As energy costs rise, ceiling fans are are a simple but effective way to cool your home in the summer. You can save money during the summer AND winter months by installing a ceiling fan. The fans don't need to be expensive but the higher quality, the better the energy savings - usually! Also look for an Energy Star rating. In the winter months, by putting the fan in reverse mode (winter mode on low speed), the fan works by pushing the warm air up and then back down to keep you toasty. … [Read more...]
5 Spring Home Maintenance Tips to Execute NOW!
April 5, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Spring cleaning doesn't just mean cleaning out your closets and sweeping your garage! If you own a home, don't neglect to take tackle these home maintenance projects; they could save you money AND a potential disaster! 1. Replace Furnace Filters: Filters collect dust particles, which clog the filter and decrease airflow resulting in less heat. I learned this the hard way when my furnace just stopped working because the filters were clogged. (Save $50 + a year) 2. Keep snow away from the … [Read more...]
5 More Spring Home Maintenance Tips!
March 28, 2010 By Leave a Comment
1. Adjust Vents Seasonally. Most vents are coordinated so that they are on the ceiling of one floor and on the floorboards of the one above. Opening baseboard heat vents—and closing ceiling vents—in the winter allows warm air to rise from the floor below. Adjust ceiling fans accordingly to control air flow with the seasons; Spring/summer, pull cool air up. 2. Seal Outlets, Switches, Windows and Doors: Air seeps in through outlets and switches. Add gaskets behind switches to help prevent … [Read more...]
Water In, Waste Out
March 27, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Fixtures In Between: That's Your Plumbing System By: Yale Wolk, Erinson Home Inspections Your home's plumbing has three major parts. The first is the water supply and distribution. Water is provided either by a public system or a private well, and enters the house through a foundation wall or up through the floor slab. From there, water goes into distribution piping, which runs throughout the house. Next we have waste collection. At each lavatory, sink, tub, shower and toilet there will … [Read more...]
Gas and Oil Home Heating Systems
March 27, 2010 By 10 Comments
Provided to $uper $aver by- Yale Wolk, Erinson Home Inspections Gas and oil heating systems use combustion-i.e., they burn a fuel- to produce heat. The heat can then be transferred to air, as is the case with a furnace, and the heated air is then circulated through the house in a system of box-like enclosures called ducts. Or the heat can be transferred to water; in this case, the system is referred to as a boiler. The heated water is then circulated through the house in pipes, which feed … [Read more...]
Heating with Electricity: Electric Furnaces, Heat Pumps
March 27, 2010 By Leave a Comment
By: Yale Wolk, Erinson Home Inspections Electric Furnaces In many homes the heating system is electrically powered. One such system is the electric furnace, which functions like a gas or oil furnace but does not use combustion to produce heat. Rather it uses electrical resistance heating coils to provide warmth to the air that blows throughout the house. Because there is no combustion, there are no concerns about carbon monoxide or water vapor in exhaust gasses. There is no exhaust since … [Read more...]
Heating with Wood – Your Fireplace
March 27, 2010 By 2 Comments
By: Yale Wolk, Erinson Home Inspections Many people use fireplaces, fireplaces inserts or wood stoves as heating devices. One of the critical components of this heating approach is the fireplace chimney and flue. Escape Route For Exhaust Gases A masonry chimney consists of an outer shell and an interior flue liner made of clay tile (terra cotta), poured concret, or metal. The flue directs exhaust gases up the chimney, and protects the chimney wall from heat damage and corrosion. A flue … [Read more...]
Your Air Conditioning
March 27, 2010 By Leave a Comment
By: Yale Wolk, Erinson Home Inspections Central air conditioning is now a standard feature in homes. The term "central" means that there is one system which serves the entire house. Central air conditioners consist of two parts. The first is inside. It houses an evaporator coil and a fan (blower). This unit is often referred to as an air handler. It is connected to ductwork which distributes the cooled air throughout the house. If you have a furnace for heating, the evaporator coil will … [Read more...]
Your Home’s Electrical System
March 27, 2010 By 1 Comment
By: Yale Wolk, Erinson Home Inspections Your home's electrical system is somewhat similar to the body's nervous system, with a brain and nerves running throughout the house. The brain is the electrical panel box. Inside this box, main power lines bring electricity into the house, and branch lines (circuits) take electrical power to the parts of the house. The main lines are called service entry lines. In most homes there are two, each bringing 120 volts into the house. Smaller circuits-those … [Read more...]
Your Roof – The First Line of Defense
March 27, 2010 By Leave a Comment
By: Yale Wolk, Erinson Home Inspections (We do not recommend that you try roofing repairs. Climbing on a roof is hazardous, and proper repairs require training and experience. Don't risk possible injury. Call a roofer.) The Roof's Job is To Protect the House From Rain, Sun and Wind, and To Shed Water Roofing materials add beauty to your home, but the primary function of a roof is to keep water from getting into your house. It is a key part of the home's waterproofing system, so it pays … [Read more...]
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