The washing machine and clothes dryer often leave the house with the seller. However, certain safety checks in the utility room can still be made regardless.

A qualified home inspector will first check if the clothes dryer’s appliance hose connection is secure. The inspector will then check if the vent piping, from the dryer to the vent exit, is in good condition. The inspector will verify that the vent terminates outside and that the outside exhaust port is functional and in good condition, to avoid lint buildup and reduced airflow.

On the washing machine, the inspector will check to make sure the outlet is grounded in order to operate the washer safely. The inspector will then check to make sure the water hose is approved for use as a water line, and that the washer drain standpipe is the correct size.

Clothes Dryer Safety

Fires can occur when lint builds up in the dryer or in the exhaust duct. Lint build-up can block the air-flow and cause heat to build-up, which could result in a fire.

Follow these tips to help prevent fires in your clothes dryer:

• Clean the lint screen/filter before and after each load

• Check the vent pipe outside while the dryer is running to make sure the exhaust air is escaping. If not, the exhaust pipe may be blocked.

• Keep the area around your dryer clear of clutter

• Clean behind the dryer where lint may build up

• Be especially cautious when drying clothes that have been soiled with cooking oils, gasoline or other chemicals. If possible, wash these clothing items more than once and use the lowest heat setting on the dryer.

Green Your Washing Machine. . .

According to National Geographic’s “The Green Guide,” energy-efficient washing machines can use up to 50 percent less energy and 60 percent less water than standard machines. If your washing machine is a water-guzzler or an older model, consider replacing it with an energy-efficient front loader.

Front-loading washing machines use about 40 to 60 percent less water and 30 to 50 percent less energy than top-loading machines, according to “The Green Guide.” Energy-Star rated models use about half the amount of water per load than traditional models.

Here are some usage tips for your washing machine:

• Wash only full loads

• Wash your clothes in cold water. If there is something you must wash in hot water, use cold water in the rinse cycle

• Adjust the washing machine so the water levels match the load of laundry

• Use less detergent to avoid having to run extra rinse cycles

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• Keep exterior improvements in proportion to your home and neighborhood. Avoid improvements that would make your exterior seem over-the-top compared to your neighbor’s home.

• If repainting your home, choose a color that won’t draw attention in the wrong way. Choose a contrasting accent color for your shutters and doors and a lighter color for the windows and trim.

• Choose a mix of plants that will create an attention-grabbing landscape year round.

• If there is a mature tree in your front yard that’s blocking the front of your home, hire a professional to trim it instead of cutting it down.

• Don’t overlook the small improvements. Updating light fixtures and adding potted plants can be inexpensive ways to improve the look of an entry.

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Windows and doors in a commercial or residential property are important for aesthetics, safety and energy efficiency. Understanding the type, function and condition of the windows and doors can help determine future maintenance projects.

A National Property Inspections professional will assess the condition and safety of doors and windows on the exterior and interior of the home. The inspector will determine the type of front door. The NPI professional will observe the door’s condition to see if it is warped, split or scratched. The inspector will also perform a visual inspection of the condition of the windows. The most common problems for windows are cracked, missing or broken panes.

Inside, the NPI professional will check the window and door operation. The inspector will also look for the presence of screens or storm windows and breaks or cracks in the window panes.

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• If you have a gas water heater, check the pilot light. If you smell gas, turn off the gas supply to the water heater and call for service. If you don’t smell gas, and feel comfortable doing so, you may attempt to re-light the pilot by following the instructions on the water heater.

• Check to make sure the gas supply is on. Check other gas appliances in your home or ask neighbors if their gas supply is working.

• If you have an electric water heater, check the circuit breaker or fuse. Reset the breaker/fuse once if there is no visible damage at the water heater or the electrical panel.

• Electric water heaters have a high-limit switch under the top cover. If you feel comfortable, remove the cover and reset this switch once by pushing the button.

If you don’t feel comfortable attempting to reset or re-light your water heater, it is important to call for service.

Article courtesy of John Benson of National Property Inspections

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• Reduce your hot water use by repairing leaks in fixtures and installing new low-flow fixtures on showerheads and faucets. When replacing dishwashers or clothes washers, purchase energy-efficient appliances with an Energy Star® label.
• Lower the thermostat setting on your water heater. You can save between 3 to 5 percent for each 10 degree reduction in your water temperature. Consult your water heater owner’s manual first.
• If you have an electric water heater, install a timer that will shut off the water heater at night when you don’t use hot water and during your utility’s peak demand times. This could save an additional 5 to 12 percent of energy.
• Insulate your water heater tank and hot water pipes..

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Q: How do I check if my fireplace is in good condition?

Fireplaces are considered very inefficient heat sources, but they are a feature homeowners look for in their homes. There are two types of fireplaces: brick (or sometimes rock) and mortar fireplaces and a prefab unit with masonry surrounding it.

Fireplaces and chimneys are part of a general inspection. A home inspector will check for major cracks in the masonry surrounding the firebox. The inspector will then look into the flue and operate the damper to verify that it works.

Because the inspection is a visual inspection, the inspector cannot see if there are any internal problems within the chimney, but they can inspect the exterior of the chimney by observing the condition of the masonry.

The inspector will then look for creosote stains leaking out from the mortar joints, which would indicate that there is a break in the flue liner.

For more information, visit my preferred home inspector’s website, at npiweb.com/benson

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The following is a simple checklist of energy conservation/efficiency measures to use at home.

Today

• Turn down the temperature of your water heater to the warm setting (120°F). You’ll not only save energy, you’ll avoid scalding your hands.
• Check if your water heater has an insulating blanket. An insulating blanket will pay for itself in one year or less!
• Heating can account for almost half of the average family’s winter energy bill. Make sure your furnace or heat pump receives professional maintenance each year. And look for the ENERGY STAR® label when replacing your system.
• Review additional strategies to reduce your water heating bills. Water heating can account for 14%-25% of the energy consumed in your home.
• Survey your incandescent lights for opportunities to replace them with compact fluorescents (CFLs) or light-emitting diodes (LEDs). CFLs can save three-quarters of the electricity used by incandescents. The best targets are 60-100 W bulbs used several hours a day. Measure the clearance in the fixtures to make sure they will accommodate compact fluorescents, which are slightly bigger than incandescents.
• Turn off the lights in unoccupied rooms or consider installing timers, photo cells, or occupancy sensors to reduce the amount of time your lights are on.
• Install a programmable thermostat that can be adjusted to temperatures according to your schedule.
• During winter, open curtains on your south-facing windows during the day to allow sunlight to naturally heat your home, and close them at night to reduce the chill you may feel from cold windows.
• Clean or replace filters in your furnace, air-conditioner, and heat-pump.
• ENERGY STAR® labeled products can cut your energy bills by up to 30 percent. Find retailers near you at http://www.energystar.gov/ when you’re ready to replace your heating and cooling systems—as well as appliances, lighting, windows, office equipment, and home electronics.

This Week

• Visit the hardware store. Buy a water-heater blanket, low-flow showerheads, faucet aerators, and compact fluorescents, as needed. If you can’t find compact fluorescents locally, check out ENERGY guide or Energy Federation Incorporated.
• Rope caulk leaky windows.
• Assess your heating and cooling systems. Determine if replacements are justified, or whether you should retrofit them to make them work more efficiently to provide the same comfort (or better) for less energy.

This Month

• Collect your utility bills. Separate electricity and fuel bills. Target the largest energy consumer or the largest bill for energy conservation measures.
• Insulate your hot water pipes to prevent heat loss.
• Insulate heating ducts in unheated areas, such as attics and crawlspaces. Keeping ducts in good repair can prevent heat loss of up to 60 percent at the registers.
• Seal up the largest air leaks in your house—the ones that whistle on windy days, or feel drafty. The worst culprits are usually not windows and doors, but utility cut-throughs for pipes (“plumbing penetrations”), gaps around chimneys and recessed lights in insulated ceilings, and unfinished spaces behind cupboards and closets. Better yet, hire an energy auditor with a blower door to point out where the worst cracks are. All the little, invisible cracks and holes may add up to as much as an open window or door, without you ever knowing it!
• Install a clock thermostat to set your thermostat back automatically at night.
• Schedule an energy audit (ask your utility company or state energy office) for more expert advice on your home as a whole. Learn more about home energy audits.

This Year

• Insulate. If your walls aren’t insulated have an insulation contractor blow cellulose into the walls. Bring your attic insulation level up to snuff.
• Replace aging, inefficient appliances. Even if the appliance has a few useful years left, replacing it with a top-efficiency model is generally a good investment. Especially check the age and condition of your refrigerator.
• Upgrade leaky windows. It may be time to replace them with energy-efficient models or to boost their efficiency with weatherstripping and storm windows. The typical home loses more than 25 percent of its heat through windows.
• Reduce your air conditioning costs by planting shade trees and shrubs around your house—especially on the west side.
• Know that you are making a difference!

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1. Shop Around

Shopping around can save you a good sum of money. Ask your friends or contact your state insurance department. Also check consumer guides, insurance agetns and online insurance quote services.

2. Raise your deductible

The higher your deductible, the more money you can save on your premiums. If you can afford to raise your deductible to $1000, you may save as much as 25%.

3. Don’t confuse what you paid for your house with rebuilding costs.

The land under your house isn’t at risk from theft, windstorm, fire and other perils covered in your homeowners policy. So don’t include its value in deciding how much homeowners insurance to buy. If you do, you will pay a higher premium than you should.

4. Buy your home and auto policies from the same insurer.

Some companies will take 5 to 15% offer your premium if you buy two or more policies

5. Make your home more disaster resistant.

Find out from your insurance agent or company representative what steps you can take to make your home more resistant to wind storms and other natural disasters.

6. Improve your home security.

You can usually get discounts for a smoke detect her, burglar alarm, or dead bolt locks. Some companies offer to cut your premiums by as much as 15 or 20% if you install a sophisticated sprinkler system and a fire and burglar alarm rings at the police, fire, or other monitoring stations.

7. Seek out other discounts.

Companies offer several types of discounts. For example, if your at least 55 years old and retired you may qualify for a discount of up to 10% at some companies.

8. Maintain a good credit record.

Establishing a solid credit history can cut your insurance costs. Insurers are increasingly using credit information to price homeowners insurance policies. To protect your credit standing, pay your bills on time, don’t obtain more credit than you need and keep your credit balance is as low as possible. Check your credit record on a regular basis and have any errors corrected promptly.

9. Stay with the same insurer.

Some insurers were reduced premiums by 5% if you stay with them for 3 to 5 years and by 10% if you remain a policyholder for six years or more.

10. Periodically review your policy and insure wisely.

Review your policy limits and the value of your possessions at least once a year. you want your policy to cover any major purchases or additions to your home. But you don’t want to spend money for coverage you don’t need. Although you want to lower your homeowners insurance costs you don’t want to be underinsured either !

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