Merry Christmas!

December 20, 2018

We Made the Top 5! Vote Now for Top Homebuilder!

July 23, 2018

As many of you may have seen in the newspaper yesterday, we made the Top 5 as one of Richmond’s Best Homebuilders! Thanks to your nomination votes back in the Spring, AHI broke through the historically all-production-builder ranks and grabbed a spot in the Top 5 of the annual Richmond Times Dispatch’s “The Best of Richmond” competition. We know this is because of you, thank you!

VOTE HERE

If you feel like voting again,the competition is now to the final phase and will be narrowing the list down to the Top 3 to be announced at a ceremony in October. You can vote daily, at the link above! (You’ll find Best Homebuilder in the Home and Garden section).

We appreciate your support!

The AHI Team

Question: What does the noise from my AC unit mean?

May 10, 2018

Most of today’s high-efficiency AC units keep noise levels below 55 decibels.  So, if you hear an unusual or loud noise, don’t ignore it and turn a potentially minor issue into a major expense.  Below are the most common AC unit noises and what they may mean:

• Screaming – if you hear a high-pitched whistle or scream like noise, this could indicate a refrigerant leak in your unit or high internal pressure inside your compressor.  Both of these situations are dangerous for your family, shut the unit off and call a professional.
• Rattling – a rattling noise could mean that your unit is either starting to deteriorate, some of its parts are becoming loose like the fan, or that twigs or debris could be clogging it.  Check for loose screws and bolts in the unit, change the indoor air filter, and clean the condenser coils.
• Humming – if your compressor hums and refuses to start, more than likely there is an issue with your motor but first check the wiring as a loose wire would cause the same humming sound.
• Clicking – your AC unit will make a normal clicking sound as it starts up and shuts down but be aware if this clicking noise becomes constant,  it could indicate a defective control or failing thermostat.
• Banging – if you hear banging, something in your AC unit is not functioning properly and needs to be fixed right away before the problem causes more expensive ripple effects.  Banging indicates there’s a broken or loose part in your compressor system or that your indoor blower might be unbalanced.  Call a professional while there is still time to repair that one part and not have to replace the whole unit from the damage it caused!

Question: How Do I Pick a Refrigerator-there’s too many options?!

March 1, 2018

Choosing a refrigerator doesn’t have to be overwhelming, even though one walk down the home improvement store appliance aisle might seem like it!  Take a step back, identify your lifestyle & needs, and you’ll see an intelligent choice emerge for your particular situation.  Refer to this guide below from my friends at AHS to offer better insight for selecting a refrigerator that’s best for you:

Refrigerator Needs

To pick the fridge that’s right for you, consider the following factors:

• Kitchen space – How much space do you have? Be sure to purchase a fridge that can fit in your kitchen, while leaving a few inches around each side to let the fridge operate efficiently. Also, be sure to consider how wide the fridge doors can swing open and in what direction, too.
• Eating habits – Do you eat more fresh foods or frozen foods? Select a fridge type that caters to your dining habits. If you consume mainly fresh foods, consider a bottom-mount fridge (freezer on the bottom). If you prepare meals from frozen items, a top-mount fridge may work better.
• Your family – If you have kids or elderly people in your home, pick a fridge that provides easy access to food items. A side-by-side unit allows you to place food on lower or upper shelves, depending on who needs to reach it.

Refrigerator Features

Most refrigerators come with standard features, including shelves, crisper drawers and on-door compartments. If you’re looking for more than the basics, here are additional features to consider.

• Ice and water dispensers: While models with these features are the most popular, they also require the most repairs. Energy costs are higher, too.
• Adjustable shelving
• Soda-can dispenser
• Moisture control
• Air filtration system
• Programmable control pad: With this feature, you can set the temperature, lock ice and water dispensers and preset the amount of water to dispense.
• Energy-saving models: Certain refrigerator models can use up to 20 percent less energy, saving you money on utility bills. Just look for Energy Star-qualified units.

Refrigerator Types

Refrigerator types prioritize size, food types, access and appearance. Select the one that best matches your needs. 

• Top mount – The freezer is on the top, and the refrigerator is on the bottom. Top-mount fridges are the most common and typically the least expensive. These models prioritize refrigerator space, but the drawback is the limited capacity (about 18 cubic feet on the smaller end).
• Bottom mount – The refrigerator is on the top, and the freezer is on the bottom. In these units, the freezer typically consists of a pullout shelf.
• Side-by-side – The refrigerator and freezer compartments run from the top to the bottom of the unit. These models provide the same or similar amount of freezer and refrigeration capacity. While these units take up less space with the doors open, the compartments are relatively narrow (making it tough to fit those frozen pizzas).

Additionally, counter-depth models are popular options. These provide a built-in look, as the fridge sits flush with your cabinetry. For the sake of that perfect fit, you may have to sacrifice storage capacity though.

Lastly, there are several options when it comes to color and finish. Stainless steel is an appealing option, but fingerprints leave smudges, necessitating constant wiping. Consider a faux-stainless finish, which saves you from the never-ending cleanup.

Is Your Fireplace Ready for the Holidays?

November 28, 2017

As the holiday season approaches, now is the time to ensure your fireplace will be in good working condition for those cold winter nights.  Keeping your chimney clean and clear is of the utmost importance!  Both gas burning and wood burning fireplaces need to be cleaned annually by a professional chimney sweep.  A rough guide is to have your fireplace cleaned after approximately 60-80 fires, for most people having it cleaned annually achieves this.  A good chimney sweep service will inspect & clean the flue, smoke chamber, damper, vents, and check for cracks and loose bricks.   Also, make sure your chimney technician inspects the chimney cap as this is critical in preventing stray embers from igniting your roof.  Lastly, if you have a wood burning fireplace, make sure they check and clear any creosote buildup they may find.  Creosote is a byproduct of burning wood and is extremely toxic (bad for your lungs) and highly flammable (house fires get quickly out of control).  Keeping your fireplace components clean and in good working condition will enable you to have a safe and warm holiday season!

Water Your Yard Efficiently

June 21, 2017

Don’t Waste Water!

I’m often asked about the necessity of irrigation systems and how often do homeowners really need to water their lawns.  Each man’s grass is his own turf (pun intended), but for those who really know me, I’m always a fan of saving money when I can and am happy to give a few recommendations.  First, let nature help you for free!  Most yards need at least 3/4″ to 1″ of rain per week.  Buy an inexpensive rain gauge.  For those of you with irrigation systems, use one that can integrate with your system.  On weeks where you have plenty of water, no need to pay to overwater!  Second, be mindful of what kind of sprinkler(s) you are using.  Some traditional oscillating sprinklers can use up to 300 gallons of water an hour – that’s enormous!  Instead, opt for a drip irrigation or soaker hose that uses 30-70% less water than traditional ones and effectively delivers water to where the landscape needs it most, by its roots.  These 2 simple steps can really help you save green while getting your grass that same color!

The Surprising Memorial Day Project You Should Be Working on..

May 25, 2017

This might come as a surprise to you, but according to Remodeling Magazine’s 2017 Cost Vs. Value Report, there’s only one home improvement project that returns over 100% of its cost to the homeowner:  adding insulation to your attic!  Before the heat of summer begins, take time now to ensure your attic is properly air sealed between the conditioned and unconditioned areas.  Also, the goal is to have your attic insulation up to R-30 value thickness, so add additional fiberglass loosefill on top of existing insulation anywhere needed.  You’ll reap the savings both this summer and next winter as you keep more of the air you pay to condition in the rooms you want it in!

**Spring Cleaning Special** What is the best way to clean Stainless Steel?

March 30, 2017 — 2 Comments

For those who own any stainless steel appliances, you know it takes a little to work to keep them looking bright and polished and clean.  Despite its name, stainless steel can stain and certain cleaners are too be avoided and even plain water can leave spots if not used correctly.  The first bit of advice I typically give is what not to do. Do not use abrasive cleaners, steel wool pads, chlorine bleach, any products containing chloride, or hard water which can leave spots.  Instead, I find it best to spray the surface with vinegar, and then use a soft cloth to clean the vinegar off in the direction of the stainless grain. Start at the top of your appliance and work your way down to the floor.  To bring out that factory shine again, periodically buff your stainless steel surface by applying lemon oil with a soft cloth, also in the direction of the grain, and then buffing off with a different lint-free cloth.  You’ll be back to that brilliant shine you originally fell in love with in no time at all!

**Spring Cleaning Special** Should I get my air ducts professionally cleaned?

March 16, 2017

I was recently asked this question by two separate homeowners and my answer to each of them was different based on their unique circumstances.  While I myself, as a builder, have never used a professional cleaner for my air ducts, there are times when I do recommend it.  It all depends on the current condition of your ducts and vents.  The MOST important thing you can do for your air duct system is to regularly change out your filters.  I will say this again:  changing out your filters regularly will keep dust and other junk from building up in your ducts over time.  With that being said, a lot of your ducts’ current condition is a result of how the builder left them after the construction process.  One of the services I provide in every home I build is to thoroughly clean each duct during the final post-construction cleaning.  I don’t just have them vacuumed out, I have them wiped down and even any paint sprayed into them cleaned up.  If your builder skipped this step, you’ll know it once you remove a few of your air registers and see built-up lint, dust, and construction debris that can be up to an inch thick.  In those cases, I recommend spending the avg. $300-$400 to have them professionally cleaned.  For most of my customers who don’t have to deal with construction debris, a simple occasional vacuuming out and wiping off registers should be suffice.  Just please, please, please – change out your air filters regularly!