period is variable and may change monthly based upon changes in the prime rate but will not fall below 3.25% APR or exceed 15.90% APR. The Prime Rate is the highest Prime Rate offered in The Wall Street Journal based on the tenth day of the preceding month. Property insurance is required and title insurance is required for all loans over $100,000 in a rst lien position and may be required for loans with aggregation over $100,000 when the home equity is in a second lien position. If you cancel the line of credit within 4 years, you must reimburse us the third-party fees paid in connection with opening the line. Closing costs paid to third parties generally total between $427 and $3,233 in New York and $167 and $1,989 in Pennsylvania and Vermont. See your tax advisor for details on the tax deductibility of interest. Offer subject to credit approval. Additional terms and conditions may apply depending on the type of collateral and other loan terms offered or chosen. Member FDIC