Q. I got a quote from Renewable By Andersen Windows for nearly $10,000 to replace 8 windows in my home. This seems like a really high price but I have no experience with buying new windows (I live in New York City). The RBA windows are guaranteed for 20 years. They do their own installation so that's not contracted out and the windows are double pane, energy efficient windows in a really durable incasement. What do you think?

A. $10K? That's really high. But perhaps that's the price of NYC vs STL, or perhaps that's representative of the size and type of the windows you're replacing. A single sliding glass door could eat up a third of that $10K price tag. I looked at replacement windows a few years ago. I didn't buy because the price was more than I wanted to spend at that time, but here's the thing. The term "Replacement Windows" was coined as a way to sell cheaper, often smaller windows to consumers than a home's original windows. It probably involves less modification to the existing structure around the windows so they're cheaper to install. I would suggest that you steer clear of any windows labelled "Replacement" windows. They may be cheaper and easiler to install, but they won't help your home's value as much as buying new windows that are not labelled as "Replacement" windows.

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Q. I live in metro-Detroit and I am considering windows for my home. I need glass block windows for the basement windows and I am still deciding what kind of windows to get for the ground level of my ranch-style home. I Have 3- 36"x24" windows, two smaller windows in each the bathroom and kitchen and a 60"x 36" Large window for my front room. I also need a front door. About how much will I be spending? What kind of windows do you suggest. Any tips or stories you want to share?

A. I would definitely go for double pane (insulated) windows for your climate. It looks like these are a standard size window and probably the door too. These shouldn't be hard to find at the local hardware super store. There are different quality windows but I would look for the kind that don't require painting. You need to shop around for the best price.

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Q. I just bought a home built in 1917. It needs new windows. It currently has single pane wood windows. What, in your opinion, is the best material to buy replacement windows. Vinyl, wood, or aluminum? Why do you think it is the best? Cost is a consideration also.

A. Double pane vinyl windows are probably best for your situation. Wood windows would be way more expensive. Vinyl windows have better heat-loss qualities than aluminum frame windows.

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Q. I have a new home (1 yr old) with "energy efficient" windows rated well by Energy Star. I am having the same problem with these windows that I had with replacement windows in my last house. The glass itself radiates a great deal of cold air. There is more cold air than I had with my regular windows with storm windows. There are no air leaks around the windows, so weatherstripping is not the answer. How can these new windows be considered more energy efficient? Do all the newer energy-efficient windows have this same problem? Can I use storm windows with these windows?

A. Glass is a great transmitter of energy. That is why triple pain windows are better than single or double pain. Add an inert gas and they are even better. Still you need to cover them at night or in the hottest part of the day.

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Q. I recently installed Comodo Internet Security, I did so because Zone Alarm was conflicting with utorrent and this program came highly recommended. During installation of the firewall kernel driver the installation process appeared to freeze, it got stuck with the progress bar at some 1/4 of the way there. At this point my internet cut out, I am connecting to the net wirelessly via a netgear router located the floor below me in the house. I eventually found I had no choice but to reboot, upon which the problems persisted. I tried the installatio process again, this time completely uninstalling and removing zone alarm before proceeding with the installation (I thought Comodo had done this automatically as the wizard prompts kind of suggested it was going to). This time the program installed fine and comodo is running apparently fine except that it is completely useless to anyone as I cannot connect to the internet, I can see the name of my network in the wireless connections network manager but when I try to connect to it, it says connection unsuccessful. Oddly enough every time I've tried connecting since it's been necessary to disconnect from the wireless network that vista would have me believe I was never able to connect to in the first place. The little red cross remains on the double computer icon in the system tray regardless of this, even when the network manager says "connected with limited access". Seeings how I'm on the internet now on my eeepc on that very network I can't figure out why this is happening and as Comodo is freshly installed, there are no settings or preferences for any programs or services or anything and it would seem odd to me if the firewall by default blocked the routine which allowed windows to connect in any case. Anyone think they can shed any light?

A. First uninstall Comodo Completely. (make sure zonealarm is uninstalled too) Then delete the left over Comodo folder in programs files folder. (also delete the left over zonealarm folder in your program files folder. Then reboot. Then test your wireless. If its working, reinstall comodo. If its not, figure out the problem then reinstall comodo. For the wireless issue, I would start out reinstalling your wireless drivers after completing the other steps above.

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Q. I Recently Lent My Laptop Out To A Friend. He Called Me And Told Me He Dropped It On His Wood Floor And It Wouldn't Start Up Anymore. So I Looked At It And It Never Restarted. So I Reinstalled Windows And Now After The Disc Installation And The Reboot, It Stalls At A Black Screen With The Words " Setup Is Installing Services". When It Does Go Away, It Reboots The Laptop And Goes Back To The Same Screen. This Laptop Is Important And I Need To Know What Could It Be, I Have Took The Hard-Drive And Ran The Checkdsk Utility Twice And Still The Same-thing Happens.. Any Suggestions Would He Nice And Grateful. Thanks For Any Help.

A.

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Q. I have a enquiry to clean a council house when they become empty for a local council includes windows, all woodwork, bathroom, and all kitchen cuboards, dust walls and ceilings, mop floors, no carpets just bare wood, in general a good clean based on a three bed semi detatched house

A. I used to run a cleaning company. And for an empty, I would charge 40-50 per hour. If you do the work well, they will pay just about anything. In a 3 bedroom home, I would take home 120-200. Depending on how much I did. Honestly, they didnt mind paying it. Always keep in mind, you have to look at the home before you give them a bid. If its generally clean, maybe you dont want to charge so much, take it down to 30-35. But if its hit, get all you can.

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Q. I am not considered a non-profit because my company is not tax exempt. I own a very small contracting company and recently started accepting applications to do work for free on homes that are occupied by low income families. Some of these homes have lead paint, no windows, holes in the floor big enough for a person etc. We started with just a few applications and now they are non stop. Legally I was advised to wait to file for tax exempt status because it is very expensive and not neccessary if we can't get sponsors BUT I am having a hard time getting donations from major corporations because of it, kind of a catch 22. They can still write it off on their taxes but they have strict rules about having to give to only non profits. We have small donations from private companies but with all the applications we need major money now. Does anyone know where we can get private or local grants (I live in PA), or where to start looking? I tried looking it up online but there is too much junk.

A. I work with NPO's to raise money and you can do it the same way. Please e-mail me for info and I will help you get things rolling. Jacki

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