B&R Holdings Inc.

I get asked about dryer vent cleaning and how often it should be done. There is no one answer to every home, so start with every six months if it is the flex type. The 4" smooth wall or hard plumbed vent is the most efficient. The folds in the flex vent can cause a loss in efficiency by creating turbulence reducing air flow by up to 30%. I know how easy it is to use, I hate to diss the stuff. But the little folds also collect lint and can't be removed by normal cleaning. Wh...ich allows more and more lint to accumulate in a vicious cycle. Over time, the duct simply fills up, less and less air can pass through it, your clothes take longer to dry, and eventually your dryer overloads and burns out or worse yet, a house fire starts. So, in short use smooth wall venting and clean them every year. Hope this answer your questions. Please let me know Share with all your friends and follow us for more helpful home care tips. See more

This weeks tip, not a home care tip but a car care tip. If your headlight lenses are fogged and you have some glass (ceramic) stove top cleaner. Try it on the headlights. Clears most of the fog up. It worked for me. Share with your friends.

Windows are a very complex system, with a wide variety of possible issues. When you experience problems with several windows It may make sense to replace all the windows. This is rarely cost effective. They may provide the benefits of improved appearance, reduced maintenance and ease of operation. Some may notice an improvement in the comfort and energy consumption, these benefits rarely justify the cost of the new windows. The R value is the ability of a material to resist ...heat transmission. Glass fiber insulation found in the attic has an R value of 3-4 per inch, windows can very rarely achieve an R rating above a 3, to do so is very, very expensive. Look at the picture. That being said, many buyers are attracted by the urban legend of how energy efficient the newer windows can be and will pass on a home because of older windows without knowing it is just an urban legend. Improving the insulation around the frame of the window is the first place to start if you notice comfort issues. Please share this tip with all your friends. Thanks See more

Clean the eves trough, years of neglect can have costly, damaging results.

When I do an inspection I often see dirty vents. People often ask if I think a cleaning is necessary, The short answer is no, with a previsions, First clean air ducts means less dust and dander from the previous owner to breath and of course dusting around the house will be reduced. (clean start)The furnace will run more efficiently and cost less to run also with clean ducts it will live a happy prolonged life. So, no you do not have to clean the ducts, I just often recommend it. At home I get someone out every few years especially after any major reno's. Please Share with all your friends! Thank you