What do the new lead paint laws mean to you? If you are a contractor it may mean a fine of $37,500 per day.

Here is an article from http://www.homeconstructionimprovement.com/new-lead-paint-law-effective-april-22-2010/

New EPA Lead Paint Laws Effect Remodeling Projects

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has new lead paint laws going into affect on April 22, 2010. The new lead paint laws require any renovation work performed on houses built before 1978 to be performed by a certified contractor. Obviously his new law is causing some serious moans and groans from both home owners and contractors. Contractors will be required to provide home owners the Renovate Right Brochure which contains useful information about the new law.

Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Law

The new lead paint laws that goes into affect on April 22 involves training and certification of remodelers, safe work-site practices, verification and record keeping. It’s very important to understand that the new law pertains to projects on any house built before 1978 with a few exceptions as follows:

• The home or child occupied facility was built after 1978.
• The repairs are minor, with interior work disturbing less than six sq. ft. or exteriors disturbing less than 20 sq. ft.
• The homeowner may also opt out by signing a waiver if there are no children under age six frequently visiting the property, no one in the home is pregnant, or the property is not a child-occupied facility. This is no longer true. The EPA just removed this waiver. (Ref).
  
• If the house or components test lead free by a Certified Risk Assessor, Lead Inspector, or Certified Renovator.

What Does The New Law Mean To You?

You’re probably wondering what this new law might mean to you and your next remodeling project. The obvious answer is a healthier home for you, your family and people that perform renovations to your  home. The other obvious answer is an increased cost for contractors to adhere to the new rules which ultimately means an increased cost to you.

Over the last few months I’ve heard several small contractors say they will steer clear of and avoid older home renovations. A significant amount of small replacement window contractors will most likely go out of business and stop providing inexpensive window replacement services. While we think the new law is important in protecting public safety we also know it will result in much higher prices for consumers and less competition for consumers.

If you hire a contractor to do a renovation in your home that was built prior to 1978 be sure you hire a certified contractor. You should ask to see your contractors RRP certification prior to hiring them. Contractors performing work without the certification face penalties of $37,500 per day!

New Law Will Take Time To Work Effectively

With over 38 million homes containing lead paint in the US no one can argue the importance of good lead paint laws. However, from the few meetings and conversations I’ve had it’s clear to me that this is going to take some time before it’s very effective. Most of the literature and training has left contractors confused, upset and frustrated. However, with time these new laws will become part of everyday routines for contractors and ultimately help save lives. We certainly hope the EPA works quickly to fill in the blanks and help contractors implement this new law.

Can a New Green Product Made From Recycled Plastic Soda Bottles Provide Cleaner Indoor Air and a Healthier Home?
Made in the USA from recycled plastic bottles, the new Airnamic Green from Alen Corp. is an economical new green home product that effectively removes dust, pet dander, grass and tree pollen, mold spores and other allergens from indoor air. This healthful and inventive use of plastic drink bottles provides consumers with an anti-microbial,
moisture resistant, convenient and cost-effective high performance quality home air cleaning product.
Austin, Texas – February 11, 2009 – Alen Corp. has launched the first earthfriendly home air filter made exclusively out of recycled plastic drink bottles. The Alen Airnamic Green MERV 8 home air filter cleans indoor air better than most store-bought air filters and is made in the USA with 100 percent recycled materials. It will never clog landfills because it can be incinerated. The ecofriendly new product for home effectively removes dust, mold, pet dander, and
other home allergens such as pollen from indoor air.
“Alen Corp. is the only company manufacturing an air filter for home that is ‘green’ and made from recycled plastic bottles,” said Peter Mann, CEO of Alen Corp. “Not only does the first environmentally friendly air filter provide a
healthier home, but consumers will also save money on electricity due to the Airnamic’s filter design that provides a lower pressure drop for less air flow resistance and greater energy efficiency. Frequently changing your home air
filter every two months will not only extend the life of your expensive HVAC system and reduce CO2 emissions, but save you hundreds of dollars each year on your energy bill,” concluded Mann. According to a recent U.S. Department of Energy statistic, heating/cooling is by far the largest expense on the average utility bill – at 46 percent. The three major components of life-cycle cost for HVAC filters are: initial investment and maintenance, energy consumption and disposal. On average, energy cost accounts for an astounding 81 percent of the total life-cycle cost of an air filter
system. Maintenance, such as the purchase of air filters, accounts for only 18 percent and disposal is 1 percent.

Alen Corp.’s Airnamic Green 1” home air filter comes in 22 different sizes to fit most standard home HVAC units, as well as custom sizes. The new green product for home is available immediately in economical 6-packs or 12-packsand a subscription service is available for the consumer’s convenience.
Eco-Friendly Air Purifiers by Alen. Be green and save some green.

One of the main objectives of a green home is to create a home that is healthier for the occupants. One area many want to try and improve is the air quality within the home. This is the reason having low VOC’s is included in all of the green certifications programs. But for many that are remodeling and trying to be green, can not afford a complete redo of their HVAC or ventilation system. But one low cost option is an in home air purifier. No installation, portable and many options make this the reason the air purifying industry has become a 530 million dollar industry.

Air purifiers are engineered to remove odors, allergens and pollutants from the air. Air purifiers range in size, function, price, and style, quality and durability. High Efficiency Particle Air (HEPA) filter, are ideal for individuals who are allergic to tiny air particles. Some air purifiers even filter out bacteria and other microorganisms. Air purifiers can help reduce the overall amount of indoor air pollutants. Although air purifiers are not the only solution to ease allergic suffering, they do provide one more way to help increase indoor air quality in the home, without a huge expense of a whole home air exchanger/purifier.

I would like to introduce you to a company that is taking quality of air serious. This company is Alen Corp from Austin, Texas.

Peter Mann, the founder of Alen Corp, was an engineer looking for respiratory relief for his asthmatic son and decided to start a company that would provide the quality he was looking for. He began the industry revolution by being the only air purifier company to offer a lifetime warranty; not only did he believe in the quality of his products, but he was committed to reducing landfill waste. Alen Corp holds strong to its founding vision of helping people live better as it leads to air quality. Alen Corp provides the best possible technology at affordable prices.

Alen Corp provides a wide variety of sizes, designs and filtering quality. From a 10″ desk top model to a built in, Energy Star rated, HEPA system. Alen Corp has a collection that should fit everyone’s needs.

This company is one that is focused in Green in more than one way. First to provide the best possible air quality and second to reduce landfill waste by providing a quality product that will last.

Alen Corp manufactures air quality products (HEPA air purifiers, dehumidifiers, portable air conditioners) all at direct prices. All Alen air purifiers offer lifetime warranties to ensure maximum efficiency and to maintain their 98% effectiveness at removing all airborne particles.

Did you know that 70% of the indoor air we breathe is more polluted than the air outdoors? All Alen air purifiers (A350, A375UV, Paralda, T300, T100) remove at least 98% of all airborne allergens (i.e. pollen, pet dander, dust mites etc) and utilize HEPA filters and UV lamps (remove bacteria and viruses).

Alen T300 is one of the quietest air purifiers on the market making it excellent for bedrooms, nurseries and offices.

The Paralda air purifier from Alen offers contemporary design and function. The patent pending design allows air to be pulled from the back and circulate out the two sides, rather than out the front like all other air purifiers do. This allows for a streamline, clean look to the front of the Paralda. Paralda is the only air purifier on the market that meets Energy Star, lead free standards (no lead in the soldering of parts) and is ozone safe.

Looking for heftier protection? The Alen A375UV removes VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) and airborne chemicals. VOCs are one of the main causes of indoor air pollution and are a source of greenhouse gases (ozone and smog).