Don’t assume your new home is perfect when your builder hands you the keys. In 1995, I bought a house and the builder went broke shortly after closing. I had built numerous houses in the past, but I did not inspect this house when it was being built, which...
new construction
Energy Savings Checklist
This is a great check list to help with home energy savings. Consider that you can save $300-$500 per year by addressing these simple items. Does my attic scuttle have weatherstripping to create an air seal? Does my shower head output less than 2 gallons of water per minute?...
Geothermal Heat Pumps
Are geothermal heat pump worth the cost? Short answer: YES. Recently a client of mine asked me about the basics of Geothermal Heat Pumps (also known as ground source heat pumps). While the initial expense associated with the installation is about twice (or more) than a typical air to...
UV Technology
Clean the air in your home with UV? A healthy home buzz that has been going around is installing ultraviolet (UV) lights in air returns in your home to kill germs, viruses, mold, and bacteria before circulating back into your home. The UV lights in air returns can be...
Inspecting a Home for Water Damage
Small nuisance or major home damage? From broken pipes to leaking appliances, water damage can wreak havoc, destroying a home, personal property, and irreplaceable family heirlooms. In many cases significant water damage can be avoided with routine maintenance and assistance from qualified contractors. Early detection could mean the difference...
Removing Stains from an Oak Floor
It is possible to remove stains from an oak floor. Refinishing oak floors is just like refinishing oak furniture. You can repair any type of imperfection without complete sanding (or stripping) and refinishing. However, floors are often sanded and refinished because this is the easiest route to a perfect...
Re-Roofing
Should you replace your roof? Sunny, warm weather provides the ideal opportunity to replace your roof. If you haven’t re-roofed before, you’re likely to have a number of questions: What type of preparation is required? What materials are most appropriate? Should re-roof yourself or hire a contractor? Use the...
Roofing
Don’t wait for a leaky roof, have your roof inspected once a year. Roofing problems make themselves known in the form of leaks and drips. Repair leaky roofs before ceilings and walls are damaged. Better yet, check your roof at least once a year before the storm season (and...
Single Stage vs. Two Stage Furnace
Most furnaces either have all of their burners lit or all turned off. However, over 80% of the time, it is not necessary to have all of the burners of the furnace lit to meet the heat demands. Having all of the burners lit when it is not necessary...
Furnace Energy Saving Tip
Today, new furnaces are generally between 80-96% efficient. If a furnace is 96% efficient, it simply means that 96% of the energy that goes into the furnace is converted into heat. Older furnaces in 15+-year-old homes, can be as low as 60% efficient. Thus, upgrading to a 96% efficient...
