How many of you have Centerpoint Energy for your natural gas service and looked at your last bill and noticed they have changed to a tiered pricing model? Minnesota is the test market for this new pricing in which we pay progressively higher rates for the amount of natural gas we use. The top tier rates are higher to encourage us to conserve the amount of gas we use.
We live in a house that 2,500 square feet and all we have that runs on gas is our furnace, dryer, and a gas fireplace. We were not far from hitting the top tier last month.
Therms per month priced per therm% above the lowest tier:
The first 30 = 41 cents
From 31 to 110 = 58 cents (40% more)
From 111 to 165 = 73 cents (76% more)
From 166 to 200 = 76 cents (83% more)
After 200 = 81 cents (95% more)
One therm equals 100,000 BTU's or about 100 cubic feet of gas. The chart above was from December with the delivery charge and fuel adjustment not included.
Source: Centerpoint Energy
I think this is a way for them to increase profits. At our house we will definitely be looking at ways to decrease our natural gas use and hopefully lower that bill!
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Friday, January 21, 2011
What to Look for in a Home Inspector, Part 5
I hope you are all staying warm on this freezing Minnesota night! While this isn't a great night to be looking for a new house, if you are in the market the days will warm up soon and you might find yourself looking for a home inspector.
You might want to look into how long the home inspection company has been in business. While years of experience can be a benefit, those inspectors may not have kept up with they changing aspects of the home inspection business. You want to make sure your inspector was professionally trained and engages in ongoing education. Home structures and systems can change quickly and your home inspector should have updated information so you receive the best information possible before you purchase a home.
You might want to look into how long the home inspection company has been in business. While years of experience can be a benefit, those inspectors may not have kept up with they changing aspects of the home inspection business. You want to make sure your inspector was professionally trained and engages in ongoing education. Home structures and systems can change quickly and your home inspector should have updated information so you receive the best information possible before you purchase a home.
Monday, January 17, 2011
What to Look for in a Home Inspector, Part 4
A shout-out to my cousin-in-law Melissa and her fiance Jason who moved into their new house that I inspected last month - Congrats!
What to look for in a home inspector: one who will provide a professional report.
In today's market top home inspectors do not produce hand-written reports. A professional inspector will provide a report that is computer-generated with lots of photos. The photos will serve to highlight problem areas in the home, as well as educate the potential home owner about certain areas of the home. There are some inspectors that provide the report on site, however, I feel that the best reports are developed off-site because it gives the inspector an opportunity to review notes and pictures and potentially notice things that weren't seen on first inspection. Most top home inspectors have spent several thousand dollars on a computer program that will give home owners a report that is a combination checklist and narrative report of each area in the home. The report should not have repair costs or plan of action for repairs. Professional home inspectors inspect - they do not repair. An inspector that makes repairs should be avoided as that presents a conflict of interest.
What to look for in a home inspector: one who will provide a professional report.
In today's market top home inspectors do not produce hand-written reports. A professional inspector will provide a report that is computer-generated with lots of photos. The photos will serve to highlight problem areas in the home, as well as educate the potential home owner about certain areas of the home. There are some inspectors that provide the report on site, however, I feel that the best reports are developed off-site because it gives the inspector an opportunity to review notes and pictures and potentially notice things that weren't seen on first inspection. Most top home inspectors have spent several thousand dollars on a computer program that will give home owners a report that is a combination checklist and narrative report of each area in the home. The report should not have repair costs or plan of action for repairs. Professional home inspectors inspect - they do not repair. An inspector that makes repairs should be avoided as that presents a conflict of interest.
Friday, January 14, 2011
What to Look for in a Home Inspector, Part 3
Can you believe we are getting ANOTHER round of snow!! Remember to keep checking your fresh air intake on the outside of your house, and if you have to get up on the roof to shovel again, BE SAFE. A later post will have to do with ladder safety (a message I need to remind myself of as you'll hear).
Part 2 of the series talked about home inspector certifications and education. While certification is very important as it shows the inspector invested their time in coursework and was able to pass a rigorous test, it does not mean they are the best inspector for you. We have all worked with people over the years with all kinds of titles and certifications, but they did not get the job done to your expectation. It is important to choose a home inspector that you can trust after talking with them. Ideally, you should try to find someone who will take the time to educate you about your home if you need it. For example, I like to explain potential problem areas to homeowners if they are interested. If they have questions about how their heating and cooling system works, how double-hung windows open, or questions about their electrical system, I believe it is important to take time to share information that will be helpful to them. I enjoy the education part of being a home inspector as much as the inspection part itself. In the coming months I will be teaching Community Education courses through several local school districts and share my information about the home inspection process as well as things people will need to look for when they are purchasing a home.
The bottom line: find a home inspector that loves what they do!
Part 2 of the series talked about home inspector certifications and education. While certification is very important as it shows the inspector invested their time in coursework and was able to pass a rigorous test, it does not mean they are the best inspector for you. We have all worked with people over the years with all kinds of titles and certifications, but they did not get the job done to your expectation. It is important to choose a home inspector that you can trust after talking with them. Ideally, you should try to find someone who will take the time to educate you about your home if you need it. For example, I like to explain potential problem areas to homeowners if they are interested. If they have questions about how their heating and cooling system works, how double-hung windows open, or questions about their electrical system, I believe it is important to take time to share information that will be helpful to them. I enjoy the education part of being a home inspector as much as the inspection part itself. In the coming months I will be teaching Community Education courses through several local school districts and share my information about the home inspection process as well as things people will need to look for when they are purchasing a home.
The bottom line: find a home inspector that loves what they do!
Sunday, January 9, 2011
What to look for in a home inspector, part 2
So you've found a home inspector you feel you can trust. A second important thing to consider is finding a home inspector with a solid training in the field. Contractors have a different background from home inspectors. Contractors often have experience in one aspect of home building or some knowledge of everything. To be able to provide a thorough evaluation of all parts of a home requires formal education and training. The home inspector you choose should have attended a school such as The American Home Inspectors Training Institute (AHIT) or Inspection Training Associates (ITA). Online correspondence courses are less rigorous and do not provide the extensive hands-on training a AHIT or ITA school supplies. You do not want your home inspector gain their hands-on experience when inspecting your home!
I am an ITA certified home inspector and take continuing education courses in all areas that are inspected when I am hired. Technology and building practices are changing continuously so looking for a home inspector who engages in comprehensive, continuing education is a must!
I am an ITA certified home inspector and take continuing education courses in all areas that are inspected when I am hired. Technology and building practices are changing continuously so looking for a home inspector who engages in comprehensive, continuing education is a must!
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