High efficiency heating systems have become popular because they save fuel and, one would suppose, save money. But what do they mean when they talk about efficiency? What is furnace efficiency? Actually, there are two ways to measure it – steady state and seasonal. Steady State Efficiency Steady state efficiency refers to how much usable […]
WHAT IS CARBON MONOXIDE? CO is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas. It is a by-product of incomplete combustion (unburned fuel such as gas, oil, wood, etc.) Low concentrations of CO can go undetected and can contribute to ongoing, unidentified illnesses. At high concentrations, it can be deadly. WHY IS IT DANGEROUS? If there is CO […]
The outside winter air is cold and dry. The inside winter air is dry. Our chapped lips, dry skin and static zaps from doorknobs remind us of that all season long. Homes like the dry environment, but dry air makes people uncomfortable. While an ideal humidity for homes can be as low as 5%, people […]
Beautiful September weather does little to remind us that winter’s cold breath will soon be upon us. While you’re in the basement unpacking the Halloween costumes, take a moment to consider your furnace. Check the Switches While it is probably okay, it’s not a bad idea to stroll over to your breaker panel and make […]
We encourage clients and real estate agents to call us with technical questions. We get lots of them – and the flavor of the month is condensation. We don’t want to bore you with technical terms like vapor pressure differential. Let’s keep this simple. There are two rules at work here: When warm moist air […]
What Is It? If you have never seen vermiculite insulating an attic, you may have seen it in potting soil. Vermiculite is a naturally occurring mineral worldwide. When heated rapidly to high temperatures, this crystalline mineral expands into low density, accordion-like, golden brown strands. In fact, its worm-like shape is what gives vermiculite its name. […]
Have you ever wondered why your neighbors never surface from their home, rarely have any garbage to pick up, always have the blinds down or windows covered, come and go at unusual hours and never invite you over for a barbecue? If this is the case, there is a possibility you are living beside a […]
Truss uplift has nothing to do with plastic surgery or under- garments. It is a phenomenon common in homes built with roof trusses as opposed to rafters. If a house suffers from truss uplift, the top floor ceilings literally lift off the interior walls in the winter. They drop back down in the summer. Needless […]
Serious structural problems in houses are not very common, but when they occur they are never cheap to fix. Some can’t be fixed at all. This report won’t turn you into a home inspector, but it will give you some of the common indicators. Uneven Floors Uneven floors are typical, particularly in older homes. Here […]
A professional building inspection by a qualified engineer can help you separate the NEEDS from the WANTS. The time has finally come. Your cramped kitchen and dining room is making way for the state-of-the-art dining and entertaining center. But first that wall has to come out. Is it load bearing? What about the electrical service […]
