Christmas morning house fire in Connecticut kills five

As details about a tragic fire Christmas morning in Stamford, Connecticut continue to be released by local officials, homeowners should be aware of the importance of conducting a home inspection regularly to keep residents safe.

The fire occurred around 3 a.m. Christmas morning after a friend of homeowner Madonna Badger emptied embers from a fireplace into a bag, which was then placed in the entryway to the home. Firefighters arrived at the scene two hours later, but they were unable to save Badger's parents and three children. Badger and Michael Borcina, the family friend, both survived.

According to The New York Times, Badger's home was in the process of being renovated, so the city had yet to conduct a thorough inspection or approve the home for occupancy. Local officials could not confirm that the house, which was built in 1895, was outfitted with smoke detectors. 

Experts with knowledge of home fires have weighed in on how the deadly fire could have been avoided. The U.S. Fire Administration's Thomas Olshanski told The New York Daily News that fire remnants need to be handled with care.

"If you and I had a fireplace fire today, those embers would be a potential source of fire tomorrow," Olshanski told the newspaper. "Even though it's gray and looks like ash, you have to treat everything that's in that fire as a potential source of fire for up to 24 hours."

In addition to exercising caution when disposing embers, homeowners should consult often with a Washington, D.C. home inspector to ensure their homes are outfitted with the proper fire prevention measures. This professional can make sure chimneys are allowing for smoke to escape properly, in addition to suggesting proper installation strategies of smoke detectors.

Brittany Murphy’s mother alleges mold responsible for daughter’s death

Despite testing for mold several months before their deaths, actress Brittany Murphy and her husband Simon Monjack may have died from pneumonia brought on by consistent exposure to mold, Murphy's mother alleges in a lawsuit filed this month.

Murphy, who starred in such films as "8 Mile" and "Girl, Interrupted", died unexpectedly December 20, 2009, while Monjack died in May 2010. The Los Angeles County Coroner's office originally ruled the primary cause of both deaths to be pneumonia, and it did not find any evidence of mold exposure.

Still, assistant chief coroner Ed Winter requested that the home be inspected for mold. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Murphy's mother Sharon initially refused the inspection, finding the mold theory to be implausible. Monjack previously conducted an inspection for mold, but none was found.

"Due to the inferior products used by the builder and subcontractors, the Murphy home had a persistent leak problem," Murphy family spokesman Roger Neal told People Magazine. "In October 2009, to insure the home was safe to occupy, the [Monjack's] attorney hired a well-respected company to conduct a full inspection of the home, which would include … checking for any possible mold."

Sharon Murphy has since tried to sell the home, and the results of a routine home inspection led her to believe that mold may have contributed to the deaths of her daughter and son-in-law. She is suing the attorneys who represented her in a suit against the home's builders, alleging that she was not advised she could file a wrongful death lawsuit due to the presence of mold in the home.

While exposure to many types of mold is harmless, some strains, such as the "black mold" (S. chlorohalonata) believed to be found in the Murphy home, can be toxic. Poor indoor air quality brought on by mold growth can cause negative health effects, so homeowners should regularly work with a home mold inspection service to ensure their families remain healthy.

Consumers embracing basic tenets of green lifestyle

Even though three quarters of younger American consumers have installed at least one upgrade to create energy-efficient homes, many more are interested in finding additional ways to promote energy efficiency to save money.

According to a recent survey by Whirlpool, 78 percent of consumers are interested in regular energy audits that would allow them to monitor the energy use in their home. But, of these consumers, about one quarter do not know how much energy is used in running their appliances.

Although only about 15 percent of consumers go out of their way to purchase green products, 36 percent purchase energy-efficient products when they are readily available. But, consumers appear to be embracing more long-term improvements through energy-efficient appliances and CFL bulbs – 65 percent of consumers claimed to have used both regularly.

In a press release, Whirlpool suggests basic ways for consumers to save with their appliances, even when they are not energy efficient. Homeowners should regularly clean the lint traps of their dryers and try to run them in the evening, when fewer people use them. Efficient cleaning of dishes can be achieved by scraping instead of rinsing dishes before putting them in the dishwasher, which can save homeowners about 20 gallons of water per dishwasher use.

When cooking, homeowners should use pots and pans that fit burners, as burners that are too large could be wasting upwards of $18 per year in energy costs. Homeowners should also try to avoid opening oven doors when cooking, as lost heat will have to be made up for by keeping the oven on for longer.

A home inspection provided by a qualified home inspection company in the Washington, D.C. area could unveil simple solutions for homeowners who want to realize the cost savings of improved energy efficiency.

Pennsylvania law reduces electricity load statewide

The most effective way to reduce energy costs is for homeowners, private companies and governments to work together. A Pennsylvania law dubbed an "unqualified success" by an impartial observer exemplifies the benefits of this type of relationship and should encourage all Americans to create energy-efficient homes.

In 2008, Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell signed Act 129 into law, with ambitious goals to require the state's seven major utility companies to reduce overall electricity load by 1 percent before May 31, 2011 and by 3 percent before May 31, 2013. According to an independent audit by Citizens for Pennsylvania's Future (PennFuture), all but one company was able to accomplish that goal.

One of the utility companies, Allegheny Power, implemented several programs intended to improve energy efficiency, including offering financial incentives to customers who reduce their electricity use or shift their usage to times when demand is lower. In addition, customers can receive rebates for purchasing energy-efficient appliances and are offered home energy audits that identify aspects of the home that could benefit from green enhancements.

Altogether, the seven companies were able to reduce energy costs by $278 million statewide due to a 41 percent drop in demand for electricity – more than 2,000 gigawatt-hours.

"These successes come at a very low cost," said PennFuture senior energy policy analyst Courtney Lane. "For every dollar spent on Act 129 programs, customers receive $8 in energy savings over the life of the measures. The energy savings law has truly been a triple win: for our citizens, our economy, and our environment. Now, we need to stay on that winning path."

A qualified home inspection professional in the Tri-State area can conduct an energy audit on any local home and suggest areas of improvement. The Pennsylvania program, and others like it in the United States, will set homeowners on a path toward energy efficiency.

Chicago eatery named greenest restaurant in America

The greenest restaurant in America features energy-efficient dishwashers, tables made of fallen trees, solar panels and LED lighting. While other business owners do not have to go quite to those lengths to achieve energy efficiency in their restaurants, commercial inspections can reveal simple measures that can save an owner a large sum of money.

The Green Restaurant Association (GRA), a Boston nonprofit, named Chicago's Uncommon Ground at Devon Avenue the greenest restaurant in the country due to its 116 different environmentally friendly features. Another Uncommon Ground location received GRA's highest rating of four stars, but only three other restaurants in the country, out of 450 locations studied, achieved that status.

In an interview with Crain's Chicago Business, restaurant co-owner Helen Cameron said that her restaurants also recently replaced paper towels with accelerated hand dryers. One of the most significant energy savers has been solar panels, half of which were paid for in state tax rebates. She estimates that because the panels save her at least $5,000 per year in gas costs, the panels will be paid for in full through savings in less than four years.

"Sometimes I'm spending more on some items, like chemicals for cleaning, or the organic food that comes from local sources," co-owner Helen Cameron told the news source. "But these are basic ideals and principles that have been interwoven into our values since the get-go."

In addition to any state tax incentives, business owners can take advantage of the Energy Efficient Commercial Buildings Tax Deduction, which allows a tax deduction of $1.80 per square foot of energy improvements related to hot water systems, interior lighting and HVAC systems. If you're a business owner in the Tri-State area who wants to take advantage of these incentives, you should solicit a qualified commercial inspection service that can conduct an energy audit to determine areas of your property that can undergo energy improvements.

Skylights can heat, illuminate homes naturally

When considering installing energy-efficient doors and windows, many homeowners fail to consider the potential energy savings that could come with adding a skylight to their home. A home inspection service can assist a homeowner in determining how best to integrate a skylight into a home before tax credits are due to expire in 2012.

Skylights help produce energy-efficient homes because they distribute natural heat and light energy throughout the home all day long, allowing homeowners to rely less on HVAC systems and light bulbs. Some skylights are even specially designed to store solar energy in the winter and repel it in the summer, in order to moderate the temperature of the home.

Homeowners should be careful to avoid haphazardly installing skylights without first carefully planning the project. The size, shape, degree of transparency and rooftop position all matter greatly in how effective a skylight is. For example, if the slope of a skylight is too low, heat will infiltrate the home in the summer and be pushed away in the winter, which is not desirable.

The U.S. Department of Energy recommends that a skylight's slope be equal to the latitude of a particular location, plus about five to 15 more degrees. There are other important nuances to skylight installation, such as how to best prevent moisture from leaking into the home and determining which side of the roof receives the most consistent amount of sunlight.

To avoid making a critical mistake that ends up costing you instead of saving money, contact Washington, D.C. home inspectors who are familiar with local sunlight patterns and who have experience installing skylights. If you add a skylight to your home before the end of this year, you may be able to take advantage of tax credits for 10 percent of the cost of the project, up to $500.

Home inspection may reveal best ways to boost home value

When making last-minute alterations to a home to increase its value, homeowners should try to focus on making long-term improvements, such as developing energy-efficient homes, instead of incremental changes, like painting walls.

Owners who are selling their homes should contact a home inspection company early on in the sales process if they want to determine what repairs could be made to increase the value of their home. While different improvements may have varied effects depending on the location of the home and what features buyers desire, there are some tenets that hold generally true.

Experts think that superficial alterations, like a fresh coat of paint, may not do much to increase the value of a home. Unless you are removing lead paint from an older home, it shouldn't make much of a difference. Besides, fresh paint, along with new appliances and other aesthetic changes, may be something that buyers prefer to implement on their own.

Instead, homeowners should consider making their properties more energy efficient. These improvements – airtight doors and windows, CFL bulbs, enhanced insulation and HVAC system repairs – come at a relatively low cost and should elevate the value of your home significantly. Furthermore, as more Americans become more conscious of exorbitant energy use, some may be reluctant to even consider buying a home that is not energy efficient.

These energy improvements are not just for those individuals planning on selling their homes in the near future. Green houses provide owners will immediate energy savings. Why not reap those benefits throughout your time in a home, instead of waiting until you put it on the market? A certified home inspection service can conduct an energy audit on your home and suggest long-term improvements that can be made at a low cost.

CFL bulbs could have competition beginning in 2012 after all

Some lawmakers, and presumably a sizable segment of the American people, do not appear as willing to embrace CFL bulbs and energy-efficient homes as it once seemed.

As part of next fiscal year's government spending bill passed last weekend, lawmakers removed funding from government mechanisms that would have enforced a ban on traditional incandescent light bulbs. The last-minute change effectively reverses a 2007 law that would have banished incandescent light bulbs from the shelves of American merchants, beginning with the 100-watt model, next year.

Even though the law was enacted in 2007 during George W. Bush's presidency, some Republican prominent lawmakers have been targeting it for years. They say it prevents consumers from being able to use incandescent light bulbs if they would like to.

"The American people want less government intrusion into their lives, not more, and that includes staying out of their personal light bulb choices," Republican presidential candidate Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) said.

Experts point out that many light bulb manufactures have already modified their production strategies in anticipation of the incandescent bulb ban. Congressional defunding is unlikely to deter manufacturers from producing primarily CFL bulbs, although consumer demand will ultimately dictate what types of bulbs they produce the most of.

Various studies have shown that CFL bulbs can save a homeowner $65 annually in energy costs due to the bulb being more energy efficient. If you are a homeowner who has transitioned to CFL bulbs but is still trying to find innovative ways to further reduce your monthly energy bill, you should contact a Washington, D.C. home inspector who can conduct an energy audit. This home inspection can reveal cost-effective, long-term solutions to energy problems and set you on a path toward achieving complete energy efficiency.

Government helps create 600,000 energy-efficient homes

The first official freeze of the winter season just descended on Washington, D.C. earlier this week, about three weeks behind schedule. While this has been a nice reprieve for homeowners in the Tri-State area, the mild winter has also given the government an opportunity to winterize more than half a million homes three months ahead of schedule.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced this week that as part of its Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP), 600,000 homes had been outfitted with energy-efficient HVAC systems, better insulation and windows that will not leak. The goal of the program is to lower utility bills for low-income families by installing cost-effective energy solutions intended to address energy waste.

WAP – the country's largest residential energy conservation program – is also intended to address general energy waste in buildings, which account for about 40 percent of U.S. energy consumption. The program has helped 6.8 million low-income families to create energy-efficient homes since its inception in 1976, but the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act injected an additional $5 billion in funding that has pushed the WAP to unprecedented levels of success. According to the DOE, the program saves families about $400 in heating and cooling costs in first year, which represents a decrease of about 35 percent.

Low-income homeowners who have yet to realize the benefits of energy efficiency should contact their local weatherization agency to determine whether they are eligible to receive WAP funding. Eligibility hinges primarily on income, although criteria varies state-to-state. Most states will even give preference to those households with elderly residents, children or those with disabilities. Once government officials conduct a thorough home inspection and eligibility is established, work can commence on the home. Average repairs top out at around $6,500.

Lead, copper hybrid pipes could contaminate water supply

Homeowners whose local governments have replaced lead water pipes may be alarmed by new research that has found pipes that contain sections of both lead and copper could actually be more detrimental to the public health.

Before lead was identified as a dangerous contaminant that can cause stomach pains and long-term brain damage if ingested, many municipal water systems used lead water pipes. Communities across the country began replacing them in the 1970s, so homes built after that are unlikely to have lead pipes – though a home inspection conducted by a company with knowledge of plumbing may be able to reveal the presence of lead pipes for homeowners who are unsure.

However, local governments have no authority to mandate that homeowners replace lead supply pipes located on their property. Since few American homeowners – 10 percent – consent to this change, pipes leading to some older homes are comprised half each of lead and copper.

"Since you started with a whole lead pipe and you now have half a lead pipe, you might think your problem would be half of what it was or – maybe – completely unchanged," Washington University in St. Louis professor Dan Giammar said in a press release.

Research led by Giammar has found that when lead and copper pipes are conjoined using brass connectors, the amount of lead in drinking water can increase by about five times what it was when pipes were only lead. This occurs because of galvanic corrosion, which results when two dissimilar metals are exposed to liquid.

This research could undermine years of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations aimed at controlling lead and copper contamination in tap water. The EPA passed its Lead and Copper Rule in 1991 to compel more monitoring of lead and copper levels in water. If counts of either of these metals exceed certain limits, pipes must be replaced.