What you need to know about lead paint

Lead paint can be found in many areas of the home, especially if it was built years ago. 

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency:

  • 24 percent of homes built between 1960 and 1977 have lead-based paint
  • 69 percent of homes built between 1940 and 1959 have lead-based paint
  • 87 percent of homes built before 1940 have lead-based paint.

Where can that lead be located? Oftentimes, lead paint can be found under layers of new coats of paint. This is perfectly safe unless it begins to chip. If it chips, peels or becomes damp, it is a health hazard to you and your family. 

Lead paint can also be found on areas easily accessible to your children. Areas such as window sills, doors and stair railings can contain toxic levels of paint that your family touches throughout the day.

It may also be present in the pipes that carry water into your home. Prior to 1986 lead was still used in the formation and lining of these pipes. If lead enters your water stream it can become a toxic problem. Lead cannot be tasted, seen or smelled in drinking water. 

A home inspection can include a paint inspection as well as a complete risk assessment. A paint inspection alerts you to the lead content of every painted surface in your home. A risk assessment can alert you to lead exposure your family could be experiencing right now.

Maintain home condition by:

  • Checking your home for chipping, peeling or other paint deterioration
  • Check areas that see a lot of traffic such as stairs, doorways and windows
  • Regularly check for paint chips and dust
  • Wipe down flat surfaces at least once a week.

If your home was built before 1978, your safest bet is to have it tested for lead exposure levels.

Visit our website to schedule a lead paint inspection or a range of other commercial inspections with an Alban inspector today. 

Benefits of a home inspection for buyers and sellers

Whether you're a homebuyer, a home seller or just the resident, a home inspection can save you money in ways you never realized. Home inspections can alert you to structural issues, dangerous hidden mold and areas where your energy consumption can improve. It can also tell you key selling points of your home or what to really look for when you're attempting to find a new place to live. 

Home sellers:

  • Assess your home value with a pre-market inspection. This can also help when agreeing on closing costs and other contract expenses.
  • Gain foresight into potential issues down the road. Knowing what needs to be fixed now can save you a future headache as well as possible increasing costs.
  • Learn what home modifications and add-ons are most popular at the moment to better understand the current home market as well as increase your chances of a quick sale. 

Homebuyers:

  • Feel confident in your purchase. Seeing the house inside and out through the eyes of an inspector can give you the peace of mind you need to close a deal.
  • Invest in an educated purchase. A home inspection can let you see what areas of a home need work or time and money put into them. Knowing this beforehand may make you rethink a purchase or offer less money.
  • Plan ahead. Understanding areas of the home that need to change can help homeowners focus their money and plan on what they will tackle first after they move in. 

To schedule a home inspection with qualified, experienced inspectors, visit our website or call us today. Alban inspectors are trained in the areas of energy efficiency, lead paint inspection and testing for mold, among many others.   

6 energy efficiency changes you can make today

Energy efficiency in your home doesn't have to be time consuming. For each room, there are simple steps you can take to reduce your monthly bills and energy consumption. Implement these changes the next time you have five free minutes during your day.

Kitchen energy savers:

  • Don't overload your dishwasher. Placing too many plates and cups inside it causes it to work harder than it should and do a worse cleaning job. Scrape off food and other items on your plate before washing. In addition, don't run the dishwasher when it's half full. This is a waste of energy and dish detergent.
  • When cooking on the stovetop, use covers to cook your food which results in a shorter cooking time using less energy. Clean your appliances such as your fridge and oven regularly to keep them from overworking and burning out quicker than usual.

Laundry room energy savers:

  • According to This is Money, 90 percent of laundry machine energy is used to heat water. Using cold water decreases energy consumption and your heating bill.
  • Hang up your clothes instead of drying them all the way through. This can give them a light, fresh spring smell as well as reduce the use of electricity and power.

Bedroom energy savers:

  • Open your windows and let in a fresh breeze. On cooler days and nights, turn off your air conditioner and let the outside air cool down your room. 
  • Open your blinds. Letting in natural light makes a room feel more open and airy. It also decreases your electricity bill by eliminating the need for artificial lighting. Take advantage of the longer sunny days.

For more energy efficiency tips or to schedule an energy audit or new home inspection with a certified Alban inspector, visit our website. 

4 benefits of LED light bulbs

According to PC Magazine, Philips Lighting has partnered with Home Depot to create a $5 LED light bulb. 

The LED A19 bulb uses only 8.5 watts of power and was created with shatter-resistant material. Perfect for bathroom light fixtures, closet lighting and kids rooms, the bulb can save home owners about $62 for every bulb lifespan. It will cost about $1.02 per bulb lifespan. 

It is available as of now on Amazon and will be available for sale at Home Depot beginning in May.

LED bulbs have numerous benefits including:

  • Design flexibility: LED bulbs can be combined into any shape to produce energy efficient lighting. They can also be dimmed by changing the color or light power.
  • Eco-friendly: LED lights are made with no chemicals and are 100 percent recyclable. According to LED Luxor, one LED bulb can prevent the creation of 25 incandescent bulbs.
  • Energy efficient: LED bulbs are made to illuminate using about 80 percent of energy to light a room at a loss of 20 percent to heating. The numbers for incandescent and other types of bulbs are much higher compared to these. 
  • Long life span: The life span of these bulbs is much longer than other bulbs. You can expect to use one bulb for up to 100,000 hours of lighting.

There are numerous types of LED bulbs you can use in your home. 

Alban Inspectors can help you realize the energy efficiency potential of your home. Small changes, such as using LED light bulbs can reduce monthly bill payments and your overall carbon footprint. Visit our website to learn more information or to schedule a new home inspection. 

What steps are Americans actually taking to enhance energy efficiency

With another Earth Day celebrated and passed, what has the U.S. actually changed in terms of its energy consumption and reduction process?

According to The Harris Poll, not much. The poll, taken by over 2,000 adults in February of 2014, revealed that few people spanning all demographic groups have taken steps toward energy-saving habits. 

Although most Americans do turn off their electrical appliances when not in use, even that number has dropped 4 percent from 79 percent in 2014 and a high of 82 percent in 2012 to 75 percent now. 

There has been a decrease in other areas of energy efficiency including:

  • 50 percent replacing incandescent bulbs with florescent bulbs down from 55 percent in 2014.
  • 47 percent of Americans look for an Energy Star label down from 50 percent in 2014. 
  • 49 percent use power strips for home electronics down from 50 percent in 2014.
  • 40 percent take shorter, colder showers down from 45 percent in 2014.

Reputation & Public Relations Practice Leader for Harris Poll, Carol M. Gstalder believes this is due to the decrease in energy prices. 

"As energy prices drop, so do consumers' commitment to energy-saving decisions from replacing light bulbs and water heaters to installing solar," she said.

In general, Americans across all demographics believe that solar and wind power are the best energy sources for the environment. Coal and nuclear are the worst. 

What can be done now? Start with your home.

The poll indicated only 11 percent of people have looked into conducting a home energy efficiency inspection. Alban Inspections can help with that.

Alban professionals are experienced in heating and insulation specialties as well as radon testing and energy consumption. Visit our website for more information or to schedule an inspection appointment.  

4 more spring energy efficiency tips

Home energy efficiency begins with you. It begins with the information you know and the changes you make in lifestyle and home improvements to reduce your carbon footprint. 

Each room in your home has a unique set of energy qualities. Ensure your house is as energy efficient as possible with the following four tips:

  • Bring on the sunshine: During daylight hours, capitalize on natural light and warmth. Open shades and allow the sun to light your home instead of lights. Consider installing skylights for even more light.
  • Check your air conditioner now: Routinely replacing or cleaning air filters can lower energy consumption by up to 15 percent, according to Breaking Energy. Check the evaporator coil as well.
  • Make some kitchen changes: Business Wire recommends vacuuming refrigerator coils and diminishing dust buildups, which can cause the motor to use more energy. In addition, clean your oven. A dirty oven can absorb heat and require more energy. 
  • Seal ducts: Open ducts can lead to significant air loss, resulting in high electricity costs and wasted energy. This can cause your cooling system to work up to 30 percent harder than it already is, putting a strain on its motor and your electricity budget. 

According to Energy Star, replacing the light bulbs in your home can also have a lasting effect. Switching out just five light bulbs for Energy Star bulbs can save you up to $75 on your next bill. A LED light bulb can also be a good alternative. In addition, using an electronic power strip can help prevent "phantom loads." Phantom loads are plugged-in electronics that are not in use but still consume energy. Turning off the power strip when not in use can save you up to $100 on your next bill.

Conducting a home energy efficiency inspection can help identify your home's problems and figure out a plan of action. Visit our website for more information or to schedule an inspection. 

Has your home been tested for radon?

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, radon is the cause of an estimated thousands of deaths each year and can be found across the 50 states.

Radon is caused by a natural, radioactive breakdown of uranium in rocks, soil and water. It can enter the home in a number of ways including:

  • Cracks in the floor and walls
  • Gaps in flooring
  • Gaps around service pipes
  • Water supply
  • Wall cavities.

Radon testing is vital for prevention and awareness of radon exposure in the home. Testing your home or business is the only sure way to know if there is a radon leak, as it is odorless, tasteless and clear. 

The EPA recommends testing all homes below the third floor for radon.

Indoor radon levels can vary day to day and are often higher in the winter and at night due to windows and doors being shut. With spring upon us, now is the perfect time to add one more important task to your spring cleaning regimen. 

According to EcoWatch, testing is recommended to be done over a three-month period to ensure all levels of radon are examined fully. 

About one out of every 15 homes is expected to have some form of elevated radon levels. There are options for testing your home including long- and short-term testing. In addition, it is recommended to call a professional if high radon levels are detected. 

The EPA recommends a short-term test first, followed by either a long-term test or another short-term test. If high levels are detected, call a professional right away. 

The recent home market has been hit by an increase of  questions and radon testing. Buyers want to know the risk their home carries and what they can do to prevent exposure.

If you believe you have a radon exposure issue or would like to learn more, visit our website. 

Home insulation could be the next step in energy efficiency within your home

Proper home insulation can provide resistance to heat flow, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. The more heat flow resistance your insulation has, the lower your heating and cooling costs will be. 

Heat can flow in three different ways: conduction, convection and radiation. The most common insulation materials slow conductive heat flow and possibly convective heat flow as well. 

There are numerous types of insulation available to protect against heat loss and keep your air conditioner from attempting to cool your home for long periods of time. Your choice of home insulation should be based on the following factors:

  • If the home is already built versus it currently being built
  • R-value you hope to achieve
  • Whether you are adding or installing insulation
  • Whether you are hiring a professional or installing it yourself.

Heat flow is measured in thermal resistance or R-value, meaning the higher the R-value, the better the insulation in your home.

Choosing a type of insulation to put in your home should be based on where you are planning on installing it and the recommended R-value areas you want to insulate.

There are numerous types of insulation materials that can be used in homes including:

  • Blanket bats and rolls such as fiberglass and minerals
  • Concrete block insulation
  • Foam boards such as polystyrene
  • Insulating concrete forms 
  • Loose-fill and blown-in such as cellulose 
  • Reflective system such as plastic
  • Rigid or fibrous such as fiberglass
  • Sprayed foam such as Polyurethane.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, homeowners can reduce their bills between 10 and 50 percent by increasing the amount of thermal insulation. Saving money on these bills by implementing more insulation can also depend on other factors including your local climate, the structure, size and shape of your house as well as your family's living habits.

Ensure your home is as energy efficient as possible with a home inspection by Alban inspectors. Home energy efficiency begins with heating and insulation changes.

7 reasons why solar panels are becoming more popular

Solar panels seem to be popping up everywhere, between daily commutes, walks during lunch breaks and spring road trips, the phenomenon seems to be here to stay. But why?

There are many reasons why solar panel power has become increasingly noticeable including:

  • Cheap production: According to The Consumerist, there is a global surplus of panels because of Chinese factories producing the product since early 2009, creating a massive oversupply. This oversupply has caused prices to drop and panel pop-ups to surge.
  • Homeowners with solar panels can save an average of 50 percent on their electric bills or even eliminate the bills completely, said Solar World.
  • Homes with solar power sell 15 percent faster than homes without it.
  • The Lawrence Berkley National Laboratory has stated that adding a solar power system to a home can increase the resale value by an average of $5.50 per watt.
  • Solar energy on and in your home can help conserve more than 16,000 gallons of water per year as well as reduce your overall carbon footprint. Eliminate your personal generation of carbon dioxide beginning with your home.
  • Solar power panels are silent generators of electricity and require little to no maintenance once installed. 
  • Solar energy is a renewable resource that emits no pollution. It doesn't require fuel or other non-renewable resources. It can be used to harness power in remote locations as well as store energy for cloudy or sunless days.

If you are interested in learning about your energy efficient options for your home, visit our website. Alban inspectors are ready to perform a home inspection that can gauge what areas of energy need the most improvement as well as other steps you can take to reduce your bills and personal pollution. 

Where is the current most active home selling market located?

Do you know where the most active home selling market is this spring? According to the National Association of Realtors, San Jose, California had the fastest selling home market for the month of March. The median amount of time a home spent waiting to be sold was 22 days.

The spring and summer months are the beginning of the best time to sell a home, with median list prices up 11 percent higher than the previous year. 

The top 10 fastest home selling markets (based on the median number of days spent on the market) as of March are:

San Jose, California: 22 days 
San Francisco, California: 26 days
Santa Roa, California: 32 days
Denver, Colorado: 37 days
Seattle, Washington: 37 days
Boulder, Colorado: 38 days
Vallejo, California: 38 days
Los Angeles, California: 41 days
Minneapolis, Minnesota: 43 days
San Diego, California: 43 days

In addition to the fastest selling home markets, the National Association of Realtors has also released top 10 lists of the most and least popular home features. The top three of each include:

Features least likely to be built in a new home:

  • Carpeting as flooring on the main level
  • Outdoor kitchen or cooking area
  • Sunroom.

Features most likely to be built in a new home:

  • A walk-in closet in the master bedroom
  • Energy Star-rated windows 
  • Programmable thermostat.

Many new home features are being added for seamless energy loss reduction as well as better use of space provided. Maintaining an energy-efficient home can be easily done when all the efficient methods have already been implemented.

To find out where you can make changes in your home, schedule an energy efficiency home inspection with Alban inspectors. Visit our website for more information.