Localism: Spring, TX

Explore Northgate Crossing Spring Texas - Villages of Northgate Crossing

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 20:48:35 -0600

Take a moment to explore Northgate Crossing and you'll see why residents love this wooded community consisting of four Villages -- Crossgate, Eastgate, Southgate and Westgate. From the tremendous schools of Spring ISD and community features, to proximity to shopping, restaurants and bars, Villages of Northgate Crossing easily meets the needs of both families and younger residents. Conveniently located North of Houston, near Old Town Spring. With access to I-45 & the Hardy Tollway, allowing for an easy commute to Spring, Houston or The Woodlands. For information about other neighborhoods, rental housing, real estate and communities in Spring visit Spring Texas Real Estate. The highly rated Spring schools appeal many parents. Homes in the villages of Northgate range from the upper 100s to the lower 200s, offering a diverse selection of homes for those looking to upgrade and/or larger families. Its close proximity to Springs many parks, Old Town Spring, Splashtown Waterpark, The Woodlands Mall, shopping, dining, museums, and golfing. The subdivision's well-kept appearance and tightly enforced deed restrictions is a steady draw. Many of the streets are cul-de-sacs. The communitys recreational facilities include a Olympic-size pool, tennis court, clubhouse and playground.

Garbage In = Garbage Out: Why Size Matters for HVAC Systems

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 08:06:10 -0600

Garbage In = Garbage Out: Why Size Matters for HVAC Systems

Lennox, the HVAC manufacturer, has released an online tool to assist their installers and distributors to determine the right components to use for their homes. Ripped from the headlines of NAHB's Nation's Building News for November 24, 2008.

This may not seem like much, but trust me, it is. Far too many homes have air conditioning units that are far too large. This leads to inefficient performance, higher energy bills and less comfort. Why? The oversized unit cools quickly then shuts down. Moisture is not sufficiently removed but the temperature goes down. Then it kicks on again, cools quickly and shuts down. This is called short cycling. Same problem on the heating side.

The problem can easily be fixed by taking a few easy steps:

1. Design a home that doesn't require much heating and cooling.

2. Specify high performance materials and components.

3. Properly design and size your HVAC system based on the actual materials you are using in the home

4. Expertly install your HVAC system.

See, wasn't all that hard. Unfortunately, a lot of installers use old rules of thumb based on the home's square footage or other factors. If one ton is good, then two is better...right? Nope.

So now the folks at Lennox have made it even easier to design and size the right HVAC components through an online tool.

Home buyers: I urge you to INSIST on seeing the recommended system from this Lennox program or Manual J, the industry standard for system sizing. Your builder shouldn't mind sharing this info. Make sure your specified materials have been entered into the calculations.

Builders: If you normally work with Lennox products then ask to use this program. If not, require your installers to show you their Manual J recommendations for your home.

Key to Lennonx Smart Select and Manual J is using the right data. Garbage in = garbage out. Make sure all the inputs are based on the components being installed versus industry standard numbers. For instance, if they don't know the U factor of the windows you are installing, they will use average numbers for the average window. Well, if you use high performance Thermolock Sherwood windows, you won't lose as much heat in the winter and won't gain at much heat in the summer. So you won't need that much air conditioning. But they don't know unless you tell them.

Duct design and sizing is very important too. For more information on this topic (and for many other building science topics) you should pick up any of the materials from EEBA or attend a seminar by an established building scientist like Joe Lstiburek Ph.D P.Eng.

And remember to build that envelope nice and tight or it won't matter how you heat and cool the home since it will all leak away into the atmosphere like dollars drifting out your window.

Free Thanksgiving Dinner-Nov. 23-Spring, TX

Sat, 22 Nov 2008 21:08:50 -0600

	Thanksgiving Celebration at Church of New Beginnings on Sunday, November 23rd at 10:00am. Join in for a Thanksgiving Service and immediately following the service Thanksgiving Dinner will be served to you! Activities for children will also be available!

	Thanksgiving Dinner will be served and activities for the children will be available. This includes: Moonwalk, Clowns, Balloons, Games, Face Painting, and LOTS OF FUN!!!

This free event will be open until 2:00pm at the Church of New Beginnings -1609 Spring Cypress Rd.- Spring, TX 77388.

Contact Phone:	281-651-7879

Time:	10:00am-2:00pm

Event General Phone:	281-651-7879

Event General Email:	conbhouston@yahoo.com

Event Website:	www.conbhouston.com

Volunteers Needed At Northwest Houston Thrift Shops

Sat, 22 Nov 2008 17:57:38 -0600

Two thrift shops run by a coalition of local churches provide proceeds to needy families. Volunteer shifts are available on weekdays and Saturdays for sorting donated items, pricing the merchandise, displaying, and processing sales. One shop is located near Jones Road and Fallbrook, and the other near FM 1960 and Kuykendahl. Please call Volunteer Houston at 713-965-0031 or visit www.volunteerhouston.org for more information.

www.StagingSmartNSold.com offers Houston home staging solutions for a rapid and profitable house sale to area Realtors and homeowners. The owner is also a volunteer in the Houston Bay Area.

Open House-Spring Antique Mall-Nov. 15 &16.-Spring,Texas

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 05:19:07 -0600

The Spring Antique Mall will be having it's Open House this Saturday and Sunday November 15th & 16th. Refreshments & Entertainment will be from Sat. 10-6p and Sun 1-6p.

Their motto is "Not To Big, Not Too Small. Just an Old Fashion Antique Mall".

The Mall is located at 1609 D. Spring Cypress 1 block West of I-45 N. Exit 70A (in U-Haul Center)

Phone # is 281-355-1110.

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Cindy Bryant is the owner of Redesign Etc.Home Staging & Redesign Specialist in Houston, Staging Your House To Sell By Professional Home Stagers! Our goal is to get your home sold for top dollar in the most cost effective way!

Contact Cindy today for a Home Staging Consultation. Please visit our website for more information.

Areas Served: Houston, League City, Clear Lake City, Friendswood, Kemah, Seabrook, Pearland, Sugar Land, Spring, Cypress, The Woodlands, West University, River Oaks, Tanglewood, Mid-Town, The Heights, Montrose, Texas Medical Center, The East End, West Loop/Galleria/Memorial, Piney Point, Downtown, Museum District, Bellaire, and surrounding areas. And all areas down to Galveston Island.