More information on Mold Testing & Indoor Air Quality is coming soon!
Until then, please call for prices, scheduling and other details!
(480) 503-2611
or 1-888-THE-WERX
Category: Home Repair and Maintenance
-
Maintaining Your Heating System
Now that colder weather is upon us, it is time to make sure your heating system is ready. There are several types of heating systems available. In the Valley, however, we mainly see gas furnaces, electric (resistance) furnaces and heat pumps. Since it is most likely that you have one of these three types in your home, we will give you a few tips to help you maintain safe and reliable heat all winter long.
Gas Furnaces
Many people prefer gas appliances to electric ones. Gas has been proven to be an economical and reliable source of energy. However, if these appliances are not properly maintained, gas can be deadly. Regular maintenance is important to insure the safety of the occupants in homes with gas appliances. Annual inspections are the best way to identify problems before they pose a safety risk. Some gas companies will perform an annual check for gas leaks free of charge, while others will refer you to a professional who will charge a fee. Even with regular servicing, unsafe conditions can develop at any time. Since natural gas is colorless and odorless, the gas company has added an ingredient that smells like rotten eggs. If you smell this odor, open the windows to prevent accumulation of gas, leave the property and call the gas company immediately.Unfortunately, gas leaks are not the only danger with gas appliances. Improperly adjusted and damaged burner assemblies will produce carbon monoxide. Regular inspections should also identify these conditions. CO is also a colorless and odorless gas which, in large enough quantities, can cause death. Some of the symptoms of CO poisoning are headaches, dizziness, shortness of breath and drowsiness. If your home is equipped with gas appliances, a carbon monoxide detector may help prevent a tragedy. It is also important to change or clean the filters monthly. This will help with indoor air quality and reduce stress on the system.
Electric Furnaces
Electric furnaces are more efficient than gas, however, electricity is more expensive. This is probably the main drawback to electric heat. Although electricity may cost more than gas, these systems are often much more efficient and economical to operate because heat is not lost up the flue. Electric heat can also be safer. Because no combustion is taking place, the electric furnace does not pose a risk of CO poisoning. Regular inspections should be performed to identify possible problems. Changing or cleaning the filters monthly will help with indoor air quality and reduce stress on the system.The real danger to electric heat is the space heater. These appliances are nice because they can direct instant heat on your favorite lounge chair. But if placed too close to furnishings like draperies, they can cause a fire. Many units can reach temperatures as high as 400 degrees. Most newer space heaters are equipped with a device that will turn them off if tipped over. This feature needs to be tested regularly to insure safe operation. If it fails, the heater should be replaced. Many of these space heaters also pose a burn risk. Be especially careful when using these heaters around children! When selecting a space heater, you should choose a name brand. Check with the Consumer Products Safety Commission for bulletins on unsafe and recalled items at www.cpsc.org.
Heat Pumps
A heat pump is a system that transfers heat from one place to another. In the summer, heat is collect from inside and deposited outside. In the winter, heat is gathered from outside and transferred indoors. This type of system works well in mild climates. However, a back up system for both heating and cooling are often needed for extremely hot or cold spells. When operating a heat pump, never change from the heating mode to the cooling mode or vice versa without shutting the system off for at least 20 to 30 minutes first. Changing modes without letting the system equalize can cause damage to the system. Like gas and electric furnaces, heat pump maintenance involves regular inspections and frequent changing or cleaning of the filters.If you have any questions or concerns, contact a professional.
Is your warranty about to expire?
-
Mitigating High Radon Levels
There are many methods that can be employed to reduce radon levels should your home test above the EPA’s action level of 4 piccocurries per liter of air (pCi/L). Those methods can include crawl space ventilation, vapor barriers and sub-slab depressurization systems to name a few. The method used (and the costs involved) will be determined by the radon level and the type of construction of the house. Please remember that all houses are different and the approach used to reduce radon levels should be determined by the specific conditions of the house.The most common type of construction we see in the Phoenix area is slab on grade foundations. However, some of the older homes and manufactured homes in the valley have crawl spaces. Some slab on grade houses have the return air ducts for the HVAC system located beneath the slab floor and can be an entry point for radon. A house with below slab return ducts will most likely require a different approach to radon mitigation then a house without these ducts. High vacuum pressures can be generated in below slab ducts that can result in radon laden soil gasses being drawn in and circulated throughout the home by the heating and cooling system. For more information on mitigating radon in houses with below slab ducts visit the Arizona Radiation Regulatory Agency.
However, for most slab on grade homes, a soil depressurization system will be used. This type of system consists of 4 inch piping and a ventilation fan (see pictures above). The pipe penetrates the concrete floor and is exposed to the soil beneath the house. A depressurization fan installed in the vent pipe creates a vacuum and draws the radon into the venting system. This pipe is then routed above the roof line where radon gasses can be safely vented. This type of system can be contained inside the wall structures of the house or installed on the exterior of the house.
As with any mitigation system, it is recommended that a qualified contractor be consulted and radon testing be conducted before and after the installation of any product to insure that radon levels have been reduced.
If you are in need of a radon test, give us a call at:
(480) 503-2611 or 1-888-THE-WERX
-
Brand New House Has Gas Furnace Problem
Why should you get a home inspection even if your house is brand new? I recently performed an inspection on a new home in South Phoenix. When it was time to inspect and test the two gas furnaces, I made my way into the scudle hatch, traversed gingerly across the attic floor and positioned myself strategically in front of the two air handlers. (Don’t try this yourself – call a professional home inspector!) Visually checking the furnaces’ components, drain lines and ductwork, everything appeared to be in good order. However, one small detail was overlooked. The gas line was never hooked up to the bottom floor furnace, leaving the unit inoperable.
But this is a brand new home! Didn’t someone test the units after installing them? The tenants were heating their 2200 square foot, two story home with the smaller, second floor heater. The thermostat was set to 78 degrees upstairs. It was pleasant on the first floor but the second floor felt like July. Needless to say that the tenants gas bill will likely decrease once both furnaces are operating properly.
Moral of the story; just because it’s new doesn’t mean it’s perfect…call your friendly Homewerx Home Inspector today!
-
Your Home’s Electrical System
Unless you are familiar with electricity and how it works, your home’s electrical system can be very confusing and sometimes frightening. In fact, some conditions can be extremely dangerous. So let’s take a look at some things that anyone can do to keep an electrical system safe and in good working order.
First, if you did not buy your house new, you should consider having a home inspector or an electrician inspect your electrical system for any defects or unsafe conditions. It is NOT unusual to find that a previous homeowner (amateur electrician) has wired in an appliance with a lamp cord or some other inappropriate material. These conditions need to be identified and corrected for your family’s safety, as they can be possible fire and shock hazards. Once the defects have been corrected, it’s just a matter of maintaining your electrical system.
There are several ways to keep your electrical system in good repair. To begin with, it is important to avoid overloading the circuits. Overloading usually occurs when more than one appliance is operated on the same circuit at the same time. Many appliances, even small ones, draw a significant amount of amperage (i.e. vacuum cleaners, hair dryers, power tools). Copper wiring is standard in most homes, but due to a copper shortage during the 1970’s and 1980’s, many homes built during this period were wired with aluminum instead. If you have an aluminum electrical system, overloading can be extremely dangerous due to its low melting point.
However, your home has built in safety devices to prevent overloading the circuits. These devices are called fuses and circuit breakers. Without getting into too much detail, these devices will shut off the power in the event of an overloaded circuit. But they will only do so if they are in good working order. If you have fuses (mostly in older homes) never replace a fuse with a larger one to keep it from blowing out. If the fuse routinely blows out, there may be several reasons and you should call an electrician to evaluate the circuit. And NEVER hot wire the fuse with a piece of metal, such as a coin. If you do, you are asking for a shock, or even a fire. If circuit breakers are installed in your home, it is recommended that you exercise your breakers once a year. No, we are not talking about doing push-ups or sit-ups! All that is needed is to move your breakers from the ON position to the OFF position and then back ON a few times. This will keep them lubricated and able to move freely. But first, be sure to turn off and/or unplug all appliances. Don’t forget to shut down and unplug your computer!
In addition to the circuit breakers, Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI’s), if installed, should be tested on a monthly basis to insure proper operation. GFCI’s are usually installed in kitchens and bathrooms for increased safety near water. Just push the test button and it should pop, cutting power to all outlets on that circuit. If it fails to operate correctly, it should be replaced immediately. GFCI’s cost about $10 each and should take an electrician less than a half-hour to install. It is definitely worth the small price to ensure these safety features work properly around water.Cords should always be removed by the plug to avoid damage to both the cord and the outlet. Also, never use an appliance if the cord is damaged. The cost to repair an electrical cord is usually less than the cost of a trip to the emergency room. Remember, an electrical circuit is only as good as its weakest point. That weakest point is often an appliance that is in poor condition. Take a few seconds and look before plugging in an appliance to be sure it’s not damaged. Broken or loose switches and cover plates should be tightened or repaired.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) publishes a list of all recalled items in the United Stated. Many of these products are electrical. Unfortunately, most recalls don’t occur until someone is hurt, or even worse, killed. With the holidays approaching, it might be a good idea to visit their web site at www.cpsc.gov for ideas on what NOT to buy.
If you have any questions or concerns, contact a professional.
