House Design

AKRON, Ohio — Matthew Pickston thinks of himself as a detective.

But instead of searching for clues to crimes, he looks for the causes of problems such as chilly rooms and damaging ice dams.

Pickston is a home energy auditor, a professional who scours houses for issues that can harm structures, drive up energy bills and just make the occupants uncomfortable.

The process surprises some clients, who think an energy audit is concerned mainly with electricity use. “Most people think I’m going to show up and start looking at their light bulbs,” he said.

Instead, energy auditors such as Pickston look at a house as a system. T

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Turn a tired patio into a fabulous patio with affordable and stylish tubular patio furniture.  Tubular patio furniture allows you to update the look of your patio without breaking the bank.

Metal or Aluminum Tubular Patio Furniture

Tubular furniture is normally available in aluminum or metal.  Many of us can reflect back on those tubular metal lawn chairs with the cross-strapping system.  Today’s tubular furniture is sturdier and sports updated looks for any style of design.

Aluminum or wrought iron tubular furniture is a bit stronger than the metal type.  The metal type is also lighter.  Regardless of the material you choose, tubular patio furniture can transform the look of your patio.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and IKEA recently announced the voluntary recall of RUND clear glass mugs. Due to variations in glass thickness, the mug may break when in use. IKEA received one report of a laceration injury caused by the mug that required medical attention.

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Admired recently in Hotels, Lodging & Restaurants: The Modern Pantry in London: the unexpected juxtaposition of classic iron horse coat hook with plissé Copper Pendant Lights by Piet Hein Eek.

Above L: The Equestrian Horse Hook measures 4.75 inches high and is $19 at Pottery Barn.

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ANSWER: Hole in Heating/Cooling Plenum

Here’s a picture of a heating/cooling plenum with a large 6-inch hole it the top found during an inspection. The inspector, Mark Konschak of our Philadelphia inspection team, assumed it must have been originally cut for another supply.

The townhouse, in which this issue was found, was 13 years old and the plenum was right next to the attic access. It was 19 degrees out with 6 inches of snow on the roof during the inspection. But to his surprise, the attic was nice and cozy when entered! <

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