Energy Audit

With utilities bills only going up and up, everyone is looking for ways to use less energy. Turning off the lights when you leave the room or adjusting the thermostat a few degrees are great places to start, but they won’t solve all of your heating and cooling problems. The U.S. Department of Energy says “A home energy assessment, also known as a home energy audit, is the first step to assess how much energy your home consumes and to evaluate what measures you can take to make your home more energy efficient.” The best thing you can do for your home and your checkbook is taking advantage of a home energy assessment.

The objective of a home energy assessment is to discover how energy is being utilized in your home. It can recognize and remedy wastefulness. It can show you issues that can save you a considerable amount of money over time. With the right answers as to how to use energy efficiently, it’s possible to reduce energy costs and remain comfortable.

After a thorough diagnosis of the way your home uses energy, a certified home advisor will offer solutions. Keep in mind that the assessment itself will not save energy. It’s necessary to take part in the recommended changes and improvements. Your home advisor should provide you with a prioritized list of adaptations you can make to reduce your energy usage. A few changes can save you big bucks in the long run.

Ecohomes

7614 W Lemhi Street

Suite 3

Boise, ID 83709

208-331-4115

Boise Siding Companies

Does your house starting show its age? Are you sick of painting year after year? If so, this summer may be a great time to update its looks and durability with new vinyl siding. Siding is the very first thing that people see when looking at your home. Adding new siding is also a great way to add value to your home.

Angie Hicks of Angie’s List says “One of the biggest things for home values, a lot of time, is curb appeal when you are selling your house. So, siding is a great way to really give your house a fresh new look and can potentially save you money down the road because there is not as much maintenance, especially if you have a house that is painted.”

Not only will new siding improve the looks of your house, but it can help protect your home against the elements. Because siding is the first barrier against rain, snow, and wind, you can’t afford to let it deteriorate. With more durable insulated siding, you are also making an improvement for increased energy efficiency. That means lower utility bills for you and your family. There aren’t many home improvements can pay for themselves like new siding can.

Replacing Windows

When replacing windows in your home, proper installation is just as important as the look and function of the window. Windows are a major part of the construction of your home, and replacing them should be treated just as seriously as any other remodeling project. If you want the best possible installation of your replacement windows, do you your homework. Look into the type of window you would like and what is recommended for the correct installation. Ask friends and neighbors for recommendations. Check the Better Business Bureau for a reliable contractor in your area.

Ask your contractor what you should expect during the installation. A professional can provide you with details and an idea of how long the process will take. This gives you time to prepare and take the required steps to make sure that the placement goes smoothly for both you and the installers.

When the windows are in place, do an inspection with the installer present. Make sure that the windows work well and that your needs are met. This will give you peace of mind and help to avoid problems in the future.

With clear communication and a little of homework on your end, you can be sure that you are receiving quality and efficient service on your project. Window replacement is an investment, and these steps will ensure that you are happy for a long time to come. For more information on our window replacement options at Ecohomes, call 208-331-4115 or visit us online at www.ecohomesidaho.com.

Radiant Barrier

With summer in full swing, the question many home owners ask is; do radiant barriers actually work? The answer is yes; but not as well as advertised. A radiant correctly installed in an attic can reflect the radiant energy from the sun and help reduce the cooling load. Reducing the air conditioning costs by 0-10% is the most you can gain.

Insulation, air sealing, duct sealing and duct insulation are improvements that will help reduce the air conditioning costs and improve the comfort of the home.

Air Conditioning in Boise

We’ve had a fairly cool summer this far in Boise but sooner or later it’ll get hot and you may need to replace your air conditioning system. A couple of key points to consider when getting a new air conditioning system.

When it comes to the size or tonnage of an air conditioning system; bigger is not better. Contractors routinely install a much larger size air conditioning unit than necessary to make sure the home is cool and to get a larger sale. The over-sized units are less efficient and wear down faster because they cycle on and off to frequently. Unfortunately, archaic rules of thumb such as “1 ton per 400 square feet” are still commonly used. An air conditioning contractor should use a calculation procedure called Manual J to properly size the unit. Windows, insulation, air leaks orientation and duct system should all be evaluated to know how much heat needs to be removed from the home. The orientation of the home can swing the cooling load by as much as 30%.

A higher SEER rating is better. A high SEER rating of 15 or better is recommended for a dry climate. If your air conditioning system is more than 30 years old, you could expect your air conditioning costs to be cut in half.

Make sure the new unit is properly installed with both the correct refrigerant charge and flow. Often the unit was not charged or the air flow across the cooling coils is too fast or too slow which can lower the performance of the unit.

The air conditioning system may be all that you want replaced, but the whole house should be considered in order to install the right system that will optimize your comfort and home energy efficiency. BPI certification is a credential that shows the technician understands how the whole house works and can install the right air conditioning system for your home.

Energy Audits

What is a home energy audit? The answer depends on who is doing the audit.
Utility companies often do energy audits for their customers. These energy audits are generally basic in nature. During the audit the utility rep may measure the attic insulation or count the light bulbs. They may do a bit more such as look at efficiency of the furnace or check if the hot water heater has a wrap, but the audit is generally basic without diagnostic tools.

Other energy auditors may use some diagnostic equipment such as thermal imaging camera or they may analyze high utility bills or they may focus on one area such as insulation, air conditioning or heating. These auditors may have a few diagnostic tools and some training but generally do not understand the "whole house".

Another audit is a comprehensive energy audit or a home performance evaluation. Like the name implies, the evaluation is comprehensive. The auditor is usually certified by BPI or RESNET and evaluates the insulation, furnace, hot water heater, cooling equipment, appliances, doors and windows, ducts, combustion safety, utility bill analysis and thermographic scan of the home.

The energy audit that is right for you depends on your own needs. A utility audit is generally free and can provide a homeowner with useful insight to conserve energy. A comprehensive audit is performed by a trained professional and can provide the homeowner with road map to deep energy reductions as well as identify the cause of comfort issues or safety issues. A list of certified Boise energy auditors can be found at the Idaho Office of Energy Resources website.