Energy Saving Tips from South Bay Home Inspections
Our last newsletter covered taking care of your pool and spa, this time we are giving out energy saving tips especially that the Christmas holidays are fast approaching and with it comes the usual spike in the usage of energy and electricity during this season.
You can cut your electricity bills just by replacing some of your electric equipments and lighting fixtures. You can also save a lot of money by improving your cooling, heating and ventilation systems. Upgrading your home’ systems and devices will not only let you save on your electricity bills; you also contribute in keeping our environment safe.
Here are the other best tips to save on electricity:
Use CFL Light bulbs
Replace your old incandescent light bulbs with modern and more efficient light bulbs such as Compact Fluorescent Lamps or CFL. CFLs are 50% more efficient than your traditional light bulbs. They also last longer, and they do not contain mercury.
Seal and Insulate your Homes
Sealing your homes can save you a lot from your air-conditioning expenses. Plug in holes and crevices that allow air to escape. For those who are using heaters, it is best to do some repairs and maintenance work in your attic. Hot air rises, making your attic the most logical part of the house where hot air may leak. It is also best to insulate your windows and doors. Insulating them with rope caulk is a cheap way to do the job.
Use Natural Light during Daytime
Maximize natural daylight. Install sky lights in some portions of your house. It is also best to keep your windows open to let sunlight and fresh air in.
Energy Savers in the Kitchen
Using the microwave or convection ovens are more energy efficient than your conventional ovens. If you need to use your conventional oven, use the top rack, for this portion is hotter, making food cook faster. Pressure cookers are also very handy for they can reduce cooking time dramatically.
Tank-less Water Heaters translate to better savings
Demand type water heaters only provide water when it is needed. They don’t consume electricity when they are on stand by. They will only be activated when a hot water tap is turned on.
To learn more on how to save on your electric bills, please contact South Bay Homes Inspections. We also conduct certified home inspections to let you know if your water, heating and electrical systems are still safe to use or needs improvements or replacements.
Stay safe and be safe!
Ever wondered about the functions of home inspections?
You may think that home inspection is just to look at the basement and check for water leaks and find those black mold colonies. Yes, that is part of our job but that is not all.
Home inspections are also not limited during a sale of a house. Rather it is needed so homeowners like you will be apprised of the current status of your homes regardless of whether or not you are selling it.
As a home owner you know how crucial it is to have homes that are structurally safe and is far from hazards such as contaminated water. You of course would not want a house that is plagued with poor workmanship or is made from sub-standard construction materials, we can help you determined that and more.
Home Inspections Function # 1
Certified home inspectors will inform you if there is a problem in your house. He will also give you the details of the source of the problem, as well as those which might pose as a problem in the future. He will also give you an idea what might result if the problem is left unfixed.
Certified home inspectors don’t do repairs. They diagnose the problem, and will give recommendation of things that needs to be replaced or fixed.
Home Inspection Function # 2
A home inspection covers the structural issues of the home and not the cosmetic aspects.
A professional home inspector will not give you a report regarding fading or ugly wall paints, chipped wall papers or worn out carpets. Cosmetic issues are not the concern of home inspectors unless the home inspectors can determine if these cosmetic items can pose as a hazard in the future such as chipping lead based paints, carpets with molds or if you are using to many appliances plugged in an electrical outlet.
Home Inspections Function # 3
It is unethical for a seller to hide any problems in the house. Sellers should inform the buyers about all the problems inside and outside the house. It is the ethical and the legal way of doing real estate business. It is best to let the customers know of such problems and inform them that as a seller, you are not responsible anymore about the repairs once the deal is done. A home inspector can help you established the real and current status of your house.
Hiring one will save you a lot of money, plus your reputation will also not be tainted by controversy. Your buyer’s home inspector will be on the lookout for defects in the house, and these may haunt you in the future especially if you have concealed them from your buyers during the bargaining period.
Home Inspections Function # 4
A standard home inspection includes structural, electrical, plumbing and mechanical aspects of your house. The home inspection procedure may also be different from one house to another particularly as houses have different ages and sizes.
Home Inspections Function # 5
The best home inspections companies offer more services and specialized home inspection packages such as Air Sampling, Black Mold Inspections, and Pool and Spa Inspections for the convenience of the customers.
We are glad to inform you that we at South Bay Home Inspections offer comprehensive home inspections services including Pool and Spa Inspections, Mold Inspections and more. We are your one stop shop for your home inspections needs.
So whenever you need the services of professional home inspectors especially in the South Bay area, call our office phone by dialing 310 265-0833 or via mobile at 310 995-4965, and our customer service managers are always ready to answer all your queries.
Remember to always keep our homes in great shape!
Let Safety Be The First Priority
It is already the start of the storm season. Due to the effects of global warming, storms, hurricanes and tornadoes are created more frequently and more devastating. These forces of nature bring in lots of rain and gushing winds that could hurt many of us and cause real damage to our properties.
The best way to be safe from any storm or hurricane is adequate preparation. Always be on alert for any storm signals and warnings. Also keep emergency rations such as food and water, clothing and emergency lights and some batteries.
For your home, it is best that you personally inspect every part, so that you can determine if every part is still in good condition and could stand the strong winds and rains come the hurricane season. It is also best to consult certified home inspectors in order to give you a complete report and recommendations so that you’ll be assured of a safe shelter not only during the rainy season but everyday of the year.
Hiring a certified home inspections company to do home inspections in your property could help a lot especially if you are not familiar with various home safety measures and maintenance procedures, this becomes more important especially if you’re living in storm prone areas in the United States.
Below is a list of things in your property that you could check before storm season arrives:
- Gutters and Shutters
Make sure that gutters and shutters are in place and safely fastened.
- Doors and windows
Adding dead bolts to doors is recommended to give additional support and the door could not be blown inward your house. Also check the hardware of both your windows and doors. Check if there are any broken glass window panes.
- Trees
Trim down over grown trees. Also cut some branches that are growing close to the direction of your house.
- Outdoor Furniture and Fixtures
Some outdoor furniture can be blown away by strong winds and hit the window of your house. Try removing them and store them in a safe place during hurricane season. Bring inside your house small patio furniture and secure your satellite dish, security cameras and radio antenna.
- Roof
Check if there are no leaks or if the roof is secured safely. Roofs are the part of the house that is most exposed to the wrath of the storm. Strong winds could easily blow and tear your roof apart, thus regular maintenance is a must. For houses with roof turbines, it is best to remove these turbines and replace then with caps before a storm hits your area.
Let safety be the first priority. Keep safe everyone!
From your South Bay Home Inspections family,
Free Your House from Toxic Molds
Toxic molds with greenish-blackish colors (Stachybotrys chartarum) maybe lurking at hidden corners in your house ready to infect you and your kids who likes to plays hide and seek in the most unlikely places. Keep your kids and your love ones from these harmful contaminants by becoming pro active in protecting your home.
What is Molds?
Molds are biological contaminants, some may not cause infection but there are also some which may cause infection. They generally colonize those cellulose rich areas in your house that are exposed to water or where water is collected or where moisture is present. House and building constructions generally uses materials made out of cellulose fibers and as such, molds which can latch on them can be everywhere in your house. Some people have greater immunity to molds but others especially those with respiratory problems and prone to allergies are at greater risk.
Do not wait for your family members to be infected, take matters in your own hand.
Some of the things to watch out for are those that smell damp or musty. Make sure that you regularly check every area of your house for molds especially the following:
- Ducts
- Humidifiers
- Drain Pans
- Tiles
- Under the carpets
- Ceiling spaces
- Leaks on plumbing
- Under the sinks
- Symptoms of Toxic Mold Infections
Consultation with a doctor is the best way to determined if someone has been infected with toxic molds but the following can be telltale signs of infection. However, you still need to see a doctor to clearly know what’s causing the symptoms.
- Fevers and chills
- Tightness on chest
- Coughing and wheezing
- Experiences muscle aches
- Sudden allergic responses
- Home Remedies to rid your house of toxic molds.
Moldy carpets, tiles and such may best be thrown away to ensure safety.
Keep your house well ventilated by regular opening of windows and doors to let fresh air in.
Correct the problematic areas, if the molds were a result of a leak in your roof, fix your roofing immediately.
You may choose to use house paints that are treated with mold inhibitors chemicals.
For greater peace of mind especially when you see that your mold problem is becoming serious and really extensive, call a professional.
Always get a Certified Mold Inspector to make scientific based evaluations of your house and recommends steps to fully address your mold problems as they are the experts of the field.
When you are in South Bay area, South Bay Home Inspections has the best trained and certified mold inspectors that can ease your worries away. You can call us up at 310-265-0833 or email us your concern at randy@southbayinspector.com.
Thank you to those who have signed up with our newsletter and watch out for other great home tips on future issues. Stay updated!
Thanks from your South Bay Home Inspections Family,
Randy
