By now you may have begun to hear about home energy ratings and home energy inspections or audits.  The terminology varies and can be confusing.   What's the difference?

Home energy audits...

The terms "home energy audit,"  “home energy inspection,” “diagnostic home energy survey,” or “home performance assessment” usually mean a thorough examination of a home’s systems, construction, and appliances, along with the homeowner’s energy consumption habits.  These audits sometimes include advanced diagnostics to establish how air-tight the building is and to help detect areas of air leakage.  The information is used to pinpoint specific places for improvement.
 

...and home energy ratings

Home energy ratings go one step further, by running this diagnostic information through software to develop a specific number assigned to the home.  This number can be used in a variety of ways -- to compare energy efficacy when buying a home, to verify performances for the Energy Star homes program or energy code compliance (in some states), or to obtain energy-efficient mortgages.  Projected ratings are performed before a home is built.  Confirmed ratings are completed after performance-testing the building. 

As the Obama administration rolls out clean energy legislation, audits and ratings are gaining in popularity.  Building owners are realizing the long-term financial and environmental benefits of reducing consumption and increasing efficiency and need a quantifiable way to measure their overall efforts.

New Prairie will soon offer Energy Audits and Home Energy Ratings

Within a few months, New Prairie will be offering the full range of energy inspection services.  We currently have staff training with the Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET).  RESNET has a stringent code of ethics and standards of practice.  Auditors are certified after completing training, performing five supervised ratings, and passing a national test.

Every project our company undertakes has energy issues that need addressing.  But while we may be able to make sure your addition is highly efficient, or add insulation in the room being remodeled, energy issues in the rest of the house are typically not part of the scope of work.  Audits provide a means for seeing how your whole house is performing and what steps you can take to maximize efficiency.  While this isn’t as exciting as having a new kitchen or bathroom put in, it helps make your home more comfortable and lessens its environmental impact on the planet.  Plus, it’s nice to see your energy bills go down as you reduce consumption!

And, if you’re planning work on your house anyway, it may make sense to tackle energy problems while you’re already dealing with the disruption of the remodeling process. 

A little about RESNET...

According the their website, RESNET was established in April, 1995, by representatives of the national mortgage industry, the National Association of State Energy officials, and Energy Rated Homes of America.  Their goal was to develop national standards for home energy ratings and to create a market for home energy rating systems and energy mortgages.  The RESNET National Standard for Home Energy Audits is intended to increase the energy efficiency, comfort, and durability of homes, and reduce waste and pollution.

In 2002, RESNET became incorporated as a non-profit and is now governed by a board of directors.  They are currently working with the Building Performance Institute (another agency which offers rating services) to form the joint Home Performance Analyst Standard, and are also in dialogue with international agencies, to help ensure standards are harmonized internationally. 

For a complete overview on HERS, as well as RESNET’s policies, goals, history, and accreditation requirements, see their website: RESNET.

It's easy to see how audits are advantageous, but...

Is knowing your home’s Energy Rating helpful to you?

Nationally accredited ratings providers, such as RESNET and the Building Performance Institute (BPI), are officially recognized by the U.S. mortgage industry and the federal government for verification of building energy performance.  Knowing your rating number can help you:

• Secure better mortgage terms (for home buying or upgrades to your current home)

• Become eligible for federal tax incentives and rebates

• Increase the value of your home, once upgrades are completed

• Qualify for Energy Star and Build America programs

And you’ll have the information and tools you need to keep your utility costs low and help the environment.

Know your auditor

It’s important to know what you are getting when you contract for an energy audit.  Auditors vary widely in training and services.  Find out what services are provided, and how thorough the audit will be.   Utility companies around the country have started providing free audits, but their focus is on reducing electric use only, and will not provide a deeper analysis of your home. 

Why choose New Prairie for your Energy Audit?

The EPA strongly recommends that general contractors become certified to perform audits.  Having a company that can provide audits AND complete repairs and upgrades helps homeowners with prioritizing and follow-through and provides quality assurance.  

An auditor who knows construction inside-out and is familiar with the building codes can view your home as a whole.

Because all of the systems in a house interact with one another, your auditor should understand how changing one element affects another.  A good auditor knows that if you plug air leaks, you need a proper ventilation system to keep fresh air in the house. 

New Prairie has over 20 years of experience dealing with these issues.

The EPA’s website notes that over 33 million homes in the United States were constructed before modern energy codes.  Much of our work is done in these older homes, which often lack insulation and have high levels of air infiltration.  We are well-versed in correcting these problems.  

Unfortunately, we’ve also had to address problems in newer homes stemming from shoddy workmanship and/or poor design.  Improper installation of insulation and flashing and lack of house wrap can lead to extensive water and air infiltration (which can cause a whole host of problems besides energy loss).  No matter what your situation, we have the knowledge to help you.

Making our buildings more efficient and developing wise consumption habits  are critical to sustainable living.  It was our passion for sustainability that led us to build the highly energy-efficient strawbale house in Urbana, currently home to our offices.  And this past June, the entire crew spent a weekend in Wisconsin at the Midwest Renewable Energy Fair, learning about new technologies and best practices in energy usage.  There is a growing awareness of how our living habits affect our world, and New Prairie is excited to be part of the solution!

Look for our new services in the coming months!