Most people don’t know how easy it is to make their homes run on less energy, and here at InterNACHI, we want to change that. Drastic reductions in heating, cooling and electricity costs can be accomplished through very simple changes, most of which homeowners can do themselves. Of course, for homeowners who want to take advantage of the most up-to-date knowledge and systems in home energy efficiency, InterNACHI energy auditors can perform in-depth testing to find the best energy solutions for your particular home. Why make your home more energy efficient? Here are a few good reasons:
- Federal, state, utility and local jurisdictions’ financial incentives, such as tax breaks, are very advantageous for homeowners in most parts of the U.S.
- It saves money. It costs less to power a home that has been converted to be more energy-efficient.
- It increases the comfort level indoors.
- It reduces our impact on climate change. Many scientists now believe that excessive energy consumption contributes significantly to global warming.
- It reduces pollution. Conventional power production introduces pollutants that find their way into the air, soil and water supplies.
A thermography inspection or infrared camera inspection is the latest thing in the inspection industry. Although it has been around for years it is now just starting to gain world wide popularity. Often times it is misconceived as being X-ray vision. Although it is not X-ray vision it is the closest thing on the market to it. In the hands of a trained certified infrared thermographer it can produce invaluable results. It can be used to detect leaks, missing or deficient insulation, overheating electrical components, heat/air loss and much more. It is a good idea to include a thermography/infrared camera inspection in your contingency clause. Without this state of the art technology in the hands of a certified infrared inspector your only getting half the inspection you deserve. We at Stocks Home Inspection are proud to announce that we are one of the few home inspection services in Michigan that’s not only qualified to offer this service, but is offering this service at an affordable rate!
1. Recharge Fire extinguishers
Asbestos is a greek word meaning inextinguishable. It has been identified as a carcinogen, a naturally occuring fibrous mineral found in certain types of rock formations throughout the world. Asbestos fibers are strong, won’t burn, resist corrosion, and insulates well. That’s why until 1978 it was the staple for architectural & construction applications. Asbestos is used in products such as cement siding, roof shingles, vinyl floors, ceiling tiles, textured paints, insulation, and more. Asbestos containing material in the home doesn’t necessarily pose a health risk. Asbestos is
only dangerous when damaged, disturbed, or deteriorates over time. They release tiny fibers which become airborne and inhaled through the nose & mouth and then lodged into the lungs. According to the EPA ( Environmental Protection Agency) every year 3,300-12,000 people die from exposure to asbestos. If the asbestos material is in an area where renovations will not occur, the EPA suggest that it is best left alone. If your home was built prior to 1980, it is a good chance that your home or building contains some kind of asbestos material. You should contact a qualified asbestos abatement professional to evaluate. For more information on environmental health hazards please visit 
The answer to the question is probably. Most homes that I have come across during a home inspection seem to lack a splash block or leader at the end of the downspout to lead the water coming down the spout away from the foundation of the property. It may seem like no big deal now, but if your home has a faulty drainage system or missing leaders than your in for big trouble. One of the major problems to a home is water damage. When there is no device to lead the water away, what happens is that the water coming down the spout will just start to pool around the foundation wall. Over time your foundation wall will start to crack and deteriorate, and then you will have water coming into the home, and once that happens more problems will follow; mold, mildew, pest, and damage to your home, which will be very costly to repair. So if your one of the many who do not have a leader or splash block at the end of your downspouts, I recommend going to your local hardware store and purchasing one for each downspout. Also check to make sure that gutters and downspouts are functioning properly and not in need of repair or cleaning.