From the category archives:

Energy

How to Choose a PV Solar Installer

by nan on 2010/07/15 · 8 comments

in Building, Eco-Building, Eco-living Tips, Energy, Writings

Purchasing and installing solar power on your home or business can be overwhelming. You want to do your part for the environment, but don’t know where to begin, right? Here are a few ideas and resources to get you started.

> Research and interview all the potential installers in your area, no matter how small an outfit.

> Ask about their business:

* Are you licensed, bonded and insured? Find out if they have NABCEP certification (North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners). If they have been in business for a long time, they may think this step is unnecessary, so check references, and find out if they are licensed in your state.

* Do you have any judgments against you? Call the Better Business Bureau or the Consumer Affairs Office to check.

* How long have you been installing solar? A company has more experience the longer they have been in operation.

* How many installations are off-grid? Grid tied? An experienced company will have done both. Off-grid was more common until net-metering became popular, so good installers need to know both. (Net metering is when you connect your solar PV system to your local utility, and they pay you for electricity you produce but do not use.)

> Ask about their services and obligations:

* Do you give free estimates? You want to hear Yes.

* Do you conduct a site survey? Do I need to be present? They should say yes on the site survey, and I recommend being there, no matter what they say. It’s a great time to ask questions.

* Does your company design the system and purchase materials? Again, you want a Yes.

* Do you know the building code and inspection requirements, and do you get the permits? They should say Yes, and you should ask what permits there are.

* Are there any financial incentives, and do you do the necessary paperwork? Do you offer financing? Each outfit should know the current state and federal incentives offered. You can check on them here. If they offer financing, ask about terms – how much down payment, how long to pay it back and interest rates. Ask for the total cost after it’s paid off.

* Do you outsource your work? They should say NO! You want the same outfit who does your site assessment to do your installation.

* Will you write up a contract that includes materials, start and finish dates of the job, and price and payment schedule? A contract should include all of these things.

> Do a cost analysis. Your PV system needs to be sized according to your needs, and an installer will have software to determine this. S/he will also be able to figure out the return on your investment (ROI) and how long it will take to be paid off with energy savings.

> Ask about and research the materials each installer uses. Components vary in quality and power output. You want the best and most powerful!

> Ask about warranties. Expect a 10 year warranty on an inverter and 20-25 years on the solar panels. The company should also give you at least a 5 year warranty on their service, as well as for roof and electrical damage.

> Compare the bids you get from the various installers, and ask lots of questions. The bids must be on the same size and style of installation. The size of the system will be shown in watts (W), and the cost will be shown in dollars per watt ($/W). Be sure that all bids are expressed in either AC PTS (Alternating Current, Performance Test) or DC STC (Direct Current, Standard Test Conditions. Again, each bid must be for identical situations to be calculated accurately and so you can compare accurately.

> Check references! Ask for the names and numbers of past customers. When you contact these folks, find out if you can drive by their home to see their system. Maybe they will let you come in so they can talk about it! Ask about the customer service, if the company has lived up to their service pledge and their expectations, if there have been maintenance problems, and if the cost analysis was accurate.

> Do not take the cheapest bid just to cut corners. It is better to get a smaller system than buy a larger, cheaper and probably lower quality system. Quality over quantity. You can add to it later. If you are confident, though, that the cheapest installer is the best with the best materials, good customer service and great references, then get that system. If you are net-metering, then you will want the biggest system to cover all your needs and then some.

> Most important – hire a professional! Prompt customer service, transparency, documentation and patience are good signs of a good company. Move on to the next one if you don’t feel they are making you the most important part of this transaction.

(This post was written with the help of Tor Valenza, aka @SolarFred. Visit him at Solar Power Rocks.)

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Available Energy Rebates For Going Green At Home

by nan on 2010/07/13 · 0 comments

in Building, Eco Building, Eco-Building, Eco-living Tips, Energy, Energy, News, Solar, Writings

(This is a guest post from my good friend, David Quilty, owner and publisher of The Good Human, one of the most comprehensive sites on sustainable living and progressive politics. Follow him on Twitter and Facebook.)

Looking to increase the energy-efficiency of your home this year? Well, you are in luck – if you purchase an energy-efficient product or renewable energy system for your home, you will probably be be eligible for a decent-sized Federal tax credit. Not bad, considering that whatever you do is also going to save you money on your utility bills! While most people would think that if they just buy Energy Star rated products then they would be eligible for the credits, not all Energy Star items can qualify, so be sure to do your homework before running out and buying the first thing you come across. In addition to Federal tax credits, there are also state-level incentives to going green at home, which will be discussed after the Fed ones. There are different dollar amounts, percentages, and dates for different products and jobs, so be sure to check out the details for what you plan to do very carefully. Let’s take a look at what tax credits are available, dependent which efficiency upgrades you make at your home.

Until December 31, 2010, you can get a tax credit of up to 30% of cost up to $1,500 on the following items.

The work must be done on an existing home and this home must be your principal residence. Rentals and new construction do not qualify.

> Biomass stoves – Biomass includes wood, wood waste and residues (including wood pellets), plants , grasses, residues, and fibers.
> Advanced Main Air Circulating Fan – A fan which blows the air that your furnace heats up through the duct system.
> Air Source Heat Pumps – During the heating season, heat pumps move heat from the cool outdoors into your warm house; during the cooling season, heat pumps move heat from your cool house into the warm outdoors.
> Central Air Conditioning – I think we all know what these are!
> Gas, Propane, or Oil Hot Water Boiler – Heating units that use water circulated throughout the home in a system of baseboard heating units, radiators, and/or in-floor radiant tubing.
> Natural Gas or Propane Furnace – Uses the combustion of fuel and air to create heat.
> Insulation – Just what you think it is. The credit applies to weather stripping, spray foam, and house wrap.
> New Roofs – Metal roofs and asphalt roofs that reflect some of the sun’s rays.
> Gas, Oil, Propane Water Heater – Heats up the water for your home.
> Electric Heat Pump Water Heater – Heats up the water for your home.
> Storm Windows & Doors – These can enhance efficiency by creating another barrier from the weather outside.

Until December 31, 2016, you can get a tax credit of up to 30% of cost with no upper limit on the following items.

Existing homes & new construction qualify, as do both principal residences and second homes. Rentals do not qualify.

> Geothermal Heat Pumps – Similar to ordinary heat pumps but they use the ground instead of outside air to provide heating, air conditioning and, in most cases, hot water. VERY efficient.
> Residential Wind Turbines – Yep, turning the wind into energy to power your home.
> Solar Energy Systems – This includes both solar panels and/or solar water heaters.

Until December 31, 2016, you can get a tax credit of up to 30% of the cost, up to $500 per .5 kW of power capacity on the following item.

Existing homes & new construction qualify, and the home must be your principal residence. Rentals and second homes do not qualify.

> Fuel Cells – Not too common, especially in the U.S., a fuel cell is an electrochemical cell that converts a source fuel (usually hydrogen) into an electrical current.

So, how would you go about applying for these Federal tax credits and rebates? Well, after you have done your homework and purchased the appropriate products/had correct items installed, head on over to the Energy Star website, which provides information on the necessary tax forms and other information.

However, don’t stop there – there may be State credits and rebates available as well!

The Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency, or DSIRE, provides a full list of state, local, utility and federal incentives and policies that promote renewable energy and energy efficiency. Created by the U.S. Department of Energy, it is an amazing reference to all things related to your home state, so be sure to remember to use it in addition to any Federal information you may find. You don’t want to leave any tax credits or rebates on the table while they are still available!

A major key to our communal survival on this planet is by using energy in a much more efficient manner. We cannot continue to destroy the planet in order to continue living the exact same way we did 25 years ago, so we have to make changes in the way we both harvest energy and use energy at home. Upgrading your home to be more energy efficient is a huge component of this, so please – when remodeling, building, or when just wanting to “go green” at home, take advantage of these tax rebates and credits whenever possible. They will save you some money and save us all some energy.

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Reunion!

by nan on 2010/06/24 · 3 comments

in Building, Business, Eco Building, Eco-Building, Eco-living Tips, Energy, Energy, Environment, Environment, Essays, Gardening, Greenwash, News, Opinions, Solar, Solar Building Series, Writings

It’s time for a short break for me! Company has come to town – seven women I have not seen since high school graduation in 1972! The last thing I want to worry about these next few days while we have an amazing reunion (and recovery days afterward!) is posting to this blog, Twitter and Facebook. I’ll be back next week with a couple guest posts and hopefully some writing of my own.

I have gone back to school to be a Residential Planner. It will expand my real estate business, but it’s very time-consuming. And I miss getting up and writing in the morning! I have a few weeks off from school, so I hope to get caught up with desert verde, too, and bring you some original writing.

Meanwhile, go through the drop-downs in the navigation menu at the top of the page, and read Eco-living Tips, the Solar Building Series, and facts and news about Eco Building. Check out the Nature Quotes and Book selections, and visit the ads on the right side of the page to help keep this blog alive! There is lots to see while I’m gone a few days!

See you soon!

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(House) Size Does Matter

by nan on 2010/06/01 · 5 comments

in Building, Eco-Building, Energy, Opinions, Writings

Big is not beautiful anymore. American home square footage has been ballooning for years, but that’s got to end.

In our patriotic efforts to live up to our international reputation of being over-consumptive, we are living in way more space than we need. We have media rooms, master suites, walk-in closets that can be mistaken for bedrooms, and extra living and dining areas. I grew up in a house, some of which was reserved for company – formal living and dining rooms. I never understood that excess. It eventually dawned on my parents that they actually lived in about 1000 square feet, and they built their final house accordingly.

Jenkins Lane 4 My first house, as a single 30-something, was a 16′x24′ passive solar post and beam saltbox in New Hampshire. It had more space than I needed – full basement, two stories and a cozy reading loft on the ‘third floor.’ Utility bills were low. Being passive solar, it did not need supplemental heat on sunny winter days. Being small, it did not take much wood to keep it comfortable at night.

I now have children, and my house is about 2000 square feet. The space has served us well for the last eleven years. We have lived in every inch of it, and I even remodeled to reduce my energy bills and improve the traffic pattern and heating/cooling air flow. As the kids are growing up and moving out on their own, though, I am drowning in the extra room. I am ready to downsize.

A friend of mine owns a pumice passive solar duplex, one side of which is 665 square feet. It is one bedroom and a full bath with a petite kitchen, a living room and a storage room with a washer and dryer. I had this listed for sale a couple years ago, and every time I was in it, I said to myself, ‘I could live here with no kids.’ It was just enough room. If it was still for sale, I’d probably buy it.

Extravagance vs Simplicity

Why do we think bigger is better? Ask yourself that as you consider these parts of home ownership:

> cost
> maintenance
> cleaning
> utilities
> waste

Do you really need more of all those in your life? Right. I didn’t think so.

Downsize Without Sacrifice

> Make sure you have storage space. Not too much, otherwise you’ll continue to fill it up with ’stuff,’ and stuff is what we are trying to get rid of!

> The furniture must be to scale. Small room, small furniture. That is why the pumice duplex seemed so spacious – the kitchen was small but complete, and the living room furniture fit in the space it was given.

> Built-ins take up interior wall space, not living space. Use them. Double-duty built-ins, like a bench that is storage below, are very effective and space-saving.

> Get rid of your stuff! Have yard sales, and donate to churches and battered women shelters. Visit second-hand stores, freebox and recycling center regularly. Dump your stuff! The less stuff you have, the less room you will need. My rule is if I have not used something in six months, I get rid of it. If that makes you nervous, use one year as a timeline.

> Raised ceilings, which I don’t recommend for heating purposes, give the illusion of more space. Raise them if you must. Just don’t tell me about it.

The Benefits

> Save money on utilities and maintenance.

> Save money on your mortgage or your rent.

> If you are building, you will cut costs with less material.

> If you are building, you will create less waste (good for the landfill).

> If you are building, you will have a smaller footprint, eating up less of the planet’s precious vegetation.

> Reduce your carbon footprint and save our natural resources.

Next time you move or build, think big by going small.

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Before You Purchase Solar Power for Your Home

by nan on 2010/05/25 · 5 comments

in Building, Eco-Building, Eco-living Tips, Energy, Writings

So you want to install solar PV or solar thermal in your home? You can save money on your system by conserving energy first. The smaller your energy needs, the smaller your system will need to be.

First, do a detailed review of your energy usage. Get together a year’s utility bills, and average out your monthly usage for each utility. Note how many BTUs you use, as well as how much water.

Alternatively, you can hire a Certified Energy Rater to do this for you. The benefit to this is that once your data is in her software, your results can be adjusted as you do upgrades. You will also get recommendations on how to increase your energy efficiency and the ROI on each item. Check RESNET to find a rater.

Read the list below, and add a few items at a time to your lifestyle. It’s not possible to do this all at once, so don’t try! Conserve gradually, and it’ll be less shocking and more pleasant.

Check your bills again in 3-6 months. Continue conserving, until your bills are low and you don’t feel you are sacrificing your lifestyle. Get a quote for a solar system from a certified professional, and ask for advice. Maybe s/he will have more ways for you to conserve energy and save money. My solar installer suggested I bring in natural gas from an adjoining neighborhood. This saved me a bundle, and was nothing I would have considered!

Ways to Conserve Energy

Make your home tighter.
- Insulate your ceiling and subfloor.
- Insulate your ductwork.
- Caulk around all windows and doors.
- Weatherstrip exterior doors.
- Replace single pane and older double pane windows with energy efficient windows.
- Window coverings keep heat in during winter and out during summer.

Electricity
- Unplug small appliances when not in use.
- Replace old appliances with Energy Star appliances.
- Turn off lights in rooms that aren’t being used.
- Replace incandescent bulbs with CFLs.
- Put electronics on power strips that are turned off when not in use.

Heating and cooling (HVAC)
- Turn down your thermostat in winter and up in summer.
- Upgrade to an energy efficient furnace.
- Replace air conditioning and heating filters as recommended.
- Plant shade trees on the south and west sides of your home.

Water
- Turn down the thermostat on your hot water heater.
- Put an insulating blanket on your hot water heater.
- Use low-flow faucets.
- Take 5-minute showers.
- Replace old toilets with low-flush or dual flush.
- Install an on-demand (tankless) water heater.
- Buy a front-loading washing machine.
- Wash clothes in cold water.
- Hang your clothes on a clothesline or racks.
- Catch rainwater for irrigating.
- Install drip irrigation.
- Landscape with native plants and grasses.

Save money twice – first by cutting back on your energy use, second by installing a smaller solar system.

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America’s Mantra – Consume, Consume, Consume

by nan on 2010/05/18 · 3 comments

in Eco-living Tips, Energy, Essays, Opinions, Writings

I don’t get much city exposure, but when I do, I’m amazed at how many cars and people occupy the planet. I was in a crowded mall the other day and followed that with a zany Trader Joe’s experience.

It dawned on me we will never make everyone energy- and consumption-conscious. Middle America will always want the latest fad in clothes, cars, shampoo and furniture. Manufacturers know this, and change their lines, not only in the name of creativity, but also to keep the public wanting/needing their items to keep the money flowing. This is capitalism simplified.

The consumption is horrifying. People shop for the sake of shopping.

Can we get the general public to stop buying ‘unnecessary plastic objects,’ as Nanci Griffith says about the ubiquitous Woolworth’s and its inventory in the intro to Love at the Five and Dime on One Fair Summer Evening? She talks about a gig she goes to in England. When she gets off the plane and heads towards her hotel, the cab rounds a corner, and lo and behold, there is Woolworth’s, an American icon. The sight of it made her want to stop the cab, run in and ‘fill up my suitcase with unnecessary plastic objects.’ That’s quite a statement on consumption!

Do you want to help the planet and all living species, including yourself? Stop repeating the mantra, and cut back your consumption. Here’s how.

> First, be sure you actually need an item. What do we need? Food, clothing, shelter. Don’t buy something if you don’t need it!

I used to be an impulsive shopper. A catalog would come in the mail, and I would buy something that immediately caught my eye. I’ll say 99% of the time, that item would never get used. I had to train myself to mark a catalog with what I liked, then put it aside to revisit in a few days. When I went back to it, 99% of the time, I did not need that item. I saved money, resources and my dignity. I had to learn to do this in stores, too, even second-hand stores. Find something attractive, think on it, then revisit it. Most of the time, I’d go home empty handed.

> Shop with a list, and stick to it. This helps you buy things you actually need, even food, further cutting down on impulsive shopping. For sensible food purchases, I make a menu, and shop accordingly. Little food gets wasted, money is saved, and meals are balanced.

I go yard sale-ing with a list. Yard sales are conducive to impulse shopping – so much great stuff and so cheap! Know what you need and look for it. Don’t bring home a bunch of stuff for the sake of buying used!

My eco-sin confession ~> I’m a compulsive book-buyer. My wish list on Amazon is huge with books I’ve looked at and almost bought, so I’m getting better. There have been eras, though, when my shelves were lined with interesting books I never read.

> Buy used goods. What I have always called ‘the other side of the equation’ is now called ‘embodied energy’ – the energy used to create new goods. We can calculate our carbon footprint based on our home energy bills, the food we eat and the cars we drive. The embodied energy spent in purchasing new items needs to be considered just as heavily. If we are buying used items, embodied energy is not expended.

Mother Earth’s natural process is recycling. She is constantly turning her products into new products with other uses – rocks become soil, dead trees are homes for birds, dead animals are food for other animals. We need to follow her example and recycle everything into a new use.

> Don’t buy something to upgrade to green. If you have an item that is functioning but maybe not so eco-friendly, do not replace it with the green version. Wait until it dies and needs replacing. Exceptions to this may be appliances that will cut your energy use. The new refrigerators and front-loading washing machines save enough energy to offset their manufacture in a short period of time. To buy something ‘green’ for the sake of being green, though, is contributing to the problem of consumption and ends up not being so green after all.

> Pay attention. Be aware of your purchasing habits. Research where items come from, consider the emissions of shipping and manufacture, and recycle the goods you are replacing.

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Green Building and Energy Recap 5.6.10

by nan on 2010/05/06 · 0 comments

in Building, Eco Building, Eco-Building, Energy, Energy, Environment, Environment, News, Solar, Writings

> If you have an electric car and charge it through a conventional electric source in the US, you are most likely powering it with coal. Doesn’t that defeat the purpose of having an electric car? Sure, you may be reducing your need for oil, but you have increased the need for coal-fired power plants and put a strain on the grid. I have long advocated for a renewable source, such as solar or wind, to charge plug-in electric vehicles. Well, they are finally getting built!

> The news this week is all about the oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico, a tragedy of unimaginable proportions. Why do we have to keep drilling? Why can’t we see that renewables won’t cause this kind of environmental damage? I know, I know. It’s all about lobbies and money. But the more we demand oil, the more they will keep trying to bring it to us, no matter the cost, environmental, human and financial. How can you reduce demand?

> I take that back. Washington may have seen the light and is re-thinking renewables.

> I thought my house was pretty damn solar! I have passive solar, a solar greenhouse, and solar hot water. Not bad! And I have reduced my energy bills by about half (I also changed out some old windows and insulated my ceiling, so it’s not all attributed to solar….). These folks in Missouri have me beat – they have all that I have, but they also have solar PV.

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Green Building and Energy Recap 4.29.10

by nan on 2010/04/29 · 0 comments

in Building, Eco Building, Eco-Building, Energy, Energy, News, Writings

> I generally write about energy efficiency in homes. I encourage everyone to get energy audits and do what they can to tighten up their homes to reduce air leakage and lower energy use and utility bills. Right now, though, it may not be economically feasible to replace windows, insulate and add thermal mass. There is plenty you can do within the home to make it and your life greener, though. Find out with this helpful resource, EWG’s Healthy Home Checklist.

> As a Realtor@ in Taos, I have noticed that the popular and affordable price range for homes dropping. Instead of searching for the $350,000-400,000 home, they now want to spend $200,000-250,000. The prices of the more expensive homes have come down some, but not that far. The lower priced home is the new demand, so they are coming on the market with more frequency. Home values are changing around the country.

> I will say this again: Lenders, appraisers and builders have to be on the same page in order to get energy efficient homes and remodels financed and perhaps rewarded. New legislation, the GREEN Act (Green Resources for Energy Efficient Neighborhoods), HR 2336, supports this and is going to the House for a vote. Please contact your reps in support of HR 2336!

> There is nothing like a competition to get people to do their best, learn new ways and change! The EPA is hosting the National Building Competition, which follows the format of the tv show, The Biggest Loser, a competition to lose weight. Fourteen commercial buildings will strive to reduce waste and energy consumption in 180 days. Energy consumption will be tracked and improvements made. Winners will be announced in October. I am SO looking forward to this! I hope it sets an example and shows others what can be done in their own commercial or residential buildings.

> It wouldn’t be a recap without a link to ONE green home! I love recycling, and I love prefab. This home is both. Actually, it is a studio, and I think it is a piece of art! Recycled materials can be put together in a creative, pleasing, and, of course, functional way. I hope this gives you some ideas for your own home.

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Green Building and Energy Recap 4.22.10

by nan on 2010/04/22 · 1 comment

in Building, Eco Building, Eco-Building, Energy, Energy, News, Solar, Writings

> I’ve wanted to be an architect since I was about four years old. I am going back to school to realize that dream, hoping to someday be on a team that designs a house that wins a spot in the The U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon.

> What constitutes the perfect home for you? This self-sufficient home is damn near perfect for me! It’s only drawback is… it’s in Australia!

> Camping season is upon us. I go camping to get away from the constant onslaught of info via technology. There is no privacy or quiet time with incoming texts and phone calls, round-the-clock newsfeeds on Twitter and friend updates on Facebook. I’m not even talking about working in real estate, which is another bombardment via email and phone! Camping is big time chill time for me! When I saw the headline of this article, I almost gagged, thinking there were new ways to keep the laptop, cell and/or tv fully charged. But I was pleasantly surprised! Here are some 21st century camping gadgets that will solarize your time in the wilderness.

> When my parents passed away, they were living in a snazzy retirement home in North Carolina. It was far from cookie cutter and had all the upscale finishing touches for which they paid dearly! Although I will probably never retire, my dream retirement home would be energy efficient, passive solar and earthy, like this concept design for Novato, CA.

> My house was built in 1964, long before lead paint was outlawed. I did not do a lead paint inspection when I bought it, but when I remodeled in 2007, I wasn’t sure if we were unearthing lead paint in the untouched-for-decades walls. If I were to remodel today, literally, starting today, April 22, 2010, my contractor would need special training and certification.

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The Grande Finale – An Energy Audit & HERS Score

by nan on 2010/04/20 · 2 comments

in Building, Eco-Building, Energy, Essays, Solar Building Series, Writings

(This is the final installment in a 10-part series. The previous post is here, or you can start at the beginning.)

My friend, Alva Morrison, has been in the weatherization industry for many years, working for the sate of New Mexico helping families in need tighten up their homes with insulation, caulking and funding. As energy audits got popular for the general public, his natural next step was to become an Energy Rater. Special training and equipment is needed for this job, which entails sealing up a house, running air through it, analyzing air leakage through computer software and offering recommendations.

When my construction was done, Alva and I decided to do an energy audit. Instead of guesswork, I wanted documentation of my energy savings were and how I could make improvements to further save.

A blower door test determines energy usage. Alva determined the volume of the house, then we talked about construction details. He plugged that information into his software, then we sealed up the windows and exterior doors, leaving the interior doors open for maximum air flow.

He installed the blower in the kitchen door.

The red canvas was sealed all the way around to make the door air-tight. The blower was plugged into his laptop, then turned on to create air movement, which was registered in the software. We looked for areas where air was coming in. Alva caulked a few old window frames, and rechecked the figures.

We were surprised at some of the results and recommendations. Here are his comments:

“Nan’s house is a great example of what can be done to turn a pretty average house, built to code a couple of decades ago, into a modern energy-efficient home. If built as is today, it would exceed qualification for the USEPA Energy Star certification, even though many of the walls still have 2×4 insulation in a 2×6 wall. The main factor driving the house’s lean performance is a thick blanket of attic insulation. But the solar hot water and the balmy sunroom, with a thick adobe wall to catch and hold the heat, provide solid backing. Add to that a refrigerator, which squeezes kilowatts until they scream, and you have a working person’s house to take us all through the next century of global warming both economically and comfortably. All these things were added to the house by Nan at moderate expense.

“Analyzing possible improvements was very interesting. Tearing off sheetrock and re-insulating the walls seemed like it should be a no-brainer. But when we ran it through the computer, it only showed a savings of around $25 a year- not much reward for all that trouble. The moral is, heat goes up, not sideways.

“However, we found another weaker spot in the building’s ‘heating envelope’: the uninsulated foundation. A quick rework of the house through the energy rating software showed that digging a barrier of four inch rigid foam in around the perimeter of the foundation would return $175 a year – and that’s if the cost of wood and gas stays the same (don’t hold your breath for that!). Get out your shovel, Nan!”

As you can see, an energy audit gives you a lot of information on how to improve your home. I had him calculate a HERS (Home Energy Rating System) score, because I wanted to be able to show others the entire process.

The number of a HERS score is based on the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), which is 100. My score was 88, meaning my house is 12% more efficient than the code. The lower your number, the more efficient your home is. When I make improvements, Alva can plug that information into his software, re-analyze the results and give me new recommendations.

Many municipalities, including Taos, are beginning to require HERS scores on new construction. I highly recommend an audit, and, speaking as a Realtor®, I use them as an effective marketing tool for your home. Buyers can see current efficiency and how it can be improved. There are fewer surprises and disappointments after purchase.

Find a certified local Energy Rater through RESNET – Residential Services Energy Network

The entire remodel can be seen on my website, Solar Retrofit 2007.

(Originally published at www.greenbuyguide.com.)

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