Energy Efficient Homes ... start with a home energy audit.

Energy efficient homes are constructed with energy efficiency the primary outcome. An energy efficient home uses no net purchased energy (a Zero Energy Building). These homes are built with a very tight thermal envelope, energy efficient doors, windows and appliances along with a high efficiency heating and cooling systems.

On the other end of the spectrum are homes built using traditional building methods and materials. Typically a focus on energy conservation and energy efficiency were not paramount in the design and construction. Energy was low-priced, builders and consumers saw no reason to incorporate technology for energy efficient homes. Chances are your home fits this situation.

You want to invest in an energy efficient home but don’t know where to start. Your goal is to reduce energy consumption and your utility bill. Conserving energy is your first step to reduce energy consumption. Next, conduct an home energy audit to prioritize energy efficiency improvements.

A Home Energy Rating (HER) provides you a comprehensive home energy audit. The audit gives you recommendations based upon a sound technical analysis to make energy efficiency home improvements.

Benefits of a Home Energy Rating Audit:

• Determine the energy efficiency of a building prior to buying.

• Make informed decisions when investing in cost-effective energy improvements.

• Purchase energy efficient improvements through an energy efficient mortgage.

• Qualify for an energy efficient mortgage to purchase energy efficient improvements.

The Home Energy Rating requires an on-site inspection by trained and certified energy efficiency professional. The analysis results in a HER index identifying energy efficiency improvements needed to make the home meet energy performance guidelines. The rating verifies to your lender and most importantly you that the home is energy efficient.

The energy efficiency rating includes air conditioning, space heating, water heating, lighting, cooking, clothes drying and pool water pumping. A high HER rating makes you qualify for an Energy Efficient Mortgage or an Energy Improvement Mortgage.

Home Energy Audit

The HER report includes the overall rating score — from a Net Zero Energy Home to a top score of 150, Existing Homes.

Each one point reduction in the HERS Index represents a 1% reduction in energy consumption in comparison to the reference Standard New Home.

So... if a home has a HER Index of 65 it's 35% more energy efficient than the Standard New Home with a HERS Index of 100.

The HER report includes recommendations for cost effective energy improvements. If you want to upgrade the energy efficiency you can use the energy rating to justify cost-effective energy improvements like solar hot water. You should have confidence that the improvements make an energy efficient home.

The Energy Efficient Mortgage amount is based on the amount or energy saved from cost effective energy improvements. Energy mortgages can finance improvement for energy efficient homes.

Home Energy Audit Example

Many utilities will pay for the audit. An audit gives you the confidence to invest in energy efficient measures that reduce your energy use and monthly cost.

Energy Mortgages

Energy Efficient Mortgage - Uses the energy savings from a new energy efficient home increases your home buying power and capitalizes the energy savings in the appraisal.

Energy Improvement Mortgage is used to purchase an existing home or finance energy improvements. How does an energy efficient home save money? You can include the cost of the energy efficiency improvements in the mortgage, allowing lenders to finance the improvements based on the HER. The rating report provides all the information a lender needs to underwrite your loan. This mortgage could be used to purchase a solar heating system.

Seriously consider a home energy rating before making an investmen. You will like the results.

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