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