During the home inspection I found that the Unit for the Heat and A/C was under sized. For the equipment to work as intended it has to be sized accordingly. The rule of thumb for equipment is 600cfm per ton on A/C only. If it is a heat pump or straight electric air handler as you will see in this video then you have to size it for the heating load not the cooling. Simply put it requires far many more BTU’s for heating then cooling. Mechanical equipment can be very tricky when it comes to design, performace and safety. This is always an area were I spend alot of my time when I am inspecting. If you are unsure of your mechanical equipment or need to have it replaced my best advice is when you hire that HVAC contractor don’t be afraid to ask questions most companies have very good and qualified sales people that can walk you thru the process. I am also available to help answer any questions.
Often times during a home inspection we will find minor leaks under the sinks, water heater and supply pipe. What I found on this home inspection was that the upstairs tub was leaking down into the laundry room. The home owner tried to make the repair not only to the drain pipe but also to the ceiling as you”ll see in this video.
Your home consists of two primary systems that work together to provide comfort and shelter. Your home’s heating and cooling system maintains comfortable indoor temperatures. Your home’s envelope helps hold in comfortable indoor temperatures and provides shelter from exterior elements. The home envelope is the combination of materials that surround the interior space you live in including walls, floors, ceiling, roof, windows, and doors. The quality and integrity of your home’s envelope greatly affects the comfort and cost to operate your home.
How can improving my home’s envelope save money and energy?
The average family spends $1,900 a year on energy bills, nearly half of which goes to heating and cooling. These costs can be reduced by up to 20% by combining the right amount and type of insulation, using effective air sealing techniques, and installing windows that are appropriate for your climate.
What are the benefits of an energy efficient envelope?
Reduced drafts and even room temperatures (no cold or hot rooms).
Reduced noise transmission into your home.
Savings on heating and cooling bills.
Moisture control in your home leading to longer life of your home’s building materials and reduced incidence of mold and mildew.
Why is insulation important?
The proper type and level of insulation for your home provides a continuous thermal barrier minimizing heat flow through the walls, ceiling, and floor. The result is a more comfortable home and reduced heating and cooling costs. Installing insulation properly is as important as the type and level of insulation because gaps, voids, compressions, and moisture reduce the effectiveness of insulation and allow unconditioned air to enter your home.
What are air and vapor barriers?
Air barriers are any material used to prevent the movement of air through walls, ceilings, and floors. Vapor barriers keep moisture, which is often contained in air, from passing through and condensing in walls, floors, and ceilings. Air and vapor barriers must be installed in a manner appropriate to your climate region to work correctly. This is always toward the warmer side of the wall or ceiling. Remember: Check your local code to see what is appropriate for your climate region.
Why is air sealing important?
Ceiling, wall, and floor systems with insulation generally provide barriers to outside air coming into the home. However, small gaps, cracks, and spaces that are not closed around penetrations will allow uncontrolled outside air from entering temperature-controlled spaces. You will feel air infiltration from larger gaps as drafts that make a room uncomfortable. To detect smaller cracks that affect the energy efficiency of your home, you may need to hire a professional contractor who uses a blower door and other tools to determine the location of air leakage. Remember: It is always a good idea to check your hot water heater, furnace, gas stove and other combustion appliances as well as your carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they are in working order.
What should I know about ventilation?
Although air sealing is intended to prevent outside air from leaking into your house, a certain amount of controlled fresh air is important to keep the indoor air quality healthy. Proper ventilation provides fresh air and removes stuffy indoor air and excess moisture. Once your home is properly air sealed you should make sure that adequate ventilation is provided. To do this, you may need to hire a professional to conduct a blower door test. Ventilation to remove excess moisture and pollutants can be as simple as exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathrooms. More complex systems can cover the entire house and may include heat recovery, moisture control, and air filtering. Remember: Everyday activities such as cooking and bathing create moisture that needs to be expelled from the house to avoid mold and mildew. This will also help to keep the insulation dry so that it provides an effective thermal barrier from outside conditions.
Should I install the insulation myself or hire a contractor?
There are air sealing and insulation activities you can do yourself. A careful homeowner can often insulate attic floors, basements, new or open walls, and crawl space walls. Blown-in and sprayed-in insulation as well as adding insulation to a mobile home are best left to the professional installer. It’s important to remember, however, that insulation needs proper air-sealing to work well. And without the necessary training and equipment, you won’t know what your air-leakage is, nor if you have combustion safety problems. If you do choose to tackle this effort yourself, the Energy Star Home Sealing Guide offers specific recommendations on ways you can tighten your home envelope. You can learn more on the Energy Star Web site.
Why should I hire a professional?
Energy consultants use tools such as blower-doors to diagnose your house and develop a plan for the most cost-effective measures to take in your particular situation.
What should I know if I’m going to hire a contractor? Shop around and get several written bids for the same work (same R-value), and remember that good quality is as important as low cost. Get a receipt. The contractor is required by the Federal Trade Commission to provide you with a signed receipt that shows the R-value. Consider having the installation checked by a third-party, energy consultant or home inspector to make sure it has been installed correctly.
Water heating is the third largest energy expense in your home. There are four ways to cut your water heating bills: use less hot water, turn down the thermostat on your water heater, insulate your water heater, and buy a new, more efficient water heater. Conserve Water
A family of four, each showering for 5 minutes a day, uses 700 gallons of water a week. This is enough for a 3-year supply of drinking water for one person. You can cut that amount in half simply by using low-flow non-aerating showerheads and faucets. Lower Your Water Heater Thermostat Although some manufacturers set water heaters at 140°F, 120°F is satisfactory for most household needs. If your dishwasher does not have a booster heater, lowering the water-heating temperature is not recommended. Also, many dishwasher detergents are formulated to clean effectively at 140°F and may not perform adequately at lower temperatures. When you plan to be away from home for an extended period of time (at least 3 days), turning the water heater thermostat down to the lowest setting can help you save money. Install a Timer
Another possibility for electric water heaters is installing a timer that can automatically turn the heater off at night and on in the morning. At a $30 selling price and a do-it-yourself installation, a simple timer may pay for itself in energy saved in about 1 year. Insulate Hot-Water Pipes and the Storage Tank When you turn on a hot-water faucet during cold weather, it may take several seconds for the water to become hot. This happens because the water travels through pipes from the water heater to the faucet, and some of the pipes may pass through unheated sections of the house, such as the basement. As a result, the hot water loses some of its heat to the surrounding space.
This heat loss can be reduced by insulating hot water –especially in unheated areas. Eventually the water will cool, but it will remain warmer much longer inside insulated pipes. Easy-to-install, pre-cut blankets (or jackets) for electric water heaters are widely available and range in cost from $10 to $20. Installation is more difficult on gas- and oil-fired heaters. Ask your local furnace installer for instructions. Use Off-Peak Power to Heat Water
Most consumers use more hot water in the evenings and mornings than at other times of the day. For those who have an electric water heater, this usage contributes to the electric utility company’s “peak load,” or the largest amount of power demand that they have to meet on a daily basis. Some utilities charge lower rates at “off-peak” times and higher rates at “on-peak” times. Evaluate A New Water Heater
If your water heater is at least 7 years old, you should carefully evaluate your water-heating needs and investigate the types of heaters that could replace your current one. Most new water heater models have factory-installed traps. Some are well insulated and do not need blankets.
If you heat with electricity and you have an unshaded, south-facing location (such as a roof) on your property, consider a solar water heater. When shopping for a solar water heater, watch for systems certified by the Solar Rating and Certification Corporation (SRCC) or the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC).
Source: U.S. Dept. of Energy
If the flashing and mastic around the chimney are loose,damaged or missing then water is coming into your attic every time it rains. Every few years the chimney should be evaulated for any issues.
Many times we’ll see where the homeowner has tried to repair the chimney but often times This type of repair won’t work for long so it’s better to just go ahead and have the repairs done by a professional roofing contractor!
As part of your annual home maintenance check you should evaluate the main electrical power meter Over head Line and be sure that it’s securely connected to the exterior wall and Inspect the outer insulating jacket. Dozens of times a year our inspectors will discover a ‘dangling’ power meter and damaged insulation like the one in this video. If any of these items are found to be in need of attention then you should contact a licensed contractor and have those items repaired.
At Quality Home Inspections we understand that many times the inspection process is time sensitive and essential for an expedient closing. That is why we have prepared this pre-inspection checklist so that we can do our job efficiently.
First, we would like to answer some of the commonly asked questions about our service:
What is a home inspection?
We are a real estate support service that evaluates the overall structural, mechanical and electrical condition of the home. We examine nearly all-visible construction components and evaluate whether these items are still serviceable. We make notations of items that may need attention to help preserve their long-term integrity. We also give our client helpful advice on general home maintenance.
Is this a building code compliance inspection?
No. Many homes were built before building codes were ever established. When building codes were established, many counties adopted (or enforced) their own version of these building codes. It would be impossible to verify the governing code for every time period in every county and make a compliance type inspection.
We inspect residential resells for function and safety. In other words do the systems and components of the house function properly and are there safety hazards present.
Home sellers, please do the following:
Confirm that all utilities are on and pilot flames are ignited.
Please provide keys for all doors & gates.
Please make sure that all domestic animals are secured.
Change or clean dirty A/C filters. Clean range exhaust filter if there is a greasy build up. (fire hazard)
Check batteries in smoke detector.
Free windows that have been painted shut.
Replace torn weather stripping around exterior doors.
Replace any missing switch or receptacle covers.
Clean gutters and down spouts.
Trim back any tree limbs that may be touching the roof of the house.
Keep foundation vents open. (except in frigid weather)
Have your HVAC system serviced if it has been over a year since the last service.
Call Quality Home Inspections (302-893-1364) if you have any questions about how to prepare your house for an inspection.
Many times during a home inspection we well Find a loose wire, open junction box or some other minor safety issue. But as you will see in the video the seller decided to take there hot tub and leave the electrical feeder wire on the ground unprotected and wrapped in the outdoor carpet. This could have been an electrical fire waiting to happen. My best advice would be first to call a licensed contractor when you are thinking about installing something like a hot tub or pool there are codes that have to be followed to ensure the safety of you and your family. Most of the national and state codes require a disconnect within sight, This was not the case at this house. Secound if you are going to take those items with you have the electrical contractor come out and properly disconnect what ever it is you are taking. Most insurance compaines will not cover a claim from fire damage if it was caused by negligence.
Most of the time when we do Inspections we always find an A/C outdoor unit that is out of Level. The biggest problem this can cause is premature failure of the compressor. The compressor is what pumps the refrigerant thru the unit and gives you cool air. Also being out of level can cause stress on the outdoor units refigerant lines. As with anything in your home the A/C unit or units require regular route maintenance. Check the insulation on the copper line if it is damaged or missing It’s time to add a new piece. Check the unit if it is out of level like you will see in this video then relevel the unit Yes it is ok to to pull up on the unit just try not to get to carried away. Things you can use to relevel the unit are Brick, Dirt, any type of composite material. I would never use any type of wood as this material will rot and could be the next meal for a termite or other Wood Destroying Insect.
It’s important that your plumbing fixtures inside your home aren’t leaking. Even a small leak over time can cause big problems for your home. The wood framing members on the interior walls can be damaged and Mold can even begin to grow.
Check out this video where a shower has been leaking for so long the vinyl floor next to the shower was curling up and coming apart.
