Barrie Home Inspector

Home Maintenance and Tips for Home Owners

Tag: energy

Energy Conservation in your Home

Heating, Home Inspection, Real Estate

Energy Conservation in your Home. Turning your home into an energy efficient house not only helps the environment but also saves you up to forty percent in your energy consumption charges. This is in comparison to the average home in North America.

Keep your furnace clean, lubricated and properly adjusted with annual maintenance. If your furnace is working at peak efficiency it will use less energy and cost less to operate. Clean or replace the filter every 1-2 months – a dirty filter reduces the airflow and forces the furnace to run longer to heat your home. Set back your thermostat when nobody is home and at night when everyone is sleeping for added savings. Heating your home constitutes your largest energy expenditure. Even a little conservation of heating fuel goes a long way toward achieving a lower utility bill. Dialing down the thermostat one degree during the winter can result in about 1 to 3 percent less fuel use, and a similar reduction in your heating bill.

When doing laundry use cold water and save from 85 to 90 percent of the energy you would normally use. Front loading machines use less water and energy, up to fifty percent. Also wash full loads to ensure you are fully utilizing energy being consumed.

You can make a lot of progress toward improving the energy efficiency in your home by simply plugging the many places through which air can get in or get out. Plugging your home is called “air sealing,” and it is one of the most important first steps to take when weatherizing your house to increase its energy efficiency.our windows and doors allow a lot of energy to escape which is costing you money. Ensure all your window frames, door frames and sills are caulked using a silicone based sealant. Make sure your heat registers are not being blocked by furniture.

Your water heater is the next largest home energy load after heating and cooling. To reduce water heating energy use ensure your water heater’s thermostat is set to 120F . Improvements such as installing low-flow faucets and shower heads, and insulating hot water pipes will also help you save money on water heating. When replacing your hot water heater consider buying an Energy Star model to ensure greater efficiency.

Air conditioners typically have a life expectancy of twenty years. Even after your unit is 10 years old you can save up to 40 percent of your efficiency by replacing your older model with newer air conditioner with a minimum SEER rating of 15.

Learn about Barrie Home Inspection Information. Stop by The Barrie Home Inspector’s site where you can find out all about the Barrie Home Inspection Services you will need.

Infrared Cameras and Home Inspections

Home Inspection

Infrared Cameras and Home Inspections.  Thermal imaging is the use of light rays that are invisible to the naked eye. There is an infinite range of light that is invisible to the naked eye. The wave lengths of light that are invisible to the naked eye are actually quite small. All light is identified by its wave length, frequency and energy.

Humans can only see light in the 400 to 750 nanometer range. Some animals can see light in the infrared spectrum and you can buy infrared film for you regular camera. An example of low-energy light rays is radio waves which are typically described by their frequency.

A prism placed into a ray of sunshine in a dark room reflects the colours of the rainbow using a property known as dispersion. This is the method Sir William Herschel utilized in the 1800’s in conjunction with thermometers to discern the presence of invisible light rays. He called his discovery the thermometric spectrum later to be known as infrared.

Using a infrared camera is a quick and easy method of determining the presence of air leaks in the exterior walls and ceilings of homes, also known as the building envelope. Although un-able to measure scope of leak it identifies where leaks are present. Infrared cameras are also an excellent means of finding moisture in walls and ceilings and are a valuable tool for professional home inspectors.

The benefits of employing infrared thermography in buildings are; Air leakage pathways present within a completed construction can be identified and rectified prior to subjecting the building to air permeability tests, reducing the risk of repeat testing being required; Depending upon the nature of the construction, even a building that meets or exceeds the building regulations may still be at risk of premature deterioration due to air leakage and subsequent condensation, therefore identifying where air leakage is occurring can be critical; Air leakage pathways can often indicate rainwater ingress pathways further adding to the potential benefits of an infrared survey; and Thermography is commonly used to identify air change rates with the help of the so-called ‘blower-door’ process, which creates under-pressure in buildings. Because the air pressure outside is higher than the pressure inside, the air will try to enter through unsealed areas. Using an infrared camera, this airflow can easily be seen, clearly revealing any unsealed areas, which can then be attended to before coverings and fittings make correcting this potential fault both expensive and time-consuming.

The Barrie Home Inspector was the first company to use Thermal Imaging technology in Simcoe County and now offers the service Free on request for any home inspection package. As a Certified Building Code Official with the Ontario Building Officials Association and with the experience of over 4,000 home inspections your Peace of Mind is 100% Guaranteed.

Want to find out more about Simcoe County Home Inspector, then visit Barrie Home Inspector’s site on how to choose the best Best Qualified Home Inspector for your real estate needs.

Buying Older or Century Homes

Home Inspection

Buying Older or Century Homes.  When buying an older home you are usually buying a home with built in character which has withstood the test of time and is still in habitable condition.  There are some inherent problems that you might encounter when purchasing an older home.  I have listed a few basic ones just for consideration.

Rock and Cement FoundationYour older homes foundation is probably constructed of cement and stone.  There would have been no waterproofing done to the exterior of the foundation and there will be no weeping tile draining into sump.  This inspection area is one of the most important and expensive to repair if faulty.

Knob and tube wiring was usually installed in all older homes and there is usually still porcelain insulators present even if it was all removed.  You have to have a home inspector or electrician check to ensure all the knob and tube wiring was replaced.  The knob and tube was usually replaced with older two wire which has no ground and unless a total rehab was done on building you will still find two wire at outlets on upper floors and other hard to access areas.

Asbestos and vermiculite can be found in many older homes.  Some older homes had hot water boilers with cast iron radiators.  This systems were typically insulated with asbestos insulation.  Vermiculite insulation may contain asbestos and was frequently added to attics in older homes.  Asbestos requires professional removal which is very expensive.

Lead plumbing pipes and galvanized plumbing lines can be very expensive to replace and were used on most older homes.  Most insurance companies in Ontario will not insure a home with galvanized plumbing pipes.  Galvanized pipes tend to corrode from the inside out so that there is no warning that a pipe is about to burst.

Older homes may have many layers of lead paint which has built up over the years.  Lead-based paint is a major source of lead poisoning for children and can also affect adults. In children, lead poisoning can cause irreversible brain damage and can impair mental functioning. It can retard mental and physical development and reduce attention span. It can also retard fetal development even at extremely low levels of lead.  Thus, young children, fetuses, infants, and adults with high blood pressure are the most vulnerable to the effects of lead.

Cast Iron RadiatorsYour house is old and gorgeous, as are those wonderfully ornate cast-iron radiators, but these days, energy prices are anything but old-fashioned. Older homes have radiators sized for a time when open-window ventilation was popular and insulation was uncommon. If you’ve insulated and updated your windows, your radiators are most likely larger than they need to be.  You should have your home assessed by a heating expert to evaluate the expense and available options if required to upgrade your heating system.  Many people are using GEOthermal heat pump systems when they are in the country and have no real alternative fuel source.  Oil and propane are available for people who have no access to natural gas but can be very expensive,  especially in older homes that may be lacking in  insulation and thermal protection.

Many older homes with boilers also had asbestos insulation on both the boiler and the piping.  Even boilers which may have fiberglass insulation on pipes may still have asbestos on elbow joints.  Ensure your potential home is asbestos free prior to purchasing.  Depending on the amount of asbestos in the home the cost of removal can be disastrous to your renovation budget.

 

The Barrie Home Inspector has many years of experience in inspecting Century Homes and is also a Certified Building Code Official with the Ontario Building Officials Association.  Commercial Building inspections also entail the same problems as residential and buyers have to be aware of the risks and hazards involved in purchasing older properties.  Visit the Barrie Home Inspector’s site a www.barriehomeinspector.com to obtain more information and advice when dealing with older homes.

Buying Older Home – Typical Problems

Basements, Exterior

Buying Older Home – Typical Problems.  When buying an older home you are usually buying a home with built in character which has withstood the test of time and is still in habitable condition.  There are some inherent problems that you might encounter when purchasing an older home.  I have listed a few basic ones just for consideration.

Your older homes foundation is probably constructed of cement and stone.  There would have been no waterproofing done to the exterior of the foundation and there will be no weeping tile draining into sump.  This inspection area is one of the most important and expensive to repair if faulty.

Knob and tube wiring was usually installed in all older homes and there is usually still porcelain insulators present even if it was all removed.  You have to have a home inspector or electrician check to ensure all the knob and tube wiring was replaced.  The knob and tube was usually replaced with older two wire which has no ground and unless a total rehab was done on building you will still find two wire at outlets on upper floors and other hard to access areas.

Asbestos and vermiculite can be found in many older homes.  Some older homes had hot water boilers with cast iron radiators.  This systems were typically insulated with asbestos insulation.  Vermiculite insulation may contain asbestos and was frequently added to attics in older homes.  Asbestos requires professional removal which is very expensive.

Lead plumbing pipes and galvanized plumbing lines can be very expensive to replace and were used on most older homes.  Most insurance companies in Ontario will not insure a home with galvanized plumbing pipes.  Galvanized pipes tend to corrode from the inside out so that there is no warning that a pipe is about to burst.

Older homes may have many layers of lead paint which has built up over the years.  Lead-based paint is a major source of lead poisoning for children and can also affect adults. In children, lead poisoning can cause irreversible brain damage and can impair mental functioning. It can retard mental and physical development and reduce attention span. It can also retard fetal development even at extremely low levels of lead.  Thus, young children, fetuses, infants, and adults with high blood pressure are the most vulnerable to the effects of lead.

Your house is old and gorgeous, as are those wonderfully ornate cast-iron radiators, but these days, energy prices are anything but old-fashioned. Older homes have radiators sized for a time when open-window ventilation was popular and insulation was uncommon. If you’ve insulated and updated your windows, your radiators are most likely larger than they need to be.  You should have your home assessed by a heating expert to evaluate the expense and available options if required to upgrade your heating system.

The Barrie Home Inspector has many years of experience in inspecting Century Homes and is also a Certified Building Code Official with the Ontario Building Officials Association.  Commercial Building inspections also entail the same problems as residential and buyers have to be aware of the risks and hazards involved in purchasing older properties.  Visit the Barrie Home Inspector’s site at www.barriehomeinspector.com to obtain more information and advice when dealing with older homes.

Bricks for Homes and Buildings

Exterior

Bricks for Homes and Buildings. In the past, bricks came in many different shapes and sizes, but today’s modern bricks tend to be a standard size of around 8″ x 4″ x 2″. They demonstrate a wide variety of textures, colours and finishes from yellows, reds and purples, to smooth, rough and rustic. These are due to the mineral variations found in the clay, and the method of manufacturing.

Raw surface clay and shale materials are taken from the ground in a process that is called winning. Materials are then carefully blended to control the quality, color and consistency of the desired finished product. The material is then formed by adding water and mixing materials in a pug mill. After mixing, the pugged clay is forced through a die creating a long extruded column of clay which is then wirecut to size. The material is then carried by conveyor systems into the firing kiln where it is first predried, and then carried through the firing stage of the kiln where temperatures can reach nearly 2000 degrees Farenheit. The brick can then be cubed and stored for shipping.

Bricks for building may be made from clay, shale, soft slate, calcium silicate, concrete, or shaped from quarried stone. However, true bricks are ceramic, and therefore created by the action of heat and cooling. Clay is the most common material, with modern clay bricks formed in one of three processes – soft mud, dry press, or extruded. Bricks are used for building and pavement. In the USA, brick pavement was found incapable of withstanding heavy traffic, but it is coming back into use as a method of traffic calming or as a decorative surface in pedestrian precincts. For example, in the early 1900s, most of the streets in the city of Grand Rapids, Michigan were paved with brick. Today, there are only about 20 blocks of brick paved streets remaining.

Solid brickwork is made of two or more layers of bricks with the units running horizontally (called stretcher bricks) bound together with bricks running transverse to the wall (called “header” bricks). Each row of bricks is known as a course. The pattern of headers and stretchers employed gives rise to different bonds such as the common bond (with every sixth course composed of headers), the English bond, and the Flemish bond (with alternating stretcher and header bricks present on every course). Bonds can differ in strength and in insulating ability. Vertically staggered bonds tend to be somewhat stronger and less prone to major cracking than a non-staggered bond.

Bricklaying Terms. Before beginning any of the bricklaying projects, study the following terms and their definitions. This will help you understand the various brick positions and patterns, as well as the typical mortar joints used. Bull Header. A rowlock brick laid with its longest dimensions perpendicular to the face of the wall. Bull Stretcher. A rowlock brick laid with its longest dimension parallel to the face of the wall.

Bricks are a versatile and durable building and construction material, with good load-bearing properties, high thermal mass and potential low energy impact. In the case of simple earth bricks such as adobe and CEBs, they measure high on the sustainability index, being made from locally available (and abundant) materials of clay, sand, and water, using low technology compression equipment, solar energy or kilns. While modern methods of brick construction have a much lower sustainability index, the UK brick industry has developed a strategy to minimize its environmental impact and increase its energy efficiency and use of renewable energies. Overall, bricks are a good example of a sustainable building practice and are currently gaining in popularity around the world.

Innovation in brick and block building is moving forward – thin joint mortar allows the depth of the mortar to be reduced from l0mm to just 2mm increases the speed of construction. Thin-joint system improves thermal insulation and air tightness of construction and increases ease of installation – thin joint mortar can be laid twice as fast as traditional mortar.

Home Inspection And Your Furnace

Heating, Home Inspection

Home Inspection And Your Furnace.  Typical Methods of inspecting your gas furnace by qualified inspectors will save you needless expenses and repairs. Home inspectors usually find either high efficiency or standard efficiency furnaces in most homes.  Up-draft furnaces are common while down-draft types are rarely seen.

Over the last 20 years, a new generation of higherefficiency gas furnaces and boilers has come to market. Anessential difference in the design of these units is howthey are vented, eliminating the need for dilution air. Thecombustion of gas produces certain by-products, includingwater vapour and carbon dioxide.

Eliminating the need for a chimney is the primary method of energy savings in high efficiency furnaces.  Heat loss and products of combustion through the chimney is significant.  Newer furnaces have an AFUE rating which is based on estimated energy consumption of unit for one year.  This is expressed as a percentage.

The newer designs have been modified to reduce the amount of heated air that escapes during the on and off cycles and by extracting more of the heat contained in the combustionby-products before they are vented.
Natural Gas Furnace Components which are inspected during home inspection or service call.  The typical Natural Gas furnaces are comprised of a cabinet, distribution system, heat exchanger, fan and controls and a thermostat.  There are many additions that can be added to a gas furnace which include, humidifiers, air cleaners and HRV’s.
Standard Inspection Steps performed by a Typical HomeInspector will include these four basic inspection steps:

1. Remove burner and fan cover with power turned off.
2. Check the heat exchanger.
3. Start the furnace and inspecting flame, exhaust system.
4. Check the duct system and air flow through ducts andreturn air systems.

Gas Furnace Age and Life Expectancy

Most gas furnaces are expected to last from 20 to 25 years. The heat exchanger is usually guaranteed for 20 years. Failure of heat exchanger usually means replacement of furnace.
Having your furnace regularly serviced by a trainedtechnician can greatly enhance its life expectency.

 
Learn more about Barrie HomeInspections.  Stop by Roger Frost’s site where you can find out all about Home Maintenance and Tips and what it can do for you.

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