What can energy efficiency really do for you?

The latest information released on energy efficiency may not be great for  creators of energy efficient products, or those who invest in it, depending on who you ask. Despite the latest study conducted by Becker Friedman Institute Research Repository highlighting the issue that maybe energy efficiency efforts may not be as cost-effective as some sources have claimed, many still believe these changes can make a difference.

The multiple benefits of energy efficiency include:

  • Consumer benefits: Making energy efficient changes in the home is one way to lower the overall cost of bills. Even something as small as making sure windows are shut before an AC is turned on is beneficial for both the environment and your wallet.
  • Health and well-being: Having inspections for mold or radon performed in the home can actually save your life.
  • Industrial productivity: Changing production of a range of substances and products to reflect energy efficiency is a great way to improve environmental impact and the lives of workers. Implementing energy efficient changes often means it's better for the environment, and in turn, is better for a business. 

In terms of the backlash against a recent study concerning the federal Weatherization Assistance Program, it's clear that more needs to be done to effectively study how much of a difference energy efficiency changes are actually making. 

One way to ensure you understand how the energy efficiency changes may be impacting your home is by conducting an energy audit. Alban Inspectors are professional experts in terms of energy audits involving heating, insulation and cooling systems. To learn more about how we can help, visit our website. 

Reasons to have a new home inspected

Although it may seem redundant, scheduling a home inspection for a newly built home is a crucial part of the buying process. No matter how new or renovated a home may seem, having it checked over by a professional is a vital step toward peace of mind for both the buyer and the seller.

Despite many experts agreeing that holding a home inspection during the building process is the right thing to do, many builders oppose them for a number of reasons. Some believe it is a question of their professionalism and building capabilities. Others do not want their workers or work flow interrupted by constant check-ins.

There is a happy medium that can be achieved for all parties involved. According to the American Society of Home Inspectors, there are three important times during building in which a home inspection should be conducted. These include prior to the pouring of foundation, prior to insulation and drywall and prior to the final walkthrough. 

During these inspections, a trusted inspector should look for a host of issues such as water damage, unsafe or sloping foundation, cracks in the walls and other issues. 

Not conducting a proper home inspection before, during and after a home is being built can cause serious issues in the future including monetary, stress and even health-related problems. 

Enlisting the help of an Alban inspector is a great way to ensure your home is ready and safe to move into. Our trusted employees are experienced in a range of issues including plumbing and heating, electrical systems, roof and attic problems, as well as windows and visible insulation.

A home inspection cost can greatly outweigh the cost of not having one conducted. Learn more on our website. 

Preventing water in the basement of a home

The summer months, known for their humidity and severe rain showers have begun. Moisture in the basement can become a big problem for homeowners, as it can lead to serious structural damage, as well as mold growth and destruction of personal belongings.

According to estimates from The American Society of Home Inspectors, 60 percent of U.S. homes have wet basements. There are three main causes of this including rain-related, humidity and subsurface seepage.

In addition to this information, a 1-inch rain fall will generate nearly 1,000 gallons of water falling from a typical 1,600-square-foot roof. Don't let all of this seep into your basement. Keep the following three tips in mind for a dry basement. 

  • Clean the gutters: Although the gutters are higher up, they can have a big effect on the basement. Gutters can become clogged from the natural elements,rendering them useless with stuck debris. Cleaning the gutters a few times a year can help alleviate basement issues, as well as others. Be sure that the downspouts where water emerges from are also pointing away from your home.
  • Check the slope of the home: If your home usually suffers from a wet basement, the slope of the home may be to blame. Check paved areas such as the driveway and walkways, as well as grass or soil that could be directing water toward the home. 
  • Use your yard as protection: Minimize the flow of water using your yard. Planting trees and flowers, as well as laying down soil can help soak up the rain water, keeping it out of the home.

For more home safety tips, or to schedule a mold testing inspection with a home inspection company such as Alban Inspections, visit our website. 

The importance of energy efficiency in small businesses

As part of many emerging energy efficiency initiatives, larger buildings, both in size and population, are being targeted for change. One energy expert, Marge Anderson, executive vice president of Seventhwave, a leading energy nonprofit, believes small businesses should be considered for change too.

Smaller buildings, those less than 50,000 square feet, represent 95 percent of total commercial buildings in the U.S., but most energy efficiency programs, incentives and money go toward larger buildings. 

A new study conducted by the Preservation Green Lab, a project of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, found that initiatives such as these could save more than $30 billion in annual finances. 

The report defined elements to enhance energy savings across 7 million business establishments controlling 4.4 million small buildings nationally. 

The report also found that the potential savings that can be found in small businesses range from 27 to 59 percent, depending on the type of building. This equals about 17 percent of commercial energy use annually. These small businesses, such as grocers and retailers, can improve profits by 10 percent through smart investments in energy savings.

The report recommends three major areas of change including:

  • Encouraging innovative new business models, collaborating between industry leaders and smaller initiatives.
  • Identifying waste and measuring overall energy performance.
  • Planning for improvements now using opportunities that emerge, as well as technology and energy improvements as a whole.

Energy efficiency begins with those that know and understand how much of a difference it can make. To learn more about energy efficiency, or to schedule an energy audit in your own home or small business, contact Alban Inspections today. Visit our website to learn more.

4 realtor safety tips you need to know

A recent rash of crimes targeting realty agents has many on edge in terms of their own wellbeing.

California and Florida are just two of the many states across the region reporting an uptick in robberies and assaults against home sellers. In both attacks, a dangerous weapon was used to subdue the victim. 

Many law enforcement agencies, as well as realtor companies are calling for a stance against this violence. They are also encouraging their employees to remain vigilant during showings.

Keep these four tips in mind for optimal safety:

  • Check in with the client and a friend: Let a friend or coworker know where you are at all times. Keep a running list of realtors and their locations in the office to keep track of employees as well. If someone doesn't return or answer a call, know that you can find them with ease. 
  • Don't get blocked in: Don't let open house attendees block your car in a driveway or on a street. Ensure that you're able to make a quick getaway if need be.
  • Maintain some personal privacy: Even though a realtor must maintain a public presence, not every detail of your life has to be out there. Be sure to keep some information private such as your own home location, vacation plans or where your kids go to school.
  • Scan the house beforehand: Before an open house begins, scan it from the outside and from the inside (safely). If there is any questionable activity or people, leave the location or call for help. Sometimes just a feeling is enough to determine a dangerous situation.

For more realtor safety tips, energy audit information or to schedule a home inspection with a reliable home inspection company, contact Alban Inspections or visit our website.

Energy efficient changes continue to expand across the U.S.

The United States is currently in a time of rapid expansion of renewable energy. As of today, 11 states generate more than 10 percent of their electricity from non-hydro renewable energy sources.

Three of those states, Iowa, Kansas and South Dakota stand at more than 20 percent. 

Maryland adopted a new moratorium on hydraulic fracking last month. The legislation will become law in October. 

Governor Larry Hogan also signed a bill in May in support of community solar initiatives through a three-year pilot program. This bill, known as House Bill 1087 requires the community solar projects to be regulated under the Public Service Commission (PSC). This will allow a structure to develop, including electricity generation and cost allocation. 

"This pilot program is a key component to our industry's goal of increasing access to solar energy," said Rick Peters, Maryland-DC-Virginia Solar Energy Industries Association (MDV-SEIA) board president and CEO of Solar Energy Services.

Once the pilot program is completed, utilities and subscribers are able to continue their community solar programs, as long as they remain within 1,500 MW limits. 

This law is set to go into effect on July 1, 2015.

One of Maryland's main building developers, Pepco, is also attempting to add to the energy efficiency movement with its access to and understanding of energy data for its clients. 

This initiative hopes to improve energy efficiency and costs in the future. It was part of the bigger plan, the Department of Energy's (DOE) Better Buildings Summit held earlier this month. 

The DOE hopes to cut energy intensity in buildings and plants by 20 percent over the next 10 years.

To learn more about Maryland's energy efficiency initiative, or to schedule an energy audit with Alban Inspectors, visit our website. 

First-time homebuyer sales are driving the market

According to Realtor.com home sales are continuing to increase, as first-time homebuyers continue to enter the market. Recent data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) found that first-time buyers have pushed home sales for the month of May to their highest levels since 2009. 

First-time buyers in May represented 32 percent of all sales, up from 30 percent in April and 27 percent a year ago.

NAR's chief economist Lawrence Yun believes this can be attributed to, "strong job gains among young adults, less expensive mortgage insurance, and lenders offering low downpayment programs."

Overall house sales, sold by regular people and not developers, increased by 5.1 percent from April, to an adjusted annual rate of 5.35 million in May. 45 percent of homes sold in May were only on the market for less than a month. 

A continued projection for this market is fast sales and high prices. As home sales continue to surge, the median price of homes also continues to rise. This number currently sits at about $228,700 nationally, nearly 8 percent higher than the previous May. 

This is currently the 39th consecutive month of year-over-year price gains, which shows little to no signs of slowing down. Many experts believe this will also attract first-time buyers as the market continues to offer lower down payment options and assistance programs for closing costs. 

As the housing market continues to change, be sure to check back here for the latest realtor tips and home energy efficiency changes. Schedule a consultation with a home inspection company, such as Alban Inspections, for more information or check out our website. 

New energy efficient state leaders emerge

According to CleanTechnica, the latest U.S. Clean Tech Leadership Index has been released. The index, compiled by Clean Edge, a research and indexing firm, tracks and ranks clean-tech activities in all 50 states and large-scale metro areas as well. 

The top 10 U.S. states are:

  • California
  • Massachusetts
  • Oregon
  • Colorado
  • New York
  • Vermont
  • Connecticut 
  • Illinois
  • Washington
  • Hawaii

These states were rated based on three major categories: capital, technology and policy. Data was taken from numerous factors including green building deployment, energy efficient expenditures, clean-energy generation and total number of clean-energy patents. 

"Solar and wind power, along with natural gas and energy efficiency, are now the mainstream choices for meeting the nation's electricity needs; coal-fired and nuclear power, the dominant choices of the 20th century, have become the marginalized 'alternatives,'" the report said.

Key findings of the report include:

  • California gets a full percentage point of its consumed electricity from utility solar plants.
  • Eleven states generate more than 10 percent of their own electricity using non-hydro renewable energy sources. In Iowa, South Dakota and Kansas, this number exceeds 20 percent. 
  • Idaho, Oregon, South Dakota and Washington exceed 70 percent of their energy generation from renewable sources. 
  • In 2014, solar power and util​ity-scaled wind power made up an almost combined 50 percent of energy generation capacity.

In addition to these energy efficient ventures, another recent survey indicates that almost two-thirds of large investment firms in the U.S. are planning to prioritize solar energy over the next five years.  

The survey found that although only 32 percent of companies stated they would invest in solar energy this year, 28 percent said they plan to in the future within the next two to five years. 80 percent also stated they were most interested in the venture due to their hope for "a cleaner energy future."

For more energy efficiency news, or to schedule an energy audit in your home, schedule a consultation with Alban Inspections today. 

5 ways to get the most money for your property

According to the Christian Science Monitor, changes in mortgage loan products as well as an increase in employment opportunities and homes to buy are making 2015 the best time to own a home since 2008. Many believe 2015 is actually the year of the housing market.

What does this mean for sellers? Keep these five tips in mind to get the most money for your property when the time comes to put the for sale sign out front.

  • Consider renovations: Many homebuyers expect their options to come with the most recent renovations and changes. If your kitchen and living room seem to be lacking, ask for guidance from a trusted realtor or friend on what should be changed. 
  • Keep staging in mind: How you present your home to potential buyers is extremely important. Ensure the space of the room is used wisely, and that the room appears both open and inviting for potential buyers. Be sure to also get rid of any clutter or unneeded items as these too can take away from the ambiance. 
  • Make sure the house is in pristine condition: If the house isn't clean, don't show it to potential buyers. Be sure to clean behind appliances, furniture and other similar areas as buyers do move things around while you're gone. Keep the closets in mind as well, as these are often an important selling point.
  • Online advertising: List your home online for a bigger turnout at an open house. Online sources give buyers access to your home that may be farther away than a usual purchasing crowd. 
  • Obtain a comparative list of houses nearby: List your house competitively, but correctly, by looking at other recent listings in your neighborhood.

For more home selling tips and realtor information, visit our website. Alban inspections is here for all your energy efficient home inspection needs.

5 things homebuyers should look for before making a purchase

Buying your first home can be a daunting experience. With a large housing market and so much to choose from, the possibilities for purchase are endless. Before you make a final decision, create a checklist filled with features, locations, add-ons and any other desires. For a start, keep these five tips in mind. 

  • Choose a mortgage that works for you: Before starting your home search, choose a mortgage that you know will work for your budget. Having a plan going into a purchase will make your purchasing point stronger. Deciding on a mortgage also indicates a sense of what you can really afford.
  • Conduct a home inspection: Never buy a home without first conducting a home inspection. Even if everything seems picture perfect, issues with the insulation, roofing or foundation can be hiding just out of sight. Contact a professional, such as Alban Inspections for a reliable, expert home inspection.
  • Find out the exact location of boundary lines: Before purchasing a home, understand exactly where your boundary lines are. This is critical for future building opportunities as well as maintaining a good relationship with your neighbors. 
  • Know how much you can really afford: If a home isn't in your price range, don't look at it. Although it is a good idea to shop around, stretching your budget beyond your means is never a great idea, especially when the first few monthly payments roll in.
  • Love the landscape: The backyard or front yard may not seem like a selling point, but it will be if the grass doesn't grow or there is no curb appeal at all. Take a good look at the landscape before making any decisions.

For more realtor tips or to schedule an audit with a home inspection company, contact Alban Inspections.