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Energy
Issues And You
Home
owners first largest expense is their mortgage and
the second largest expense is energy costs.
With
ever-rising energy prices, home owners are trying
to find ways to make their homes more energy
efficient. Some options might include:
- having an energy audit or inspection of their home to help pinpoint
energy dollars that could be saved
- installing energy efficient appliances - like Energy Star rated
appliances
- upgrading to energy efficient windows or installing window
treatments (like solar film or shades)
- adding solar energy technology to their homes
- lowering/raising thermostat temperatures to use less energy
- installing more energy efficient heating or cooling systems
- switching to alternative fuel sources or green power sources
- finding help from their utilities to pay their bills
A Home Energy Tune-uP® or a
HERS Rating?
Rating the energy efficiency of homes has been
used primarily by home builders who want to market
their new homes as being energy efficient. This
rating system has not been readily adopted by
owners of existing homes and their REALTORS®
because older homes are less energy efficient than
new ones, and therefore get lower grades. The
majority of older homes would score somewhere
between 40 and 70, depending on their age, whereas
a home built today should score at least 80. If
the home scores 86 or higher, it is considered an
Energy Star rated home.
Tune-uP, developed by CMC
Energy Services , was designed specifically
for owners of older homes who want to upgrade
the energy efficiency of their homes, rather than grade
them. With a more detailed Report, quick access to
low-cost financing, a low price tag, and more
inspectors to do the energy audits, Tune-uP is an
excellent choice for owners or buyers of older
homes, whereas rating remains the choice for
builders of new homes.
The
Home Energy Tune-uP® Report
Your
key to a more comfortable home with lower energy
bills
- An Inventory of all energy using systems and appliances, including
condition and replacement dates.
- Cost effective recommended upgrades. < each for savings
energy>
- Estimated cost of installation for each recommendation.
- Identifying the group of recommendations whose energy savings exceed
the cost when financed.
- Financing options.
- An explanation of each recommendation.
- A discussion of low-cost or no cost improvements.
- Resources to help find contractors and suppliers for implementation.
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