Watch this video to see some great examples of why every buyer should have the home that they are buying inspected

(ARA) - Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are often out-of-sight and out-of-mind when you’re looking to buy a new home, moving into one or just making sure your current home is in good repair. However, updating your HVAC system now can increase the comfort and energy efficiency of your home, and might even qualify you for a tax credit.



With the passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, homeowners may be eligible for a tax credit if they purchase certain types of HVAC systems, water heating equipment, or make other energy-related improvements to their homes now through Dec. 31, 2010. More information about the tax credit is available at www.AmericanStandardAir.com and www.irs.gov.



How do you know what HVAC improvements are right for your home? American Standard Heating & Air Conditioning offers a quick overview of basic components to consider when purchasing a new system or planning an upgrade:



Outdoor units: air conditioner or heat pump                                                                          

An air conditioner offers cool, quiet comfort during the hottest days by extracting heat and moisture from indoors. A heat pump does double duty, acting as both an air conditioner and a furnace. But unlike a furnace, it doesn’t burn fuel to create heat -- it uses electricity to keep your home warm in winter, cool in the summer and comfortable all year long. A Heritage Hybrid Comfort System combines two different energy sources and automatically operates in the most efficient and economical mode. American Standard Heating & Air Conditioning’s line of Allegiance air conditioners and Heritage heat pumps range in efficiency from 13 to 20 Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, or SEER, the measure of cooling efficiency.



Indoor units: furnace or air handler                                                                                                

A furnace works with an air conditioner to heat and evenly circulate air throughout your home. An air handler performs the same duties as a furnace in homes that use electricity instead of gas. It works with an air conditioner to circulate cool air in the summer. Or, when paired with a heat pump, it circulates cool air in the summer and warm air in the winter.



Air cleaner or filtration system

For even greater comfort, an air filtration system can be added to your furnace or air handler to filter out unwanted airborne particles. A whole-home air filtration system can remove the allergens from the air your family breathes, including dust, dander, pollen and bacteria.



Humidifier                                                                                                                                                  

A humidifier adds moisture to the air in winter and in hot, dry climates. It can be attached to your furnace and programmed to automatically turn off once humidity reaches a certain level.



Thermostat

A programmable thermostat automatically adjusts temperatures throughout the day, ensuring greater energy efficiency and enhanced indoor comfort.



Some -- but not all -- of American Standard Heating & Air Conditioning’s products qualify for the tax credit. A local dealer can help you decide what qualifying components are right for your home. For more information or to find a dealer, visit www.AmericanStandardAir.com.



Courtesy of ARAcontent

 

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in recent years an average of about 250 children under 5 years old drowned in pools nationwide annually. Most of these cases involved residential pools.

In order to ensure a safe pool environment and prevent drowning:

• Fences and walls around the pool should be at least 4 feet high

• Don't leave pool toys in the pool area that may attract young children to the water

• A power safety cover can be used when the pool is not in use

• Keep rescue equipment by the pool and a phone with emergency numbers posted

• For above ground pools, steps and ladders to the pool should be secured and locked

For more information, go to U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

 

Do you ever wonder how long a certain component in your home might last? The life expectancy of a typical component depends on the use it receives. The National Association of Home Builders’ (NAHB) “Study of Life Expectancy of Home Components” created a timeline for you, based on the results of the study, to use before planning your next big home improvement.

Appliances differ in their life expectancies. Gas ranges have the highest life expectancy of 15 years, washers and dryers are expected to last about 13 years, and dishwashers and microwaves are expected to last nine years.

Flooring. All natural wood floorings have a life expectancy of 100 years or more; marble, slate and granite are expected to last for about 100 years; vinyl floors last up to 50 years; carpet last between eight and 10 years.

Kitchen cabinets are expected to last up to 50 years.

Masonry (chimneys, brick veneers, fireplaces) are expected to last up to 100 years.
 
Countertops have a life expectancy of about 20 years, depending on the type.

Exterior doors (fiberglass, steel, wood) can last as long as the house exists, while vinyl and screen doors have a life expectancy of 20 to 40 years.  

Garage door openers have a life expectancy of 10 to 15 years.

The life expectancy of most components is often overlooked. Most components are replaced before they are worn out because of changes in technology, life styles and consumer preferences. Proper maintenance of these components is important in order to achieve the maximum life expectancy.

 

Micro-cogenerators

The Drainage System

Gutters, downspouts and splash blocks collect rainwater from a roof and send it away from the structure. Gutters are the valleys located on the edge of the roof. The downspouts connect to the gutters to carry the water to the ground. Splash blocks are located at the end of the downspouts to divert water away from the building.

Damaged or leaking gutters can cause water to stain walls, pool against the foundation or seep into the walls, damaging the structure. With fall just around the corner, your gutters are susceptible to clogs from falling leaves. A few actions on your part can help prevent these problems and route water away from your home:

• Remove debris from gutters as often as needed to prevent dams and overflow. Gutters may need to be cleaned twice a year or weekly.
• Visually inspect gutters and downspouts for apparent damage from tree limbs or storms.
• Check that all downspouts are directed away from the home’s foundation and splash blocks are in place.
• Check fasteners on downspouts and gutters to insure proper connections are in place.

A National Property Inspections property inspection includes a thorough visual examination of the drainage system. Your NPI inspector will note any problems and recommend any needed repairs.

Be Eco-Wise with LED Lights

(ARA) – With more and more people concerned about the environment, building and decorating green has never been more popular. One of the easiest ways for homeowners to limit their environmental impact is to consider replacing the lighting inside their home.

Incandescent bulbs waste energy and burn out quickly, and when the more energy-efficient fluorescent bulbs outlive their usefulness, they pollute the earth with the toxic mercury they contain. A new lighting revolution is giving homeowners an innovative option.

The LED Difference
Light Emitting Diode (LED) technology provides homes with beautiful illumination while reducing the negative environmental impact of traditional bulbs. Here’s why it is fast becoming the leading eco-friendly choice:

* LED lights are long lasting: 20 times longer.
LED provides uncompromising light that will last 20 times longer than a traditional incandescent bulb and five times longer than a compact fluorescent bulb (CFL). You may never have to change your bulb again because each light is estimated to last 50,000 hours.

* LED lights use less energy: 85 percent less.
Incandescent and fluorescent bulbs consume substantially more energy than LED’s. You can easily observe this based on the amount of heat they give off. LED options generate almost no heat and consume a whopping 85 percent less energy than incandescents and 50 percent less than flourescents. For example, eight LED retrofit replacement bulbs consume only 96 watts and provide enough light for an entire room.

If every U.S. homeowner replaced one incandescent bulb with an LED, it would have the same effect as having 4 million fewer cars on the road.  

* LED lights produce less waste: No hazardous toxins in your home.
Because the LED lights last so long, there is less waste going into landfills. Unlike compact fluorescent bulbs, these lights do not contain dangerous mercury. You won’t have to worry about disposing of the bulbs properly or having toxins in your home.

Adding LEDs to Your Home
Homeowners are using LED lights anywhere they have 6-inch recessed cans installed. Check GreenHomeExperts.com for options that will seamlessly fit into the architecture and lighting needs of any home. LED retrofit replacements are easy to install and can be screwed into existing recessed lighting fixtures. Some existing fixtures or housings may require minor modification. Although you may want to hire a handyman to help with installation, many homeowners are able to complete the task themselves. An expensive electrician should not be required.

Visit www.GreenHomeExperts.com to help green your home and save money with high quality, energy-efficient LED lights.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

An electric heat pump is a unique

device. It doesn’t burn fuel; it transfers

heat from the outside to the inside for

heating purposes then does just the

reverse for cooling purposes (also

known as the air-conditioning mode).

There are two units to check an indoor unit that’s

coupled with a forced-air system and an outdoor

unit. A National Property Inspections professional

will provide you with a visual inspection of the air-

conditioning unit.

The outdoor unit is the most vulnerable because it has

to operate in all kinds of weather. The first thing an

inspector will note is where the unit is located. It should

not be directly in the sun for most of the day or directly

under the drip edge of a house in freezing climates. They

will also make sure that there are no bushes blocking the

unit’s side air intake for at least 1 foot and that there are

no trees overhanging the unit for at least 5 feet.

The inspector will check the two copper pipes that run

from the outside unit to the inside, and the electrical

hookup. They will identify any problems and

recommend any needed repairs.