Limiting heat loss through your windows

I came across a really retro but great idea for conserving heat loss through the windows of your home.  But first, here is how heat loss can take place: Conduction, Convection, Radiance.  

Conduction is transfer of heat energy by contact; warm interior window glass to cold exterior.

Convection is heat loss caused by moving air.

Radiance is loss of infrared energy using the windows as light energy.

My great new find, the "Window Quilt".  It is what it sounds like.  A good looking quilt or blanket that is hung on the inside of a window to reduce heat transfer through your windows. For those who quilt as a hobby, here is a way to use some of those quilts you have devoted hours to, and wish others could enjoy, but are reluctant to take everyone on a tour to your bedrooms.

There are any number of ways to attractively mount quilts to your window without using duct tape or a staple gun.  Here are four suggestions I would use.

1) Create some tabs of your own, similar the ones in photo one. 

2) Purchase some ring clips. 

3) Use either the tabs or the rings and create a roll up version.  (However, I would not use the tiny attachments as shown in picture three. They would end up tearing the quilt before long.)  

4) The fourth suggestion would take more effort but would look very finished.

PHOTO ONE

PHOTO TWO

PHOTO THREE

PHOTO FOUR

If you are interested in creating some of your own, here is a link to an article that will help you get started.

http://www.countrysidemag.com/86-6/sue_robishaw/

http://www.motherearthnews.com/green-homes/thermal-window-shades-zmaz83ndzale.aspx#axzz3Kr6BsCN6

A SMALL CORRECTION ON RADIANCE FROM MY SON WILLIAM: 
Windows are good conductors of heat, which is fixed by your quilt, but the amount of light they let through is dependent on color.  Visible and UV light from the sun gets through just fine, and this heats up your home.  The interior of your home in turn glows in the infrared, but infrared light does *not* pass through glass.  So windows let light through in only one direction, basically -- visible and UV gets in, infrared doesn't get out.

_______________________________________________

Linda Quiggle is a licensed REALTOR and can be reached at 806-220-5312.  Prudential, Ada REALTORS is an independently owned and operated member of Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential company, an Equal Housing Opportunity.

Follow her on Facebook: www.facebook.com/findinghomesforaqueen

Follow her team on www.homesofamarillo.info

A Community of Tiny Houses

Thanks to my friend Theresa for turning me on to one more community embracing the Tiny Home as a means to helping their homeless population.  

A group up in Madison, Wisconsin have taken on this wonderful project and their website chronicles the obstacles as well as the achievements of this project: http://occupymadisoninc.com/ 

What about you Amarillo, Texas?  Are we willing to supply an affordable place for our homeless to call home?  Someplace out of the elements of summer or winter.

Linda Quiggle is a licensed REALTOR and can be reached at 806-220-5312.  Prudential, Ada REALTORS is an independently owned and operated member of Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential company, an Equal Housing Opportunity.

Follow her on Facebook: www.facebook.com/findinghomesforaqueen

Follow her team on www.homesofamarillo.info

Affordable Tiny Home rentals in Ozark, Alabama

In June, Mr. Blankenship of Ozark, Alabama constructed five small homes that are each only 500 sq. ft. They are 1 bedroom, 1 bath, with a nice front porch, living room and kitchen. According to the people living there, they are extremely well insulated and they can have their dogs there without any additional charge. They are rentals that rent for just under $500/month and provide a great streetscape to the neighborhood. What an incredible addition to any neighborhood.  More important it provides great housing for those needing to house themselves but are unemployed, underemployed, or just want to live small in a stationary environment.

I am always looking for efficient housing solutions for low income families. This is a solution that would contribute to the need for stable low income housing in Amarillo, TX.  Hope the builders/investors in this area follow Mr. Blankenship's lead.

http://tinyhouseblog.com/stick-built/blankenship-small-homes-in-alabama/
__________________________________________________

Linda Quiggle is a licensed REALTOR and can be reached at 806-355-9601.  Prudential, Ada REALTORS is an independently owned and operated member of Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential company, an Equal Housing Opportunity.

Follow her on Facebook: www.facebook.com/findinghomesforaqueen

Follow her team on www.homesofamarillo.info

Vacation in a Tiny Home in Portland, Oregon

If you thought I had given up my interest in "Tiny Homes", I haven't!  My husband and I just had to deal with some health issues over the last six months.  Add work into that mix and I just didn't have time to continue sharing and spreading the idea of "Living Small" as a choice.

This cute 300 sq.ft. home is only 15 minutes from downtown Portland, Oregon and located on an organic farm.  It rents for $499/week or $1450/month. It accommodates 2 people, hosts a "real bed", and has an adjacent bathroom with a tiled shower and toilet area.  

Spending some vacation time in a tiny home seems like a smart idea before launching into a permanent living situation.

 
If I were making a trip to Oregon, I would definitely give this a try.  For more information and interior pictures try the link below.

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/1850000

___________________________________________

Linda Quiggle is a licensed REALTOR and can be reached at 806-355-9601.  Prudential, Ada REALTORS is an independently owned and operated member of Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential company, an Equal Housing Opportunity.

Follow her on Facebook: www.facebook.com/findinghomesforaqueen

Follow her team on www.homesofamarillo.info

Amarillo's Prudential Ada acquired!

BIG NEWS! 

Celebrating a merger are, from left, Terry Manz of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Anderson Properties of Lubbock; Greg Glenn, broker owner of Prudential Ada Realtors in Amarillo; Mike Huff, owner of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices; and Rick Young, BHHS chief operating officer.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Anderson Properties announced the acquisition of Amarillo-based Prudential Ada Realtors.

The transaction adds an office and 22 agents to Anderson Properties’ growing ranks.
“We are excited to add this fine operation and continue our strategic growth initiatives,” said Mike Huff, broker/owner of Anderson Properties. “We see the Texas Panhandle as a dynamic, growing market and, combined with our existing office in Lubbock, we are nicely represented there.”

Anderson Properties is one of the region’s fastest-growing brokerages. In July, the company expanded into Tulsa and Oklahoma City with the acquisition of Prudential Alliance Realty, a perennial Top-50 company in the Prudential Real Estate network.

Anderson Properties now operates 39 offices with more than 650 agents.

“We are eager to join forces with Anderson Properties,” said Prudential Ada Realtors Broker/Owner Greg Glenn, who will remain in the organization. “Our companies have similar cultures built on longstanding success. We will capitalize on the foundation Anderson Properties has built in the Panhandle to provide even better service in greater Amarillo.”

Rick Young, Anderson Properties’ chief operating officer, said his company will continue growing.
“It’s an exceptional time for real estate, as the economy and market move forward,” he said. “Our strategy is to add exceptional companies and professionals whenever we can to provide clients with the best service available.”

Source: Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Anderson Properties

___________________________________________

Linda Quiggle is a licensed REALTOR and can be reached at 806-355-9601.  Prudential, Ada REALTORS is an independently owned and operated member of Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential company, an Equal Housing Opportunity.

Follow her on Facebook: www.facebook.com/findinghomesforaqueen

Follow her team on www.homesofamarillo.info

Shipping Container Homes

A used shipping container can be purchased for under $1000 and it is made out of durable material - it makes for a superb repurpose - reuse - recycle mind set. 

Most homes I have seen created with shipping containers have been small, what I like to call "tiny homes". That doesn't have to be the case though. 

Kalkin's Shipping Container Homes in New Jersey has taken the container home to a whole new level as seen by the two pictures in this post.  If these awesome homes are being built to survive the New Jersey winter, I'm pretty sure they could be engineered to make it in the Texas Panhandle too. I would like to see a local builder embrace this idea.  What about you?


Here is a link if you are interested in learning more.
http://www.spiritscienceandmetaphysics.com/22-most-beautiful-houses-made-from-shipping-containers/

___________________________________________

Linda Quiggle is a licensed REALTOR and can be reached at 806-355-9601.  Prudential, Ada REALTORS is an independently owned and operated member of Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential company, an Equal Housing Opportunity.

Follow her on Facebook: www.facebook.com/findinghomesforaqueen

Follow her team on www.homesofamarillo.info

9-11 Museum

Below is an incredible link from the magazine, DWELL, concerning the opening of the new 9-11 Museum.  

How did that day impact you?

I remember where I was when I first heard about the bombing.  I was living in Sparks, Nevada and I was getting ready for work and listening to the news. My husband was still in the shower and carrying on a conversation with me, but I had ceased to respond as I sat down in stunned silence to watch the news reporter. I think I was evem more stunned to see the attack on the Pentagon.  

At work we crowded around a TV and kept watching as the events of that day unfolded.  Too stunned to work and we were barley able to even talk with each other.

Share in comments below, where you were and how it impacted your life.

http://www.dwell.com/post/slideshow/ground-zero-bedrock-911-museum-prepares-visitors?utm_source=newsletter&utm_content=2014-5-16-control&utm_campaign=thisweekfromdwell&utm_medium=email&hq_e=el&hq_m=3207758&hq_l=10&hq_v=a2b741c69a#1

_________________________________

Linda Quiggle is a licensed REALTOR and can be reached at 806-355-9601.  Prudential, Ada REALTORS is an independently owned and operated member of Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential company, an Equal Housing Opportunity.

Follow her on Facebook: www.facebook.com/findinghomesforaqueen

Follow her team on www.homesofamarillo.info