As a home inspector in Atlanta I look for things that will bring value to you as the home owners in Atlanta Georgia.  I receive so many questions about homes being energy efficient that I thought I would share the following article with you.

Warm your home for the holidays with energy-efficient products

(ARA) – Fall colors, cooler weather and crackling fires mean the holidays are right around the corner. As consumers prepare themselves and their homes for colder temperatures, many will seek out energy-efficient products. By making smart decisions, you can be sensible, yet stylish, when the cold weather, family and friends arrive for the holidays.

The first place to start: your windows and doors. Replacing old, drafty windows and doors with fashionable, more energy-efficient ones can help you save energy and lower your utility bills year-round. If you’re an American homeowner, it could even help you save at tax time if you purchase and install before Dec. 31.

Long-term energy savings
“Today’s budget-conscious consumers demand energy-saving products,” says Kathy Krafka Harkema, energy efficiency expert at Pella Windows and Doors. “To help stretch your paycheck and add to the comfort of your home, replace items with more energy-efficient options that help provide long-term savings and a short-term defense against rising energy rates.”

The Energy Star program, created by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy, helps consumers identify energy-efficient products. In 2009, Americans, with the help of Energy Star, saved $17 billion on energy bills and reduced greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those of 30 million vehicles, according to the EPA.

Improve your energy efficiency
To help improve your home’s energy efficiency, consider these tips:

* During cold weather, keep window treatments on southern-facing windows open during the day to capture the sun’s heat. Close them at night to help keep heat inside your home. During warmer months, close the blinds, shades or curtains during the heat of the day to reflect the sun’s heat away from your home’s interior.

* Choose double- or triple-pane windows with low-emissivity (low-e) coatings to improve energy efficiency and reduce heating and cooling costs, especially from northern-facing windows.

* Keep window treatments closed when the sun is shining in from east- and west-facing windows to help reduce the heat buildup from solar heat in your home.

Regardless of the type or style of windows and doors you choose, it’s essential that they are installed properly for best performance in sealing out air and moisture.

Short-term style solutions
Pella is teaming up with Lowe’s to make it easy for homeowners to jumpstart their next energy-saving home improvement project. Find a daily energy-saving tip this fall at www.lowes.com/pella and view the variety of energy-saving products.

“Energy-efficient windows and doors are smart and beautiful,” says Shelli Locklear, Pella Corporation national accounts segment marketing manager. “With our Designer Series 750 products, you can create the stylish, breathtaking views you always wanted in your home.”

Pella Designer Series 750 windows and patio doors feature between-the-glass blinds, fabric shades and removable grilles with exclusive snap-in technology that make them easy to change. And, since the blinds are between-the-glass, they don’t accumulate dust, dirt or certain indoor airborne allergens.

Your Lowe’s millwork associate can help you choose the windows or doors that are right for you. Qualifying energy-efficient windows and doors may be eligible for up to $1,500 in U.S. energy tax credits when installed by Dec. 31.

Also for more energy efficiency we now provide Infrared technology where we can locate missing insulation, air penetration, moisture intrusion, and we can use our thermal camera to do an infrared scan of your homes duct work to see if you have a major source of heat loss there also.  Give us a call at 404-788-2581 to find out more information about infrared technology and Southern Infrared Services.

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I’m all the time reading on ARA for great tips and ideas.  When I read the article below I thought it might be useful to others out there.  I really like the information about the drapes, we installed these in our bedroom at the beginning of summer to help keep the afternoon heat out and they really worked and helped cut down our cooling expenses.  This year I am purchasing 6 more for the office.  I found only one problem with them, they make the room really dark so it makes me want to take a nap way to often.  Hope you enjoy the following article.

(ARA) – Just as many of us have taken on extra work to make ends meet in this economy, everything we buy now must serve a dual purpose as well. It makes sense to spend your hard-earned dollars on items that not only do the job intended for them, but that also save you money in a variety of ways.

Not sure how to make money-maximizing, dual-purpose purchases? Here are a few tips:

* Make decor decisions that not only upgrade your enjoyment of your home, but that improve its energy efficiency as well. For example, thermal drapes in decorator colors will add punch to your decor and will also help retain heat. An energy-efficient electric stove can create a warm ambiance and help save on energy bills as well. You’ll find desirable options at www.seventhavenue.com.

* Drop your gym membership, which likely costs you $50 a month, in favor of creating a home gym.

* Skip the spa for aromatherapy, hair removal and manicures or pedicures. You can do all those things at home – with a spa-like experience – by obtaining the right devices. An electrolysis pen does home hair removal quickly and easily – and without the cost and inconvenience of going to the spa.  A pair of Pedi Couture Sandals, available at www.seventhavenue.com, will sooth and relax your feet while gently separating the toes to make a self-pedicure simple.

When you find your dream home, make sure that you get a thorough home
inspection from the Atlanta home inspector, David Lelak of IHI Home Inspections,
he serves Canton, Alpharetta, Roswell, Cumming, Woodstock, Atlanta and all of
North Georgia. Call us today at 404-788-2581 for a thorough home
inspection.  We won’t let you buy the money pit.

We are proud to announce that we are now IASQ™ Certified Inspectors for the
Healthier Environment Living Program – Green Technology that helps with
Eliminating Harmful Germs, Bacteria and Viruses from your home and business!
Visit Healthier Programs corporate
site for more exciting information. Need HELP for your home immediately,
call us at 404-788-2581 today!

Need an easy way to hook up phone, cable and internet, here you go: FREE
Home Utility/Communication Connection Services where one call does it all,
Satellite, Internet, Cable TV, Home Security, and Phone.  Call 1-866-594-4871
and provide them with access code 1008126.  Call our Free Home Concierge
Services to save time, save money and simplify life!

You can also schedule
your own Georgia home inspection today online.

We create Peace of Mind ONE Home Inspection at a time!

Visit us here:

Our Website: http://www.ihihomeinspections.com

Facebook http://companies.to/atlantahomeinspector/

Facebook http://www.facebook.com/bonnielelak

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/gahomeinspector

We love new friends and followers!

Services Provided:

Alpharetta Home
Inspections

Atlanta Home
Inspections

Canton Home
Inspections

Cumming Home
Inspections

Marietta Home
Inspections

Roswell Home
Inspections

Woodstock Home
Inspections

North Georgia Home
Inspections

Radon Gas Testing

Radon Inspections

Pool & Spa Inspections

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Atlanta home
inspector shares “Your own sanctuary” I loved the article below that I found
on ARA and with fall here it gives some great tips. I especially love the idea
about a fire pit to gather around!  My kids love hanging out by a fire and I
love smelling the leaves burn.

(ARA) – Your backyard is your sanctuary. But you want to make it even better
– perhaps with a patio where your family can congregate, enjoy outdoor
barbeques and entertain guests.

Here are some design tips to help turn your backyard into the oasis of your
dreams:

* Install a patio.
You yearn for a lovely patio area for picnic lunches
or to relax and read a book as you enjoy the sun. The cost of using natural
stone, however, is a negative, and so is the lack of creative colors and design
allowed by precast pavers. Another option is to use stamped concrete for your
patio base, which has unlimited patterns and colors and can be used in all
climates.

“Homeowners are interested in concrete patios because they blend the
connection between house and patio — indoors and outdoors,” says Jim Peterson
of ConcreteNetwork.com, which offers a wide variety of patio designs, provides
many useful concrete tips and comparisons and lists local contractors for your
area. “Decorative concrete can create the look of authentic stone, slate or
cobblestone, is more economical to install and adds value to the home.”

* Gather around the fire.
Bring your family together with a fire pit.
Whether you’re building a fire for cooking dinner, roasting marshmallows or to
keep warm on a chilly evening, it will become a gathering place for your family
and – if invited – friends and neighbors. Depending on your creativity and
building skills, you can make your fire pit an elaborate congregational area
with permanent benches and a decorative wood rack, or a simpler ring for cozy
family cookouts.

* Set up seats for relaxation.
Don’t forget the tables, chairs and
decorative planters to encourage people to relax in your backyard and enjoy your
sanctuary. You will need to decide if you want permanent, built-in tables and
chairs or benches on your patio or along strolling paths through your backyard
landscape, or if you want furniture you can rearrange and store during inclement
weather.

* Keep the hunger pains at bay.
Perhaps you are looking for more than
just relaxation; you want to fill your tummy as well. Outdoor barbeques are
becoming increasingly popular, complete with drink coolers and sinks. For an
outdoor countertop, look for a material that can withstand weather, yet still
have a warm, natural look that will work with the other materials you’re using
on your porch. Concrete countertops can be mixed with stains, pigments,
aggregates and epoxy coatings to give them the look, texture and feel of more
expensive quarried stones like marble, granite and limestone. Visit
www.ConcreteNetwork.com to learn more about how this material can work in your
backyard.

* Soothe the senses
Water features are popping up in backyards across the
country. Families enjoy them by relaxing near the sound of trickling water and
watching birds and other wildlife looking for a drink. Some homeowners install
small fountains surrounded by landscaping to provide the water ambiance, while
others take the route of building a full water garden.

Self-contained water features are easy to install in less than a day, while
kit ponds might take a weekend to set up. But the larger water features give you
more opportunities to be creative – for example installing a bridge, water
wheel, water falls or tiny streams.

Once you have your backyard sanctuary complete, you’ll have plenty of
opportunities to enjoy your investment while relaxing. For additional tips in
learning how to install a functional and appealing patio in your backyard, visit
www.concretepatio.org.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

When you find your dream home, make sure that you get a thorough home
inspection from the Atlanta home inspector, David Lelak of IHI Home Inspections,
he serves Canton, Alpharetta, Roswell, Cumming, Woodstock, Atlanta and all of
North Georgia. Call us today at 404-788-2581 for a thorough home
inspection.  We won’t let you buy the money pit.

We are proud to announce that we are now IASQ™ Certified Inspectors for the
Healthier Environment Living Program – Green Technology that helps with
Eliminating Harmful Germs, Bacteria and Viruses from your home and business!
Visit Healthier Programs corporate
site for more exciting information. Need HELP for your home immediately,
call us at 404-788-2581 today!

Need an easy way to hook up phone, cable and internet, here you go: FREE
Home Utility/Communication Connection Services where one call does it all,
Satellite, Internet, Cable TV, Home Security, and Phone.  Call 1-866-594-4871
and provide them with access code 1008126.  Call our Free Home Concierge
Services to save time, save money and simplify life!

You can also schedule
your own Georgia home inspection today online.

We create Peace of Mind ONE Home Inspection at a time!

Visit us here:

Our Website: http://www.ihihomeinspections.com

Facebook http://companies.to/atlantahomeinspector/

Facebook http://www.facebook.com/bonnielelak

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/gahomeinspector

We love new friends and followers!

Services Provided:

Alpharetta Home
Inspections

Atlanta Home
Inspections

Canton Home
Inspections

Cumming Home
Inspections

Marietta Home
Inspections

Roswell Home
Inspections

Woodstock Home
Inspections

North Georgia Home
Inspections

Radon Gas Testing

Radon Inspections

Pool & Spa Inspections

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While out surfing the web I found the following article that I thought would be of useful information to my Atlanta home inspection customers.  I am all the time looking for interesting articles for home maintenance tips.  This one is worth some money.  Enjoy.

Get more for your money when purchasing replacement windows

(ARA) – Energy efficiency has gained national importance and window replacement is recognized as one pathway to aid in energy independence and the reduction of harmful global emissions.

Choosing replacement windows with energy-saving benefits is simple and the federal government also made it less expensive for homeowners with the signing of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

The bill includes the opportunity for homeowners to claim a tax credit of 30 percent of the cost of eligible energy-efficient products to a maximum of $1,500 per household for 2009 and 2010 combined when used for remodeling and replacement. According to the IRS, a tax credit is a dollar-for-dollar reduction in your tax liability and can be deducted directly from your taxes owed.

While energy efficient replacement windows are included in this tax credit, not all replacement windows will qualify. Paul Delahunt, president of Renewal by Andersen, says, given the new tax credit, now is the best time to replace your leaky, worn-out windows. But he also cautions homeowners to do their homework to make sure the windows they purchase will qualify.

To qualify, windows must provide high levels of energy efficiency in two categories: reduced heat loss and reduced heat gain. The measurement for heat loss is called U-Factor and the measurement for heat gain is called Solar Heat Gain Coefficient, or SHGC. To meet the performance requirements, the window or door must have both a U-Factor and SHGC rating equal to or less than 0.30 in all climate zones in the U.S.

When comparing windows for energy performance — and the 2009/2010 tax credit — be sure to check the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) label that is displayed on the product. This label displays the U-Factor and SHGC ratings for the window or patio door. If the product does not have this label, then the unit does not have a certified NFRC value.

Qualifying replacement windows must be purchased and installed in a primary residence between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2010. While quality installation is a critical component of any successful window replacement project, installation costs are not included in the 2009/2010 tax credit. Your sales receipt should break out qualifying product costs separately.

In addition to your sales receipt, you will also need to save the NFRC label from each window or the Manufacturer’s Certification Statement with your tax documents.

Renewal by Andersen makes it easy for homeowners to take advantage of the new federal tax credit with its extensive selection of windows and patio doors with glass packages that meet or exceed the performance criteria to be eligible for the credit.

In fact, Delahunt says, virtually all Renewal by Andersen windows with High-Performance Low-E4 SmartSun glass are eligible for the tax credit. These same windows with SmartSun glass are up to 47 percent more energy efficient in winter and up to 70 percent more energy efficient in summer compared to ordinary dual pane glass — making a big impact on reducing your energy bills.

Homeowners interested in learning more about Renewal by Andersen products that may qualify can visit www.renewalbyandersen.com or call (800) 630-5838.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

David Lelak of IHI Home Inspections serves Canton, Alpharetta, Roswell, Cumming, Woodstock, Atlanta and all of North Georgia. 

We are proud to offer our new FREE Home Concierge Services where one call does it all, Satellite, Internet, Cable TV, Home Security, and Phone.  Call 1-866-594-4871 and provide them with access code 1008126.  Call our Free Home Concierge Services to save time, save money and simplify life!
You can also schedule your own home inspection today online.

We create Peace of Mind ONE Home Inspection at a time. 

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As a home inspector I love sharing tips and information with home owners and I ran across an article that listed several of the top home improvements that could be done for less than five hundred dollars.  When you’re trying to sell your home one of the best things to check is your curb appeal. 

1. Wall paper just one wall in a room – this alone can change the appearance of a room dramatically and yet still be affordable. 

2. Kitchen roll outs – take out the out dated shelves and add kitchen roll outs.  This is one of the most satisfying upgrades you can do.  It brings everything that was tucked away into sight.  (Don’t tell my wife, I can just see this being added to my honey do list!)  They say this only takes 15 minutes per rollout, Let me know your opinion.

3. Track lighting – this is another addition to our home that my wife wants to add.  Track lighting lets you put the lighting exactly where you want it.  My wife has an island that she wants to add this to.  (I see my list growing.)

4. Closet organized – The name of this one says it all.  Wire shelving is inexpensive and easy to install.  Organization is the key to happiness. 

5. Add curb appeal – transform your front entrance with small accents and minor changes. 

There you go 5 top home improvements that you can do without a lot of hassle and it won’t take a fortune to do it.  Now that I’ve given you this list I had better go get started on my own.  For your pre listing inspections be sure to give your Atlanta Home inspector a call today at 404-788-2581. 

Now if you’re like my wife, if I did all five of these to get it ready for sell, we may be rethinking the idea.

David Lelak of IHI Home Inspections serves Canton, Alpharetta, Roswell, Cumming, Woodstock,

Atlanta and all of North Georgia.  Call David today at 404-788-2581 to get your dream home

inspected.

We are proud to offer our new FREE Home Concierge Services where one call does it all,

Satellite, Internet, Cable TV, Home Security, and Phone.  Call 1-866-594-4871 and provide

them with access code 1008126.  Call our Free Home Concierge Services to save time, save

money and simplify life!

You can also schedule your own home inspection today online.

We create Peace of Mind ONE Home Inspection at a time. 

Also download our free report “How To Avoid The Blind Home Inspector” and a sample of our

inspection report.

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As the Atlanta Home Inspector I am constantly looking for home owner tips to help out new and old home owners alike.  I ran across this one from a guy by the name of Kent Keith from Fort Worth Texas. It was called cheap wall paper remover and is definately one of those things that I have never heard of. You use old fashioned windshield washer fluid, check out the rest of his Kent Keith’s blog for more information.

David Lelak of IHI Home Inspections serves Canton, Alpharetta, Roswell, Cumming, Woodstock, Atlanta and all of North Georgia. Call him today at 404-788-2581 to get your dream home inspected.

We are proud to offer our new FREE Home Concierge Services where one call does it all, Satellite, Internet, Cable TV, Home Security, and Phone. Call 1-866-594-4871 and provide them with access code 1008126. Call our Free Home Concierge Services to save time, save money and simplify life!

You can also schedule your own home inspection today online.

We create Peace of Mind ONE Home Inspection at a time.

Also download our free report “How To Avoid The Blind Home Inspector” and a sample of our inspection report.

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Here is a great tip for making your home inspection go smoother from David Lelak an Atlanta Hme Inspector.

Find out how simply lowering your grade around your house can help with selling your home faster and with less hassel or why you want to maintain the grade level and what this prevents….

David Lelak of IHI Home Inspections serves Canton, Alpharetta, Roswell, Cumming, Woodstock, Atlanta and all of North Georgia.
You can also schedule your own home inspection today.

We create Peace of Mind ONE Home Inspection at a time.

Also download our free report “How To Avoid The Blind Home Inspector” and a sample of our inspection report

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As an Atlanta home inspector, I like to give tips on the best ways to maintain your property. This time, I want to talk to you about your gutters and downspouts. They should be cleaned and inspected at least semi-annually. Typically the best times to tackle the job or spring and fall. The reason that you need to keep your gutters cleaned out is because when their full and backed up, flooding can occur as well as roof leaks caused by water seepage.

There’s no easy way to tackle this job and if you’re not a really great do-it-yourselfer there are professional companies that you can hire that will do the job for you. Using a garden often washes debris into the downspouts and often causes clogs and consequently more work.

The best way to do this job is to simply attach a latter to the roof and have a garbage bag or a bucket handy so that you can take and clean the gutters and put the debris in the bucket or bag. Then use a garden hose to wash away the dirt or residue.

If by chance there is a backlog in your downspouts. Then you’ll need to use a plumber’s snake to dislodge the clog! Hope this helps home owners out there.. And if you have screens on your gutters, lucky you.

Now just for your enjoyment here’s a video showing what happens when you allow a blockage in your system

IHI Home Inspections serves Canton, Alpharetta, Roswell, Cumming, Woodstock, Atlanta and all of North Georgia.

You can also schedule your own home inspection online today!

We create Peace of Mind ONE Home Inspection at a time.

Also download our free report “How To Avoid The Blind Home Inspector” and a sample of our inspection report.

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Atlanta Home Inspector gives you several reasons why you should never buy a new home without a home inspection. So many times we think we’re getting the best home possible without the issues that an older home would have. I mean, let’s face it “it’s a brand new roof, and a reputable builder with great contractors.”

Well I just had the privilege of doing a home inspection on another brand new home and one of the main issues was the painters failed to finish painting the area around the upper roof line and it would not have been seen if I had not walked the roof. But the roof alone once again had several small issues and I ended up with over 25 pictures. Now nothing that I found was a deal killer, but it was definitely issues that the home owner needed taken care of. When I inspect a new home I go out of my way to let the new home owner know that I am gong to point out even small stuff, so that the builder is not stuck with it later on, right now the contractors are still around, who knows what will happen in a year, the contractors may still be there or they may not. So let’s take care of things right now.

Please let me encourage you, to encourage your new home buyers to have an inspection done. It is such a great way to have your check list ready.
David Lelak of IHI Home Inspections serves Canton, Alpharetta, Roswell, Cumming, Woodstock, Atlanta and all of North Georgia. Be sure to visit us at www.AskYourGeorgiaHomeInspector.com

You can also schedule your own home inspection online today!

We create Peace of Mind ONE Home Inspection at a time.

Also download our free report “How To Avoid The Blind Home Inspector” and a sample of our inspection report.

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David Lelak, an Atlanta Home Inspector was out doing an Alpharetta Home Inspection and found the issue where the electric wire coming directly into the home had a large gap all the way around where the wire came in. This is not a big deal; it is more of a maintenance issue. There are two reasons that you would want to seal around wiring or plumbing coming from the outside to the inside.

The first reason is to prevent entrance to insects and rodents. You don’t want these critters sharing your living space. The second reason would be to prevent heat or cooling loss, especially if the hole is in a conditioned area. A simple fix for this is to use a foam spray called Great Stuff. You simply spray it in and it expands to fill the cracks and holes.

Getting your home inspected by a certified home inspector can not only help with the major safety issues, but it can help with maintenance issues and energy efficient issues also.

David Lelak of IHI Home Inspections serves Canton, Alpharetta, Roswell, Cumming, Woodstock, Atlanta and all of North Georgia.  Be sure to visit us at www.AskYourGeorgiaHomeInspector.com

You can also schedule your own home inspection online today.

We create Peace of Mind ONE Home Inspection at a time.

Also download our free report “How To Avoid The Blind Home Inspector” and a sample of our inspection report.

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