Posted by Anne Bowker on Fri, Jan 20, 2012 @ 03:51 PM
While New Mexico enjoys a little break from the bitter cold, have you notice your furnace is still turning on all the time? Does it seem to turn off and on more often? It could be time to change the filter. A new filter will pay for itself in savings on energy costs.
If you've never changed your filter before, an internet search of your furnace make and model should provide you with that information. Or call our plumbing team to schedule a mid-winter tune-up. We're keeping our fall special prices at just $75.
Looking for other ways to save energy? Most older homes in the Albuquerque area have very little insulation in the attic or ceiling. And with the new formaldehyde free insulation available you can have energy efficiency and maintain your indoor air quality.
Looking for something a little less costly? Caulking windows and installing weatherstripping can also make a difference on those gas and electric bills. And don't forget the doors! A good threshold or door sweep will keep those cold drafts out. Our experienced craftsmen will do all sizes of jobs from installing a sweep to installing a new door!
Custom made door of Alder wood.
And remember, if your home was built before 1978, protect yourself, your family and your pets from the harmful effects of lead paint. Hire only an EPA Certified Lead Safe RRP contractor! 
Posted by Anne Bowker on Wed, Oct 19, 2011 @ 03:46 PM
Looking for ways to save energy this winter? The KTM plumbing, heating, and air team has put together this list to help you lower your energy bills. We also have a special to help you make it happen!
- Set your thermostat lower, you will get a 1% savings for every degree you lower your thermostat in the winter. Install a programmable thermostat. Mine has a little alarm that flashes when the filter needs to be replaced.
- Do you have a fireplace? Unless you have a fire going, keep the damper closed. And if you use your fireplace, please remember to have the chimney cleaned to avoid chimney fires. Yes, KTM cleans chimneys too! Isn’t it nice to know the guys climbing on your roof are licensed and insured? If you use a wood stove the seals should be checked for wear. (Yup, we do that too.)
- Seal those leaks. Problem areas can be where pipes come into the house, unfinished spaces, mail chutes, where phone and cable lines come into the house, dryer vents and cooling vents. And don’t forget to caulk or weather strip around leaky doors and windows. Pick a windy day and hold up a lighter or candle around problem areas. If the flame flickers, you have air coming in, and in the winter, that’s cold. Make sure you aren’t heating unoccupied areas of your home like attics, garages, and crawl spaces. But before you turn off the heat to those areas, be sure there aren’t exposed pipes that could break if they freeze. Not sure where your pipes are? Ask your KTM professional to check for you.
- Water heaters use about 15-25% of our energy bill. Lowering the temperature to the warm setting (120 degrees) can help reduce that bill by about 8%. Consider insulating the pipe coming out of the top of the water heater over to where it goes into the wall. And consider wrapping the hot water heater in jacket insulation. A properly installed jacket on a gas hot water heater will leave the air intake uncovered. At around $30, it can pay for itself in a few months.
- Shorter showers mean big savings. A few minutes can save a family of four hundreds of gallons of heated water a month. Cutting the time in half can reduce your energy bill by 33%. Or compromise with your family and install low flow showerheads. If you are a Gas Company of NM customer, you are eligible for a rebate, see their web page at:https://www.nmgco.com/Low-Flow_Showerhead_Rebate.aspx
- Twice a year (or every other month if you have hard water), drain a bucket of water from your hot water heater storage tank. This removes sediment which absorbs heat energy and results in higher heating costs.
- If you have south facing windows, open the curtains during the day and let in the heat. Close the curtains during the night to add extra insulation. Curtains or drapes hung close to the window have a higher insulating effect.
- Consider installing energy star windows. And remember if your home was built before 1978, it may contain lead paint. Be safe; hire only a certified EPA Lead-Safe RRP firm to do the work. Are you considering doing the work yourself? You can take the class too and learn how to protect yourself and your family from the harmful effects of lead. If you can’t afford new windows yet, put heavy duty clear plastic over drafty windows.
- Exterior walls can be cold and drafty, consider rearranging the furniture so it is against interior walls. And while you’re at it, make sure you haven’t blocked the supply or intake ducts for the furnace with furniture.
- Where is all the wasted energy going in your home? Turn off lights in unoccupied rooms. Unplug that spare refrigerator. KTM can install motion detector switches and dimmers on your lights to save energy. Refrigerators use 10 to 25% of your energy bill, and that old one in the garage probably isn’t energy star! Turn off kitchen and bathroom vent fans when they’ve done their job, they are also blowing out all your heated air. KTM can install a timer to do that job for you. Do only full loads in the dishwasher and washing machine. Use the coolest water temperature setting that will get the job done and always clean the dryer’s lint trap after every load. How about sleeping mode for all those computers, monitors, and other electronic equipment? Turn them off overnight because even sleep mode uses electricity.
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- Insulation. This author lives in a 50 year old home in Albuquerque. I was amazed to find there was no insulation in the ceiling. Insulating the attic was like adding a nice warm cozy blanket to the whole house, and lowered the energy bills about 10%. Remember, at KTM, estimates are always free and we will make recommendations on what your options are.
- Seal ducts. Especially on older homes, have us check your ducts for leaks.
- Did you know that doors should be insulated too? If the inside of your door feels colder than the inside wall next to it, it might be time for a new door.
- Adding some humidity can help you feel warmer in the winter. Plants and aquariums can add moisture to the air.
Posted by Anne Bowker on Wed, Oct 19, 2011 @ 11:45 AM
High energy bills got you worried? Be ready for this winter with these tips and a special coupon from KTM WWG LLC.
1. First on the list because it gives you the most gain for your buck. Replace your furnace filter once a month or according to manufactures recommendations. You will get a 5% savings in energy bills and your furnace will last longer. Can't find your filter, let one of our professionals replace it for you or show you where it is.
2. If you had high bills last winter, have your furnace serviced. Estimates from the US Department of Energy and the Gas Company of NM are between 5% and 10 % savings on your energy bill. If your gas bill is $150/month in the winter, that’s a up to $15 savings each month. Multiply that by the 5 months we use furnaces inAlbuquerqueand you have up to $75 savings. Enough to pay for the service call by a KTM professional.
KTM is offering service calls for furnace tune-up and winterize swamp coolers for just $75, parts not included if needed.
The Gas Company of NM recommends this checklist for all furnaces:
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Carbon monoxide safety test.
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Heat exchanger and fire box tests for leaks, cracks and other damage.
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Inspection of venting system to make sure the furnace is properly ventilated with no cracks or blockages.
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Chimney and flue checked for hazardous debris.
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Burners cleaned and set for proper combustion and ignition.
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Gas pilot safety system checked and cleaned.
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Proper flame characteristics evaluated. The flame should look sharp, stable and blue to indicate the gas is burning as purely as possible. A yellow flame indicates a poorly adjusted or dirty burner, which prevents it from mixing the gas and air properly.
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Fan, motor, bearings, belts and pumps checked, cleaned and lubricated, according to the furnace’s specifications. Fan belt condition, tension and alignment checked and required adjustments made. Blower operation checked.
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Operation of thermostat and safety controls checked.
3. Have you winterized your swamp cooler? Water should be drained from the cooler and the unit should be covered. Be sure the dampers are back in place to keep heated air from leaving through the vents.
Posted by Sofia Bouchet on Tue, Oct 18, 2011 @ 01:29 PM
With the holidays quickly approaching, it may be time to spruce up your home just a bit. Whether you’re having house guests from out of town, or hosting an intimate dinner party amongst friends and family, you know you want to make your best impression. But if you’re on a tight budget or not ready to dive head first into a full remodeling project just yet, a nice paint job can really do the trick. If you flip back a few entries on this blog, you’ll see a post titled 7 tips For Selecting Paint Colors. The information there could provide you with a great starting point, but if you’d like a professional to take a look at your project, KTM is here to help. For a limited time, we’re giving away a 1-hr free color consultation for two rooms in your home with our licensed interior designer. Plus, if your home was built before 1978, we’ll test two rooms for lead paint, free of charge. After the consultation, we’ll provide you with a “no obligation” estimate to get the job done. And to show our commitment to Green Building, if you hire us- we’ll give you 20% off the cost of Low or No-VOC paint.
Sometimes just changing the color of a space can make a big impact in a cost effective way. Having a one on one conversation with an expert will allow you to move forward with confidence. So call us to make an appointment today, and don’t forget to mention this coupon!
Posted by Sofia Bouchet on Thu, Oct 06, 2011 @ 12:20 PM
After years of being subjected to bad fluorescent lighting in their kitchen, the owners of this home decided to make a change and hired KTM to design and install a better option.
Here you can see a before picture with Aron (a.k.a. "Sparky") working away with a smile!
And here's a picture after the first phase of the project is complete: six can lights along the perimeter of the soffit.
The next step is to install a semi flush fixture in the center of the kitchen ceiling, along with two solar tubes. The cans will be put on a dimmer, and we'll patch and re-paint the entire ceiling to clean it up. The result will be a better illuminated space, with general, accent and task lighting at hand. The light tubes will allow the owners to keep the lights off entirely during the day, and new LED screw-in light bulbs along with dimmers will not only be cost effective in the long run, but environmentally responsible as well. The existing fluorescent fixtures will be disposed of responsibly, as mandated by the city of Albuquerque. All in all, a feel good kitchen remodeling project for everyone!
Keep checking our blog for updates on the finished project!
Posted by Anne Bowker on Wed, Sep 14, 2011 @ 03:13 PM
You know the old slogan, "rain, nor sleet, nor snow will stop the mail service". Well, I'm proud to be part of a company that can't be stopped either! My buddies at KTM love their job building custom homes!
Lincoln here, the KTM mascot, at work on the new custom home in Northern New Mexico. And yes, the rains have come. After months of drought it's nice to have rain. This is the road on the way to work.
I knew my buddies at KTM would always be safe, and sure enough we got to work just fine.
I wanted to bring you up to date on some of the many custom features of this beautiful home. First of all, for all you who have been following my blogs, I promised I would tell you what the big door was for. This picture will give you a pretty good idea.
Still not sure? Try this picture:
The ground level floor is a horse stable! And the second story:
will be their home. Did you see all the custom welding on the stall door? My previous blog showed the structural steel and the outside staircase. The certified welders at KTM also built an indoor, free standing staircase.
And since I mentioned the equipment, here's me on the welder.
My buddies at KTM would like to come visit with you about your next project, and maybe I will get to come along too. Like they say, dream, design, build. So let's get started!
If you would like to see some pictures of other custom homes with horse facilities built by my buddies at KTM, check out our web site .
And if you'd like to see some of the other new construction KTM has done, you'll find pictures here.
Posted by Anne Bowker on Wed, Sep 14, 2011 @ 11:05 AM
KTM announces the fall class schedule for the EPA Lead Safe RRP Classes in Albuquerque, NM:
Friday, October 7, 2011
Friday, November 4, 2011
Friday, December 2, 2011
KTM is an EPA Certified Instructional Facility. Upon completion and passing of the class, students are given their individual certificates.
What makes our classes unique? We offer extended support to our students. After completing our class, if you have questions about a lead project or come across a situation you aren't sure of how to handle, we will talk you through the problem. And if we don't know the answer, we'll find out from the EPA and let you know!
We often get asked, "Who needs to be certified?" The EPA RRP Ruling is for homes built before 1978 that work disturbs more than 6 square feet of interior surface or 20 square feet of exterior, or replaces any window or door. The ruling also covers child occupied facilities such as day care or schools, also built before 1978.
Traditional construction practices create dust that contains enough lead to cause serious health problems.
Why worry about lead paint? Lead paint is a neurotoxin that can cause learning disabilities, lower IQ, behavior problems, joint pain and kidney disease. Children under 6 years of age are especially vulnerable. The ruling protects both homeowners and workers. It also protects the family members of the workers so they don't bring home lead dust and make their loved ones sick.
I spoke to a contractor a few months ago who was having serious health issues. He asked me if I thought it could be from exposure to lead paint. Certainly many of his symptoms could have been caused by lead and I suggested he get a lead blood level test done by his doctor.
“The greatest risk is for young children living in homes during renovations,”
“One study found they were 30% more likely to have unsafe levels of lead in their blood than kids in homes where renovations were not occurring. So it’s very important that contractors learn how to work leadsafe and that families hire lead-safe certified contractors.” Steve Owens, EPA
If you have any questions, please call us at 505-881-4148 or send an email to anne@ktmwwg.com
Posted by Sofia Bouchet on Thu, Aug 25, 2011 @ 05:21 PM
If you’re thinking about remodeling your kitchen and are having some trouble deciding on which countertop to select, I don’t blame you. The truth is there are so many options on the market, and so many variables to consider, that the single task of choosing the material that’s right for you can be downright exhausting. So to help you narrow down your search, I’ve compiled 8 of the most popular materials used for countertops and outlined the pros and cons of each.
LAMINATES
Pros: Made of plastic-coated synthetics with a smooth surface that's easy to clean and maintain. Come in a large variety of colors, patterns and textures. Durable and inexpensive.
Cons: Scratches and chips are almost impossible to repair. The material will show seams where the sheet is cut, and the price goes up considerably with front edge finishing. Not heat resistant and will get damaged if you set a hot pan on it.
TILE
Pros: Many colors and styles are available, and you can create beautiful and unique mosaic designs and patterns. Usually you can place hot pans on a tile countertop without damaging it. You can find a large selection of beautiful tile in all price ranges.
Cons: Even if you use an epoxy-based or antimicrobial grout, the grooves become areas that collect dirt and generally make the surface more difficult to clean. Tiles, especially ceramic ones, can chip relatively easily and must be replaced. If you’re hiring someone to install the tile, it’s a labor intensive process and can be costly.
SOAPSTONE
Pros: Naturally beautiful, smooth and rich, dark gray material (and slight variations in color and tone are also available). The look can be fitting to contemporary or traditional styles. You can set hot pans on it without causing damage, and inherent properties make it stain resistant and siliceous (meaning it won’t be affected by acids such as vinegar, lemon, etc.) It’s generally easy to clean.
Cons: It does require somewhat regular maintenance with applications of mineral oil to keep its luster and beauty. With time it is likely to darken, although this may not necessarily be a negative thing. Some cracking may occur. It can be expensive.
SOLID SURFACE
Pros: Available in a wide range of colors and patterns. It’s seamless, stain resistant, and any scratches can be easily buffed out.
Cons: Setting hot pans on it can damage the surface, some solid surface materials can stain, and it can be moderately expensive.
CONCRETE
Pros: Heat and scratch resistant. A variety of tints can be added to create unique finishes, designs and colors. It’s strong and durable, and new treatments available can make it virtually crack- resistant. It’s cast in place, so unusual shapes can be easily achieved.
Cons: Mid to high range on cost due to custom work and cracking is possible. Must be sealed due to porosity.
GRANITE
Pros: Available in thousands of colors and patterns. Can have a very elegant look. Heat resistant and an extremely durable and hard material.
Cons: Must be sealed, can crack if under stress or if not installed properly. Expensive, but becoming more affordable. Requires some maintenance and may need resealing annually.
MARBLE
Pros: Luxurious material that can add re-sale value to your home. Water proof, heat-resistant and beautiful.
Cons: Very expensive. It’s porous so it can stain easily unless professionally sealed. Requires frequent maintenance and may need resealing every year.
ENGINEERED STONE
Pros: Engineered stone is composed of 93% quartz particles. It is available in a larger range of colors than its natural stone counterparts. Non-porous surface resists scratches, stains and acid. Easy to maintain (no annual re-sealing required), and clean.
Cons: Expensive and can never quite achieve the look of natural stone.
I hope this short list helps in your desicion-making process. Remember that KTM's professionals can install counter tops too! Give us a call today for a free estimate!
Posted by Anne Bowker on Fri, Aug 12, 2011 @ 07:36 PM
KTM is proud to announce that we are now a AWC Certified Welding Fabrication Shop. And with portable equipment, we bring the shop to you. 
Structural steel welding on a LEED home, ICF block construction. KTM has a large selection of equipment to get the project done on time and on budget.
Do you have a smaller project? KTM will do any project, large or small. KTM replaced this wobbly concrete stair with pleasant looking and safe metal stairs.
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We also build: gates 
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wheel chair ramps
and wood stoves 
And did we mention stairs! 
With KTM you not only get a certified welder but a licensed general contractor and plumbing contractor. Our skilled craftsmen have over 50 years of combined experience. And we are licensed, bonded, and insured. When there is a difficult construction problem to be solved, contractors, homeowners, and commercial management turn to the expertise of KTM.
Call us for a free estimate.
What's our next project? Free floating interior stairs! Watch for pictures coming soon.
Posted by Sofia Bouchet on Thu, Jun 30, 2011 @ 01:59 PM
Proponents of ICF claim that it will soon be the preferred construction method in North America. They advocate the many benefits of this building material, and shun all others. So, what exactly is ICF, what about it is so great, and what makes it one of the greenest materials in construction?
The acronym ICF stands for Insulating Concrete Forms. These forms, most commonly made of polystyrene foam, create a system of interlocking modular units that are laid out like Leggos according to the building’s design specifications. Concrete is then pumped into their hollowed interiors and reinforced with steel. The forms remain in place and provide thermal and acoustic insulation, as well as space to run the electrical and plumbing. They also serve as a backing for the exterior and interior finishing materials (stucco, siding, gypsum board, etc.). ICF’s are easy to use and build with, and create minimum material waste, since you only use the amount of forms you need.
Other Benefits of Building With ICF ‘s As Compared To Regular 2x6 Construction:
- Stronger structure
- A quieter interior
- Lower energy bills due to superior insulation
- A better seal from the outside also equals less insects coming in
- Materials have a longer life and require less upkeep and repair
Are there any disadvantages? Comparative cost analysis shows that, although ICF’s do increase the per square foot cost of a home initially (by approximately 4-5%), that these are countered by the energy savings and other benefits of an ICF home. In other words, there really aren’t any disadvantages. And if you can make the minor investment up front, you will reap the cost savings in the future, while living in a home that’s comfortable, structurally sound, and “green”.
KTM Construction has the knowledge, expertise, and resources to build your new ICF Home. Our team of architects, interior designers and contractors can meet with you to discuss the details of taking on such a project. Give us a call today-- we’d love to talk to you!