Reuben recently received a message from a podcast follower who encountered an insulation scam. He shares that the company reportedly had a free dinner and offered multi-layer insulation and solar-power attic fans that are supposed to fix iced dams. Tessa highlights the red flags about the products. 

Reuben describes and defines the products and their cost. Tessa shares the code requirements and how insulation should be installed and worked. She discusses the building science of insulation in different climates. 

Tessa recommends reaching out to the Minnesota Building Performance Association for a list of contractors.

Reuben talks about his electrical experiments. They discuss how much current it takes to overload a circuit and the effect of the panel's loose connections in circuits. Tessa mentions that the common melted wires are made of aluminum conductors.

Reuben talks about the renewal of real estate agents' licenses and submitting their CE. He announces the availability of Structure Tech's in-person Continuing Education (CE) classes in the next quarter. These classes are also available online at Structure Tech Online Learning – Online learning center. 

Signs and notes are a great help to warn and inform the inspectors about the house. 

Today, Reuben shares their compiled notes, signs, and warnings that were left by home sellers during inspections from the last 15 years. They talk about hilarious signs and notes on toilets, switches, doors, panels, among others. 

Checkout the entertaining blog post here Signs, warnings, and notes left by sellers - Structure Tech Home Inspections. 

Phantom loads, also called standby power, is the electricity used by appliances even when they are turned off. 

Reuben talks about the experiment he did at home with the Sense Home Energy Monitor. He shares using Kill A Watt meter, a device that measures the power consumed by an appliance. He then discusses the results and computed the monetary cost for the phantom load. 

Tessa mentions that the age of appliances is a factor in electricity consumption. Reuben enumerates the expensive appliances that may consume a lot of electricity in his home.

Catch Reuben's blogpost at structuretech.com.

What should you do with your house if you're leaving for a long time? 

Reuben first talks about plumbing. He recommends turning the water off and keeping the house humidifier and water heater running. Tessa highlights how some homeowners misuse humidifiers. They also discuss avoiding sewer gas from leaking into the house as well as what doesn't have to be done.

In terms of electrical, phantom loads can be unplugged. However, Ruben mentions that these loads are very minimal and he prefers not unplugging them and especially the wifi and the smart appliances. Then they talk about heating and recommend the proper home temperature. Reuben suggests installing a smart thermostat.

Lastly, they talk about other things to consider basic security things and others such as snow removal, and deliveries such as newspapers, mails, and packages. 

Access Reuben's blogs here:

Q&A: "What should I do with my house if I'm leaving for a long time?" - Structure Tech Home Inspections

Send your questions and topic suggestions to [email protected].

Today Reuben and Tessa talk about how to determine the electrical service size at a home, mostly related to inspecting the main panel.

Reuben explains that new construction homes use 150 to 200 amps service size panels, and which service sizes are no longer acceptable today. Tessa highlights the different things that home inspectors need to determine: the service size, what the panel is rated for, and how much amperage is coming through the panel.

They talk about how to identify the size of the service panel with the shape of the meter base. They also talk about the strange locations of electrical panels such as in the basement and in the alley. They also talk about the sizes of wires for copper and aluminum. Lastly, they discuss the over-current protection device. 

Visit Reuben's blog post about electrical panels: https://structuretech.com/old-fuse-panel-60-amps-or-100-amps.

Today, Reuben and Tessa touch on some key points about radon. 

Reuben discusses what radon is, and addresses the biggest arguments about testing, and myths about it. He mentions that health authorities have claimed that radon is a silent killer that causes lung cancer. 

They talk about the statistics of radon elevation, as well as the normal and acceptable levels and standards in the US vs Canada and other countries. Reuben also talks about the Radon Disclosure Act which is a requirement when selling and buying houses.  Tessa adds that the requirement to install radon mitigation systems is not based on their effects on people

Reuben shares about a self-testing kit that is available at mn.radon.com. 

Today is part 4 of the Window Replacement series. Today we're gonna talk about the big three window manufacturers.

Ryan Carey first talks about a Minnesota company, Andersen, which is a more popular brand. He discusses the type of windows that Anderson makes: the 400 and 100 series, the regular, and the Renewal products.

They talk about direct competition, Marvin, and why they have exclusive contractors that install windows. He also discusses the window options from the flagship brand Infinity, Integrity, Elevate, and Essentials series. Then they talked about an innovative company, Pella. He highlights their testing process and that only they make a true Vinyl and fiberglass window and offer a lifetime warranty. 

Ryan discusses the differences between the brand's products, the materials used, and the advantages. He also shares the brand with the best value-for-money and what to expect with the more affordable ones.

Visit getmy3quotes.com or send an e-mail to [email protected].

Another week with Ryan Carey ! In today's show, we're going to talk everything about window replacement.

Ryan discusses the two main types and the difference in window replacements: the insert or retrofit window and the full frame. He also explains the window replacement process and which type is best for each window or type of house.

They talk about replacing windows to address water intrusion and energy efficiency. Ryan also explains sash and glass replacements. Then he discusses the acceptable price range. He also talks about the type of vinyl windows and products from Lindsay Windows, Hayfield Windows, Alside Windows, and more. 

Visit Ryan Carey at getmy3quotes.com. Send your podcast questions or suggestions to [email protected].

Tessa asks about low emissivity or low-E windows and the layers of coating. Ryan explains its effect on houses, the light, and the heat that comes into the house, especially in the winter. He discusses the cost of double and triple-pane windows as well as gas fills like argon and krypton. They highlight that improving the windows helps increase energy efficiency. 

Ryan discusses the difference between the pros and cons of wood, vinyl, fiberglass, and composite windows and their warranties. He further talks about window brands like the Anderwon Renewal and Marvin Infinity. He shares why he personally chose a vinyl window for his house.