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Home Energy Audit

Most of the 130 million households in this country were built before modern energy codes were established  and implemented. This results in these homes suffering from problems of energy efficiency ranging from energy-intensive to a low level in the indoor thermal comfort and indoor air quality.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy launched a national program: “Home Performance with ENERGY STAR” to provide a comprehensive solution to all residents to retrofit their homes improving energy efficiency and comfort, while helping to protect the environment and enabling huge savings..

 IMPORTANCE OF HOME ENERGY EFFICIENCY

The buildings in the U.S. represent 40% of the budget of the nation’s energy and provide energy conservation will represent a huge  saving. The benefits of implementing these new energy codes, is reflected in the significant reduction in consumption, cost and CO2 emissions reduction. Studies by Building Energy Codes Program (BECP) show that the current efforts of the program will result in 1.7 trillion Btu saved annually by 2030.

 ENERGY AUDIT

Conducting an energy audit on your property is of great importance since it evaluates the performance of its structure and equipment as a whole-house. This assessment analyzes the flow of energy, determining leaks location, the efficiency of electrical appliances as well as indoor air quality and the possible presence of CO2 levels. This analysis  will determine areas that require insulation and ductwork sealing, as well as techniques that can be implemented to improve heating and cooling systems, identifies appliances and lighting that can be replace by high-efficiency appliances such as ENERGY STAR or LED lamps.

Professional energy auditors use blower door tests to help determine a home’s air tightness. During a professional energy audit, an energy auditor analyzes your energy bills, completes visual, health and safety inspections, and may use special equipment — such as a blower door and an infrared camera — to detect sources of energy loss.

Based on the data collected, an energy audit will provide you with a comprehensive home energy report that shows which energy efficiency upgrades are best for your home and your potential energy savings. With this report  you will learn how you use energy, determine where it’s being wasted and prioritize your efficiency upgrades. Making energy efficiency upgrades identified in a home energy audit can save 5-30 percent on your monthly energy bill while also ensuring the health and safety of your house.

IMPORTANCE OF BUILDING TIGHTNESS:

Airtightness is the control of airflow in a building. When a building is properly tighten leaks DO NOT occur at ceiling or wall junctions or cracks. These leaks create discomfort & energy loss. A building that solves for airtightness also protects the structure over its’ lifetime and will offer a better indoor quality.

These are some reasons for establishing the proper building tightness:

  • Reducing energy consumption due to air leakage
  • Avoiding moisture condensation problems reducing chance of mold formation.
  • Avoiding uncomfortable drafts caused by cold air leaking in from the outdoors increasing thermal comfort.
  • Determining how much mechanical ventilation might be needed to provide acceptable indoor air quality. Better performing ventilation system inside the house.

INCENTIVES AND PROGRAMS

There are numerous  incentive and programs from local, state and federal agencies aiming to  help residents to  reduce the costs associated with energy audits, implementation of techniques. Also, financial programs that help to implement the upgrades on the property with 0 down payment and 100% financing.

By: Maria M Hernandez

Building Analyst, LEED AP, CGC

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WHAT IS THE APPRAISED VALUE OF TRANSFORMING YOUR HOME?

As more and more people in South Florida are using the PACE program to retrofit their property and make it more efficient and sustainable, one of the most frequent questions I get asked all the time is how do they really know if value of their property will increase with the new transformation?

That is a very important and fair question if you want to differentiate the Green value of your property from the standard competition. Unfortunately, because Green homes are relatively new to the South Florida market and comparable homes are difficult to find, energy efficiency upgrades may be overlooked in the appraisal process for a variety of reasons, including a lack of access to quality data and appraiser qualifications. Only small number of appraisers are aware of the unique features of Green building, zero energy or high-performance homes and understand the added value of energy- efficiency upgrades and “Green” implementations.

According to the Appraisal Journal, the market value of a home increases by $10.00 – $25.00 for every $1 decrease in energy bill. To ensure that the appraiser takes the home’s upgrades into account, the property owner should clearly identify the property as a special property type, which requires an appraiser qualified in the valuation of energy efficient, high-performing home. Also, The Federal Housing Administration, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, require appraisers to consider the energy efficient improvements of the homes.

To standardize the communication of the high performing features of residential properties, the Appraisal Institute has developed the Residential Green and Energy Efficient Addendum.  The Appraisal Institute’s Green Addendum is the first residential green and energy efficient appraisal report addendum developed by appraisers, for use by appraisers.

Builders, contractors with knowledge in green building and third-party verifiers are encouraged to complete this Addendum and present to appraisers, agents, lenders, and homeowners.

The Residential Green and Energy Efficient Addendum also educates about what is green building and how it applies to all the phases from design, construction, operation, maintenance, renovation, and deconstruction. Also, highlight the six elements found in green building that must be considered, including (1) site, (2) water, (3) energy, (4) materials, (5) indoor environmental quality, and (6) maintenance and operation. The energy efficiency and water conservation are the most measurable elements of green or high-performance housing.

The following verified improvements are considered within the appraisal analysis of the subject property for an increase value:

  • Green Certifications: such as LEED, FGBC, EnergyStar, Zero energy homes, Indoor airPlus, WaterSense, Living Building Challenge.
  • Energy Label: from approved sources, such as Department of Energy (DOE) and Home energy score RESNET’s HERS rating.
  • Verified Improvements: specifically, those that have documented cost information available. Energy efficient improvements including: Low E windows, insulation, Day lighting, Energy Star appliances, water heater, high efficient air conditioning, programmable thermostat. Indoor environmental quality improvements like nontoxic pest control, humidity monitoring device installed and water efficiency improvements including grey-water reuse system, water saving fixtures, rain barrels.
  • Solar Photovoltaic System: including the panel specifications, inverter, battery storage capabilities, and array information.
  • Solar Thermal Water Heating System: including type of system, collector type, backup system.
  • Location –Site:additional considerations in the appraisal analysis apply to walk score, public transportation proximity and site benefits, such house orientation and water efficient landscaping.

Before you make the decision on your next retrofit project be smart and get informed about the strategies and implementations that will increase more your property value. For more information on the best retrofit and how to do it with 0 Down-payment and 100% finance, please, send us an email to: info@HHDCgreen.com

By: Maria M. Hernandez

LEED AP ID+C, Building Analyst,

CGC#1515897

Ciudad Weston Nwspaper

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SPRING HOME RETROFIT

Welcome to Spring!

This is a perfect time to implement preventive measures to your home, to keep it safe and well maintained throughout the year. Now, with the PACE program, it is easy to replace the old leaky roof, unsafe old windows or the inefficient air condition. The PACE program, will allow you to do these projects in your property with 0 down payment, 100% finance with no payments for over a year. In some cases, the payment is offset by the savings produced by the new technology.

In my article, I will emphasize some mitigation and retrofit projects that will protect your life, your assets and will offer you savings while protecting the environment. So, let’s get into our home transformation mode to be ready for the season:

OLD ROOF RETROFIT: With the rainy and hurricane season around the corner, replacing that old leaky roof is a must. You will improve safety, protect your property from water damage and structural compromise. When re-roofing, it is important to consider other upgrades like adding a second water barrier that will offer more protection and more discount in your insurance premium. Also, this is the moment to strengthen the roof deck attachment and install hurricane straps which can help keep a home’s roof from blowing off.

Your best investment will be in the installation of a high reflectance or cool roof, because it will reflect sunlight and heat away from a building reducing up to 15% of annual air conditioning energy cost. This will reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions improving human health.
Another implementation when installing a new roof could be the installation of day-lighting systems to bring natural lighting in dark rooms to save energy. Also, consider the installation of a solar attic fan to reduce the heat and humidity from your attic to reduce energy consumption and to create a healthier indoor. With this solar system, you will earn 30% tax credit.

OLD WINDOWS AND DOORS: This is a high-ticket item, but with the PACE program you can install your new hurricane impact windows and doors now with zero down payment. Keeping your love ones and your property safe during hurricane season can’t wait. The best option replacing a conventional single pane window is to invest in the high-performance windows. By installing Energy Star windows and doors, you will have a better protection and will shrink energy bill and carbon footprint at the same time. With this investment in your property, you will save in energy bill, property insurance and you will save pounds of CO2 reducing your carbon footprint. These windows are the best investment to increase your property value.

NOISY AND INEFFICIENT AIR CONDITIONING: Sumer temperatures are just around the corner and if you still have an old system, your best defense will be to install a high efficient central air-conditioning, also, financed with the PACE program. By replacing an old 10 SEER AC unit with a high efficient 16 SEER AC (3 Ton air conditioning), you will save around 40% ($600) in energy bill yearly, also you will reduce your carbon footprint.

By implementing all these retrofits to your property, you will be ready for the season to offer the best protection to your loved ones and your asset while reducing your energy bill, maintenance cost and insurance premium. The moment is now, take advantage of the PACE program!

As a PACE certified contractor, I have witnessed the great benefits behind this excellent program; residential and commercial building owners are been able to transform their properties up to the latest codes, making it more resilient while reducing their properties insurance cost and increasing property value

From my Green building, professional experience, I have witnessed the “Green” side of this program, not just because the homeowner is saving money but because they are reducing their carbon footprint. One of the easiest ways to fight climate change is to start in our own homes by transforming our properties and making it more energy efficient. The results will produce a positive impact with triple bottom line: Economy, People and Planet, reducing pollution, creating healthier environments while growing the economy.

I believe the PACE program is more than just a financial tool to help property owners; it is the pathway for buildings transformation across the Nation and the accelerator that will unleash the power of renewable energy in the SUNSHINE State.

For more information about the program or to retrofit your property with the PACE program, please, send an email to: Floridaleedap@gmail.com H & H Design and Construction.

By: Maria M. Hernandez, CGC #1515987 – LEED AP- Building Analyst- PACE certified

Ciudad Weston Newspaper

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