Ask The Texoma Home Inspector

While we often think of energy efficiency as the way to save our environment, we also often consider it a costly endeavor. Did you realize, however, that your homes energy bill might be reduced by up to 30 percent through energy-efficiency that includes the purchase or energy efficient appliances and other products? In other words, you can save yourself money while you do your part to save the planet.

Every time you buy a new air conditioning unit, a new washer or dryer, a new refrigerator, microwave, or piece of office equipment, you are affecting the environment, either positively or negatively depending on your choices. Smart choices of products designed for energy efficiency help the air we all breathe and reduce your energy bill each month.

Here is some basic information about how energy efficiency works and why its helpful. A great deal of the energy you consume in your home is produced by local power plants that must burn fossil fuel to create the energy. These fossil fuels might be natural gas, coal or oil.

These fossil fuels also create pollution. This pollution harms not only the environment but ultimately the people, as it causes smog, acid rain and respiratory diseases. Fossil fuel pollution is also a strong factor in changing the climate of the globe.

While we hear a lot about the harmful gas emissions that emanate from vehicles, what we dont hear much about is the fact that your home probably produces twice as much of these emissions as the average automobile.

Opting for energy efficiency through your choice of products that are energy efficient is one of the best ways you can reduce your consumption of energy and thus your distribution of harmful emissions of greenhouse gas. Any household that buys equipment designed for energy efficiency puts a big dent in harmful emissions of carbon dioxide.

In fact, over the lifetime of one of these energy efficient appliances or other products you will have reduced pollution the equivalent of what would be saved by one fewer vehicle for seven years. The use of energy efficient household products reduces nitrogen oxides too, which contribute extensively to acid rain and smog.

The average U.S. household spends about 1500 each year on energy. Energy-efficiency can reduce this bill by 400-450 annually. If youre concerned about energy efficiency and wish to not only save the environment but save yourself some money it will help to know which appliances account for what portion of your energy use and bill.

The biggest, which probably comes as no surprise, is your heat and air conditioning. This is a whopping 45 percent of your energy bill. Your water heater uses up 11 percent of your energy, and your washer and dryer 10 percent. The lighting for your home is seven percent of your energy costs, while your refrigerator is six percent of your bill.

Your dishwasher, computer, monitor, TV, VCR, DVD player and similar equipment each use up about two percent of your total energy consumption. Stoves, microwaves and other smaller appliances generally account for the rest, though at less than two percent of the total each.

You shouldn’t pay more than you have to for your homes energy requirements. Ambit Energy is a dynamic Energy Company which guarantees your savings and satisfaction when choosing your electric energy provider. For more information go visit www.texoma.goambit.biz 

(ARA) - When it comes to flea and tick control, a little precaution is preferable to a lot of fixing up afterward. Once these pesky critters have set up housekeeping on your pet or in your home, they can be a challenge to eliminate.

Fleas and ticks are more than a nuisance; they can be a danger to both animals and people. Ticks can transmit disease-causing organisms not only to pets, but to humans as well. In just one day, a single flea can bite a cat or dog more than 400 times, consuming more than its body weight in your pet’s blood, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Their bites may even cause anemia in young, old or ill animals.

Several simple steps can help minimize the likelihood that you’ll have these unwanted guests on your pet and in your home:

* Wash your pet’s bedding regularly with a detergent, and then dry on high heat.

* Clean, mop and vacuum your home to get rid of immature fleas and their food sources.

* Check regularly for fleas and “flea dirt,” the feces of adult fleas, with a comb. The tiny dark specks will turn red when rubbed with water. If detected, treat the animal and the environment (bedding, carpet, furniture) with appropriate flea and tick products to kill fleas and prevent eggs and larvae from developing.

* Mow lawns frequently and remove brush and debris to make your yard less inviting for ticks.

Even with the most diligent efforts to protect your pets, your home can still fall victim to these creepy critters. When this happens, the best defense against fleas and ticks is a combination of an insect growth regulator (IGR) and an adulticide. IGRs mimic a natural insect hormone, preventing normal flea development. Flea eggs and larvae either die, fail to molt into adults or molt into deformed adults that cannot feed or reproduce. The insect’s life cycle is ended before it becomes a biting, breeding, egg-laying adult, which is important because more than 95 percent of the flea population is pre-adult.

Adulticides kill adult fleas. Adult fleas have an outer shell that is nearly crushproof and covered with spikes, which helps them stick in fur. After a day of feeding, the female flea begins laying eggs at a rate of up to 25 to 40 a day. After fleas lay their eggs on your pet, many will roll off onto your carpeting, your pet’s bed, your bed, your couch, your yard or wherever else your pet spends time. When that occurs, simply eliminating the adult fleas and ticks seen on your pet is not sufficient. Eggs and larvae may be hiding in carpeting, bedding, upholstery and floors growing and maturing into new biting adults. That’s why it is necessary to treat more than just your pet for complete flea control.

Fortunately, protecting your entire family from fleas and ticks is possible; by treating both the pets and the home. A three step program has proven successful in eliminating an existing flea and tick problem and preventing future infestations. Products that aid in flea and tick control are available, over-the-counter, at pet supply stores and come in many forms for your pets, home and yard. Brands like Bio Spot, Zodiac and Adams offer products with IGRs that are critical to disrupting the flea life cycle.

Protection from fleas and ticks starts with your pet: Step one is on-animal. This step includes shampoos, dips and sprays. Products like the Adams Plus Flea & Tick Mist with Insect Growth Regulator (IGR) help kill the fleas and ticks already on your dog or cat. And, because it contains an IGR, it disrupts the normal flea life cycle, killing not only adult fleas, but preventing immature fleas from becoming biting adults. It can also be used on pet bedding, carpet and furniture.

Step two is maintenance. This step includes collars and topicals that provide your pet with ongoing protection. Treating dogs monthly with a topical like the Bio Spot Spot On Flea & Tick Control for Dogs provides continuing flea and tick control for your dog for up to three months. Flea and tick collars also provide on-going protection lasting up to five months.

Protection from fleas and ticks continues with your house: Step three is premise control. This step includes foggers, carpet sprays, and premise and yard sprays to protect your home from fleas and ticks. Products like the Zodiac Fogger kill fleas and ticks in your home and help prevent future reinfestation for seven months.

To learn more about flea and tick products and their proper use, visit www.biospot.com, www.zodiacpet.com or www.adamsfleacontrol.com.

It is important to read and follow all of the instructions before applying any flea and tick treatment to your pet or your home. With diligence both home and pet can remain flea and tick free.

(ARA) - Toilets may be the bathroom fixture homeowners use the most, but think about the least. With Americans spending more time and money remodeling their bathrooms, it’s time to take a moment and think about how much you know about the features and functions of the hardest-working fixture in your bathroom.

The following will help you separate fact from fiction — and find the best toilet for your home.

Fact or Fiction: The most popular toilet color is white.

Fact. White is far and away the color choice of toilets today and has been throughout most of the flush toilet’s existence since 1500 B.C. The color of your toilet is an important consideration if you decide to remodel your bathroom or sell your home. White is neutral, goes with most decors and appeals to most homeowners.

Fact or Fiction: All toilets flush alike.

Fiction. Many people believe that as long as a toilet flushes, it’s doing its job. But homeowners have many choices when it comes to their toilet’s flushing power, performance, pressure, and water use. Low-consumption toilets are important to conserve water- so much so that the U.S. Energy Policy Act restricted household toilets to 1.6 gallons per flush starting in 1994. All toilets produced after this time are required to meet this minimum.

However, the average toilets didn’t work very well under the new water restrictions because they weren’t properly engineered for this lower water consumption. To avoid this problem, look for toilets with large trapways and large flush valves. American Standard’s Champion 4 toilet has a 2 and 3/8 inch trapway — the industry’s largest. Larger trapways allow for more powerful flushing performance, helping avoid the headaches of clogging and plunging.

For a ‘green’ toilet option, consider toilets like the FloWise, which is rated as a high efficiency toilet (HET) because it flushes with 20 percent less water than the standard 1.6 gallon toilets. Look for the new Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) WaterSense label on the packaging of toilets that meet high-efficiency standards and you’ll be assured of conserving water with every flush.

Fact or Fiction: Most toilets come with a long warranty.

Fiction. Most toilets only come with a warranty that lasts a year. When comparing toilets, ask about the length of the warranty and what’s covered. Look for a toilet with a warranty — some toilets carry up to 10-year warranties, like the Champion 4 toilet from American Standard, which covers the entire toilet inside and out. With a longer warranty, you’ll receive greater peace of mind and guaranteed reliability.

Fact or Fiction: Toilets come in different shapes.

Fact. Toilets come in three general shapes: round-front, elongated and compact. Up until 1970, the round-front toilet was popular with its shorter and smaller bowl. At the time, the general population was shorter and rounded toilets were hidden in smaller bathrooms. You can still find the round-front toilet today, partially because of replacement needs. However, the elongated toilet has gained popularity because of its slightly longer styles that fits in newer construction. Also, research indicates that men tend to prefer elongated toilets over round-front toilets.

Some new toilets offer an elongated bowl that fits into a smaller space. This means homeowners remodeling older and smaller bathrooms can have the comfort of the elongated style without moving walls to accommodate the fixture. A toilet similar to American Standard’s new elongated toilet, the Compact Cadet 3 One-Piece, fits into smaller spaces while maintaining style. Smaller spaces can also mean less ventilation, especially in older bathrooms, so look out for added features like the Cadet 3’s EverClean surface. It inhibits growth of stain and odor causing bacteria, mold and mildew, helping the toilet stay cleaner longer.

(ARA) - It’s a home comfort emergency. Your air conditioning system breaks down in the middle of a heat wave, or your current heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) system sounds and feels like it’s on its last legs. When you need to replace your system quickly, what should you do?The folks at American Standard Heating & Air Conditioning offer a list of things to consider when you need to replace your home comfort system in a hurry without getting worried.

Choose the right HVAC dealer.
The most important step is finding someone you can trust to provide expert advice and properly install your new system. When selecting the best professional dealer, ask friends and neighbors for a recommendation, check credentials through the Better Business Bureau and learn about the dealer’s credentials and services, including whether removal of old equipment is included. Some dealers also have North American Technician Excellence (NATE) certification, confirming the highest level of training for installation and service.

Get an in-home assessment.
Before any professional dealers can share a solution, they need to diagnose the situation and understand your family’s comfort needs. The dealer should conduct an in-home assessment to determine the right system that will deliver the greatest comfort and energy efficiency for your home. This includes asking questions about your lifestyle and comfort requirements, checking your insulation, ductwork and building materials, and measuring your windows and rooms.

Ask about a matched system.
In a matched system, indoor and outdoor units are integrated to give you the best comfort and efficiency. For example, the indoor unit — either a furnace or air handler — works in conjunction with the outside unit such as an air conditioner or heat pump. Matched systems are quieter, more reliable, more efficient and last longer to make the most of your investment.

Some matched systems also offer added convenience and comfort through built-in technology that allows all HVAC components to “communicate” with each other. For example, the American Standard Heating & Air Conditioning AccuLink system ensures all components are automatically and properly charged, configured and calibrated for sustained reliability, peak performance and energy efficiency. In addition, the AccuLink communicating system also provides homeowners with remote telephone access to their system, meaning they can adjust temperatures and control the system whether they are home or away.

Add an air filtration system.
If you have family members with allergies or asthma, or if you want to improve the indoor air quality in your home, consider adding an air filtration system to your furnace or air handler. Most systems have only a standard one-inch air filter that simply protects components from clogging. A whole-home air cleaner, like the American Standard Heating & Air Conditioning AccuClean, removes up to 99.98 percent of dust, pollen, bacteria and pet dander from your filtered air — making it 100 times more effective than a standard throwaway filter. In addition, it removes more than 99 percent of the influenza A virus from the filtered air your family breathes.

Ask about extended warranties and financing options.
Many dealers offer financing options that fit your budget. In addition, understand the limited warranties that come with your new equipment and how you may extend the warranty coverage on parts and labor to provide further peace of mind.

Plan ahead.
If your furnace, air handler, air conditioner or heat pump is eight years or older, it may make sense to replace them with more up-to-date models — before they break down. Recent increases in government efficiency ratings mean that the new systems may help you increase your family’s comfort while decreasing your home’s energy costs.

For more information on choosing an HVAC system or to find an American Standard Heating & Air Conditioning independent dealer near you, visit www.americanstandardair.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) - If you’ve ever thought about owning a home, now may be the time to take action. Lower interest rates combined with a large inventory of homes in most markets across the U.S. may translate into a good opportunity for buyers in negotiating the terms of a sale with a seller. The home buying process may seem daunting to someone who has never purchased a home before. But, through home buying educational seminars offered in your community, and with the assistance of an experienced loan officer, a first-time home buyer can obtain a better understanding of their financing options, leading to a more positive home buying experience.

“Whether you’ve been dreaming of owning a home for years or you’ve just decided it would be a smart financial move to make, your first home buying experience will be a memorable one,” says Jim Ferriter, executive vice president for GMAC Mortgage. “It’s important to learn about your financing options in order to find the mortgage that’s right for you.”

Ferriter offers the following tips for first-time home buyers:

1. Educate Yourself About the Mortgage Process – By taking the initiative and learning about the mortgage process, you can be more confident in the financial decisions you are making. It’s important to learn about different types of mortgages, how much you can afford, how your credit impacts your interest rate, and the benefits of home ownership. A mortgage tutorial is available at http://smartedgebygmac.com, which breaks down the home buying process into easy-to-understand steps.

2. Save Just a Little Bit More – It’s not only important to save money for the down payment and closing costs, but it’s important to factor in some of the other costs of home ownership such as decorating, repairs and maintenance. Many mortgage lenders recommend that first-time home buyers have at least three to six months of additional savings in their possession in anticipation of these additional expenses.

3. Check Your Credit – An individual’s credit score will have a significant impact on his or her mortgage loan approval and interest rate. A good first step in financing a home purchase is to check your credit history. You can request a free credit report from any of the three credit reporting bureaus: Equifax, TransUnion or Experian. Carefully review your report and contact the credit reporting bureaus to correct any inaccuracies.

4. Shop Around for a Mortgage Lender – As you start thinking and preparing for the home buying process, start shopping for the mortgage lender from whom you would like to obtain a mortgage for your new home. Because this process is new, it’s easy to go with the first lender or loan officer you meet. Instead, take your time and shop around. Start by asking friends, co-workers and family members for recommendations. When you’ve identified two or three loan officers, ask for references. In addition to pricing (interest rate and closing costs), focus on customer service as well as other services and tools that a mortgage lender may be able to offer you.

5. Get Pre-approved – Before you start working with a real estate agent, consider contacting a mortgage lender to obtain a pre-approval credit decision. A loan officer will review your financial status, including your income, cash flow and credit score, to help you determine the maximum monthly housing payment for which you may be able to qualify, and, if qualified, “pre-approve” your mortgage before you’ve found a home. Armed with a credit pre-approval, you can start searching for homes with a much better idea of your price range, and in turn save time as you will know the right homes to focus on. Obtaining a pre-approval may offer more confidence and certainty to home sellers in your ability to purchase the home.

6. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions – Once you’ve found your new home, the mortgage lender will help you through the details of the loan process. From application to closing, your loan officer will work through the financing process with you, just as your real estate professional should do in the home buying process. Throughout the process, read all loan documents carefully, and involve an attorney, if necessary.

7. Inspect – Before you commit to purchasing a home, don’t forget to hire a licensed home inspector to conduct a thorough assessment of the property. An inspector can alert you to any major problems with the home, and/or help you understand potential short-term and long-term home maintenance issues.

For more information about the process for buying your first home, contact an experienced loan officer at GMAC Mortgage by calling (800) 888-GMAC or by visiting http://www.gmacmortgage.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) - Winter is here which means more time spent indoors. Before you become housebound, take some time to conduct a safety check inside and around your home.Interior designer Lisa Bonneville, American Society of Interior Designers Fellow in Manchester-by-the-Sea, Mass., and author of a new book on designing a safe home, cautions homeowners that maintaining safety is an ongoing process. She suggests creating a maintenance plan that details what to check, when to check it, and a regular cleaning schedule. These will help you identify items that may need replacing or repair.

A comprehensive maintenance plan needs to address all three areas of home safety: health, injury and security. Falls and fires are the most common hazards in the home, and preventing them should be your highest priority. A fire extinguisher in good operating condition should be ready-to-hand in the kitchen, garage, workshop and any room where there is an open flame, such as from a fireplace, wood burning stove or candles. Test smoke alarms and replace batteries, if needed. Consider installing an alarm system with fire and carbon monoxide alarms that are monitored around the clock.

If you use a fireplace, keep children and pets away from the hearth and tools. Be aware that fumes and smoke from a fireplace may be drawn back into the house if exhaust fans are being used in the kitchen or bathroom while a fire is burning. Adding glass doors to a fireplace helps protect against flying cinders and reduces back drafting.

Slippery surfaces are a major cause of falls in the home. Keep tile and linoleum floors dry, and secure the edges of area rugs with carpet tape so they do not slide when stepped on. Doorways should be unobstructed and able to fully open in both directions. Check steps, stairs and banisters for wear or weaknesses. Uncarpeted stairs should have nonskid treads or tape. Avoid using patterned carpet on stairs, as it does not provide enough contrast to distinguish one step from the next, and make sure stairwells are well lit at all hours.

Humans are not the only creatures that do not like the cold. Rodents, birds and insects enter homes, damage structure and create unhealthy environments by spreading disease, droppings, dander, and eating wood, insulation, food, water and the like. Keep them out in order to preserve a safe and healthy home. Pest-proof your home by closing up openings in the foundation, walls, doors, windows and attic. Cover vents with mesh, and block areas under porches, steps and elevated foundations with mesh wire to keep animals from nesting in unreachable areas. Store firewood away from the house, and secure lids on garbage cans and other receptacles.

Maintaining a safe home does not need to be costly or time-consuming. Taking the time to routinely check for possible hazards as you do your cleaning or other chores will keep your home in good condition and provide you with peace of mind throughout the holidays and all the winter months.

(ARA) - For many, the American Dream begins with owning a home. Having a place of your own to call home can be your most prized possession and the cornerstone of your wealth. With the inventory of available homes increasing, and in many areas, prices stabilizing, now might be the time to consider buying a home.GMAC Mortgage and GMAC Real Estate offer the following five steps to owning a home.* Prepare for Success — Owning a home comes with serious responsibilities that go far beyond making a mortgage payment. Likewise, it comes with many rewards as well. Many Americans have used homeownership as the foundation of a lifetime of wealth building. Before you buy your first home, make sure you are prepared for success. Have financial reserves in place for unforeseen repairs and be prepared to put the time and effort into maintaining your home.

* Get Pre-approved — Before you begin the home buying process, work with a mortgage lender and loan officer who can help you understand exactly how much you can reasonably and responsibly afford.

“By getting pre-approved, you will receive a conditional loan commitment for up to a certain amount from your lender before you have found a home, based on a review of your credit and finances,” says Jim Ferriter, executive vice president for GMAC Mortgage. “Pre-approval makes your home search more efficient by allowing you to focus only on the homes you know are in your price range.”

Keep in mind that long before you get to the point of pre-approval, you are already affecting the amount you could be loaned as a result of your credit history. Even if you are not going to buy a home for a while, make sure you pay all of your current bills on time and do your best to develop a solid credit history.

* Hunt for a Home — Once you know your price range, find a real estate agent you trust, who can work with you to find a perfect home. Naturally, shopping for your home is fun, but it can also be a long process, depending on the state of the housing market in your area. Having patience is key. Make it easier by doing your homework — try to look at a wide variety of homes and be sure to consider the neighborhood, the schools, how much room you need both now and in the future, and how different types of homes will suit your lifestyle. Take a notebook and jot down a few notes about the homes you visit, as you will most likely look at several and might not be able to easily recall the special features of each home.

* Make an Offer — Once you’ve found a home that you want to buy, you’ll need to decide how much you’re willing to pay to make it yours. Your real estate agent will work with you to come up with an offer based on recent sales in the neighborhood, the overall market conditions in your area, and the current condition of the house. Once you make an offer, your real estate agent will present it to the seller or seller’s agent. At that point, the seller will either accept, reject or counter your offer with changes in some of the terms. You may either sign or counter the offer. When both parties agree to the terms, you will then sign a purchase agreement, which becomes a valid contract.

* Finalize Your Financing — Once you’ve selected your new home, update your pre-approval application with complete property information and secure your home loan.

“You will need to confirm your choice of loan programs and should consider how long you plan to stay in your home to help determine the right loan for you,” continues Ferriter. “Your mortgage lender and loan officer can work with you to show you the options that are available.”

* Get a Home Inspection — Since buying a home is going to be one of the largest investments you will ever make, have the home inspected before making the purchase. Choose a qualified inspector who can thoroughly evaluate the condition of the potential new home. The inspector should evaluate all exterior and interior structural components of the home and all major systems, including heating, cooling, plumbing and electrical.

* Closing — Once you’ve found your home, agreed on a price with the seller and had the home inspected, the closing marks the end of the process and you will officially take ownership of the property. Remember to take into consideration that you will have closing costs to pay, which range from lender and appraisal fees to third-party fees to prepaid items that must be paid to your lender in advance.

The process does not end once you’ve settled into your home. Now that you are a homeowner, here are a couple more things to keep in mind:

* Maintain Your Home — Whether you plan on staying in your new house for five years or 30 years, you should always keep resale in mind. Keep your home in good shape. Also, once you’ve built up equity in your home, consider using that equity to make renovations that can add value to your home. Remodelled kitchens or bathrooms usually offer the best bet for a solid return on your renovation investment.

* Refinance — You don’t have to stick with the financing option that you used when you first bought your home. Lenders are aware that your financial situation may change over the life of your mortgage, and refinancing with a new interest rate or loan term can be a great way to save money on your mortgage in both the short and long term.

If you think homeownership is for you, now might be the time to make your move. For more information on the process, visit www.gmacmortgage.com or call GMAC Mortgage at (800) 888-GMAC (4622) or visit www.gmacrealestate.com.

That’s a question thousands of homeowners ask each year. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates as many as 69 million gallons of paint are left over annually in the United States.   
 
Here are some ideas when pondering what to do with those last few cans.
 
First, consider donating the paint for reuse. Some organizations will accept paint in good condition (defined as uncontaminated paint still with a smooth consistency). The paint must be donated in a labeled container. You can check for donation options locally by clicking on “Paint donation” at www.earth911.org.

Recycle it. Water-based, or latex, paint can be recycled into new paint or used to create other products. Again, check www.earth911.org for recycling options.
 
Each municipality has different requirements, depending on whether the paint is oil or water based.

According to the website govlink.org, latex paint (water based) can be included in curbside trash.  Their suggestions include solidifying paint by:

Mixing in absorbent material such as cat litter, sawdust or shredded newspaper into paint and allow mixture to dry thoroughly or let the paint dry out by removing the lid and setting the paint can in a well-ventilated area or pour thin layers into a disposable pie plate or cardboard box lined with plastic and allow the paint to dray one layer at a time. 

Once your paint is dry, you can leave the lid off the can and place the cans in your your regular trash. And remember, recycle any cans made of steel.

Oil-based paint, lead paint and paint thinner contain flammable and toxic solvents. For information about disposal of these products, call Earth911 for more information at  800-253-2687. Keep in mind, each municipality has different requirements.

First, cover the opening with plastic wrap and then make sure the lid fits securely so the paint doesn’t leak.  Then store the paint can upside down. This will create a tight seal around the lid and keep the paint fresh.

Some manufacturers recommend replacement after 5 years. If you don’t have the manufacturer’s information and your smoke alarms are 10 years old or older, it’s time to replace them with new ones. Since smoke alarms can become desensitized over time, replacement is strongly advised.

If possible, replace old smoke alarms with interconnected alarms. These alarms are linked together so if one alarm is activated, all alarms will sound. In the event of a fire, this gives you extra time to help get family members to safety. You may also want to consider a monitored smoke/heat detector installed by a home security company.

Test smoke alarms once a month and change the batteries in your smoke alarm at least twice per year. Also, be sure there is at least one working smoke alarm on every level of your home and inside or near sleeping areas. In addition, only purchase alarms certified by Underwriters Laboratories (U.L.), an independent testing organization that sets quality and use standards for electronic and consumer products.