Kenton's Blog

Although I still perform inspections- mostly high-end homes and expert witness work- a good deal of my time now goes into developing and co-producing educational videos for home inspectors for NACHI.TV. We have about 50 videos available online and about 45 of these are free. They range in subject...

NACHI TV is producing episodes of various subjects of interest to inspectors. Although they're designed for inspectors, these videos will also be relevant to other real estate professionals and buyers. View episode 12 as we tour this exceptional building and learn about the green design, systems ...

NACHI TV is producing episodes of various subjects of interest to inspectors. Although they're designed for inspectors, these videos will also be relevant to other real estate professionals and buyers. Photovoltaic (PV) systems are systems which convert sunlight directly into electricity for use ...

NACHI TV is producing episodes of various subjects of interest to inspectors. Although they're designed for inspectors, these videos will also be relevant to other real estate professionals and buyers. View the Strawbale Home Inspection video as InterNACHI founder Nick Gromicko and I accompany Co...

NACHI TV is producing episodes of various subjects of interest to inspectors. Although they're designed for inspectors, these videos will also be relevant to other real estate professionals and buyers. View the Log Home Inspection video as InterNACHI founder Nick Gromicko and I inspect a 35 year ...

After many months of long days and nights of research and writing my Green Building course is finally complete and is available on the website of the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI). This course is free to the public and can be taken as often as you like. The c...

I'm considering putting together a home inspection which, in addition to complying with the typical Standards of Practice (NACHI, in my case), would identify green features in the home from a list of about 450. Along with that I'd offer energy rating services. I'm wondering if there's really a ma...

AIR-CONDITIONER DATE CODES (serial #)AMANA / BLACKHORSEB=1971 or 1981 (Of course, now that they've been bought by Goodman, who knows what'll happen)BARD1962 to March 1980 Sample Number 123456 A D1st six digits are the Unit Identity Number. In this example they are represented by the numbers 12345...

WATER HEATER DATE CODES (by serial #)AmericanAmerican, Craftmaster, Mor-Flo/American, SABH, US Craftmaster, Ace, American Hardware, Best, Best Deluxe, Apex, Aqua Temp, Aqua Therm, Aquamatic, Champion, De-Limier, Deluxe, Eagle, Earl's Energy Saver, Envirotemp, Four Most, Hotmaster, Hotstream, King...

I understand that this will be more information than many will want to look at, but it's a detailed study with the conclusions explained and the source is very credible. Air Handler Leakage:Field Testing Results in ResidencesJames B. Cummings, Chuck Withers, Janet McIlvaine, Jeff Sonne, Matt Lomb...