Estimators & Calculators

BEHR Color Smart Tool

Design your own color palette and see exactly how it would look in your home at www.behr.com. You can plan your painting project from start to finish, by choosing colors, getting suggestions on complementary or contrasting shades for trim work and even find out exactly how much paint you'll need. New to Color Smart, is Paint Your Place. You can upload digital pictures of the rooms in YOUR house you want to paint, and see exactly what the colors will look like. You can even order samples to try out your colors before you make a final commitment. When you're done, share your finished project online for everyone to see. At www.behr.com, you'll be able to plan any painting project, from exterior to interior, with expert help every step of the way.

Energy Star Home Energy Yardstick

If you have 5 minutes and your energy bills are handy, find out if your energy use is above average. You will need to enter some common information about your home such as age, square footage, number of occupants and energy bill totals for a consecutive 12-month period (one year). If you don't keep your bills, contact your utility for a 12-month summary. If you have more time (15 minutes) you'll be asked to enter additional information about your home, but you'll get a list of customized energy improvements and the estimated savings. www.energystar.gov

Warmair.net Energy Conservation Calculators

This site features an excellent selection of energy conservation calculators. By answering a few simple questions, you can compare cost savings by converting gas to oil or oil to gas. There are also calculators for estimating insulation savings, as well as to determine how much money you can save by adding a set-back thermostat. www.warmair.net