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Home Inspectors Discover Serious Water Heater Venting Problem

Hot Water Heater Vent Flue Disconnected

At this home inspection I came across a hot water heater in a utility closet in which the vent flue had become disconnected at the ceiling.  In addition to the exhaust and CO venting directly to the closet, you can see that the paper on the adjacent sheetrock is heavily charred from the exhaust heat. 

The home owner stated that the water heater was professionally installed less than 6 months ago.  Lucky for them, the door to the utility closet sealed fairly securely which slowed the flow of CO into the living area of the home.  I recommended to the home owner that they contact the installer immediately for emergency repairs to the vent flue.

You cannot see or smell carbon monoxide (CO), but at high levels it can kill a person in minutes. It is the leading cause of poisoning death, with over 500 victims in the United States each year.  The initial symptoms of CO poisoning are similar to the flu but without the fever. They include headache, fatigue, shortness of breath, nausea, dizziness, vomiting, disorientation, and loss of consciousness.

 Rik Erickson, Home Inspector, HomePro Home Inspections. Rochester MN, Southeastern, MN. 507-202-8942. http://www.homepro-inspection.com

Posted on Monday, April 26th, 2010.
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Posted in Inspectors Blog, Oh My Gosh..., Plumbing

Rochester MN Home Inspector Discloses How to Cut Costs Efficiently, and Green up Your Home
It can be a challenge to keep your home cool and comfortable while keeping your energy bills in control, especially with the arrival of warmer weather.  There are a few steps you can take now that will make your home more environmentally friendly while saving money and natural resources.
 
Air conditioners, fans, and other appliances that we run in the summer can eat up energy and drive up our utility costs.  According to the EPA, the energy used in the average home is responsible for twice the greenhouse gas emissions that the average passenger car.  Below are a few tips that you can implement that will help reduce your energy consumption and help to keep you comfortable.
 
Install a programmable thermostat and pre-set your indoor temperatures.  This can save you up to 6% on your energy costs for every degree you raise your thermostat this summer.  Most models are simple to operate, allowing you to program them around your family’s schedules.

If you have an old air conditioning unit, you may want to upgrade to a newer system that meets or exceeds the government energy standards.  For example, it is possible to have savings of up to 47% on new heating and air conditioning costs with a newer model.  Thanks to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, you may be eligible for tax credits if a new air condition and/or heating system meets energy efficiency requirements.   

Turn off lights and keep costs down.  Being more efficient with your lighting is one of the fastest ways to reduce your electricity bills.  Turning off lights when you leave a room will add to your energy savings. 

How efficient are your exterior doors?  Old doors with poor seals may contribute to higher energy usage.  New exterior doors usually fit and seal better than older doors.  A new energy efficient door can help to stabilize your interior temperatures and decrease your energy usage.

Some other simple energy savers…  Even small acts of green can make a difference. Turning off your computer and monitor when not in use; lowering the thermostat on your water heater to 120 degrees; taking short showers instead of baths and washing only full loads of dishes and clothes can all add up to big savings on your homes energy consumption.

Rick Erickson, Home Inspector, HomePro Home Inspections. Rochester MN, Southeastern, MN. 507-202-8942. http://www.homepro-inspection.com

Posted on Friday, April 23rd, 2010.
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Posted in Inspectors Blog, Monthly Home Tip

Stacy G. Rochester, MN

I greatly appreciate the time you took to provide a thorough home inspection and explanation.  The report you provided was well organized and easy to understand, the photo’s were helpfull too.  Thanks for the great service.  I will definately recommend you as a home inspector to others!  Almost forgot – I love the tags you put on all of the gas and water valves.  Thanks.

Posted on Friday, April 23rd, 2010.
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Posted in Client Feedback

Rondell G. Rochester, MN

Rick’s service was a great value for the money.

Posted on Sunday, April 18th, 2010.
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Posted in Client Feedback

Thank you for being so flexible with your schedule.  We couldn’t have been happier with the home inspection.  Rick walked us through every detail of the home.  Thank you.

Megan O, Patrick G. Rochester, MN

We were very impressed with the detail of the home inspection! There were many areas covered in the home inspection report that we would never have suspected.   Great Job!

Jerome & Shirley P, Byron, MN

You shared everything and provided ideas on how to fix a few issues.  You really know your home inspection stuff.  Thank you for all of your help!

Eric O, Rochester, MN

Call and schedule your inspection today 507.202.8942