Consider looking for a home that was built to Energy Star standards. ENERGY STAR qualified homes are independently verified to be at least 30% more energy-efficient than homes that were built according to the 1993 national Model Energy Code. (ENERGY STAR is a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) voluntary program that helps businesses and individuals save money and protect our climate through superior energy efficiency.) Here are some of the differences you will find in an ENERGY STAR qualified home:
·
building envelope upgrades
·
high performance windows
·
controlled air infiltration
·
upgraded heating and air conditioning systems
·
tight duct systems
·
upgraded water-heating equipment
1.
Ask the seller for copies of the monthly utility bills,
low utility costs could represent an energy efficient home. However they could
also reflect an infrequent use of the heating cooling system.
2.
You could also gather information on the furnace and air conditioner
for any house that you may purchase. For air conditioning you will want to know
the seasonal energy efficiency rating (SEER) and for gas furnaces you are
interested in the Annual Fuel Utilization Ratio (AFUE). The rating for a SEER
ranges from 10-17, the higher number using the least amount of energy. The AFUE
ratings are more straight forward ranging from 75% to 97%, again the higher
number being the most efficient.
3.
Ask your agent or the seller the
age of the HVAC. If the equipment is 10-15 years old with a SEER of 8 or less,
the time may be approaching to replace the system. Inspect the insulation in
the attic. Insulation coverage should be continuous and thick enough to cover
all the studs.
4.
Check the water heater to see if it has an ENERGY STAR label.
According to the Buildings Energy Data Book, heating water
accounts for 17% of on-site residential energy consumption. The five water
heating technologies that are eligible to use the ENERGY STAR label offer
energy savings from 7% to 55%, depending on the technology used.
For
more information go to www.energystar.gov.
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