Home Town News from The Home Team

Improve Energy Efficiency Now for Tax Breaks Later Now is a great time to make improvements to your home's energy efficiency. You will save money in lowered electric bills, and with some home improvements - such as new heating systems, window upgrades, exterior doors, and more - you can earn federal tax credits. These improvements must meet specific Internal Revenue Service (IRS) guidelines and be certified by manufacturers that the materials used in the renovations meet energy-efficiency requirements. READ MORE Puron Replaces Freon in Cooling Systems Now that it's 2010, all new air conditioners and heat pumps will be required to use an environmentally friendly refrigerant such as Puron. Scientists determined that Freon 22, a hydrochloroflurocarbon (HCFC) also known as R-22, was one of the causes of ozone depletion when the chemical escapes from cooling units, so the Clean Air Act of 1990 established a phase-out plan for the old refrigerant. This year marks the start of banning the manufacturing of new air conditioners and heat pumps that use Freon. The chemical still can be used in equipment manufactured before 2010. However, a total ban on the production and importation of Freon will be in effect in 2020. ...READ MORE Cuisine to Try at Home Soft Mahi Mahi Tacos with Ginger-Lime Dressing Ingredients: 1 Tbsp olive oil salt and pepper to taste 6 (3 ounce) mahi mahi fillets 1/3 cup sour cream 1 Tbsp lime juice 1 tsp minced fresh ginger root 1/4 tsp ground cumin 1 dash cayenne pepper 1 large mango peeled, seeded and diced 1 cup diced fresh pineapple 1 avocado peeled, pitted and diced 1 jalapeno pepper, minced 6 (6 inch) flour tortillas, warmed 1 cup chopped fresh cilantro Directions: 1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the mahi-mahi with salt and pepper. Cook the fillets in the hot oil until the fish is golden brown on each side and no longer translucent in the center, about 3 minutes per side. 2. Meanwhile, whisk together the sour cream, lime juice, ginger, cumin, cayenne pepper, salt and pepper to taste; set aside. Gently combine the mango, pineapple, avocado, and jalapeno in a bowl. 3. To assemble, place a cooked mahi-mahi fillet into the center of a warmed tortilla. Place a scoop of the mango salsa onto the fish, then drizzle with the sour cream sauce, and finish with a generous pinch of chopped cilantro. Servings: 6 Source: allrecipes.com Search Listings Atlas Search Quick Links About Us Our Agents Website Our Blog Twitter Facebook Calendar of Events Please visit our Calendar of Events section for a list of events happening in Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Durham and Chatham County from July 2010 to September 2010