- A/C Coil – Dog Urine Damage - Is there a male dog in the yard where the A/C “compressor” (condenser) is located? If you answered yes, you should consider erecting a fence around the unit to prevent catastrophic damage. Dog urine has a strong and very acidic content. If a dog urinates on the unit, the metal frame may be damaged over [...]Read More about A/C Coil – Dog Urine Damage
- A/C Condensor Maintenance - The exterior part of your air-conditioning system or heat pump called the condenser is often referred to as the compressor. A little annual maintenance goes a long way in extending its life and reducing utility bills. The exterior unit, called the condenser is in fact three pieces of equipment in one casing. The “automobile radiator [...]Read More about A/C Condensor Maintenance
- Asbestos in Heating Components - Asbestos was a common form of insulation in older homes, particularly on central heating boilers and the associated components. Its effectiveness was excellent, unfortunately there is a downside with serious health concerns should the asbestos fibers become airborne. In many older homes asbestos can be seen on the air ducts, hot water or steam radiator [...]Read More about Asbestos in Heating Components
- Best Type of Air Filters - The best type of air filter is an accordion type high efficiency filter. These filters stop dirt, cat and dog hair, most cigarette smoke, and the majority of pollen’s. There are various models available, however some of them need the air duct system modified so they can be added. The most practical are the type [...]Read More about Best Type of Air Filters
- Boiler, Hot Water Heat - Many older homes and some new ones have boilers supplying heat using radiators or under floor piping. The boilers usually operate on fuel oil or gas. There are a few electric boilers still in operation. It does not matter which system the house has, they all operate using the same basic principals. Types of Boiler [...]Read More about Boiler, Hot Water Heat
- Choosing a New Heating and Cooling System - If you are considering adding air conditioning or heating to a house, the first thing to understand is how air travels. Hot air rises to the ceiling and cold air sinks to the floor. With this in mind the ideal house would have two sets of duct work, one for cooling that puts out air [...]Read More about Choosing a New Heating and Cooling System
- Combustion / Make Up Air - If the furnace and/or hot water heater is located in a small closet type room, it must have adequate air supplied through vent pipes from the attic, louvered doors to the room, or a large air vent in the wall. Combustion Air Requirement Unconfined space – minimum 50 cubic feet of space per 1000 btu [...]Read More about Combustion / Make Up Air
- HVAC Life Expectancy - When it comes to anticipating the life of heating and cooling equipment, the average life expectancy is not as defined as with other pieces equipment in the home. Generally the better quality equipment will usually outlast the less expensive “builder installed” models. There is really no way of knowing how long equipment will last, it [...]Read More about HVAC Life Expectancy
- HVAC Remodeling Danger - Furnaces can not be located in any bedroom, bathroom or closet. All oil and gas burning appliances need a plentiful supply of air to operate efficiently and safely. When a gas or oil-burning unit is starved of air/oxygen it burns inefficiently and creates excessive amounts of carbon monoxide. At the time a gas/oil burning furnace [...]Read More about HVAC Remodeling Danger
- HVAC Service Intervals - Depending on what type of heating you have the service interval will differ. Oil fired furnaces should be serviced annually, the oil filter changed, nozzle cleaned, and burner blower lubricated. Oil fired units loose efficiency yearly unless serviced, making them expensive to operate the second year of being unserviced. High-efficiency (92%) gas furnaces should be [...]Read More about HVAC Service Intervals
- Thermostat Settings - The better insulated your home is the more you can benefit from a programmable thermostat. Un-insulated or poorly insulated homes will loose too much heat when the unit is turned down for an extended period of time, causing the residual temperature of the structure and its contents to drop. The amount of heat needed to [...]Read More about Thermostat Settings
- Whole House Fans - Whole house fans lost popularity during the cheap energy years when everyone wanted to run the air conditioner 24/7. A well positioned whole house fan, used properly will cool most houses down to a comfortable level during all but the most humid summer days. They are particularly effective in the north during the early summer [...]Read More about Whole House Fans
- Winterizing AC - There is nothing necessary. Many homeowners incorrectly believe that it is important to cover the condenser for the winter. It is not necessary or advisable, to cover and wrap the air conditioning condenser with a tarp or plastic cover during the winter. The manufacturer designed the condenser unit knowing that it would be outside and [...]Read More about Winterizing AC
Dayton, Ohio Home Inspectors
Gas Line Dirt Legs
Gas and particularly natural gas piping may have traces of sediment or particulates in it, especially if work has been done to the underground piping under the street. To trap any contaminates before they flow into the appliance, blocking the burner and creating problems for the home owner a series of dirt legs are installed. […]Read More about Gas Line Dirt Legs
Thermostat Placement Is Crucial
A badly placed thermostat plays havoc with the heating and cooling of a house. In this case the wall light creates a warm zone beside the thermostat causing it to register hotter than the rest of the house. This means that it reaches what it registers as the set temperature shutting the furnace down before […]Read More about Thermostat Placement Is Crucial
Bath Overflow Loose
All too often the overflow on the bathtub is loose or worse yet loose and the gasket damaged. If the bath is filled up to the overflow and it is loose the water will go down behind the tub which if it’s on the second floor could damage the ceiling. The water can also create […]Read More about Bath Overflow Loose
Bonding Gas Piping
A bonding wire is often mistaken for a ground wire, it does not go to ground but back to the electric panel. When it is connected to black iron *(steel)* piping the paint under the clamp must be removed with a rasp or sandpaper to make a good contact, paint reduces the contact rendering the […]Read More about Bonding Gas Piping
High Efficiency Furnaces In Attic
High efficiency furnaces recognisable by the white PVC flue pipe, installed in an unheated attic is not your best choice of location, it may be the only place to put it which does not change the fact that it is not ideal. Yes, many builders and furnace installers are installing them in the attic without […]Read More about High Efficiency Furnaces In Attic
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 707
Xenia, OH 45385
Address (No walk-ins)
120 West Second Street
Dayton, OH 45402
