A: Sure thing. A qualified auditor will evaluate the whole house and will identify the causes and solutions for any energy efficiency or health/safety problems. The auditor will look at the heating system, lighting, appliances, windows, and insulation and will understand how these elements interact with each other to affect your energy use, comfort, health and safety.
Specifically, the auditor will:
- use a special fan, called a blower door, which fits in an exterior doorway and changes the air pressure in the house so that air leaks can be found and sealed;
- assess the presence and amount of carbon monoxide and gas leaks;
- provide you with a proposal for making recommended improvements; and
- help you prioritize cost-effective energy-saving home improvements.
Home Performance with ENERGY STAR contractors are trained to perform energy audits. Some of these contractors also fix many typical causes of problems discovered in an audit. In addition, Home Performance with ENERGY STAR contractors can provide you with access to discount financing for energy-efficient home improvement loans.
A.They can be. As with any other home, the energy efficiency of a prefabricated home depends on the performance of the building's envelope (insulation and air sealing) and the efficiency of the heating and hot water systems. The detail and care used while assembling the components will have a significant impact on the energy efficiency of the final product.
One feature that has a great impact on the air tightness of a modular home is the location where the modules join. It should be well sealed with expanding foam or other suitable material. Given good sealing between the modules, a modular home can be exceptionally tight, but air sealing is just one piece of the energy efficiency picture. An efficient heating system, a well-insulated foundation, efficient lighting and appliances and many other pieces all contribute toward reducing your energy bill.
Whether you're constructing a modular or site-built home, Efficiency Vermont can help. Call us at 888-921-5990 to learn more about the Vermont ENERGY STAR Homes service for homeowners and builders of new homes. We provide advice and guidance on the most efficient building practices and materials and can help you make sure your new house meets Vermont's energy code.
A. Radiant flooring does feel wonderful. And while I hate to discourage you, you should know that a radiant floor doesn't necessarily save energy and that the extensive piping required is expensive to install.
As a retrofit in a framed floor, radiant floors are better described as "warm floors." You'll get the best result if your basement doesn't have a finished ceiling and you currently heat with a hot water boiler. You will need to remove any carpet in areas where you want warm floors. Even then, the system will perform differently than a true radiant floor that has high mass (concrete) and a non-insulating floor covering (tile).
If your floors are cold, you may be able to improve your comfort by reducing air leakage and insulating the basement. A certified Home Performance contractor can help you get to the bottom of your comfort issues and provide recommendations to help you improve comfort and save energy. You can find a list of certified Home Performance contractors by visiting the Marketplace.
A. Icicles and ice dams are caused by snow melting on the roof, then freezing as it drips over the eaves. This snow melt is usually due to heat loss from inside the house. A metal roof may reduce snow and ice accumulation by allowing them to slide off, but replacing your shingled roof with a standing seam roof won't necessarily prevent ice dams. Icicles and ice can still build up on some roofs regardless of the roofing material.
Since a metal roof may simply mask the problem, you'll save yourself a lot of work and the expense of replacing your roof if you find the source of the heat loss instead. Have air leaks, such as those around a chimney or recessed lights, sealed by a Home Performance contractor. This should reduce your heating costs and help solve your ice dam problem. For a list of professionals in your area, visit the Marketplace.
A. You're smart to ask. Depending on the soil conditions and the material used to build your foundation, there could be risks associated with insulating the existing foundation of a 200-year-old home.
A conservative approach - and possibly your best option - would be to insulate the outside of the foundation from the top of the wall down one or two feet below grade. Depending on your specific situation, you could excavate around the foundation, install rigid foam board against the foundation, then backfill. This will reduce heat loss where it is greatest and still allow some heat to warm the ground near the foundation to reduce the risk of frost heave damage.
You can also insulate the foundation on the inside. Use rigid foam if the walls are smooth enough to prevent significant gaps or air spaces behind the foam board. If the foundation is rough or uneven, begin one to two feet below the exterior grade level and use spray foam up to the floor above and over another six inches to eliminate air leakage and heat loss around the rim band.
For other ways to save energy in your home, contact a certified Home Performance contractor. These professionals can help you make energy-saving improvements. You can find a list of certified Home Performance contractors in your area at the "Marketplace" tab at www.efficiencyvermont.com, or by clicking here.
Q. Can Efficiency Vermont help me to build a new energy-efficient home?
A. I'm so glad you asked this question! One of the reasons Efficiency Vermont is here is to help you find resources and people who can aid you in meeting your goal of building an energy-efficient new home. Give us a call to find out how you can enroll in the Vermont ENERGY STAR Homes Service. You'll get your own personal project manager who can help you get the best value from your home's efficiency, durability, and comfort and work with you and your builder to ensure a healthy house that meets Vermont's Residential Building Energy Standards code. Your project manager can also keep you informed about incentives available for owners and builders whose homes meet Vermont ENERGY STAR Homes criteria.
The Vermont ENERGY STAR Homes Service is completely free of charge to you, so don't hesitate to take advantage of this valuable, hands-on guidance from a building energy professional.
Q. Can you suggest ways to make energy-saving choices when I remodel?
A. If you're remodeling, it's the perfect time to "add in" some energy-saving measures.
One fairly easy way to increase your fuel savings is by air sealing - and your attic is the perfect place to focus your attention. Just be aware that in the process of sealing air leaks, indoor pollutants, and moisture, may become more concentrated. You'll want to think about an energy-efficient ventilation system to keep this potential problem in check.
One thing I've noticed is that additions are often poorly air sealed to the existing house. Take the time to check on this and make sure the connection between the old and the new is a tight one.
Probably the most popular remodeling project these days is the kitchen. And there's nothing like an up-to-date kitchen to add value to a home. Just keep in mind that your kitchen is the most energy-hungry room in your home, and always look for the ENERGY STAR when buying new appliances and lighting fixtures.
Q. I've been hearing about something called Home Performance with ENERGY STAR?. What is it?
A. Home Performance with ENERGY STAR? is a whole-house diagnostic service offered by Efficiency Vermont. Benefits include making your home more comfortable, healthier, safer, and more durable, while lowering your energy costs. The service, which can include a comprehensive home assessment, professional advice, assistance in prioritizing improvements and information on energy-saving products, is available through Efficiency Vermont's network of technicians. To see if this service is right for your home, call 1-888-921-5990 x 2000. There is a fee for this service and you may need to meet eligibility requirements.
Q. How much does an energy audit cost? Who is qualified to do it?
A: An audit can cost $50 to $100 an hour. Talk to an auditor by phone first, and tell them what type of information you're looking for, to be sure that they can address your concerns with an audit. Many auditors charge for travel time, so ask about that. You can find a list of energy auditors on our website. Or, you can call me and I'll look for one closest to your house. Now that I've given you the basics, I'm wondering what the problem is that makes you want to hire an auditor. If high bills are a concern, go to our website or give me a call. There may be simple things you can do yourself to reduce those bills.
