124 S. Columbia Dr., Decatur, GA 30030
Q: What is Home Performance?
Home Performance is the measure of the comfort, safety and efficiency of a house and its systems, as experienced by the people who live there. It is a whole-house approach to identifying issues, diagnosing problems and finding cost-effective solutions.
All of the diagnostics, statistics and science in the world are no substitute for the firsthand experience of living in the home. Coupling the residents’ input with a technical approach can make a tremendous difference in making a home more comfortable while reducing utility costs.
Q: I know that my windows need to be replaced. Why do I need a Home Performance with ENERGY STAR® (HPwES) assessment?
Your windows may well need to be replaced, and it might be the right time for you to take on such a project. Evaluation of the windows is a part of the assessment, but there are often other solutions to comfort and efficiency problems that have an even greater impact, often at a lower cost.
The HPwES assessment offers a comprehensive list of recommended improvements, prioritized by cost effectiveness. Whether you choose to make all of the improvements at once or one at a time, the assessment offers a road map to making your home as efficient as it can be.
Q: I’ve heard that it is expensive to make my home energy efficient and to make it “green.” Is that true?
The short answer is “no.”
There are many ways to be more efficient, or “green,” if you will. Some are behavioral things, like turning lights off when you leave a room, which cost nothing. And there are also complex technological solutions that can be expensive.
In between there are plenty of effective, low-cost options. They may not be the most exciting to look at, and many are in places you never go, or don’t really want to go.
For instance, sealing cracks, crevices, flues and chases in attics and crawlspaces is one of the most cost-effective and often overlooked improvements that can be made to a home. Insulation is certainly cost-effective too, but without proper air-sealing in conjunction, the overall result can be disappointing.
There are also incremental cost increases that make a big difference in the amount of energy you use. When replacing a furnace or air conditioner, for example, you can spend a little extra money for a more efficient unit, choose better filters, pay for a proper installation, and have your ductwork inspected and repaired. These small additional outlays yield immediate returns in terms of energy cost savings and comfort.
Q: What type of tax incentive is available?
There is a 30% credit up to a maximum of $1,500 per household for a number of improvements that we often recommend, including insulation, windows, doors, HVAC equipment, and water heaters through 2010. Certain requirements must be met, and we can help you make the right selections.
There are also federal and state tax credits for solar and geothermal systems. The Federal credit is 30% with no cap and the Georgia state credit is 35% (there are maximums).
For more information you can also check the ENERGY STAR web site or the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (see links below). We also recommend you consult a tax professional.
Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency
Georgia Clean Energy Tax Credit (Personal)
Q: How do the Georgia Power rebates work?
Georgia Power customers are eligible for a number of rebates as a part of the HPwES program. We process and submit all of the paperwork, and Georgia Power sends a check directly to you.
| Home Assessment Rebates | Rebates Up To: |
| 50% Reimbursement of assessment fees | $200 |
| Home Improvement Rebates | Rebates Up To: |
| Thermostat conversion |
$100 |
| Installation of R-6 or greater insulation |
|
| Blanket on electric water heater only |
$50 |
| Attic insulation improvements (in conjunction with air sealing) |
$200 |
| Wall insulation improvements (conditioned space exterior walls) |
$550 |
| Insulate floor & foundation wall to R-5 (foam) /R-13 in basement wall cavities (fiberglass acceptable) |
$450 |
| Improve air sealing | $250 |
| Improve duct sealing | $100 |
| Potential total rebates | $1,900 |
Q: I have some insulation in my attic already. Why isn’t that working?
Several factors affect the performance of insulation. One of the greatest deficiencies we find is a lack of proper air sealing in conjunction with the installation of insulation. Gaps and lack of proper contact in the right areas also have negative effects. Most of these deficiencies are present in all homes and that is one of the benefits of a thorough assessment. It is seldom as simple as just adding more – the type and method of application can make the biggest difference.
Q: What is the difference between solar thermal and solar photovoltaic?
Solar thermal energy refers to using the sun to heat water. In Georgia, solar thermal energy is mostly used for domestic hot water but it can also be used for radiant heating and other applications. A solar water heating system can provide 75%-80% of the energy used to heat water in a home.
Solar photovoltaic generates electricity. While living “off the grid” (meaning that you generate all your own electricity without being connected to a power company) seems a desirable goal for many people, the most realistic systems are in fact tied to “the grid” and offset some portion of the electricity used in a home.
Solar energy is a great option for many homes. The first thing that anyone considering solar energy, especially photovoltaic, needs to do is to make the home as efficient as possible.
Q: What do I need to do to add a solar photovoltaic system to my home?
While federal and state tax incentives help make solar more affordable, solar photovoltaic systems can still be expensive. For this reason, solar industry experts advise homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of the home first to get maximum performance from a solar system. Completing lower-cost efficiency improvements will allow for the installation of a smaller, less-expensive photovoltaic system.
Also, photovoltaic cells must face south, be installed at a proper angle and remain unshaded to take advantage of the sun’s path, both on a daily and seasonal basis.
A home performance assessment that identifies the necessary efficiency improvements is an essential part of a comprehensive solar plan. We can also evaluate the site as you move forward with your plans.
Q: How does Home Performance with ENERGY STAR improve the healthfulness of my home?
Many homes suffer from poor indoor air quality and carbon monoxide hazards. HPwES uses a holistic approach to identify and correct problems at the source instead of treating the symptoms. For instance, installing an expensive air filtration system on leaky ductwork that draws in pollutants just doesn’t make sense, especially if the leaks are downstream of the filter and draw in unclean air that is then distributed into the home. Also, many of the common leakage points in homes are between the living space and its attic and crawlspace – sources of dust, moisture, and mold. Eliminating pollutant pathways through proper air sealing of the home and ducts is a vital step to establishing a comprehensive plan for a healthy indoor environment.
Proper moisture management is also important to a healthy home. Dust mites are a common allergen in homes and thrive in humid environments. High levels of humidity are also conducive to mold growth. By managing moisture issues, these pollutants can be controlled.
Combustion appliances, such as gas furnaces, water heaters, kitchen ranges, and fireplaces, can be sources of carbon monoxide. All combustion appliances should be vented to the outside. However, even for vented appliances, pressure differences that draw exhaust gases into the living space can occur. A thorough home performance assessment includes combustion safety tests and procedures to identify and correct combustion problems and ensure a healthy environment.
Q: My son’s bedroom is too hot in the summer and too cold in the winter – do I need more insulation?
The honest answer is “maybe.” Houses are systems where multiple factors interact to affect performance. Sometimes the answer may be as simple as installing more insulation. More often, comfort problems are more complex.
It wouldn’t make sense to install more insulation, only to find the comfort problem still exists, then try another solution, followed by another, then another. . .
The same way a physician wouldn’t write a prescription without first examining a patient, a home improvement plan should be developed based upon a thorough examination. A home performance assessment is the first step to developing a cost-effective plan that solves the problem.
404.378.6962 • Info@RenewalSystemSolutions.com