Ask the Charlotte Home Inspector

You may have heard recent news stories about investment in an electrical Smart Grid, but wondered, “What’s so smart about it?” Loosely defined, “Smart Grid” is a term used to describe investments and upgrades to the nation’s electrical grid, making it function more efficiently and in a more environmentally-sensitive manner. We all understand the effect [...]

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How smart is your thermostat? Probably smart enough to let you program temperature settings based on the weather and household activity for the week. But now, there is a thermostat that is smart enough to let you perform these functions via the Internet. A “smart thermostat”, (also known as a digital programmable thermostat) lets you [...]

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Most people don’t realize it, but it is not washing dishes or taking a shower that uses the most water during the day. It is actually the act of flushing a toilet. Older, less efficient toilets operate by passing over three gallons of water through the plumbing system with each flush. As water resources become [...]

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A geodesic dome is a structure built in an almost spherical shape—a structure made from struts set on large circles. Because of its curved walls and ceiling, these domes use approximately a third less surface area to enclose the same volume as a traditional box home. In fact, the geodesic dome has the highest ratio [...]

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GREEN BUILDING – You

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As fall turns to winter, energy usage turns into higher energy bills and, according to the Department of Energy, 2007 energy costs are increasing. While there are plenty of costly ways to save on your utility bills this winter — buying a high efficiency furnace, radiant floor heating system or solar-paneled roof — there also [...]

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You

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As you head up to the attic to bring out the holiday decorations — or to hide that perfect gift — there

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If you

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From compact fluorescent light bulbs to ENERGY STAR-rated appliances, consumers are interested in the latest and greatest

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