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When Gibson meets with the clients again, they review all the results and the homeowner decides which improvements they want to do. If the clients want him to do the work, he finds qualified contractors to complete it.
At the conclusion of the audit and corrections, Gibson says he will run one final test to determine exactly how much tighter the home is; he also runs an additional safety test to make certain the appliances are vented properly.
The Green Home Upgrade
“Having an energy-efficient home is like having an insurance policy against rate increases,” explains Harry Ford, administrator of the California Building Performance Contractors Association (CBPCA) in Oakland, Calif. “It’s a way to set your house apart from others.”
Selling a home with green improvements just got easier. “There is a growing demand among buyers for energy-efficient homes,” says Ford, whose association works closely with the Home Performance with Energy Star program. A national program with the Environmental Protection Agency, the program offers a comprehensive, whole house approach to home energy audits in 19 states across the country with more states coming on board soon.
Contact your utility company directly to see what programs they offer, call an independent energy auditor or put your “do-it-yourself” cap on and look for assistance with several organizations, including the Building Performance Institute and their Home Performance Program with Energy Star or Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET).
Homeowners may be eligible for utility, local, state and federal rebates or tax incentives for energy-efficient upgrades. See the DSIRE database of state incentives.
Here's something to think about if you own an older home. The Uniform Building Code was first enacted back in 1927. Houses built before that date often didn’t always have enough insulation or adequate heating ducts. So, one of the best opportunities to reduce energy consumption exists in older homes when codes were few or nonexistent.
With a home energy audit, you are doing something good for yourself, your home and your environment.
For more information about home energy audits, check out these articles on BobVila.com. “Home Energy Audits” provides a comprehensive overview of the process and discusses some do-it-yourself options as well as hiring a professional. “Four Fixes to Stop Home Energy Leaks” looks at how an infrared camera quickly finds energy leaks and shows you how to stop energy loss.
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Text by Judith A. Stock
© 2008 BobVila.com
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