vent can also increase your energy bill because it takes so much longer to dry the laundry. Statistics show that more than 15,000 residential house fires a year are caused by poorly maintained dryer vents.

The home I inspected had a vertical, schedule 40 PVC pipe installed in the wall that terminated through the roof. Peeking into the vent just behind the dryer, I noticed lent build-up.

Here are some tell-tale signs of trouble ahead.

• It takes longer than normal to dry your clothes. A clogged vent restricts the air passage and allows less air to move to the outside.
• Are your clothes still damp after repeated drying cycles? A sure sign of a clogged system.
• Your clothes are extremely hot or you have an excessively hot dryer cabinet can also signal a clogged vent.
• Lent around your dryer vent or a dusty film on cabinets, the dryer and the wall surface behind your dryer.
• Look just inside the dryer door and note any lent build-up on the door, just around the door’s seal.

Here are ways to keep you dryer safe from lent build-up and protect your property.

• Clean the dryer lent screen every time you use the dryer.
• The exhaust vent should be as short as possible and have limited bends and turns to allow sufficient airflow.
• Are you building a new home? Try to take into account for exhausting the dryer vent. Place the laundry room and the dryer location on an outside wall.
• Dryer vents should be inspected at least every 2-3 years (depending on usage). WHIRLPOOLS’S RECOMMENDATION

For added protection your laundry room should be equipped with a fire extinguisher and working smoke alarms placed near the clothes dryer.

ENERGY SAVING TIP :: Here’s a inexpensive product that can help lower your power bill. Decreases drying time by lifting and separating fabrics, which improves airflow while drying. Great for the environment and your wallet, this set of 2 dryers balls will soften up to 1000 loads of laundry. Imagine never buying dryer sheets again.

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For more information call our office at 601.691.1496.

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]]> http://garynsmith.net/2012/01/dryer-fires-how-safe-is-your-home/feed/ 0 http://garynsmith.net/2010/06/power-use-if-you-cant-measure-it-you-cant-improve-it/ http://garynsmith.net/2010/06/power-use-if-you-cant-measure-it-you-cant-improve-it/#comments Sun, 20 Jun 2010 15:52:14 +0000 Gary Smith http://garynsmith.net/?p=455 What if you went to the grocery store each day or each week and at the end of the month the store sent you a bill for all the food you’d bought. No specifics details on how many gallons of milk or boxes of cereal, just a big bill and a thank you. Well, that’s how we buy electrical power. One bill, you have no idea which room or appliance used the product or if your meter has made a math error. How can you effectively manage something you don’t measure? It’s simple…you can’t.

As an energy auditor and home energy retrofit contractor we want to empower you! Power to the people…RIGHT ON!

Watch our blog in the coming weeks for an introduction to a device to help you not only take control of your power usage but the knowledge to save money and add value to your home. We’ll show you how easy it is to put those hard earned dollars back in your pocket, create a healthier home with better air quality and teach your children, friends and family how they can do the same. Watch this video for a sneak peek.

Gary,

My wife and I are considering selling our current home and building a new home.  Note that “considering” is the key word and we are very early into the conversation.  However, I was wondering what is the value of getting a HERS evaluation on my current home to use as 1) an assessment to identify weak points in the current efficiency/energy use systems and 2) use as a selling tool for prospective buyers?

Also, what is the timeframe for conducting such a HERS assessment and the costs?

Brent

Good question and one that I wish more sellers would ask.

Time Frame: Two Visits Required

1. One to three hours for interview and diagnosis.
2. Recommendations made.
3. An hour of so to return and measure the results of the repairs made per recommendations.

Cost: Full energy audit with report of duck leakage, whole house air infiltration evaluation and recommendations to improve if applicable = $450.00. Often times the cost to repair/improve is less than $350.00 (handyman with average skills). Total cost…approximately $800.00 (+ -). The savings and cost to repair will vary based on the quality of construction and the age and condition of your HVAC equipment, water heater, insulation, windows and appliances.

Why consider: Statistics show that lowering home energy usage directly improves value. This notion is supported by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, ENERGY STAR, FHA and VA financing instruments. When you increase the value through energy savings the increase is recognized in the new loan. A potential buyer will consider cost to operate the home, but only if informed. Information and education is the key to using the homes energy consumption as a sales marketing tool.

As evidence of the savings a prudent seller should consider creating solid data prior to beginning the sales/marketing efforts. I suggest that you learn where your greatest opportunity for savings is located by diagnosing your usage. You might be surprised at how little time and effort it takes to improve your home’s efficiency and value.

Selling Points: Improved marketability, improved comfort and indoor air quality, lower energy cost lead to lower cost of ownership and less maintenance.

Supporting Links
Home Energy Ratings What’s the HERS Scale?
ENERGY STAR Watch this video
Efficiency First Membership as Energy Rated Homes of Mississippi

Let me know if I can answer any other questions or help you in any way…

Three things to look into if your bulbs keep blowing. Your bulb supplier (cheap bulbs use thin filament), check the wire connections inside your bulb holder (loose wire in the fixture), and check to see if the spring loaded connectors  inside the fixture are working properly inside the bulb holder.

As a last resort you can also check the tightness of the connections in your wall switch. Unscrew your bulb and look for “pitted” marks on the end of the bulb you’re replacing.

Maybe…but here are a few important aspects to keep in mind.

As a professional home inspector I’m uniquely suited to perform objective and comprehensive visual examinations of a house. When hiring me as a home inspector you will benefit from the experience, training, and depth of knowledge I have, as well as the unbiased and thorough report of the property’s condition. I’m also very familiar and experienced with the many elements of home construction, as well as their proper installation and maintenance. In addition, I also understand how a home’s systems and components should function together, and can interpret my findings to offer you helpful recommendations.

Do you have any other questions? Leave them below! or contact me…