Your professional Raleigh Home Inspection can’t be completed in just  a few minutes…it takes time to go through a home and make assessment of the function, configuration, and condition of all of the various materials, components, and systems that comprise the residential dwelling.

So how long does it take? Here are a few factors that directly relate to the time it will take for a Home Inspection to be performed:

The size of the home – Obviously, larger homes will take longer to inspect. There is, simply, more real estate to cover and more systems that need to be evaluated. A small home in excellent condition can be inspected much more quickly than a very large mansion in an equally as good condition. The age of the home – This factor is very important. Older homes take longer to inspect because there are more potential issues that might be present…and there has been more time during which problems could develop or for the effects of deferred maintenance to become apparent. While older homes are usually somewhat more difficult to inspect, they are often very interesting to inspect. Older homes take longer to inspect than newer homes.

The previous use of the home – A home that has been used as a rental property often has more defects because of a general neglect of the property that is often apparent. While this is not always so, it’s quite common for rental properties to be in less than pristine condition. The same rationale is able to be aptly applied to many homes that have entered foreclosure.

The experience level of the Home Inspector – An experienced Home Inspector can perform a Home Inspection faster than one that may not have a great deal of experience…this just stands to reason, right? Generally, though, the time it takes to accomplish an inspection is not directly related to the quality of the inspection.

On average, the inspection of a 2500 to 3000 square foot home, that’s less than 25 years of age will typically take an experienced inspector somewhere around 2.5 to 3 hours to inspect. This time, though, often does not include the time it will take to generate the resulting inspection report. That 2.5 to 3 hour number can be used as a baseline to which some of the other noted considerations can be applied to arrive at close estimate.

For more information about what you might expect from your Raleigh Home Inspection,visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.

As a professional Raleigh Home Inspector, I necessarily have to go into other peoples homes…it comes with the territory; it’s a foundational aspect of the job. You likely wouldn’t believe, though, the condition in which some of these houses are  maintained. You likely couldn’t possibly fathom the degree of filth and squalor that presents itself inside some of these houses. In fact, to say that some of these homes…and I use the word homes loosely  in those fairly rare subject instances…are actually maintained at all might be somewhat of a stretch of one’s realistic imagination.

Gary Gentry of Quality Residental Inspections, EzineArticles Expert Author

Now, let me set the record straight forthrightly…I’m surely not referring to the vast majority of homes. On the contrary, most homes that I have the occasion to enter are well-maintained; it’s obvious that it is someone’s home. It’s obvious that someone actually lives in the house and takes pride in their abode. Let me also state that I don’t consider myself a prude and that I, myself, am a responsible pet owner who loves most all creatures. So, no cries of prejudice or to a lack of sensitivity, please; such cries will fall on deaf ears.

When I have the occasion to visit a house, it’s usually because someone has expressed a distinct interest in purchasing that house and has signed an Offer to Purchase Contract to do just that. But sometimes, when I walk through the front door, I can only wonder why there is any interest from anyone at all. A case of the heebie-jeebies sets in; an eerie gloom casts its shadow upon the scene. An unnatural pallor arrives upon the faces of all those present. I silently ask myself why, in this beautiful world, would anyone want to purchase the sty-like place into which I have just immersed myself? And, where I’m contractually obligated to stay immersed for the next 2 – 4 hours, I might add.

As a Home Inspector, it’s most definitely not my job to point fingers or to cast blame for any of the myriad of reportable conditions that I might discover. Likewise, for the most part anyway, I have no reserved place, in the Home Inspection report, for the reporting of dirty conditions. But, let’s be honest here; some things just can’t be over-looked or readily ignored. There are a few things that nobody should have to experience and some things that we just simply shouldn’t see…or smell…or have to avoid if we enter your domicile:

• Clean Or Replace The Carpeting – It shouldn’t be readily obvious that your dog…or cat…or Iggy The Iguana is the primary occupant; there’s nothing worse than being initiated into the home with a big whiff of pet urine.
• Do Your Dishes – It’s not pleasant to observe 2 weeks worth of crusty dishes in the scum pond commonly and usually recognizable as the kitchen sink. Using the dishwasher would be a good starting point.
• Pick Up Your Undies – There’s probably no really good reason to leave 2 weeks worth of unwashed undies on the bathroom floor or hung over the rim of the bathtub…really!
• Clean Up After Your Dog – Nobody wants to have to skirt the land mines in the back yard just to walk around a little; and we know what happens when we step on, or into, one of those cone-shaped, pooch-generated mines, right? Poof! Instant vaporization of the human form! If the land mines are on the living room floor then…Oh, never mind!
• Exterminate The Pests – Infestations of roaches are bad enough, agreed? But, if fleas are jumping onto your clothing while you are walking across the living room carpet…well…that’s just Yech, with a capital Y…and I don’t care who you are!

So, with my tongue partially, I say, partially planted in my cheek, don’t invite people into a dirty, filthy home. Please…for the love of all things sane and reasonable…do some house-cleaning. If you exert a little time and effort to clean it up, it’ll show better, it might fetch a few extra dollars in the sales price, and you’ll spare your visitors the embarrassment of contracting a case of the dreaded heebie-jeebies……Poof!

As an added convenience and service for our clients who wish to use their credit card at the time of their Home Inspection, we are now able to process payment in the field.  By teaming with Square, we can now accept credit card payments in the field…at the home and at the time of your Raleigh Home Inspection. The credit card will be swiped through the Square reader, a signature will be attained on the screen of a portable device, and a receipt will be forwarded to the client via either SMS or e-Mail.

Your Raleigh Home Inspection Firm Now Accepts Mobile Credit Card Payments

Not only is this methodology a more convenient way to provide credit card payment, it’s safer too; less communication of information between people means a safer transaction. Square uses advanced security measures that are PCI Data Security Standard (PCI-DSS) Level 1 compliant. All information is encrypted to at least 128 bit and utilizes well reviewed cryptographic protocols and message formats when transferring data. Square security information is available on their website.

When your credit card is swiped through the Square reader, no client personal information is retained on the device…none! So don’t worry that there is any important information being retained by us in any way.

And…we now accept Discover and American Express cards too! We now accept all of the major credit cards…MasterCard, Visa, Discover, and American Express.

Convenience is important…the ability to pay for the most professional Home Inspection service available to you in the Triangle region of North Carolina is sure to be a plus for our valued clients.

Call us at 919-848-4833, or Schedule Your Raleigh Home Inspection Online today!

We all know that the ”Green” movement is in full swing. We’re aware that things are changing, that things are moving in a direction where energy efficiency and the use of environmentally friendly products are becoming more the “norm” than the exception. We’re all more environmentally aware than we used to be…and that’s probably a good a good thing.

Recently, I was performing a home inspection when I made an observation that set me to thinking; my observation concerned the type, quality…and quantity…of light bulbs that were installed in this particular home.

Consider the newer types of light bulbs as they relate to energy use and efficiency. Newer types of much more energy efficient light bulbs are now available and in common use in the residential setting. What’s the big deal about that you might wonder. Well, lets consider those light bulbs on a different level than you might have previously considered.

There are three basic types of light bulbs in common residential use:

Do Those Expensive LED Light Bulbs Convey With The Property?

1) The vast majority of bulbs in use today are incandescent bulbs, They come in various wattage ratings and are relatively very cheap; they can be bought just about anywhere (for now at least) and will last from between 1000 and 2000 hours depending on quality. A 60 watt bulb, which is a very common size, can be bought for as little as $0.50 each…less than that if you buy them in bulk and on sale.

2) You are likely familiar with the newer compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs. These are bulbs that are quite a bit more expensive but that will last considerably longer. A 15 Watt CFL bulb, which is the equivalent of that 60 watt incandescent bulb, can last for as many as 10,000 hours of use and can cost anywhere from $3.00 to as much as $15.00 depending on quality.

3) Then we have the much newer Light Emitting Diode (LED) bulbs. These bulbs can last a very long time…25,000 to 100,000 hours or more…and that’s a very long time. They are, though, considerably more expensive to purchase. LED bulbs can cost from between $20.00 to as much as $80.00 each for high quality bulbs, again, dependent on size and design.

Which brings us back to that house about which I made reference earlier. In this particular house, just about every light bulb…and I mean most all of them in the house with the exception of maybe a few in closets or storage spaces that see little use…had been replaced with very high quality, and very expensive, LED light bulbs. Now, I didn’t go around and count each individual light bulb, but I hypothesized that there were over 50 such light bulbs in the home. If one were to assign a very conservative median value of, say, $25.00 to each light bulb, then there would be at least $1250.00 worth of light bulbs in the home. The total value of the installed bulbs, therefore, was much more than a typical water heater…or a built-in dishwasher. In fact, for that amount of money, one could easily replace the water heater and the dishwasher in the average home and still have a few dollars left over. I suspect that negotiations during real estate transactions have become…heated…over far less dollar amounts than that.

I was left wondering whether or not the presence of those light bulbs had been considered as a value added to the home. Because, certainly, they do provide a long term value and benefit both in reduced energy consumption on a daily basis and on a replacement value basis as well since some of them may not have to be replaced for a very, very long time. Were those light bulbs going to be there when the new buyers moved in? Had they been a part of any discussion? From a Home Inspection perspective, if electricity flows and the light fixture functions when the wall switch is operated, then all is usually well.

At the end of the day, though, and on an entirely different level, I couldn’t help but wonder…do all of those expensive LED light bulbs convey with the sale of the property?

This original article was written by Gary Gentry, Owner of Quality Residential Inspections…your Raleigh Home Inspection firm, as a guest post for the good folks at Fonville Morisey Realty for publication in their Faces of Fonville blog.  Fonville Morisey Realty is a leading real estate company, headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina, that provides a wide range of  professional services to people engaged in the process of buying or selling a home.

Your Raleigh Home Inspection firm, Quality Residential Inspections, suggests that you give your Home A Little Love this Valentines Day season!

Another Valentines Day has come and gone…(umm, you did get your sweetie some flowers or take em’ out for a good dinner…didn’t you?). It’s a great time to think about showing your home a little love too. We make Cupid smile by showing some love to the people in our lives; by letting them know we care about them.  What about Hestia, the Greek goddess of hearth and home; she needs something to smile about too, wouldn’t you say? Since love is already in the air this time of year, it’s a great time to show some love to your faithful dwelling. It’s a great time to show your humble, but sometimes and most often unintentionally neglected, abode that you really do appreciate it for keeping your family dry, warm, and comfortable. What can you do, quickly and easily, to show your home a little love? Your Raleigh Home Inspection form shares some quick and easy ways to do just that…

Your Raleigh Home Inspection firm, Quality Residential Inspections, suggests that you show your home some Love

1) You could decide to finish some of those half-completed projects; you know the ones to which I refer, right? Or you could decide when to start that new improvement project you’ve been considering for…how long is that now?
2) You could make it a point to assess the condition of some of the systems and components of the home…and to accomplish some routine maintenance. Some really easy things you can do are:
3) You might check the return filters of your heating and cooling systems; if they’re dirty, replace em’; they’re cheap and easy to replace. Then make it a point to change them every 30 or 40 days of system use and to keep them clean.
4) You could test all of those Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) devices that you might find in your kitchen, bathrooms and garages…you know, the ones with the little test and reset buttons on them. Push the test button of the receptacle, or maybe at a breaker in the electrical panel, and re-set them. If they don’t respond to your manual test, or won’t reset then have them replaced by an electrician in the interest of safety.
5) You could test all of your smoke detectors to make sure they’re able to do their job in alerting you in case there was a fire…if you push and hold the test button, and nothing happens, find out why and have them replaced or otherwise have the issue corrected.
6) You could endeavor to decrease the clutter in you home…to get rid of any of that “stuff” that you haven’t used for years and have no earthly idea as to when you might use it again. Someone out there can use that stuff…so make a donation to a worthy charity or sell it for a few bucks and put the proceeds toward something nice for your home.
7) You might go to where your water heater resides in your home and look at it. Is it leaking? Is it making any unusual noises that might indicate a problem that might need to be addressed?
You might make it a point to visit the spaces of your home where you rarely venture…attics and crawl spaces. You don’t have to take an extended vacation in those places so you don’t need to pack a suitcase or anything like that. But, do take a little time to look around and see if anything is wet that shouldn’t be wet, or if there are any unusual odors. If things don’t seem right in some way, then follow up with an appropriate professional to make sure no costly issues are developing.
9) You could walk around the outside of the home and see if any shrubbery or tree limbs need to be trimmed away from the walls or roof. If so, make it a point to get that taken care of before any resulting damage can occur.

Take just a little time to show your home some love. Your home…and maybe your sweetie, too…will appreciate it!

More articles relating to Home Maintenance by the Raleigh Home Inspector…..We invite you to visit Gary Gentry’s Expert Author page at eZine Articles.

For the most professional Raleigh Home Inspection available in all of the Triangle area of North Carolina, Schedule Your Home Inspection today!

Level IV Certification, combined with the On-site Wastewater System Inspector certification, is the most advanced combination of Certification available in North Carolina. With the certification, Gary is able to install systems with any of the following attributes/components:

Raleigh Home Inspector Gary Gentry - Level IV Onsite Wastewater System Installer and Raleigh Inspector

• Single septic tank conventional (gravel) gravity systems
• Multiple tanks, Grease Traps, Single pump or Single Siphon, Fill Systems, Sand-lined Trenches, and any approved single pump dispersal system
• Dual pump and/or dual siphon systems, Low Pressure Dispersal, Flow Equalization, and any system requiring ground water lowering with a pump
• Large systems greater than 3000 gallons per day (GPD), Multiple Off-Site Systems, Industrial Process Wastewater, Residential Wastewater Treatment Systems (RWTS), TS-I and TS-II systems, Drip Dispersal Systems,  Wastewater Re-Use systems and any Pre-treatment component

Mr. Gentry’s primary interest is in the most advanced systems regarding future re-use of onsite wastewater systems. Mr. Gentry says “Given that both the quantity and quality of water is a rapidly increasing concern for most all of the North Carolina municipalities, and most other places as well for that matter, the use of advanced treatment and re-use systems will only trend upward. Any serious “green” initiative regarding future water use and availability will most certainly involve state of the art onsite wastewater collection, treatment, and re-use systems”.

Raleigh Home Inspector Asks: Is Your Clothes Dryer Quietly Trying To Kill You?

A rather startling question posed by the Raleigh Home Inspector considering that most of us, an estimated 8 out of 10 households, have a clothes dryer in our home and that they’re used on a regular, consistent basis without too much thought. What mighty fine pieces of modern marvel they are, too…those ole’ trusty clothes dryers! They certainly make life easier and they’re generally safe to operate. Let’s be honest, though…we take our clothes dryers for granted! We wash our clothes, toss em’ in the dryer, and expect that the end result will be an uneventful load of nice, dry, clean-smelling laundry. Indeed, that is the usual result. However, as with many of the relatively complex systems that comprise a home environment, there are some safety considerations to ponder and of which we need to maintain an awareness.

Again, clothes dryers are generally safe…as long as they’re properly installed, well vented, and receive periodic maintenance. Maintenance, you say? You mean like changing the oil in the family car? Well, yes…precisely that sort of routine maintenance albeit on, perhaps, a less frequent basis. The clothes dryer and its venting system need…no, require, periodic maintenance to keep you safe and to dry your clothes as efficiently and inexpensively as possible. Let’s examine those two concepts as they relate to clothes dryers…those of safety and of monetary efficiency.

As for the safety aspect, it’s really fairly simple. Your clothes dryer has the potential to catch fire and burn your house down. And, most unfortunately, a resulting house fire can kill you! Have I acquired your attention? Between 2004 and 2006, according to the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS), there were an estimated 15,600 related residential fires that required a fire department response. Those fires caused an estimated annual monetary loss of $99 Million, 400 injuries, and 15 fatalities. The leading cause of those fires was determined to be a failure to maintain the system. What causes these expensive, and sometimes deadly, clothes dryer related fires in the first place?

Clothes dryers do their job by forcing heated air through a rotating drum that contains your load of laundry. As the moisture is released, lint is created from the fibers of the content…clothing, towels, etc. Most of the lint is filtered by the clothes dryer filter…the one we are familiar with that’s usually located inside the door or on top of the unit; most of us are familiar with the need to clean that filter after every load of laundry. But some of that lint makes it past the filter and can collect in the ductwork between the clothes dryer and the exhaust hood (the discharge end of the duct that should…should, I say, be located be at the exterior of the building). The accumulation of lint inside the ductwork, or in an uncleaned filter, serves to create a restriction to the airflow and a concentration of lint which is a very combustible fuel source.

The Raleigh Home Inspector knows some types ofclothes dryer ducts are better than others

As a Raleigh Home Inspector and owner of a Raleigh Home Inspection firm, I routinely observe and report on clothes dryer ducts that are in very poor condition. Often, the types of installed ducts are conducive to venting problems. There are generally four different types of ducts. There are rigid metal ducts that are smooth on the inside; these are by far the safest types of ducts because they aren’t prone to sagging and are relatively easily cleaned. There are semi-rigid, semi-flexible ducts that are not quite as “good” as rigid metal ducts but are also a reasonable choice. And then there are the other two types…flexible foil and flexible plastic. These latter two types account for the majority of deficient issues that I see relating to clothes dryer ducts. They are thin, are prone to sagging and to physical damage, are not able to be readily cleaned, and should just plainly be avoided. Those plastic ducts will not only do absolutely nothing to contain a fire should one start in or near the duct, they will actually readily burn themselves…bad, bad, bad! Then there’s the “failure to clean” aspect where the duct is mostly blocked with lint. It’s these conditions of improperly installed ductwork, the use of unsafe or improper ductwork, or a failure to maintain the cleanliness of the ducts that cause the most troublesome issues. It’s worthy of note that most all manufacturers of clothes dryers disallow the use of those horrid plastic flexible ducts; nonetheless, they continue to be used in many homes…even in newer homes! Also worthy of note is that, in most jurisdictions, those plastic flexible ducts have never been allowed to penetrate floors or walls… but that’s a commonly observed configuration as well.

The Raleigh Home Inspector routinely observes damaged clothes dryer ducts

Even when an acceptable material has been installed, ductwork can be damaged e.g. that portion of the duct that is behind the dryer between the dryer and the wall. Dryer duct hoods can get bent or become clogged with lint. Or, the back-draft damper of the hood can be incapacitated such that it doesn’t fully close; when this occurs, vermin such as rodents and insects can enter the duct or birds can enter the duct and build nests that can severely restrict or block the airflow.

As for the monetary efficiency of the operation of your clothes dryer (meaning the amount of money you’ll spend to operate it), that’s fairly simple, too. A dryer that’s not well vented, that has a clogged filter, or that has a partially or wholly clogged vent duct has to work all that much harder, and longer, to dry your clothes. Any or all of those conditions will contribute you to having to spend more of your hard-earned money to operate the dryer and can directly (and quickly I might add) lead to outright failure of the dryer. Simply put, it’ll cost you more money to do your laundry while your clothes dryer approaches its pending failure. Then, when it quits, you’ll have the unanticipated opportunity to plunk down a considerable amount of money to replace it. Now, to me, that doesn’t sound like a pleasant scenario. Does it to you?

So…what can you do to prevent potential catastrophe and operate your clothes dryer as efficiently as possible? First, clean your clothes dryer duct, or have it cleaned, on a regular basis; annually might be good starting point but some systems might require more frequent cleaning. Second, make sure that the duct system is in a safe and fully functional condition. Have a professional assess the condition and configuration of the system in your home. Such a professional might be a licensed Home Inspector or a licensed Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) professional…either of these types of professionals should be able to assess your system and make pertinent recommendations. In many instances where flexible foil or flexible plastic ducts are installed, a recommendation to replace those types of ductwork with a more suitable product, one that is both safer and is more readily cleaned, would not be unreasonable.

In summary, clothes dryers are great inventions that make our lives easier on a daily basis. However, we tend to take them for granted and, if not well installed or properly maintained, they can be problematic. An improperly configured duct system, or the use of certain types of dryer ducts, or a failure to maintain the system can lead to an excessive consumption of your money. Much worse and of greater import, these deficiencies can cause a house fire that can take your life or cause significant damage to your home. Inspect your system and its installation, or have it evaluated by a professional and repaired or corrected as needed…the condition of your wallet, and maybe even your very life, may depend on it!

To read other articles written by Gary Gentry, your Raleigh Home Inspector, visit his eZine Expert Author Page.

Raleigh Home Inspector Gary Gentry - Owner of Quality Residential Inspectons; Master Inspector By Review

The MIBR® designation is awarded to a Home Inspector who demonstrates superior home inspection skill and knowledge as judged by a panel of his or her peers.  In the Peer Review process, a panel of experienced Home Inspectors simultaneously inspect a home to assemble an extensive list of the items that, in the collective opinion of the panel, are items that are considered to be “must-find” items. Must-find items are those deficiencies that are judged absolutely necessary to be included in any proficient, professional Home Inspection report such as that provided to a paying customer.

Raleigh Home Inspector Gary Gentry, Owner of Quality Residential Inspections, is an ASHI Certified Inspector (ACI) and has earned the prestigious NCASHI Master Inspector By Review (MIBR) designation

The Peer Review pits the skill set and knowledge of a single Home Inspector against the combined skill and knowledge of a group of six to eight experienced Home Inspectors. The  Peer Review is conducted under conditions that are much more stringent and laborious than those encountered during a typical Home Inspection. The candidate is allowed only two hours to complete their assessment of the home. Failure to observe and report on even a single one of the conditions, determined to be a “must find” item,  is disqualifying.

While attaining the MIBR® designation is a highly regarded achievement,  it’s not really about attaining a new designation. The exercise is, and is intended to be, an educational tool to be used by a professional Home Inspector to better their inspection skills.

It is rare that a Home Inspector is able to gain direct input regarding their knowledge, inspection methodologies, and their reporting habits. “A Home Inspector, no matter how experienced or knowledgeable they might be, is always able to improve” says Mr Gentry. “And, with a dedication to improvement comes an increased real value for home-buyers or other clients who contract for their service. Who among professionals isn’t interested in providing a better value for their customers? This Raleigh Home Inspector is always willing to participate in any activity that might serve to make me a better Home Inspector. The NCASHI Peer Review program provides a most valuable learning experience for any North Carolina Home Inspector wanting to better themselves and their offered service. But it isn’t for the thin-skinned or the faint of heart…candidates are told to check their egos at the door because they will be closely, and sometimes harshly, scrutinized”. To learn more about the NCASHI and the Peer Review process, visit them on their website.

Should you be in need of a professional Raleigh Home Inspector, then contact Quality Residential Inspections at 919-848-4833 or schedule your Raleigh Home Inspection right here on this website. Quality Residential Inspections provides Home Inspection and ancillary testing services to the entire Triangle region of North Carolina.

…..and all of us here at Quality Residential Inspections want to wish everyone, and especially all of our valued clients, referring real estate agents, and business partners a very Merry Christmas and the very best of happiness and prosperity in the coming New Year.

We are most grateful to all of you for your demonstrated and continued confidence in our Raleigh Home Inspection services because you are the reason we have been able to remain successful in these trying economic times…Thank You So Much! We look forward to the opportunity to continue to provide the best Home Inspection and related services to the good people of North Carolina.

The Raleigh Home Inspector wants everyone to be a bit more energy conscious…to reduce your winter energy use and save some money in doing so. Who doesn’t want save a few dollars these days, right?

With winter just around the corner, our energy bills are likely to rise in correlation with the fall of the mercury of the thermometer. I can almost hear the cacophony of groans as the envelopes from the utility companies are opened on a monthly basis during the winter heating months. There are however, some common sense actions that are conducive to some savings on your utility bills…things that we sometimes ignore, or take for granted, or that we just haven’t considered as costing us a bit more money than we otherwise have to spend. And, as it has been said by the wise Mr. Benjamin Franklin, “A penny saved is a penny earned”.

Furnace/HVAC Systems

Keep your furnace well maintained. If your furnace is working at peak efficiency it will use less energy and cost less to operate.

Clean or replace the filter every 30 – 45 days – a dirty filter reduces the airflow and forces the furnace to work harder and to run longer to heat your home. When it comes to heating systems, its all about efficiency. When it comes time to replace an existing system, consider purchasing a new ENERGY STAR® qualified furnace with a variable speed motor. Each year, an average home can save over $500.00 in natural gas and/or electricity costs  when upgrading from a standard efficiency natural gas furnace to a 95% efficiency furnace with a high efficiency variable speed motor.

Programmable Thermostats Are Installed In The Home Of The Raleigh Home Inspector

  Thermostat

This one is really easy.. simply lower your thermostat by 7 – 9 degrees Fahrenheit while you’re sleeping at night and when no one is at home. The Raleigh Home Inspector has ones like the one shown installed, manufactured by the Trane,  in his personal home.

You could also install a programmable thermostat. You can save 2% on your heating bill for every 2 degree F. you turn down your thermostat. With a programmable thermostat to consistently lower your heat when you don’t need it, you could save up to $60 a year!

There is one caveat…to realize the potential savings, one must learn and understand how to efficiently operate the thermostat; some of the thermostats on the market can be a bit daunting to learn how to operate. But persevere…it will be worth it in the end!

Laundry

Start using cold water when doing your laundry. 85 – 90% of the energy used to wash your clothes is used to heat the water. By switching the dial to the cold water setting  on your washing machine, you help the environment, save energy, and save money.

Wash full loads.

Only wash full loads of clothes…I know, I know…you don’t want the washer too full. But operating the clothes washer once for a large load rather than twice for two small loads only makes good sense, right. It will cost you less to do so.

Weather-stripping

Apply weather-stripping to operable windows, exterior doors, garage doors, and doors that lead to the attic spaces that abut conditioned space.

Windows, door frames, sills and joints

Apply a sealant or caulk around windows, door frames, sills and joints. On a windy day feel for leaks or use a couple of incense sticks to help identify leaks around windows, electrical outlets, vents and exterior doors. As well look for spider webs – if there is a web there is a draft.

Make Sure exterior doors close and latch tightly against their weather stripping

Make sure the bolt of the hardware secures the door in a position that is tight against the weather stripping; if there is excessive air transfer around the door when it is closed, consider adjusting the strike plate to provide tight closure. This is a very common item observed by the Raleigh Home Inspector while performing a Home Inspection.

Basement

If you have an unfinished basement or crawlspace, check for leaks by looking for spider webs. Where there is a web, there may be a draft. A large amount of heat is also lost from/through an uninsulated basement.

Pipes, ducts, fans and vents

Plug gaps around pipes, ducts, fans and vents that go through walls, ceilings and floors from heated to unheated spaces.

Shower-heads and faucets

Install low-flow  and faucets; you’ll use less water and, especially, less hot water.

Dishwasher

Always wash a full load in your dishwasher and air-dry your dishes on the “energy saver” setting; this is akin to the principal of  “less is more” as with the operation of the clothes washer.

Fireplaces

Close the damper of drafting fireplaces (when not in use, of course) to prevent warm air from escaping up the chimney, and ensure that the damper fits/closes properly and fully.

If you are in need of a professional Home Inspection…A Quality Residential Inspections type of Home Inspection…then contact the Raleigh Home Inspector at 919-848-4833. Our friendly office staff will answer any questions or concerns that you might have and make sure that your Raleigh Home Inspection is scheduled to your satisfaction.