ASAP ROOFING has been on the forefront of sustainability and energy efficiency, and has seen a lot in terms of energy alternatives, but Dow Powerhouse?s latestasolar panels amaze even the specialists at ASAP ROOFING. Why? The solar cells are embedded into the roofing panels. No longer do the solar panels simply lie on top of the roofing shingles, these roofing shingles provide both protection from the elements and solar energy.

Custom designing to your needs and energy saving goals, this new roofing solution comes complete with an inverter that converts the Direct Current (DC) power into Alternating Current (AC) to power the home. The best part, however, may just be the monitoring system that provides real time feedback on electricity usage.

And not only do the credits that show up on your electric bill, they show up on your tax returns as homeowners can receive a 30% Federal tax break for using solar energy.

Growing at a rate of 40-50% annually, solar is the fastest growing energy source in the world, and for good reason.

One of these reasons is simple ? it?s financially smart. Dow claims that according to a study developed by U.S. Department of Energy?s Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy, for every $1 more you invest in a DOW POWERHOUSE roof, you?ll receive up to $4 back in energy savings, and 70% of your investment back in added value to your home.

But as with any new technology, there will be doubters, and the most vocal concerns have been related to durability and longevity. Anticipating these complaints, Dow has put its solar panels to the test,a earning seven certifications for both performance and safety, which means they?ve been tested, retested, validated and certified to stand up to the worst of the worst ? including 110 mph winds and hail as large as 1?.

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So could Dow?s new solar panels become the norm in solar roofing options? Well, the specialists at ASAP ROOFING offer many alternatives in roofing, they, like the Federal Government have been impressed with Dow?s new solar panels. In fact, the company received a $20 million federal grant in 2007 to integrate solar cells into building materials, and the hybrid shingles are the first product from that research. Last year, U.S. Department ofaEnergyaawarded Dowa$12.8 million to develop more and cheaper solar building materials.

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So with these exciting developments, ASAP ROOFING is proud to say that solar roofing is well on its way to becoming mainstream. For more information on ASAP ROOFING, or solar roofing, just visitawww.asaproofing.com.

Written by Nick Dorotik

nick@asaproofing.com

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For more information about ASAP ROOFING, visit http://asaproofing.com/

References:

www.dowpowerhouse.com/

http://www.forbes.com

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/video-hub/home?garden/home-improvement/solar-roof-shingles/16935267001/62903925001/

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Living in Aurora, Colorado, we see our share of nasty weather. And recently, we have seen several blizzards that, according to Weather AOL (www.weather.aol.com), have threatened to bring as much as 18 inches of snow and cause some pretty serious road delays and closures.

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Unfortunately, many of us are just not prepared for such severe weather, and the owners of ASAP ROOFING, a nationwide roofing company that restores several roofs daily in the Aurora area, sees the effects of not be prepared for blizzards, hail storms and severe weather quite often.

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In order to be prepared for blizzards, or any severe weather, ASAP ROOFING always advises that customers refer to the following guidelines provided by Mother Nature Network (www.mnn.com):

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1. Stock up on essentials.aWell before a storm hits, make sure that you have at least a three-day supply of non-perishable foods, water, first aid supplies, pet supplies, batteries, canned heat, flashlights, candles, heating fuel and any required medications in case you become isolated in your home by heavy snow, ice or fallen trees. You should also have rock salt to melt ice on walkways, lots of clothing and blankets to keep you warm, and a snow shovel to remove snow from around your vehicle if necessary. Consider purchasing a battery-operated NOAA weather radio if you don?t already own one, so you can get updates on changing weather conditions.

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Some ideas for emergency foods to have on hand include:

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Instant oatmeal and soup

Crackers

Granola bars

Canned goods including soup, vegetables, fruit, chili and tuna

Applesauce, fruit and pudding cups

Hot cocoa and instant coffee

Boxed juices

Cereal

Shelf-stable milk

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2. Charge your cellphone and make lists of emergency contacts.aBe sure that you have the contact numbers for friends and family members, your power company and any other numbers that might be helpful.aDownload a Family Emergency PlanafromaReady.gov, fill it out and either print or email copies to your important contacts. This plan will make it much easier to bring your family together to a safe place in the event of an emergency.

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3.aPrepare your vehicle for hazardous winter weather.aGet a winter tune-up, pack an emergency kit for your car and learn how to respond if your vehicle begins to skid, or if you become snowbound on the road. Keep your gas tank full at all times in case a snowstorm makes traffic slower than usual, and drive cautiously.

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4. Storm-proof your home.aApply weatherstripping to doors and windows, caulk any air gaps, insulate your pipes, clear your rain gutters, have your heating equipment or chimney inspected and trim any tree branches that could fall onto your home in heavy snow or strong winds. If the power goes out, cover windows with plastic sheeting to keep cold air out and close off all unnecessary rooms to concentrate heat. Never use a generator, grill, gas or oil-powered heater or camp stove indoors or in partially enclosed areas due to the danger of carbon monoxide poisoning. Install smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors, and always have a fire extinguisher on hand. If the pipes freeze, remove the insulation, open all faucets and pour hot water over the pipes starting where they are most exposed to the cold.

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5. Stay indoors and restrict travel to emergencies only.aIf you must go outdoors, wear warm, loose-fitting layers including waterproof boots, mittens and hats. Avoid overexerting yourself if you must shovel snow, and be sure to watch for signs of frostbite and hypothermia including loss of feeling in the extremities, shivering, slurred speech and disorientation.

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6. Know when to go to a shelter.aIf your home loses power for an extended period, you run out of supplies or the weather is extremely cold, text SHELTER + your ZIP code to 43352 (4FEMA). The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will text you the location of the nearest shelter.

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As always, the mission at ASAP ROOFING is help customers recover from nasty weather and restore their home to it?s best possible condition, in the shortest amount of time, however, the best way to minimize the damage a storm can deliver is to fully prepared.

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For more information on how to protect your home during a storm, prepare for nasty weather, or have the best possible roofing restoration experience in Aurora, Colorado, visit www.asaproofing.com.

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References:

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http://www.mnn.com/family/protection-safety/stories/how-to-prepare-for-a-blizzard#

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http://weather.aol.com/2013/04/08/blizzard-threatens-colo-wyo-neb-s-d/

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Written by Nick Dorotik

nick@asaproofing.com

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Commercial building owners don?t always have experience dealing with roofing projects. They don?t always have established relationships with quality contractors, either. In cases like these, it could be advantageous for a building owner to seek advice from a third party expert.

A roof consultant can determine, without bias, the best roofing system and scope of work for your particular situation based on budget constraints, existing construction, sensitivity of the building?s tenants, and so on. These concrete details often help to give bidding contractors a solid understanding of the roof system and scope of work on which to bid.

Roof consultants are playing an ever-larger role in the construction of commercial buildings; in both new and retrofitting projects. As roofing technology advances, so must roofers, builders, and building owners. The roof consultant plays a valuable role in incorporating all the trade work that goes into creating a watertight building envelope.

5 Situations Where Having A Roofing Consultant Can Be Helpful

• If you aren?t sure if the estimate or proposal you got from your contractor is the right way to go, bringing in a roof consultant can give you peace of mind and ensure that you get the best quality work for your building and your budget.

• If you are under the impression that you need a complete tear off and roof replacement, a roof consultant could possibly point out ways to extend the life of the roof and save you from spending unnecessarily.

• If you?re having trouble choosing a roofing contractor, a consultant can help you find the most qualified roofer for your particular project.

• If you?re tempted to award your project to the lowest bidder, a roofing consultant may be able to point out concerning issues (such as being uninsured or under-qualified) and save you from making a grave mistake.

• A consultant can also be your supervisor, ensuring that an appropriate roof system is installed with good workmanship and according to industry standards.

On the other hand, working with an honest, knowledgeable, and qualified contractor can mean avoiding the need for a third party expert.

When you?re considering various roofing contractors in the area, do your homework. One of the best ways to find out if a contractor has the qualities you desire is to get feedback from their previous customers. You can search local directories for reviews or even get a list of references from the roofer. See if anyone who they?ve worked for in the past had a project similar to yours.

It?s also a good idea to get an understanding of the company?s warranty and insurance information, their standing with the Better Business Bureau, what associations they are affiliated with, and their preferred material suppliers.

Schulte Roofing has once again won the title of ?Best Roofing Company? in the annual Reader?s Choice Awards, provided by The Eagle Newspaper, in Bryan-College Station, TX.a The Reader?s Choice Awards is a local award given to the best local companies.a Awards are given based on votes cast by local residents. There are categories for each type of business and competition is always tough.a Every year businesses step up their game and reputation to try and compete for the award because it carries great brand recognition with local residents. Schulte Roofing President, David Schulte, believes that this award is a reflection of their work ethic.a ?We strive to provide the best service available.? according to David Schulte.a ?That means when customers get properly educated on their choices, get thousands of options to choose from, and a warranty that backs all of it.? Schulte Roofing is known as ?The Home of the Bulletproof Roof« Guarantee?, which a promise of 100% satisfaction on your roof, or it?s free.a The guarantee has been with Schulte Roofing since the company?s beginning in 1994 and has made all of the difference in the world. With over 100 years of combined experience, Schulte Roofing has seen it all.a ?We have seen every sort of roofing problem you can imagine.a If there is ever an issue where we need to go back and fix something ? it?s done, without hesitation.a It makes it a lot easier on us and our customers.? Schulte Roofing also performs background checks, drug screening, and continual education to all employees.a ?A roof is supposed to protect your home and everything in it.a In order to do roofing right, you need the right professionals doing the work.a We want our customers to know that only proven professionals work on their homes and this is one way to help ensure that?, David Schulte states. It?s not just the quality that wins awards for Schulte Roofing, it?s also the pricing.a ?We can design and build a roof for any budget.a Because there are so many options we can create the perfect roof, no matter what your goals are?, company spokesman Josh Schulte contributes. Common roofing goals include energy savings, hail resistance, high wind resistance, specific appearances, custom design roofing systems, and solar systems.aa All roofing systems are protected by the warranties and guarantees that Schulte Roofing provides to all of their customers.a Company motto states: ?There are no holes in our installations or the guarantees that back them up.? states: ?There are no holes in our installations or the guarantees that back them up.? Schulte Roofing is a College Station roofing contractor serving the Bryan-College Station and surrounding areas for the last 18 years and looks forward to proving everything all over again next year. a