Special feature: Advantages add up in efficient green houses

As cold nights and crisp mornings creep into the Washington area, homeowners may wonder if they have done enough to increase the energy efficiency - and comfort - of their homes. Green building and remodeling involves much more than just energy efficiency, but consumers can feel the difference in their homes with better insulation, new windows or a quality heating and air conditioning system.

Homeowners can take advantage of federal tax credits up to $1,500 to make energy-efficient improvements to their homes in 2009 and 2010. For complete information on these tax credits and for a database of all state and local tax credits that can be used to finance green remodeling, visit the Web site of the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (www.DSIREUSA.org).

Energy-efficient windows

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) says a typical home loses more than 25 percent of its heat through the windows. Low-maintenance vinyl windows offer the look of traditional wood windows, but often provide better insulating value.

Consumers can find more detailed information on the benefits of energy-efficient windows targeted to specific states and their energy needs at the Web site of the Efficient Windows Collaborative (www. efficientwindows.org).

In addition to replacing old windows, improving a home with Energy Star products can cut energy bills by up to 30 percent. Energy-efficient improvements help homeowners save money on current utility bills and add value to a home when it comes time to sell.

Energy audits

Homeowners interested in taking a broader approach to energy efficiency rather than simply focusing on the windows, can request a home-energy audit from their local utility company, or they can try a do-it-yourself version online (http://hes.lbl.gov).

The online audit starts with the property ZIP code and then walks the homeowners through an estimate of a home’s energy use based on the number of windows, the direction the front of the home faces, the types of appliances, the heating and air conditioning systems, and other factors (such as the number and age of the residents).

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Web site includes a downloadable software program to walk homeowners through the steps toward saving energy, including local information on utility costs. By entering information on potential home improvements, the program can estimate savings in costs, energy and reduction in pollutants. The software is available at www.epa.gov/ seahome/energy.html.

The DOE’s Energy Savers Web site (www.energysavers.gov) provides another version of a do-it-yourself energy audit with a room-by-room list of systems and appliances to evaluate. In addition, the site helps consumers find professional energy auditors.

E-Scale

The DOE’s Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy division developed the EnergySmart Home Scale, known as the “E-Scale,” to help buyers and homeowners understand the energy efficiency of a home they are considering buying, renting or remodeling. The E-Scale includes an estimate of annual energy use (including both gas and electricity), the average energy performance of typical existing homes in that area and a verified performance estimate for the home.

The E-Scale also includes a threshold number for a home to meet the criteria outlined in the Builders Challenge program. Builders participating in this program are committed to constructing homes that earn a 70 or less on the E-Scale. A score of 70 means that the home is about 30 percent more energy efficient than a typical new home built to code. A score of 60 means that the home is 40 percent more energy efficient. The ultimate goal is to build a home with an E-Scale score of 0, which would be a Net-Zero Energy Home.

The E-Scale form and the E-Scale scoring system is meant to replicate the miles-per-gallon system used by car buyers to evaluate performance, so that homebuyers can easily compare the potential energy performance of homes. The E-Scale is based on the Home Energy Rating System (HERS) developed by the Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET). Builders will have their E-Scale rating conducted by RESNET-certified energy raters.

Story Continues →