Results Realty

Lisa Sanders, M.D., is an Assistant Clinical Professor at the Yale University School of Medicine and a clinician educator in Yale's Primary Care Internal Medicine Residency program. She writes the popular "Diagnosis" column, which appears monthly in the New York Times Magazine. This column was the inspiration for the award winning medical drama House M.D., on which she currently serves as technical adviser. Dr. Sanders' presentation will discuss physician-patient relationships as illustrated in her best selling book, Every Patient Tells a Story. There will also be a public reception beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Dr. Lisa Sanders
03/13/2012 (tomorrow!)
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: LaSells Stewart Center, Austin Auditorium
875 Southwest 26th Street, Corvallis

Homes rank second behind vehicles as the highest greenhouse gas emitters in theU.S., responsible for 17 percent of totalU.S.carbon dioxide emissions, according to the EPA.

There is a growing, segment of theU.S.housing market being referred to as net-zero-energy homes, many of which use solar energy to achieve net-zero energy use vs. consumption, and thus achieve a year-end positive energy generation-to-use balance. It turns out the Northwest is leading the charge of what is considered to be a national change in how people think about power.

In 2009,U.S.homeowners paid an average $2,200 for energy use in their homes, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. A growing number of homeowners are taking it upon themselves to not just lower, but erase that cost. This rising trend of super-efficient, solar-powered new homes allows homeowners to combat rising energy costs by giving back to the power grid. Some owners are even realizing a small profit from their home's power-generating capacity. Imagine that!

Intelligent house layout and design, and home features such as dual-pane windows, air-tight ductwork and high-caliber wall and attic insulation, are curbing energy consumption. And when coupled with solar energy, captured through photovoltaic panels, these homes are becoming their own mini power plants that feed electricity to the grid.

High-caliber insulation, like the attic-coating foam above, are among the products that contribute to energy efficiency. In the sun-sparse days of winter, energy consumption often exceeds generation, but in the sunny days of summer, energy generation often far exceeds consumption.

Homeowners can do some simple things to make their homes more efficient. For about $1,000, homeowners can transform their home from poorly performing to within the top 10 percent echelon of energy-efficient homes.

You could start with insulating walls and ceilings. From there, experts say to look at your windows. Both steps will minimize "energy freeways." Consider energy-efficient appliances, like Department of Energy-rated Energy Star-designated models. Turn off lights when not in use. When it's nice outside, turn off the thermostat and open the windows for fresh air. Practice minimal heating and cooling use.

And beware of vampire loads: connect TVs, VCRs and other electronics to a power strip, and control their operation through it. For example, the average TV uses half its electricity over its life when off, he said.

With an influx of federal money for research, and federal tax credits that refund up to 30 percent of the cost of a solar-energy system on a home through 2016, power generation is within reach for a larger group of homeowners.

Just for Fun – Rancho Mirage This distinctly contemporary design features a long, deep swimming pool that extends beneath a raised portion of the house, while lower floors of the house enjoy underwater views through portals. We included a photo to show you this interesting home unlike anything inBentonCounty. In the living spaces this means filtered blue light, a welcome alternative to the harsh desert rays. The interior is spacious with three bedrooms and six bathrooms spread over 4,300 square feet.

27 Grand View Ct [Sotheby's]

Are you facing the dilemma of replacing your bathtub? Here is an overview with some tips on the pros and cons of different materials as well as some commentary on price. The idea of this post is to help you narrow your search and be less overwhelmed by the prospect of taking on this chore.

You might be surprised to find that you have more options than you would have thought. Which one you ultimately choose is going to come down to a combination of how you want the tub to look, comfort, ease of maintenance as well as cost.

Fiberglass,also known as FRP, is going to be the least expensive bathtub material.

The advantages are low cost, lightweight, ease of installation, and a finish that can be repaired. Some realities if you go this route: fiberglass tubs are thin, they flex and don't have a stable feel, they are not very durable and the finish is prone to fading, scratching and cracking.

Cast iron are made to last. They are made by pouring molten iron into a mold of the desired shape, then smoothing it and coating it with a thick layer of enamel. It's probably the most durable tub available, and the finish is resistant to chipping, scratching and denting, as well as most types of chemicals. There are a number of different colors available, and there is a high-end appeal many find striking. The heavy material also tends to retain the water's heat. Beautiful and practical is the final analysis. Beauty comes with cost and fuss though. Installation is quite a job, and your floor may even need to be reinforced because of the weight.

Porcelain on steel, sometimes called enameled steel, is another inexpensive and very common bathtub material. These tubs are durable and easy to clean. The finish is resistant to most common chemicals, and retains its gloss for a long time. They're also especially useful when replacing fiberglass or acrylic tub/shower units, as they fit in the same 5-foot opening and can be finished off nicely with a ceramic tile surround. On the downside, they are heavier than fiberglass or acrylic, the surface can rust and chip under impact and the selection of shapes and sizes is limited.

Acrylic tubs use fiberglass sheets for reinforcement underneath vacuum-formed sheets of colored acrylic. The advantages are pretty much the same as for fiberglass, although acrylic tubs are more expensive. There are many choices of shapes, sizes and colors.

You may not like that the finish can scratch or discolor over time, although the better grades of tub finishes have now reduced that problem to a minimum.

Cultured marble tubs are made from crushed limestone mixed with resin, then finished with Gelcoat. There are many options for color, size and style. The Gelcoat finish used with cultured marble is more durable than that used with fiberglass. The cost typically falls somewhere between acrylic and cast iron.

Solid-surface materials are relative newcomers to the bathtub market. They are durable and retain heat well. There are a variety of subtle, natural-looking colors available; and the finish can be repaired if needed. They can also be made in a variety of shapes and sizes. On the downside, they're somewhat heavy and relatively expensive, and may require a long lead time to get.

Ceramic tile can be made on site to whatever size and shape you desire. You have more design options with this material than any other. However, you'll have to deal with the maintenance of all that grout.

Stone is another possibility, and they can be made from a variety of natural stone materials, including granite, marble, onyx, travertine, basalt and sandstone. These tubs are very heavy, and they must have special structural framing to support their weight. Much care will be needed to keep this tub looking great.

Wood bathtubs are impressive and expensive. You can also custom-order a bathtub made from teak and certain other woods. To retain the original beauty, there will be maintenance more intensive than with many tubs.

Hopefully this information will help you narrow your search as you shop. Any way you go, a nice clean new tub is going to be a wonderful addition to your home.