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Energy Efficiency in Homes
Building energy efficient homes and improving energy efficiency
in our homes can increase their value.
Over the past few years, there has been a ground swell of Green building
interest by home buyers and builders. In response to the growing demand to
conserve energy in our homes, there are several new mortgage programs that allow
home buyers to finance the cost of energy improvements into their mortgage, to
increase their loan-to-value, or improve their qualifying ratios. Some of the
more common improvements that are used to make homes more energy efficient
include the addition of new windows, high efficiency heating/cooling systems,
and improved insulation. All of these contribute to reduced energy use, and also
to making homes quieter, more comfortable, and more desirable. Mortgage Programs
These programs allow buyers to purchase a more expensive home that has a lower
cost of ownership to offset the larger mortgage payment. There are 2 types of
financing options available that cover a variety of scenarios for energy
efficient homes.
• Energy Efficient Mortgages (EEM’s) allow borrowers to qualify for a larger
loan, using expanded income ratios, sometimes with the same down payment.
• Energy Improvement Mortgages (EIM’s) allow borrowers to include in the
mortgage the cost of making an existing home more energy efficient, when they
refinance or purchase the home. These products are available through your local
mortgage brokers and banks using FNMA, FHLMC, FHA, and VA guidelines.
EPACT 2005-2008 provides $2000 Builder Tax Credit
The Energy Policy Act of 2005 established a federal tax credit for builders that
apply to each home that exceeds the energy performance threshold outlined in the
2004 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC2004). Eligible homes must be
at least 50% more efficient than homes built to the IECC2004. It is fairly easy
for builders to achieve this threshold by building tighter homes, installing
high-performance insulation, and sealing duct work. The best way for a builder
to find out how to meet EPACT is to consult with a certified RESNET (Residential
Energy Services Network) Home Energy Rater. In order for a builder to receive a
$2000 tax credit, the home must be rated by a RESNET certified rater using IRS
approved software. For more information, visit
http://www.natresnet.org/taxcredits/default.htm .
What makes a home energy efficient?
The cost of heating and cooling a home represents the largest cost of ownership,
outside of the home mortgage expense. Everyone wants a home that is comfortable
to live in, and yet the costs associated with reaching a comfortable level can
be very high. Energy Efficiency can be defined as the use of products or systems
that use less energy to do the same or better job as conventional products. In
home construction and performance, there are many areas where energy efficiency
can be achieved, to allow you to meet those desired comfort levels. The EPA’s
ENERGY STAR® program has developed a process for evaluating products used in a
home, such as appliances, windows, lighting and other products that meet or
exceed certain efficiency standards or recommendations. When choosing products
for a home, ensure the products meet Energy Star ratings. This can include
furnace, air conditioning and water heater performance, replacement of
appliances in the home, and installation of energy efficient lighting such as
Compact Florescent Lamps (CFL’s).
Other construction design aspects can have a significant impact on the energy
performance of a home. Insulation levels should be adequate for the environment,
and more importantly, proper installation of the insulation is critical in
ensuring it is performing to the expected levels. Air infiltration and leakage
can be another area where hidden openings in the building shell can cause heat
and cooling losses to occur, reducing the efficiency of the home’s performance.
In addition to performance of individual components in a home, the EPA’s Energy
Star Program also works with builders to qualify and certify home performance,
to ensure that maximum performance is achieved. ENERGY STAR® qualified homes are
designed to be at least 15 percent more energy efficient than homes built to the
2004 International Residential Code (IRC). ENERGY STAR® qualified homes offer
homebuyers all the features they want in a new home, plus energy-efficient
improvements that deliver better performance, greater comfort, and lower utility
bills. ENERGY STAR® homes have had their energy efficiency independently
verified by an inspector known as a Home Energy rater. A HERS Rater will inspect
and test the home during construction, and verify that the home meets EPA’s
strict guidelines for energy efficiency.
RESNET; Establishes rules for the energy rating industry
In 1995 RESNET was founded to develop a national market for home energy ratings
and energy efficient mortgages. One main goal of RESNET was the development of
standards for quality of rating services. The standards set the national
procedures for home energy ratings, and include testing and accreditation for
raters and providers, development of verification processes for homes meeting
ENERGY STAR® and energy efficient building standards, as well as meeting local
Energy Code compliance. A certified HERS Rater follows a prescribed standard for
how a home is measured, verified and rated, and must comply with national
standards to continue to perform certified ratings.
What is an energy audit or HERS Rating
A Home Energy Rating, performed by a Certified HERS Rater, consists of a full
visual analysis of components and aspects of the home, along with energy
performance testing of air infiltration with a tool called a blower door.
Evaluation of home energy bills can also be included. A blower door slightly
de-pressurizes the home and determines the amount of air leakage present. The
home is compared to a hypothetical reference home which is based on the IECC
2004, and the home is then provided with a rating. The rating can be a numerical
HERS rating or a ‘star’ rating based upon ENERGY STAR® requirements.
Along with the actual performance rating, the homeowner will be provided with
details on areas of the home that need to be improved, in order to further save
energy costs and improve the comfort and efficiency of the home.
For more information, visit:
http://www.greenenergysavers.com/
Bruce Czech and George Scott are both Certified Home Energy Raters and also
Certified ASHI Home Inspectors. Performing Energy Audits and Home Inspections
give both of them insight into what can go wrong in a home, and where
improvements can be made to result in direct savings.
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=George_Scott
If you are looking for a professional heating company in Southern Oregon, please call us today at 541-608-0235 or complete our online service request form.
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