The end of World War 2 created a baby boom, which in turn created a need for more homes – fast. The new homes built in record time in the Metro St. Louis suburbs were known as “ranch homes,” a uniquely American architectural style of rectangular, one-story houses with low-pitched roofs, attached garages and large windows for an indoor-outdoor connection.

These new homes perfectly matched the new informal lifestyle, with central air conditioning, a floorplan centered around the family room and kitchen, and were adaptable for growing families because basements could be converted into more living space as needed.

Many of these ranch homes are now over – or rapidly approaching – 50 years of age, which qualifies some individual homes or entire subdivisions for historic designation, and there is a grassroots movement underway to educate people on the merits of maintaining these homes that still serve families so well to this day.

Any home over 50-years of age is usually ready for some remodeling (and has probably seen a good deal of it over its lifetime), and the ranch house remains a highly adaptable structure for 21^st century living.

The 21st Century Ranch Home

Ranch homes marked the beginning of modern construction materials and methods, most of which are still recognized or used by today’s remodelers. This makes it relatively easy to update these homes to today’s levels of energy efficiency, and implement new floorplans that better match the way we live today. And re-using these homes just makes sense for our pocketbooks and our communities, because the greenest home is the one already standing.

Accessible Design The one-level floor plan of the typical ranch is perfect for accessible living. Going up and down the stairs can become problematic over time, so having all daily needs on one level becomes a necessity for living comfortably and productively in your home.

There is a growing trend of older adults seeking one-level living for their retirement years, and this often finds them returning to the ranch style homes in which they originally raised their families. Quite often, they are still in the very same home and simply need the place remodeled for increased functionality and comfort.

Loft-Style Living Originally, the informal floorplan of the ranch is what differentiated it from more traditional, pre-WW2 house styles, and Americans now crave even more open space. Luckily, the ranch is highly adaptable, allowing you to remove interior walls and reconfigure spaces for more flow and usable square footage. This type of open floorplan is commonly known as “loft style,” where function is defined by furniture grouping rather than walls, creating spaces that can be quickly rearranged to meet ever-changing needs.

To achieve loft living in your ranch, it is possible to leave plumbing and HVAC fixtures in their original space (which helps with the remodeling budget) and create a whole new floorplan that takes advantage of existing views while maximizing living space. And this ultra modern layout coordinates beautifully with the mid-century modern style of a ranch, creating a unique synergy of form and function.

See more photos of how a ranch home converts to loft-style living.

Energy Efficiency As Americans deal with rapidly-increasing energy costs, the budgetary benefits of a smaller home become apparent, and this is where existing ranch homes have the advantage. It is no longer about the quantity of square footage, but the quality of how it is used, and when energy costs are measured by cubic feet, having less square footage helps with the energy bills.

There are both state and federal tax credits available for energy efficiency improvements, and working with trained and certified energy efficiency professionals will help you pin-point the improvements that will deliver the most comfort and long-term savings for the dependable ranch home.

Additional Space The ranches in suburban Metro St. Louis built from 1950 – 1970 were typically 800 – 1,500 square feet and even back in the day, families were building room additions to gain more space. So if you need more square footage, a ranch has the flexibility to embrace more space.

Because of lot size and placement on it, most room additions happen on the rear of the home, or built vertically as a 2^nd story addition, and refinishing the basement is always a smart investment. The rectangular nature of the ranch home and its modern construction makes it extremely accommodating for room additions.

See more photos of a ranch home rear addition.

Home Makeover The accommodating nature of the ranch home makes it ripe for a total makeover, inside and out. Updating the exterior design with new siding and roofing, or a new front entry makes a middle-age home look brand new. Pair that with a complete makeover of floorplan, systems and fixtures inside and you can essentially create a new home over an existing shell.

Older ranch homes exist in thriving, established communities with all the amenities and infrastructure already in place, so it makes sense on so many levels to remodel a strong home in a good neighborhood.

See more photos of a ranch home’s total makeover.

Mosby Building Arts specializes in remodeling ranch homes with personalized architecture and skilled craftsmanship for a quality home that will easily last for another 50 years. From design to energy efficiency improvements, Mosby has been contributing to sustainability and lifestyle improvements by renewing these homes to meet the needs of both the original owners of the home as well as new generations who love all the benefits of remodeling the most American of architectural styles – the ranch home.

Here’s an example of a son remodeling his parent’s ranch to match his lifestyle, and you can learn more about Mosby design & remodeling services here.  If you’d like to explore options for your ranch home, call Mosby at 314.909.1800 or contact them here.

Would you like to see how energy efficiency looks and feels? This Saturday, June 19, 2010 from Noon – 4 p.m. you have the opportunity to tour 12 homes in the Metro St. Louis area and experience the beauty of green living.

The 4^th annual St. Louis Tour of Green Homes is your chance to take a free, self-guided tour of new and remodeled homes certified by a combination of LEEDs, Energy Star and Green Building initiatives. Click here to learn about each home and access maps.

Each home will be staffed with builders, owners and trained energy professionals to educate you on sustainable, efficient features (like reducing energy and water costs by 30-50%!) and answer all your questions.

Mosby Building Arts’ certified energy professional, Eric Fick, will be at EarthWays Center (one of the hosts of the event) at 3617 Grandel Square in Mid-Town St. Louis. He will demonstrate some of the tests performed during an energy audit that help him determine the solutions that deliver the best results for your health, comfort and pocketbook.

Read the story of a Mosby Energy Audit at this link, and then bring your questions about how this can improve your home to Eric on Saturday, between 12 – 4 pm at Earthways Center.

This free event is hosted by the St. Louis Homebuilders Association, Missouri Botanical Garden’s EarthWays Center, and the St. Louis Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council.

From Washington D.C. to the local coffee shop, energy efficiency has become a popular topic of conversation.  This is good because discussing how to make millions of existing homes more comfortable while spending less on energy is how knowledge spreads.  Considering that the average age of an American home is over 30 years old, knowing how to make these homes comfortable and energy efficient is a crucial component of sustainability.

There are currently state and federal tax incentives for efficiency upgrades on existing homes.  These tax credits mainly cover a small percentage of upgrade costs while encouraging investment in long-term energy savings and increased comfort and health.  Even with the possibility of tax credits defraying some retrofit costs, it is important to avoid wasting money by knowing which solutions will bring the best results.

Begin with an Energy Audit

It requires specialized knowledge to make the right improvements to a home, and this is why energy projects must start with an energy audit from trained professionals.  A certified energy auditor will find what can’t be seen by the naked eye, and one of the tools used to do this is an infrared thermal camera which reveals and measures temperature differences inside the home.

Here is an example from a Mosby Energy Audit of how air leaks in.  The dark blue in the infrared image shows cold air coming into the bedroom from below the window and where the wall meets the floor.  Once the intrusion had been found, the Mosby crew removed only the necessary areas of drywall, added insulation where it was missing, sealed joints below the window and base trim, and did new drywall and paint so it looked exactly as they found it.

Experienced energy auditors know the common weak spots in construction, and where to look for areas that are leaking the most air.  Above is an exhaust fan in the bathroom ceiling as seen through the thermal camera, revealing that cold air from the attic is spilling into the bathroom.

After conducting multiple energy tests and analyzing the results, the Mosby energy auditor creates a priority list that begins with health and safety first, and then considers which solutions will bring the greatest return on investment (ROI).

ROI is categorized in an energy audit report as short-term, D.I.Y. solutions (switch to CFLs, install programmable thermostat), mid-term solutions that may require professional help (caulking or insulation, for example) and long-term solutions (like water heaters, windows or furnaces) that are a sizeable expenditure that pays for itself over a longer period of time.

Making energy improvements without an energy audit is like walking through a dark room with a flashlight; we only see what the light shines on while missing the bigger picture.  An energy audit shines a bright light and shows the ways we lose energy in our homes and how to correct the issues.  For proper guidance, be sure to use only certified auditors who are educated and trained in testing, analyzing and solving energy problems.  Mosby Building Arts is your best choice for professional and beneficial energy improvements. Learn more about Mosby energy audit services by calling 314.909.1800 or contact us here.

When it comes to the best way to heat your home, there is one option that towers above the others: split geothermal systems.

It is a superior choice because it uses no fossil fuels, is 300 – 400% more efficient than the highest-rated gas furnace, and costs less to operate over time which creates substantial savings on energy bills all year round.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency calls geothermal systems “the most energy efficient, environmentally clean and cost-effective space conditioning systems available today.”  To back up that endorsement, the government is offering a federal tax credit of 30% of the installation costs for homeowners who install a geothermal system in 2009 or 2010.

How Does It Work?

Geothermal essentially means the heat from inside the earth.  Unlike traditional heating systems that burn a fuel to create heat, a geothermal system collects and distributes heat that already exists naturally, with 2/3 of it being free energy from the earth right beneath your feet.

The earth absorbs and stores nearly half of the sun’s energy that hits the earth.  A geothermal system taps into that free, renewable energy at a constant temperature and puts it to work in the home.  The earth’s natural heat is collected in the winter by a series of pipes called a loop system.  The loop carries heat to the home where it’s compressed and released to raise the inside temperature (this process is reversed in the summer).

The loop system is what powers geothermal energy, and there are 4 loop configurations available to match the needs of any new or exiting home.  For instance, to retrofit an older home in an exiting neighborhood, the vertical loop is often used because it fits in where land area is limited.  Certified and experienced installers can find a way to make geothermal work in most every residential situation.

How Much Do Geothermal Heating Systems Cost?

Geothermal heating systems are more expensive than traditional heating systems, but it is a one-time cost to purchase and install it with no monthly bills to the utility company to heat and cool your home.  Compare that to traditional systems that require you to continually pay for fuel and maintenance after the initial purchase and install, and the long-term cost savings of geothermal becomes apparent.

With the rising price of oil, gas, and electricity, a properly installed geothermal heat pump system can literally pay for itself in only few years.  Plus, the environmental benefits are tremendous: installing geothermal in a home is equivalent to removing two cars from the road or equal to planting a full acre of new trees.

When building a new home, geothermal is absolutely the way to go.  When it’s time to upgrade the system of an existing home, explore all the options available for geothermal retrofit.  It is important to work only with proven geothermal professionals to get the system and installation that makes it such a worthwhile investment in comfort and efficiency.

We invite you to call the Mosby office for a recommendation of the company we trust to deliver the knowledge and service needed for geothermal heating and cooling.  Call us at 314.909.1800 or contact us here.

Learn about other home heating options at this link.

As the temperatures get colder, we become hyper-aware of how comfortable – or uncomfortable -our home is.   Often the awareness is: “the furnace is running, the heating bills are high, yet why am I still cold?”

A home energy audit is a commonly accepted method of measuring the energy efficiency of a home.   There are multiple factors that affect health, comfort and efficiency.  Sealing air leaks and beefing up insulation are two ways to increase comfort and save energy.  But what kind of heating system is best for you and your home?

Several types of home heating systems are available when building new or adding additional space.  The heating systems most common to the Metropolitan St. Louis area include:

Electric Furnace

ADVANTAGES

• As an energy source, electricity is currently a less expensive energy compared to natural gas
• Electric resistant heat furnaces generally have fewer moving parts so may require less maintenance
• Initial purchase and installation cost is lower
• No carbon monoxide created in heating process
• No flues or exhaust to cause negative pressure in home

DISADVANTAGES

• Not a “hot” heat with temperatures at register typically below 110 degrees F
• A low-tech energy technology

Gas Furnace

ADVANTAGES

• Most common and comfortable “hot” heat
• A “hot” heat delivery at the register above 110 degrees F
• Units available with 90% plus energy efficiency
• Sealed combustion units maintain indoor air pressure
• Substantial domestic U.S. supply of natural gas and propane

DISADVANTAGES

• Natural gas prices are relatively higher when compared to electricity
• Has more moving parts so may require more maintenance
• Initial purchase and installation cost is higher than an electric unit.
• Standard efficiency unit’s burn home’s air for fuel and creates negative pressure

If gas is your choice for heating your home, we recommend a sealed combustion unit. When installed correctly, this is the gas system with the highest efficiency, health and safety.

Geothermal Heating

This is a highly efficient way to heat a home, and is discussed in greater detail at this link.

Radiator Heating

A boiler unit – usually gas powered – dispenses heated water to upright radiator units throughout the house.

ADVANTAGES

• Maintains the look and feel of historic homes
• The heat lingers long after the unit has been shut off

DISADVANTAGES

• Home still requires duct work for a central air system
• Radiators are hot to the touch so require safety measures for small children
• Radiant systems for steam and hot water require frequent maintenance

Radiant Floor Heating

Coils in the floor dispense a water-based or electric heat throughout the house.

ADVANTAGES

• Heat is delivered into solid materials rather than heating air in a space
• Heat covers an entire floor area
• Floors are pleasantly warm to the touch
• Electric versions are low maintenance
• No change to moisture or humidity in the air

DISADVANTAGES

• Home still requires duct work for a central air system
• Challenging access to piping if maintenance problems occur
• Limited floor covering options
• Lag time response when changing temperatures

Get Heat Where You Need It Most

Once the type of heating has been decided, consider how to control the temperature of each room individually.  Simple laws of physics make it challenging to keep an entire house at a consistent temperature, with varied conditions of glass and insulation, unless there is a zoned heating system.

A zoned heating system comes in two forms. An electronic retrofit damper system can be installed into existing ductwork to direct air flow into the rooms requiring the most heat.  This is a basic manipulation of the flow from the forced air furnace, a way to reduce heat flow into one space and force more volume flow into another.

A damper system is often a retrofit treatment of an unbalanced ductwork design to try and better balance heat in your home.  It takes flow from one area to deliver more flow into a new space, effectively under-delivering and under-serving the existing space.  A more comprehensive solution is to design and build a specific duct work system sized precisely for seasonal comfort in specific spaces and rooms.

The most efficient, long-term solution for balancing ever-changing heating needs is separate heating systems for specific zones of the home.  For instance, with the introduction of a room addition or finished basement, simply adding more ductwork to an existing furnace can potentially unbalance and stretch thin the current furnace system.  There is a better option for comfort.

Rather than reduce the efficiency of an existing system by tacking on more ductwork, consider adding a separate heating (and cooling) system to these new spaces.  This specific design and sizing also allows for different types of heat within the home.  For example, a master bathroom addition is a perfect situation for a radiant floor heating system which will run on a separate system from the gas furnace system in the rest of the home.

There are so many ways to properly heat your home, and enlisting the help of experienced professionals is how to match the correct system to your specific needs and discover what is best for you.  Learn more about the Mosby Building Arts home energy audit here.  Bring comfort and efficiency to your home this winter by calling the Mosby office at 314.909.1800 or contact us here.

The obvious - and not so obvious - ways that air leaks in and out of your home.

With the arrival of chilly weather, we become aware of cold air leaking into the home, and our instinct is to plug up the leaks.  But sealing the house too tight can be more harmful than a leaky house.  Controlled ventilation and proper air sealing is the goal.

What is Air Leakage?

Air leakage – also known as air infiltration – is unwanted amounts of outside air entering the house through cracks and small openings.  A leaky house allows moisture, dust and allergens into the home, making it unhealthy.  As air pressure changes in your home, these same leaks also allow heated air to escape outside. These air leaks waste energy dollars because it costs more to heat a home that’s letting air sneak out through cracks and openings.

Where Does the Air Leak?

Air leakage can account for 50% of your heating costs, and the pie chart above shows the most common areas where unwanted cold air seeps into the home.

A good analogy is to think of going outside on a cold, windy day wearing an expensive, good quality winter coat all decked out with thermal fleece and water repellent, but if you don’t zip it up, you get none of the warmth benefits you paid for.

You need to zip up your home by sealing air leaks.  The most efficient replacement windows and extra insulation cannot help reduce your heating bills if the areas around them let in the cold air.  You can have reduced energy bills, and increased comfort and health by identifying air infiltration points and sealing them up.

How Do I Find the Air Leaks?

A home energy audit can include infrared detection and a blower door test.

Two of the most effective ways of finding air infiltration weaknesses in your home is with a blower door test and infrared thermal imaging. Both of these tests can be performed during a home energy audit.

Testing the air-tightness of a home using a variable speed fan called a blower door will help reveal air leakage sites.  A door-panel system with a calibrated fan and pressure gauges is set up in an exterior door and is typically used to create negative pressure that will pull air through cracks and penetrations in your home. The tighter the building, the less air is needed from the blower door fan to create a desired change in building pressure.

Left, a patio door. Right, same door as seen by infrared camera reveals air infiltration.

An infrared thermal camera shows surface temperature differences, which pinpoints exactly where air leaks compromise efficiency.  The pictures above show a patio door as seen through the infrared camera, with the blue areas revealing cold outside air leaking in. Solutions for stopping this leak include adjusting the door and the threshold, and repairing and/or replacing the weather seal around the door.

Start with a Home Energy Audit

A home energy audit by an experienced and certified energy auditor who will assess and recommend solutions is the best way to take control of your comfort, health and energy bills.  Choosing a company that can assess, recommend and perform the solutions increases your efficiency and peace of mind.

Mosby Building Arts has a deep bench of Certified Green Professionals, and energy auditors trained and authorized by the Building Performance Institute, Energy Star and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.  Take advantage of their knowledge and experience to perform the solutions that will benefit you the most.  You can work the Mosby energy experts to develop a master plan of which improvements will bring immediate results, and which improvements will create a larger return-on-investment.

The first step of making your home energy efficient and comfortable begins with a Mosby Home Energy Audit.  To schedule an audit, call us at 314.909.1800, or contact us here.

Mosby Building Arts is proud to be a part of the Earthways Green Homes Festival on September 26, 2009, from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.  The event is free, so come visit us at Booth #10 (on Grandel Square, just west of Grand Boulevard and across the street from the Sun Theater) and learn what steps you can take to make your home sustainable.

The broad definition of a sustainable home is one that uses its resources efficiently with the capacity to endure.  We at Mosby practice this as “Build it right the first time,” and have adhered to this principal for over 60 years.  When a home works efficiently and properly, home owners benefit from the low-maintenance function and lasting quality, which ultimately saves money.

Consider that the greenest home is one already standing, reusing (or remodeling) what exists is a responsible form of sustainability.  A home that is comfortable, healthy and energy efficient has a positive impact on our resources,  neighborhood and the earth.  Examples of a sustainable home include:

Water Management

A home’s biggest enemy is water because it has the ability to do great damage and is constantly seeking a way to do this by infiltrating the barriers we put up against it.

All surfaces exposed to repeated water leaks will eventually deteriorate, which causes unsafe and unhealthy living conditions.  Keeping the water out is so much more than a good roof; proper flashing and drainage are part of the system that works with the roof to keep water from invading.  If one part of this system breaks down, there will be water leaks that may take awhile to show up, and by then it may have already caused costly damage.  Keeping a home water tight is the key to sustaining it for generations to come.

Venting

Homes need a steady intake and release of air to keep indoor air healthy and dry. Negative impact of faulty air venting includes:

• Too much air escaping through improper venting or sealing allows valuable heating and cooling energy to escape, encouraging wasteful energy bills and feeling uncomfortable.

• A house that is too air-tight will hold in moisture (commonly experienced as humidity) and high water content breeds mold. Moisture can rot wood (both structure and furniture) and create unhealthy breathing conditions. Proper venting maintains the delicate balance of air flow that keeps families safe and healthy.

Energy Efficiency

Heating, cooling and water bills make up about 40% of the cost of running a home, so it is important for these systems to run efficiently to receive maximum benefit from them.

A home energy audit is the surest way to know the level of energy efficiency in a home.  Audits are a series of tests that will measure items such as the rate of air exchange, carbon monoxide levels and air leaks.  The findings will highlight where improvements can be made that will bring about measurable improvement in energy savings, comfort and indoor air quality.

Mosby Building Arts has a Certified Green Professional energy auditor who is registered with the Building Performance Institute, Missouri Department of Natural Resources and Ameren UE to perform the tests that identify problem areas and recommend the changes that will benefit you the most.  Mosby also performs the energy efficiency solutions, so you will have the peace of mind that comes from having experienced professionals handle every aspect of sustainable improvements to your home.

Learn more about the Mosby Home Energy Audit here, and on Saturday, September 26, talk with the Mosby energy auditor at the Earthways Green Homes Festival.  It is a great opportunity to get a head start on improving the comfort, health and performance of your home.

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The dog days of summer can make you more sensitive to the effectiveness of your air conditioning unit.   You may notice that some rooms are warmer than others, while others feel too humid, and shouldn’t the house feel more comfortable in comparison to the cost of the cooling bill?

This is also the traditional time of year to take a vacation and leave behind an empty house. What temperature should you set your thermostat while you’re away?  Set the temperature too high and you risk growing mold and mildew and possible damage to wood furniture. Set it too low and you’re needlessly cooling an empty house. What’s the best solution?

A common assumption is that a new air conditioning unit will solve comfort issues, and the Mosby experts do offer experienced recommendations on new models that will perform at the greatest value and energy efficiency.  But before jumping into the purchase of a new AC, it is best to get an overview of the conditions in your home and develop a master plan of what the most effective cooling solutions would be.

Start With an Energy Audit

A home energy audit is the best way to uncover inefficiencies like why your house does not cool evenly as well as determine where you could reduce your home’s energy costs.  The Mosby Building Arts energy auditor is certified with both the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and the Building Performance Institute to test your home with tools that expose the issues that affect your comfort and your health.  Once the weaknesses are identified, we give you a list of improvement priorities, and work with you on the master plan that will achieve the best results.

Simple Solutions

Sealing the air leaks in your home is the quickest and most reliable way to keep the cool air inside where it belongs.  An energy audit will identify where these weak spots are.

Upgrading to a programmable thermostat will help reduce your energy bills and free you from monitoring indoor temperature.  These digital setback thermostats are programmed to automatically adjust temperature settings according to time of day and are indispensable for those times when you are away from home for long periods of time.

Moisture is the biggest battle in every home, and in the heart of the summer moisture comes in the form of indoor humidity.  If the humidity is too high it will promote mold and mildew growth which can adversely affect your health.  Properly balanced cooling temperatures and a dehumidifier attached to your AC will keep this problem in check.

Old-Fashioned Know-How

How did your grandparents survive summer in the days before central air conditioning?  Their tried-and-true methods for keeping the house cool will work just as well for you today, and include:

● Ceiling fans rotating clockwise
● Shades or blinds drawn down against direct sunlight
● Awnings or deep roof eaves atop windows facing south and west
● Trees and tall shrubs to provide shade on south and west sides
● Roof vents remove accumulated heat from the attic

Mosby Building Arts is the one company with the wisdom, experience and service to take care of all your energy efficiency and comfort needs. We work with you to create a master plan that will take your home into the next 15 years of enhancing the way you live.  Call our office at 314.909.1800 or contact us here.

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A homeowner wrote into our Mosby Home Improvement Library with this question:

“What are the pros and cons of “no tank” water heaters for small residences? Thanks.”

We love tankless units. When sized and installed properly they are the perfect solution for instant hot water on demand, and not having to continuously heat a large reserve of water can significantly reduce energy costs. We also understand that each homeowner has unique needs and circumstances which we take into consideration to help you make the right decision.

There are pros and cons to consider when researching a switch to tankless water heating:

Tankless Water Heater Pros

1. Only heats water while hot water is being used. This “on demand” aspect means lower use which can equal lower utility cost.

2. Because they don’t hold a supply of water, they are typically smaller than standard heaters.

3. The supply of hot water is endless. No holding tank to empty.

4. Some tankless water heaters qualify for a federal tax credit.

Tankless Water Heater Cons

1. The initial cost and installation of a tankless unit costs more than a standard water heater, but over time you will recoup this cost in future energy savings.

2. Tankless uses a lot of power at the time they are engaged, so your gas or electric lines may require upgrading to handle the volume.

3. Some units are very strict on placement in the home; this sometimes makes it difficult to install/retrofit in an existing home.

4. Some complain that they do not meet high demand (example: shower with washing machine and dishwasher running.) You can avoid this problem by using an experienced installer who will assess your home and suggest the right size for your daily needs.

Historic tankless heater courtesy of Stan-Key Plumbing Services.

Tankless water heaters originated in Europe and Asia after World War 2 when on-going energy limitations and space constraints forced people to look for more efficient ways to heat their water. With the recent increases in energy costs, Americans are now interested in more efficient and cost-effective ways of heating water.

The major contrast between the old and new tankless heaters is efficiency. Most of the heat created by the old tankless heater went up the chimney, and not into the water. During that time in our nation’s history, fuel was cheap so efficiency wasn’t an issue. The new tankless heaters make use of solid-state electronics and a variety of water and gas controls which result in most of the heat going into the water and not out the vent.

Tankless system installed by trusted Mosby trade partner Stan-Key Plumbing Services.

The decision to install a tankless water heater is a personal choice. The initial costs are higher than traditional water heaters, but the long term savings are substantial and the convenience is rewarding.

If you decide to go with a standard tank water heater we recommend installing a high efficiency sealed combustion unit. If you decide to go tankless, they require an experienced installer to assess your specific needs and give you the right size unit properly installed. Call us at 314.909.1800 or contact us here to get expert Mosby Building Arts help with all your water heater issues.

When an office coffee maker went kaput, a clever idea was born. David – who does purchasing for Mosby Building Arts remodeling projects – thoroughly cleaned out the glass pot and remodeled it as a home for a betta fish. We happily welcome Esveldea to the Mosby Family!