Patch Blog: Is Your Home Energy Efficient?

Energy is an issue that commands a lot of attention these days. Whether it's green, fossil fuel, wind, clean or even a power bar, most of us would like to know how to burn less and save money in the process. We know that our homes consume large amounts of energy, but the cost of new double paned windows may not be in everyone's budget. Well, where there is a need, there is also an opportunity. ... Enter the new Home Energy Rater.

Most people are very familiar with the general home inspection process when they buy or sell their home. The home inspector will typically review the systems in the house. If your home were analogous to a medical condition, this would be the general practitioner or family doctor.

Now a specialty such as a home energy rater might fall under the title of vascular surgeon. This is a real specialty. Its purpose is designed to point out all of the energy inefficiencies in your home, which are costing you money.

This area with its circa 1930 construction could be the new California Gold Rush for Energy Raters. With our single-paned windows, walls and ceilings void of insulation and climatized flow through raised foundations, energy efficiency is not in our vocabulary.

However this industry is in its infancy stages despite California's attempt to mandate it at point of sale; it has yet to become a legislated requirement. So if you do it while its still on a voluntary basis, the results may be much easier to accept.

To give you an idea of what the report entails, the energy inspector was at the property for about 3 hours. During this time, he performed several tests and made note of various measurements. He looked at the perimeter of the home: all of the windows, toured the basement and attic and looked at the furnace, the duct-work and the hot water heater. He tested the duct-work to see how efficient the system was and indicated the property was only receiving about 60% of the airflow due to leaks. The air conditioner rated at 3 ton was now as efficient as a 1.8 ton. The hot water heater was manufactured in 1983, circling the airport waiting for clearance to land, coming in on a wing and a prayer.

As bad as all of this sounds, the inspector's main recommendation was to add R30 insulation in the attic. He believed this would make the home 40% more efficient.

Check the energy health of your home, and put a stop to energy inefficiency.