What is Net Zero?
The U.S. Department of Energy defines a net-zero energy home as one that uses about 60 to 70 percent less energy than a conventional home, with the balance of its energy needs supplied by renewable technologies.
What is an Energy Audit?
A Home Energy Audit (also known as an energy inspection) is the first step to assess how much energy your home consumes, and to evaluate what measures you can take to make your home more energy efficient. Our audits provide your home with a comprehensive inspection of your living environment, and show you problems that may, when corrected, save you significant money over time, and immediately impact the environment in a positive way. During the inspection, we will pinpoint where your home is losing energy and determine the efficiency of your home’s heating and cooling systems. We will also show you ways to conserve hot water and electricity. We use a variety of techniques and equipment to determine the energy efficiency of a structure.
What are the benefits of an Energy Inspection?
Our Home Energy Inspection provides you with a detailed assessment of the energy efficiency of your home, which comprises of an evaluation of your appliances, lighting, water usage, weather proofing, heating and cooling, windows, landscaping, possible renewable energy options, and a utility bill analysis. Our Energy audit includes an assessment and evaluation report which provides an implementation plan with recommendations on how to lower your energy bills and reduce your negative environmental impact the globe.
The results of our Certified Energy Audit may even assist you with acquiring a low interest loan for your home. And ultimately you end up with a home that is more comfortable and valuable.
How are savings calculated?
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory, a division of the U.S. Department of Energy, evaluated the electric bills of 7,000 Austin Energy customers who participated in the Home Performance with ENERGY STAR program. They found across-the-board electric bill savings in the range of 35 to 38 percent. These savings can be calculated to last at least 10 years or longer.
What does the average US family spend on energy?
According to the US Dept. of Energy, the average US family spends $5500 on their combined energy needs ($2200 on utilities, and $3300 on gas).
What exactly is a kilowatt hour?
The kilowatt hour, which is also written kilowatt-hour, (kwh) is a unit of energy. It is most commonly used on household electricity meters, and is equal to 1,000 watt hours. The kilowatt hour is commonly used for electrical and natural gas energy. Many electric utility companies use the kilowatt hour for billing. This is a convenient unit because the energy usage of a typical home in one month is several hundred kilowatt hours. In addition, the typical consumer can readily conceptualize the notion of “using a kilowatt for one hour”; common appliances that consume approximately 1 kW include hairdryers, microwave ovens, and vacuum cleaners.
*source Wikepedia.com
As a real estate investor, can my properties benefit from an Energy Inspection?
There is clear evidence that investments in energy efficiency lead to higher home resale values. A recent study published in The Appraisal Journal shows that the market value of a home increases by $10 – $25 for every $1 decrease in annual fuel bills. And your tenants live more comfortably , and will enjoy reduced utility bills.
What is an Energy Tax Deduction vs. Energy Tax Credit?
There is an important difference between a tax deduction and a tax credit. A tax deduction is subtracted from income before total tax liability is computed. On the other hand, a tax credit is subtracted directly from the total tax liability. This means that a deduction and a credit have very different values, with a credit being three or more times more advantageous to the taxpayer than a deduction. For example, a tax credit of $500 for someone in the 28% tax bracket is equivalent to a tax deduction of $1,785.
What is an Energy Efficient Mortgage (EEM)?
Certain lenders offer another option known as Energy Efficient Mortgages. An Energy Efficient Mortgage (EEM) can help you borrow more money to finance energy efficient improvements or to qualify for a more expensive home which is already energy efficient. The main advantage of an EEM is that it may help you to qualify for a larger loan. This is based on the lender’s assumption that improved energy efficiency will result in lower utility bills, which in turn will make more of your income available for mortgage payments. To qualify for an EEM, you need to get an official Home Energy Rating both before and after the improvements are made.
How does Green Building Authority help Realtors?
We help real estate professionals deliver the best value possible when working with clients buy or sell a home. We understand that homes over 15 years old cost a lot more to operate, because energy technology has rapidly changed. This can make selling an older house more difficult.
Our Energy Inspection helps you emphasize to a buyer how easy and inexpensive it is to make energy-saving home improvements ? the kind of improvements that lower monthly utility bills so much they actually pay for themselves! It also helps you explain how utility bill savings and rebates ? not just discounts from the seller ? can help them pay for items that may be disclosed in the regular home inspection report.
Your clients home value increases! A study by The Appraisal Journal found that the selling price of homes increased by $20.73 for every $1 decrease in energy bills. If your energy bills average $1,500/yr. and you saved $400/yr., your home value would increase by $8,300!
I’m building a home. Can you advise my architect, contractor and landscaper?
YES! Have Green Building Authority consult with your architect, landscaper, contractor, and designers to share enlightening Green Home concepts and expert energy efficiency information.
What is Sustainable Living?
Sustainable living, that is, living in harmony with nature, is a lifestyle that could be sustained unmodified for many generations without exhausting any natural resources. This can apply to both individuals and societies. Most of the goals to reaching sustainability are easily achieved by making changes to energy, housing, transportation, diet, and consumer buying power.
Contact Us today to learn more about how our services can benefit your project.
