As is the tradition, at the end of each year, we look back on the topics that were of the most interest to our listeners and readers.
We ran the numbers, and the topics chose themselves! Take a look back at Rosie on the House’s top five most-read topics of 2024!
To read the full blogs, head to rosieonthehouse.com/blog.
The Environmental Protection Agency is mandating a transition away from the current R-410A refrigerant.
1. The transition away from R-410A refrigerant: what homeowners need to know
As environmental concerns continue to shape regulations, the HVAC industry is undergoing a significant shift away from R-410A refrigerant.
GWP (global warming potential) is an EPA indicator of the negative impact of a gas on climate change. The EPA has mandated refrigerants change to a refrigerant with a lower GWP than 410A.
The industry has adopted two new refrigerants R-454B and R-32. Most manufacturers are moving to systems that use 454B. The law states that split systems cannot be sold in 2025 with 410A. They can continue to be installed until 2026. Manufacturers are converting their factory lines to stop building 410A equipment. They do not want dead inventory, which they cannot sell by law.
2. How to prevent title fraud committed through email scams and identity theft
Maybe you have heard of criminals using deed fraud to steal someone’s home, and you are wondering if your home is at risk.
Deed fraud is on the rise. Generally, this starts with some kind of identification fraud. Someone claims to be the owner of the home and claims the deed.
In the well-known case of Arizona resident Deb Gottlieb, a 30-year-old California man assumed the identity of her deceased father, acquired the deed for the home and sold it using his own driver’s license for ID.
Gottlieb’s father was in his 80s — no one noticed the age difference on the driver’s license. They did not verify his identity. By the time Gottlieb got to the home to inspect it, the many family heirlooms, pictures and treasures had been pitched, and a new “owner” was in the home.
3. The benefits and considerations of adding a casita to your property
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) is the legislative term for small additional buildings on the same property as a main single-family house such as casitas, guest houses, mother-in-law suites, studios and pool houses.
These additional buildings have soared in popularity over the past two decades. They were more prevalent in larger properties due to zoning restrictions and the cost of building. However, a recent law change is opening up ADUs to the majority of properties.
According to the Department of Housing, Arizona is 270,000 housing units short of current demand. The cities of Phoenix and Tucson, as do others, believe ADUs would help with demand and housing affordability.
4. Methods for taking out the termites
We all know termites are a force to be reckoned with in Arizona.
Nate Woolf, a Rosie on the House Certified Partner with Blue Sky Pest Control, gives some background and brings us up to date on the best way to engage the wood-eating bugs.
Are you in need of getting some projects done around the house and thinking of hiring a handyman? Having a relationship with a licensed and reliable handyman is a valuable resource. So, how do we develop such a relationship and what do we need to look out for?
