A building or home’s HVAC system might be considered to be the “lungs” of the structure. HVAC, which stands for “heating, ventilation and air conditioning,” literally helps a building to “breathe.” Additionally, HVAC controls allow the user to maintain a desired temperature in the building. Some HVAC controls even allow for “zone control.” A building’s HVAC system is responsible for circulating fresh air and heat (or cool air) throughout the structure. Contaminants and pollutants would linger and stagnate inside of buildings if not for this. The ventilation component pulls fresh air from outside ...

A major source of systemic risk-one that can produce not only regionally concentrated loan losses but also tragic loss of life-is seismic risk. Lenders have long relied on a combination of insurance and due diligence to protect themselves from various forms of disaster, but earthquake insurance for commercial real estate has become cost prohibitive. In search of a substitute, lenders have increasingly relied on “probable maximum loss” reports to identify the risk of an asset being damaged in an earthquake. The purpose of this article is to help lenders understand how ...

Living in Riverside County is am amazing thing. The weather is usually nice and you are not too far from anything. Drive an hour in nearly any direction and you are bound to hit something fun, whether it is San Diego, Los Angeles, the beach, desert, or snow. However, with living in Riverside County comes the need for an air conditioner in the summer and a heater in the winter, as well as the need for a good heating service. There seems to be a general consensus that heaters and ...

Many northern homeowners enjoy the perks of having a basement. Once the basement is waterproofed, it can then be finished into the room of your dreams. This room can become a guest bedroom, a bar, an entertainment room, or even a game room. With lots of space and convenience, this space can add some serious value to your home and provide comfort when seeking shelter during a storm. Why don’t all homeowners have basements? The good certainly outweighs the bad, but why is it that homeowners and builders tend to have ...

It’s been said that there’s no place like home, but is that because of its beauty or dysfunction? You deserve a safe, healthy and comfortable home. Before you buy a home that could bring on the discomfort, check out the crawl space. Although it can develop some issues along the way, there aren’t too many problems that a repair expert will be unable to fix. What problems should you be on the look out for and how should you respond? Well, let’s check them out. Moisture Moisture can enter into the environment through ...

There are a number of problems one can experience when they purchase or live in an older home. After a few decades, houses may require a good deal of repair and renovation, including heating and cooling, pipes, and interior. Before you undertake an immense architectural project, make sure that you have enough funds to complete what you want to. Make note of what you would like to change or fix within your residence. Find estimates online or hire a professional to inform you of what the costs may be for ...

When you are dreaming about remodeling your home you want to make sure that you take the time to make extensive plans. There are many people that do not understand how much can go wrong if they are not planning out their dreams. Many people get frustrated with their remodeling and often times the dream turns into disaster. Take the time to thoroughly plan out and efficiently discuss your plans so that your remodeling can be made into a reality. First, take the time to draw out everything that you ...

If you are thinking about redecorating your home or apartment, consider the effects that your sense of style can have upon the first impression that you make to visitors. This is often the first thing they see of you, and can have a dramatic effect on their personal opinions. If you are a bachelor, this is particularly true. When you are a single guy, there are certain things you want to evoke in the various aspects of your life. You want to appear successful, confident, mature, sophisticated, and even a little ...

When it comes to outdoor remodeling, picking out your new furniture and hot tub may be the cleanest of all of the related tasks, but not necessarily the easiest. The style and colors of this furniture and hot tube will give a certain feeling to your backyard that will either welcome guests to a polite tea party, a modern dance, or a different environment altogether. These styles will help determine what kind of parties you have when you invite people over. The hot tub and furniture you choose will also influence ...

There are a number of things that can go wrong with masonry chimneys, but the good news is that all of these problems can be solved if you contact the right professional. Here’s a brief summary of the major issues that come up with masonry chimneys. Cap problemsThe top of a masonry chimney typically has a concrete cap that slopes down from one or more ceramic liners that extend up through the center of the chimney. Over time, cracks will form in the concrete, and they are certain to grow larger ...

What’s in the foundation doesn’t exactly stay in the foundation. In fact, the air won’t just vent out either! Keeping the air in a crawl space clean is just as important as keeping your home’s foundation secure. Did you know that your home’s stability is greatly influenced by the condition of your crawl space? It’s true! What’s the Problem? The foundation can develop various problems when left unfixed could cause serious issues for your home. A home’s stability and endurance can sometimes become dependent upon the foundation. We’ve all heard that people ...

If a property does not have the proper drainage system the result can be severe flooding of the yard, basement, and even the garage. Because soil particles come in a variety of sizes, soil permeability can vary. For instance, soils with small particles are called cohesionless soils. As well, there is soil with large particles such as gravel and sand. If you have problems with flooding of your basement or garage, you may need a specific type of drain called a sand trap drain. Structures built on cohesionless soils can ...

Are you trying to determine what type of neighborhood is right for you? While there are many factors you will need to consider when trying to select the right neighborhood, one decision you will need to make is what type of neighborhood you want to live in. There are actually several different types of neighborhoods to select from. Here is a look at the types of neighborhoods that are available if you want to remain close to all of the action the city has to offer. Urban Core (Downtown) An urban core ...

Due to the property slump, the rental market has become intensely competitive over the past few years. Tenants are increasingly beginning to differentiate properties on the basis of price as well as quality. If you want to attract new tenants into your old rental properties, there are several things you could do. If you are having difficulties attracting tenants to your old rental properties, it would be wise to reassess the rent you are asking for. Compare the features of your rental unit (age, condition and remodeling, number of rooms, size ...

Any bathroom, full or half, large or small, should be kept as germ-free and clean as possible. It is a fact that this is one of the rooms in any average house that serves as a breeding ground for unhealthy germs and bacteria. Certain detergents and soaps, made specifically to fight the bacteria that grows in this room, should always be used to prevent unsafe conditions for the humans that use the room. There is an endless amount of ways to design and decorate restrooms. A person can do really anything ...

Whether a bathroom is small or large, a half-bath or full, it is always important to keep it absolutely clean and sanitary. Restrooms are breeding grounds for bacteria and germs. It is good to use soaps and detergents that are specifically for bathrooms and kitchens because these are created with the right chemicals to ensure the safety of the people that use those rooms. Bathrooms can have any kind of design or decoration that a person desires. The lighting in the room is important because it is generally the place where ...

Did you know that your five sense are your greatest ally when it comes to selecting the perfect neighborhood? The reality is that using your five senses is the best way to help you determine if the neighborhood is a good fit for you and your lifestyle. To that end, here is a look at how you can put your five senses to use in order to choose the neighborhood that is right for you. Sight Clearly, using your sense of sight is a great way to create an impression of neighborhood. ...

Have you always wanted to live in a neighborhood that was a destination in of itself? If you are interested in living in a neighborhood with a little character, you might want to consider purchasing a home in one of the following types of neighborhoods. Historic Historic neighborhoods can be found in many areas around the United States, with a few notable neighborhoods being the French Quarters in New Orleans, Buxton near Portland, Maine and Kenwood in St. Petersburg, Florida. Homes in historic neighborhoods tend to be large and well-preserved homes ...

Staying warm in your home in the winter can be very costly. You want to make sure that you understand how you are going to stay warm without zeroing out your bank account during those blustery months. There are a lot of people that do not understand how much heat they are wasting in their home. When you take the time to make your home more energy efficient you will be able to save money on your electric and heating bill. First, you want to make sure that you do ...

Before shopping for insulation, it is important to understand its R value, or its resistance to heat flow. The higher the R value is, the greater the resistance to heat loss. Which R value is right for you depends on several things, including where you live and what type of heating system you have. It also depends on whether you are insulating for energy efficiency on exterior walls or noise reduction in interior walls. Insulation comes in various forms, including loose fill, rolls, and batts. Loose fill ...

There are so many comparison sites across the web that it becomes quite complex trying to choose an appropriate insurance cover deal. Whether you choose to go via a comparison site or to a ‘one stop shop’ site that acts as your broker, you need to be aware of the constraints to be checked when selecting a policy. Ensure that your policy covers items that are damaged or stolen. Check the policy maximum coverage around damaged or stolen items. You will surely find cheap home insurance quotes with extremely affordable rates. ...

If you are planning to purchase or to sell a home, you may be feeling a bit confused by the different types of agents that are available to help you with the process. After all, while some may simply refer to themselves as real estate agents, others may have the title of Realtor. So, what exactly do these titles mean and which type of real estate professional is right for you? Although the terms “real estate agent” and “Realtor” are often used interchangeably, the reality is that there is a very ...

When many people think of Italian furniture, it’s not uncommon for some to think of old-time pieces that the Italians were so commonly well-known for creating. However, even these days, there are many pieces that are available, boasting the same, well-made design, but in surprisingly more contemporary or modern styles. When it comes to contemporary or modernistic furniture, various consumers tend to think of popular and well-know Swedish-based designers and so forth. However, Italian pieces have a surprising edge on their own take for such designs as well, being something that’s ...

If you’re thinking about trying DIY replacing windows or doors within your home, you might be wondering where the best place is to start. However, sometimes the best place to start comes down to proper planning, doing a bit of research, and making sure that you’re ready and able to take on the project ahead of you. Replacing windows and doors is something that can often intimidate many. This is often regardless if they plan to do it on their or through professional contractors. While there are certainly things to think ...

If you’re looking for a place to find a beautiful apartment, a great community, and a fantastic town, Fayetteville, NC is a great place to choose. Fayetteville includes the city of Fayetteville itself, Fort Bragg, and Pope Air Force Base for a combined population of over 300,000 people. Apartments in Fayetteville are a fine choice because of the variety of employment in the area. Not to mention the air force base, the economy pumps about $4.5 billion a year into the region’s economy, making the Fayetteville area one of the ...

Most individuals and businesses understand the importance of going green to sustain the environment. However, many people are still weary of using green cleaning products, especially when you are hiring the help of a professional cleaning company. Hiring a cleaning professional is an added cost to most people’s monthly budget and people want to get the thorough clean that they expect. This begs the question…do green cleaning supplies provide an effective clean? Green cleaning products can usually be found at larger, more reputable cleaning service providers. If your cleaning company ...

Devon is an ideal location for a UK holiday getaway and what better way to experience life in the country or a leisurely beach break then renting a cottage in Devon and having a home away from in stunning surroundings at your own pace. Renting a cottage is also a great way to save money without having to sacrifice on comfort or luxury as there are some simply stunning cottages that are available for rent. Read our guide to the top 5 places in Devon to rent a holiday cottage ...

Carpeting is a relatively new idea. Using large rugs, otherwise known as carpets, was an ideal way to liven up rooms, hide the horrific floors, and add a bit of warmth to the home. In the mid-nineteenth century, hardwood flooring became popular and a demand for wall-to-wall carpeting soon followed. Area rugs became less of a necessity and took the role of adding accents and color to the existing carpeting. The main problem with carpeting is their care. As wonderful as carpeting is, it has a tendency to become infested with dirt, ...

Recent inventions in pool cleaning technology have made your residential or commercial swimming pool easy to clean and maintain. Over both the short and long term, automatic swimming pool cleaners will save you a great deal of time, money, and resources. They are also safer on the environment than traditional pool cleaning products. It is important to keep your pool clean to protect your family’s health, safety, and comfort, as well as to protect your pool. Once your pool becomes dirty, it is much more difficult and costly to clean ...