There are a lot of different ways to stay cool in your home during these hot summer months. The first and most favorable way is to have a Central AC unit installed or running throughout your home. As much as this keeps your house at a cool temperature, it may not be the option some can afford to run or install, as it can be very pricy (approximately $1.50 an hour).
If that's the case, there are some other alternatives to having a cool house.
1. Attic Fans/House Fan - These fans will help vent out the heat from the attic in the summer time and cost minimal to run. Solar attic fans cost nothing to run as they run on the solar energy from the sun. Attic fans are inexpensive to have installed and run. Running attic/house fans for 10 summers is cheaper than running your central AC for 1 summer.
2. Ceiling Fans - Ceiling fans will help to circulate the air in the house and are especially effective with central AC. Average cost per day is around $.20/day.
3. Window Fans - When the temperature outside drops below the temperature inside, turning on those window fans will help to create a nice cool evening. By using this method only in the evenings and through the night should cost you roughly $.25/day.
4. Shades - Having blinds and shades on the windows for most of us is a privacy/decoration desire, but having them drawn down over the windows during the summer to block out the sun is highly effective in preventing the sun's heat coming into your home.
5. Wall/Window AC Units - Compared to central AC, these may be more of a pain but they are more efficient and much cheaper than central AC. These units (depending how big they are) costs about $60-$80 a month to run.
6. Trees - Planting trees on the South/West side of your homes will give you shade during these hot summer months. Choosing trees that drop their leaves will give you sun in the winter for that extra heat.
7. Insulation - If you don't have at least 12 inches of insulation in your attic, consider adding some for that extra barrier, as well as making sure your duct work is free from leaks and well insulated.
If you love your Central AC, make sure it's working to the best of it's ability for the lowest costs. See that landscaping is not crowding the outside unit, or compressor, as this needs to breathe to work efficiently. With landscaping crowding it, it may have to work harder which will cost you more. Always check to see if it needs cleaning and how to clean it. Some need to be turned off where others are okay to be left on. If you are unsure, have a professional clean it for you. The recommended time is every year.
Enjoy this beautiful weather and stay cool!
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Monday, May 7, 2012
Are you using your power strips safely?
There are more than one way you can use power strips/surge protectors in an unsafe manner. By using electrical components in ways they were not intended for, it may result in a fire, damages to your property or self, or fatality. Here are a few tips to help you keep using power strips in a safer way and avoid the dangerous habits of electrical usage.
1. Never use a power strip to power another power strip or connect through an extension cord. By using an extension cord or another power strip to power another is a direct violation of the NEC (National Electrical Code) as well as OSHA.
2. Keep power strips from being permanently attached to walls, tables, or structures or permanently used. According to the U.S. Office of Compliance, using for more than 90 days is being permanently used.
3. Do not use a 3-to-2 prong adapter to connect a power strip, remove the grounding prong or connect two power strips into a single wall receptacle.
4. Overloading is highly dangerous and could result in electrocution or fire. Avoid more than one appliance on a power strip or powering appliances that are not intended for ancillary power sources like space heaters or microwaves. Using power strips that have an internal circuit breaker should prevent overloading and overheating. It is highly recommended to replace all power strips/surge protectors with ones that contain an internal circuit breaker.
5. Power cords should be straight and not knotted and prongs are fully inserted into receptacle at all times. Unplug power strips when all components connected are not in use.
6. All cords should be fully coated with no wires showing, no cracks, or splices. If cracks, splices or exposed wires are found, no longer use the power cord.
7. Unplug all cords immediately when they feel hot to touch. Power strips need air circulation to prevent the chance of over heating. Placing behind furniture or underneath carpet, will prevent the necessary air circulation. If the power strip is too hot, evaluate what you have plugged into this strip and replacement is recommended.
8. Never place in a moist/wet environment.
9. Avoid plugging in components that create a heat source, such as space heaters, coffee makers, toaster ovens.
10. Not all power strips are the same, make sure to follow the manufacture's instructions and only connect what is intended for each power strip.
1. Never use a power strip to power another power strip or connect through an extension cord. By using an extension cord or another power strip to power another is a direct violation of the NEC (National Electrical Code) as well as OSHA.
2. Keep power strips from being permanently attached to walls, tables, or structures or permanently used. According to the U.S. Office of Compliance, using for more than 90 days is being permanently used.
3. Do not use a 3-to-2 prong adapter to connect a power strip, remove the grounding prong or connect two power strips into a single wall receptacle.
4. Overloading is highly dangerous and could result in electrocution or fire. Avoid more than one appliance on a power strip or powering appliances that are not intended for ancillary power sources like space heaters or microwaves. Using power strips that have an internal circuit breaker should prevent overloading and overheating. It is highly recommended to replace all power strips/surge protectors with ones that contain an internal circuit breaker.
5. Power cords should be straight and not knotted and prongs are fully inserted into receptacle at all times. Unplug power strips when all components connected are not in use.
6. All cords should be fully coated with no wires showing, no cracks, or splices. If cracks, splices or exposed wires are found, no longer use the power cord.
7. Unplug all cords immediately when they feel hot to touch. Power strips need air circulation to prevent the chance of over heating. Placing behind furniture or underneath carpet, will prevent the necessary air circulation. If the power strip is too hot, evaluate what you have plugged into this strip and replacement is recommended.
8. Never place in a moist/wet environment.
9. Avoid plugging in components that create a heat source, such as space heaters, coffee makers, toaster ovens.
10. Not all power strips are the same, make sure to follow the manufacture's instructions and only connect what is intended for each power strip.
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Forecast is calling for wind
Lately, the forecast has called for wind and wind is what we got. Although it can be bit irritating to have such windy days one right after another, with messy hair days and attempting to walk across a parking lot without being blown away, this may not be the least of our worries. Wind at times can cause quite a bit of damage to our roofs as well as our homes.
Wind is just air that is moving from an area of high pressured air to an area of low pressured air, but don't underestimate it. The bigger the difference between the areas, the higher the speed of the wind. Wind loves to stick close to a surface and when there is a sudden drop or change in the surface, the air flow gets disrupted creating a vacuum. When there is an uplift in the wind current which creates this vacuum, it can take everything that will move with it. Even if there isn't a vacuum that is created, the wind more than doubles its speed on the roof compared to the side of our homes, which can create loose shingles, or other damages.
Anything is possible and it's important to make sure our roofs are well maintained and well intact. Any doubts, have our inspector inspect your roof.
Wind is just air that is moving from an area of high pressured air to an area of low pressured air, but don't underestimate it. The bigger the difference between the areas, the higher the speed of the wind. Wind loves to stick close to a surface and when there is a sudden drop or change in the surface, the air flow gets disrupted creating a vacuum. When there is an uplift in the wind current which creates this vacuum, it can take everything that will move with it. Even if there isn't a vacuum that is created, the wind more than doubles its speed on the roof compared to the side of our homes, which can create loose shingles, or other damages.
Anything is possible and it's important to make sure our roofs are well maintained and well intact. Any doubts, have our inspector inspect your roof.
Thursday, April 12, 2012
10 Most Common Home Inspection Problems
The 10 Most Common Home Inspection Problems
1. Faulty wiring—open junction boxes, amperage mismatches, no wire nuts on wires.
The cure: Fix junction boxes; upgrade to at least 100 amps.
2. Poor grading and drainage—spongy soil around the foundation, signs of leaking in basement.
The cure: Regrade so that grounds slopes away from house for 10 feet; remove porous material around foundation.
3. Faulty gutters—clogged or bent gutters, water not channeled away from house.
The cure: Preventive maintenance; gutters of adequate size, splash pans to divert run-off.
4. Basement dampness—water stains, powdery residue on walls, mold or mildew.
The cure: Repair gutters to channel water away from house; apply waterproof coatings to basement.
5. Roof problems—brittle or curled shingles; broken or missing flashings.
The cure: Apply new shingle, or tear off if needed (usually after three re-roofs ); replacing flashings, especially around chimneys and other protrusions.
6. Foundation flaws—cracks in foundation, sloping floors, sticking doors or windows.
The cure: Fill cracks with silicon caulking or epoxy; apply waterproof coating to exterior.
7. Poor upkeep—needs repainting, worn carpeting, cracked driveway.
The cure: Give the house a minor facelift.
8. Faulty plumbing—inadequate water pressure, slow drains, signs of leaks on ceilings.
The cure: Clean and rout drains; reseat toilet with new wax ring, repair leaks.
9. Poor ventilation—extreme heat in attic, vapor condensation.
The cure: Ensure that roof soffits are not blocked; install additional roof vents; vent bathroom and kitchen fans outside.
10. Defective heating—cracks in the heat exchanger or water tank; carbon monoxide leaks.
The cure: Reseal chimney flues; replace sacrificial anode in water heater.
Excerpted from “Top 10 House Problems,” Practical Homeowner,Practical Homeowner LP, March 1990
http://www.realtor.org/
1. Faulty wiring—open junction boxes, amperage mismatches, no wire nuts on wires.
The cure: Fix junction boxes; upgrade to at least 100 amps.
2. Poor grading and drainage—spongy soil around the foundation, signs of leaking in basement.
The cure: Regrade so that grounds slopes away from house for 10 feet; remove porous material around foundation.
3. Faulty gutters—clogged or bent gutters, water not channeled away from house.
The cure: Preventive maintenance; gutters of adequate size, splash pans to divert run-off.
4. Basement dampness—water stains, powdery residue on walls, mold or mildew.
The cure: Repair gutters to channel water away from house; apply waterproof coatings to basement.
5. Roof problems—brittle or curled shingles; broken or missing flashings.
The cure: Apply new shingle, or tear off if needed (usually after three re-roofs ); replacing flashings, especially around chimneys and other protrusions.
6. Foundation flaws—cracks in foundation, sloping floors, sticking doors or windows.
The cure: Fill cracks with silicon caulking or epoxy; apply waterproof coating to exterior.
7. Poor upkeep—needs repainting, worn carpeting, cracked driveway.
The cure: Give the house a minor facelift.
8. Faulty plumbing—inadequate water pressure, slow drains, signs of leaks on ceilings.
The cure: Clean and rout drains; reseat toilet with new wax ring, repair leaks.
9. Poor ventilation—extreme heat in attic, vapor condensation.
The cure: Ensure that roof soffits are not blocked; install additional roof vents; vent bathroom and kitchen fans outside.
10. Defective heating—cracks in the heat exchanger or water tank; carbon monoxide leaks.
The cure: Reseal chimney flues; replace sacrificial anode in water heater.
Excerpted from “Top 10 House Problems,” Practical Homeowner,Practical Homeowner LP, March 1990
http://www.realtor.org/
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Home Inspections
Buying a home can be a very exciting point in anyone's life and will be one of the most valuable assets. To ensure you know exactly what you are buying it is essential to have a home inspection done on your house of interest. By purchasing a home inspection, you will gain knowledgable insight onto any repairs that may need to be done and anything that can turn into a potential problem in the future. You wouldn't buy a car without looking under the hood, why buy a house without an inspection? We are here to help.
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