Information

Eminent Domain

Eminent domain, also known as compulsory purchase, expropriation and compulsory acquisition, is the right of a government to seize a citizen’s property without their consent but with due monetary compensation. The property is taken either for government use or by commission to third parties for public use, or, in controversial cases, for economic development. Specific uses for seized …

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Elements of an Energy-Efficient House

Designing and building an energy-efficient home that conforms to the many considerations faced by home builders can be a challenge.  However, at InterNACHI, we believe that any house style can be made to require relatively minimal amounts of energy to heat and cool, and be comfortable. It’s easier now to get your architect and builder …

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Electrical Terms

Basic Electrical Measurement Units  Voltage, measured in volts (V), is the measure of potential energy per unit of charge. Using a “water-in-pipes” analogy, voltage in the electrical system is similar to water pressure in a plumbing system. High “pressure” or voltage in an electrical conductor means that the conductor is capable of delivering a lot of electricity to the …

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Electrical Service Panels

Electrical panels are boxes that house circuit breakers, which are are safety devices that stop the electrical current if it exceeds the safe level for some portion of the home electrical system.   Safety  Many people, even experienced electricians, have been killed or seriously injured while opening electrical panels. In 1991, an Atlanta electrician was …

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Home Safety for the Elderly

Each year, according to estimates by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), nearly 1 million people over age 65 are treated in hospital emergency rooms for injuries associated with the products they live with and use everyday. The death rate from accidental injuries in the home is approximately three times greater for older people than for …

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Disadvantages of Solar Energy

While the considerable advantages offered by solar energy move some proponents to ignore the budding technology’s comparatively minor flaws, these imperfections must be acknowledged, lest their resolutions be stalled. We should take an honest look at the system’s disadvantages and seek to refine solar energy systems into a truly environmentally friendly alternative. The most significant …

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Defrost Cycle of a Heat Pump

According to the InterNACHI Residential Standards of Practice, a home inspection is a non-invasive, visual examination of a residential dwelling that is designed to identify observed material defects within specific components of that dwelling.  Part of the home inspection includes the inspection, identification and description of the heating system, which includes heat pumps. The inspector …

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