Showing posts with label utility costs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label utility costs. Show all posts
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Financing Options to Help Make Your Home More Energy Efficient
We all want to do our part to help the environment and cut down on rising utility costs. But for many homeowners, green alternatives and upgrades are simply too expensive to be realistic. However, now is an excellent time to consider making eco-friendly home improvements, as an array of financial incentives is bringing these alternative energy systems into the mainstream for buyers, sellers and homeowners.If you’re in the market for a new home, you may be able to get more for your money when you consider homes with energy-efficient upgrades like solar heating or tankless water heaters. These systems mean lower utility costs every month, which leaves more room in your budget for a slightly higher mortgage payment.
If you plan to stay in your home but are looking for a way to save on monthly energy bills, you may qualify for state or federal tax credits or special financing that will help you make energy-efficient improvements. These upgrades will reduce your utility costs and benefit the environment.
If you’re thinking about selling your home, any energy-efficient upgrades you’ve added can mean a higher asking price. Eco-friendly homes are an increasingly popular segment of the real estate market and as more home buyers look for energy-efficient properties, those upgrades are becoming an appealing selling point.
If you need financing to make energy-efficient upgrades to your home, you can get the funds you need through either a government-sponsored program or a traditional lender. Certain states even provide special programs for residents who qualify, so it’s smart to begin your search with your state’s department of energy to find out what’s available in your area.
There are also special mortgage programs that can help you afford energy-efficient upgrades. Called EEMs, or energy-efficient mortgages, these programs allow both homeowners doing new construction and those making improvements to an existing structure to obtain financing. EEMs make it possible to purchase or refinance a home that’s already certified energy-efficient, or to purchase or refinance a home that will be energy efficient after certain upgrades are made. Most lenders offer both kinds of EEMs; you may also qualify for home-improvement loans that will help defer the cost of energy-efficient upgrades.
In order to qualify for these special mortgage programs, most lenders require homes to have an energy-efficiency rating. These ratings are based on an inspection by a certified professional and tell lenders how energy efficient your home is.
The energy rater will check all the features of your home that relate to its energy consumption. This includes windows, insulation, heating and cooling systems, water heaters, and ductwork. You will receive a report that includes your home’s energy rating, as well as an estimate of your yearly energy usage and spending. The report sometimes includes suggestions for improvements you can make to boost your home’s energy-efficiency and the costs of those upgrades, along with an estimate of the annual savings and return on investment of making changes.
Check Out These Resources from the Federal Government:
- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development - Energy Efficient Mortgage
Home Owner Guide - Energy Star - Energy Efficient Mortgages
Related Information from Horizon Services...
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Keep Cooling Costs Down This Summer
Energy Conservation Tips for Your Air ConditionerWith summer in full swing, you are probably tempted to run your air conditioner as frequently as you can. But while your air conditioner can take the edge off of the sweltering heat, it can also take a significant bite out of your wallet. If you find that you can't do without air conditioning, here are some very important things that Horizon's air conditioning technicians suggest that you can do to maximize your comfort while minimizing your energy use and cooling costs .
Raise Your Thermostat Setting
Be sure to increase the thermostat if you’re going to be out of the house during the day. Every degree you raise the thermostat can results in a 5%-8% savings on the cost of cooling your home. And when you are at home, try setting the thermostat a degree or two higher than you normally would. Chances are you won't even notice the diffence in your comfort...but you will in your energy savings!
Often, when people first come into their house from being outside in the hot weather, they turn on their air conditioners at a colder than normal setting, thinking this will cool the house off faster. But guess what...it doesn't work. Your house will not cool any faster...but your air conditioner will work much harder. This will result in excessive cooling and unnecessary expense. Doing this overtime can also lead to frequent air conditioner breakdowns or reduce your air conditioner's life span.
A great idea is to install a programmable thermostat which will automatically raise or lower temperatures at preset times to allow for times when you won’t be at home. These items are inexpensive and they can save you about $100 every year in energy costs.
Join the Fan Club
Combining a ceiling fan with a central air conditioning system is a great way to maximize yor cooling comfort. While it won't actually reduce the room temperature, a ceiling fan creates enough air movement in a room to make it feel about four degrees cooler -- just like the wind chill factor makes the outdoor winter air feel colder to your skin. This allows you to to set the thermostat a little lower than you normally would and feel just as cool. Also, the average ceiling fan only uses about as much electricity as a 100-watt light bulb; so it only costs pennies per day to run.
If you're going to use a ceiling fan, make sure that it is set for summertime operation: the high edge of the blade should go forward first, to force the air downward. You should feel the air blowing down on you when you stand beneath the fan when it’s on. And only run the fan when you’re in the room! It doesn’t actually make the room cooler; it just feels cooler when you’re in the breeze.
Apply Some Sun Block
Direct sunlight can really do a number on your ouside air conditioner by making it work significantly harder. In fact, an air conditioning unit operating in the sun uses as much as 10% more electricity than the same one operating in the shade. Do your air conditioner a favor: planting trees or shrubs nearby to shade the unit. You can also purchase and install canopies that you can place over your air conditioner unit to shield it from the sun's rays.
In addition, it is important to keep unnecessary sunlight and heat from getting inside your house. Direct sunlight streaming through windows and baking through walls during the summer months can significantly increase your air conditioning costs. Be sure to look for ways to shade sun-exposed windows and exterior walls of your house. Be sure to draw shades and curtains during the brightest hours of the day. Consider using exterior window coverings or awnings. Plant trees or bushes in front of walls or windows. You can even apply reflective film on windows that prevents much of the sun's rays from entering your home's interior.
Other Ways to Keep Cool Around the House
This may sound obvious, but be sure that all windows and outside doors are shut when the air conditioner is on. After all, you don’t want to “cool the whole neighborhood.”
Avoid placing lamps, TVs, appliances or other heat sources near the air conditioner thermostat. Heat from these items may cause the air conditioner unit to run longer than it should.
Make sure that no furniture or large objects are obstructing ducts or fans. You want to allow the cool air to circulate freely.
Cut back on indoor activities that generate heat such as laundry, cooking and dishwashing. If you must do these chores, wait until later in the evening when it is cooler.
If you have any unused rooms, turn off the cooling in these areas and keep the doors closed.
Related Air Conditioning and Energy Saving Information from Horizon Services...
Monday, August 9, 2010
Energy Star Homes Get New Set of Guidelines
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has managed the Energy Star labeling program for nearly twenty years, and has helped Americans cut greenhouse gas emissions and save billions on utility costs. In 2009 alone, Energy Star partners helped consumers avoid greenhouse gases in an amount equal to that of the output of 30 million cars and save more than $17 billion on utilities.The EPA recently announced a new set of more stringent guidelines for Energy Star-certified home construction. These new conditions will raise the bar of energy efficiency for qualified homes, making them at least 20 percent more efficient than homes built to the previous standards. Homeowners will likely see at least a 15 percent drop in their utility bills, as well.
The EPA’s updated guidelines will further solidify the Energy Star brand as it’s applied to new home construction. Energy Star homes will continue to represent significant increases in energy efficiency over homes that are built to standard builder practices and codes. The new regulations will go into effect as of January 2011, though many builders and contractors are likely to start implementing the changes much earlier than that.
If you’re interested in learning more about Energy Star new home construction and how the new guidelines may affect your project, the key components of the revised plan are as follows:
- Homes must have a complete thermal enclosure system. This includes complete air sealing around windows and doors, adequate insulation around all assemblies, and high performance windows. This not only makes the home more comfortable, but also helps lower utility costs.
- Comprehensive central heating and cooling systems must meet Energy Star standards and be installed by qualified professionals. Energy efficient heating and cooling systems are designed to increase comfort, offer better moisture control, and operate quietly. They are also outfitted with fresh air ventilation to improve the quality of air inside the home.
- Because Energy Star homes are so tightly sealed and insulated, they must be equipped with a total water management system. Flashing, moisture barriers, and durable membrane details are all crucial elements in keeping water away from roofs, walls, and foundations. This reduces mold growth, which improves indoor air quality, and extends the durability of these structures.
- With energy efficient lighting and appliances certified by Energy Star, homeowners can enjoy even more energy savings without sacrificing performance quality.
- Energy Star and the EPA will now require all new construction to be third party verified by an independent home energy rater. These inspectors will conduct thorough, detailed examinations using specially designed diagnostic tools to measure performance of key systems.
The new EPA guidelines should come as no surprise to those who make their living building green homes. The revised regulations certainly don’t break much new ground, but they are solid, relatively simple changes that should translate into substantial utility savings while further reducing homeowner’s energy dependence.
If you are a homeowner considering an Energy Star certified new home construction, you can find out more about the program by visiting http://www.energystar.gov/ or by speaking with an experienced HVAC or home contractor in your area.
Related Information from Horizon Services...
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