3 benefits of testing for mold in your home

The discovery of mold in a home can be a daunting experience for homeowners. Although the idea of panicking may be your first thought, don't. 

Mold is a dangerous fungal growth often associated with a musty, old smell. It has been known to hide in bathrooms, laundry rooms and basements, where damp darkness flourishes. 

One way to prevent mold growth is to call a home inspection company such as Alban Inspections. Even if no mold is found during an inspection, other issues affecting the home may come to light. Keep the following three benefits in mind when deciding whether to test for mold in your home.

  • Addressing the root of the cause: Finding the mold is only one piece of the inspection process. Although a homeowner may be able to find mold on his or her own, finding the source of the outbreak is even more important. If the cause of the mold is not eliminated, chances are it will come back, risking homeowner health and finances.
  • Avoiding eventual spreading: A homeowner may be able to eliminate some of the mold on his or her own, but doing so many cause it to spread to other areas. If mold is handled in an unsafe manner, its spores will often be released into the air, causing it to take root elsewhere in the house. 
  • Decreasing health risks: Once mold is discovered, it should be removed immediately. Mold can agitate as well as cause health issues such as coughing and sneezing, in addition to serious medical problems such as lung disease.

Learn more about mold and the importance of home inspections by visiting our website. A home mold inspection is only one vital part of a safe living space. 

4 benefits of an energy audit

Alban Inspections' experience with energy assessments and energy efficiency has found that two main ideas, cost and comfort, are most often associated with heating and cooling the home. 

Alban offers residential energy audits, a process that examines both the energy features of the home and tests the home for basic cooling abilities. During this test, multiple factors in the home will be inspected including the heating and cooling system, insulation, building tightness and possible areas prone to leakage. 

The examination in total, is a test of how homes create and lose energy. 

What are some of the many known benefits associated with home energy audits? These include:

  • Environmental awareness: According to the Residential Energy Services Network, 16 percent of greenhouse gases are generated by residential homes. Making improvements through a home inspection can help eliminate some of these gases, as well as other harmful pollutants. 
  • Home comfort: During a home inspection for energy usage, areas that are prone to leaking will often be found. Whether these leaks have to do with a cooling system or other home area, they are known to waste money and harm homeowner health. 
  • Increased home resale value: Recent data from a study published in the Appraisal Journal found that every $1 decrease in annual energy costs increased the market value of a home by $20. Decreasing energy costs by $300 per year increased home value by $6,000.
  • Lower energy bills: Taking steps toward implementing more cost-effective measures in the home will lower utility bills on both a monthly and yearly scale.

If you're interested in learning more about a home inspection, schedule an energy audit with Alban Inspections today.

3 ways to prevent mold exposure in your home

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, molds can be found in virtually any environment, both indoor and outdoor, year round. Although not all molds are toxic, many can have adverse effects on your health, causing upper respiratory issues and aggravating the symptoms of those who are already sick.

Prevent mold growth in your home with the following three tips.

First, be aware of any changes in the home. If you smell a musty, damp odor, it could be mold. In addition, suffering from asthma or allergy-like symptoms can be a sign as well.

Keep humidity levels as low as possible, and use an air conditioner or dehumidifier during the steamier months. As the temperature fluctuates throughout the day, be sure to check the home routinely for any changes in condensation buildup.

Clean areas of the home that get wet regularly, such as the bathroom and laundry room. In addition, immediately remove or replace any furniture or carpets that become wet.

If mold is found in your home, take action quickly. Be sure to check back here for more tips this summer.


Be aware of mold during the home buying process

Before buying a home, a full inspection is highly recommended for both the buyer and the seller. 

The perfect home can be easily ruined in the eyes of the buyer with a simple four letter word: mold. Mold can be extremely dangerous if left untreated. One of the most important parts of the sale is getting the most value for your home. 

Mold takes away from this value, as well as the chances of a quick sale.

Although many believe mold is only an issue in older homes, it can also be found in newer homes as well. The way mold enters these two types of homes can differ. Often in older homes, there is less insulation, making it more possible for mold to grow. In addition, these basements are often damp, creating the perfect environment for an infestation.

Newer homes can also suffer from a mold outbreak but due to different circumstances. Often, new homes are built with little room for "breathing." Due to this, air becomes trapped more easily, feeding on drywall and any retained moisture. 

Mold can be found hiding behind walls, underneath basement stairs and within other out-of-sight areas. One of the most common signs of mold in the home is a musty, wet smell. Often the only way to determine if there is mold in the home is by physically checking by tearing off drywall or moving things around.

When searching for the perfect home, be aware of any present mold issues, or an environment which may breed mold in the future.

Schedule an inspection with Alban Inspections today. Mold testing during a new home inspection is a vital part of the process. Visit our website for more information.

Why is testing for mold important?

What exactly is mold and why is it so dangerous? 

Mold is various types of fungi that grow and produce by forming spores. Mold often thrives in dark, moist places. Similar to other plants mold does need oxygen to survive, but it requires no light, which is why it easily grows indoors. 

As mold breathes in oxygen, it releases a harmful waste in gas form. This water and waste given off by mold is known as mycotoxin, a toxin that can cause many health issues. 

Allergic reactions to mold are some of the most common responses. These include coughing, wheezing, redness and itchiness of the eyes, skin irritation and a running nose. Others suffer serious reactions to mold including fever and difficulty breathing, especially those with already compromised immune systems or breathing problems. 

In 2004, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) found that there was enough evidence to link indoor mold exposure with upper respiratory tract symptoms such as coughing or sneezing in otherwise healthy people. Prolonged and high exposure to mold creates a significantly higher chance for infections and bronchitis as well. 

Be aware of mold growth and possible exposure in the following three rooms within your home:

  • Bathroom: A bathroom is one of the most common areas of the home mold growth occurs in. Known for their dampness, bathrooms also have porous areas which mold can latch its roots into.
  • Basement: Being underneath the home, surrounded by dirt and darkness, basements can harbor mold both in and out of sight. Check near sump pumps and behind drywall for possible signs of mold.
  • Kitchen: A leaky faucet or drain in the kitchen can cause a mold problem in days. If this occurs, be sure to take care of the issue right away.

Schedule a mold testing or mold inspection with Alban Inspections today. Visit our website for more information.

3 common home defects to look for this summer

If you’re searching for a new home this summer, be sure to look out for three of the most common home defects buyers face. Although a new home purchase may seem perfect at first, taking a second look is best to ensure everything is in proper working order. First, be aware of older characteristics. Older homes may have dangerous levels of radon, toxic mold or even asbestos hiding in their walls due to fewer building restrictions and the limited technology available when the residence was first built. Look inside the walls as well. A home that suffers from inadequate ventilation will create a laundry list of issues including loss of energy efficiency and possible moisture buildup. A good system will keep a home cool in the summer and warm in the winter. A home that is sloping excessively or is surrounded by standing water is a clear sign of a poor drainage issue. Although this can be fixed, sometimes the only solution for is a complete system replacement. Make sure your dream home is safe to move into with a professional inspection by Alban Inspections. Check back here for more tips this summer.

The latest status of energy efficiency in Maryland

According to The Bay Net, the state of energy efficiency in Maryland is set to greatly increase. The Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) recently launched a new energy efficiency target, now one of the highest in the country. 

The new order requires Maryland utilities to achieve an annual incremental electricity savings of 2 percent on retail sales per year in perpetuity. In 2013, Maryland achieved savings equal to only 1.3 percent of overall sales.

Compared to other states, only Massachusetts and Rhode Island achieved levels higher than 2 percent in 2014. Maryland is now one of the top five states with similar goals in the country.

"The state of Maryland has just taken a huge step in showing that action on air pollution and climate change can go hand in hand with consumer savings," said Mike Tidwell, director of the Chesapeake Climate Action Network. "The PSC deserves praise for hearing the public's voice that efficiency is a win-win. We now hope other states will follow suit at this same high level."

In addition, natural gas usage reduction goals were also set for all gas companies throughout Maryland. Other changes include utilities saving over 1.2 million megawatt hours per year, equaling a closing of a 460 megawatt coal-fired plant every two years and reducing carbon emissions equal to taking 173,000 cars off the road annually. 

This change is equal to reducing carbon emissions at a rate equivalent of building 470 megawatts of new wind power every year, three times greater than what Maryland's installed wind capacity is right now.

To learn more about local energy efficiency, or to discover how you can reduce your own carbon footprint by scheduling an energy audit, visit Alban Inspections website. 

3 tips to remember when checking an HVAC system

Checking out an HVAC system, or heating, ventilation and air conditioning, may not seem too difficult at first. Upon closer inspection though, there are factors that can easily be forgotten, or things that can be overlooked that may impact the function or impact of a system on a home. 

If you are a new homeowner, your HVAC system should have been checked before you moved in. Holding a home inspection before purchasing a home is a crucial part of the buying process. It ensures a peace of mind for both the buyer and those selling the property, as no hidden issues or surprises should be found when all the paperwork is finally signed.

Keep the following three tips in mind for proper maintenance of your system:

  • Actually look at the owner's manual: If you're going to open up your system even a little bit, you should have the manual by your side. However, it's often a better practice to call in a professional to avoid harm to yourself and the system.
  • Invest in routine checkups: It's not enough to check your system once every four years. Instead, plan a routine checkup each season for long-lasting results. 
  • Seal any leakage: Be sure your system isn't losing any power through a leak. Even a small leak can waste hundreds of dollars in warm and cool air, and often becomes bigger with time.

If your system is 15 years old or older, consider investing in a new one. These older systems often use inefficient means to cool or heat a home, wasting both money and energy. To schedule an energy audit to measure energy efficiency in your home, contact Alban Inspections or visit our website. 

Solar energy in the U.S. continues to increase

According to Switchboard, the Natural Resources Defense Council Staff Blog, solar installations have increased over 400 percent since 2010. 

This increase can be attributed to a range of reasons including lower costs of installation and the decrease in the price of solar initiatives in general. This not only creates thousands of new jobs for workers, but also reduces the amount of electricity needed from power plants, reducing the carbon footprint of those who make the switch.

One major set of Americans that are left out of this change are families in rental housing. As renters do not technically own the roofs of their homes, they are unable to install these energy-saving, cost-efficient panels. In addition, it can be difficult for building owners to agree to this change, even if the numbers indicate it would be sensible for future investments.

With this in mind, President Obama has announced the launch of the Energy Efficiency for All project. Key parts of the plan include:

  • Affordable housing owners agreeing to install solar and other renewable energy facilities into their buildings.
  • A partnership to promote Community Solar projects, allowing households to receive the benefits of purchasing a piece of a shared solar facility. 
  • Enhancing the development of local workforce groups in order to reach low-income communities. 

The plan does not focus on the role of these utilities but instead on addressing the real effects of climate change, promoting clean energy and creating a long-lasting network of jobs for future generations.

To learn more about energy efficiency or to discover how efficient your own home is, schedule an energy audit with Alban Inspections today. Visit our website for more information.

The use of renewables is becoming more prominent for U.S. electricity consumption

According to Clean Technica, the use of renewable resources in terms of electricity consumption is continuing to grow. 

Wind and solar power are increasingly becoming the most cost competitive options for electricity generation. 74 percent of this generation in the beginning of 2015 came from these two sources. 

The newest information has concluded that about 17 percent of U.S. electricity production in April can be attributed to rooftop solar electricity production. 

Between January and April 2015, the following positive trends were also recorded: 

  • Coal consumption decreased
  • Natural gas consumption increased by 62,694 GWh
  • Solar PV increased by 4,250 GWh.

Another key finding in this information is that overall electricity generation is down by 12,194 GWh. 

How can you decrease the amount of energy used in your own home? Keep the following three tips in mind:

  • Keep temperature control in mind: A ventilation system can become a big waste of energy if it is not regularly serviced. Control the temperature of your home, don't let it control you. Use sunlight and other natural light to your advantage, and pay attention to the setting of both the thermostat on the water heater and the traditional thermostat.
  • Measure electricity use: Take a look at your next few bills and determine how much energy you're actually using. With this in mind, decide how you can make a change.
  • Turn it off: If you're not using the appliance, make sure it's turned off or not plugged in. Leaving these on or attached to electricity will run up bills and energy usage.

Learn more about energy efficiency or heating and insulation on our website.