MY STARTING PLACE
The 3 steps to getting a greener home that has
lower utility costs and increased home value
Get an energy assessment or an audit from a MO-certified energy
audit company. Energy assessors can conduct two types of Building
Performance Inspections (BPI):
A Home Energy Rating is a 1-hour “house call” assessment, a quick and low-cost way for homeowners to understand their home's energy performance. It delivers more than just an home energy score (see sample) — it comes with abbreviated recommendations for energy upgrades as well estimates of how much these improvements can reduce the homeowner's utility bills.
A Home Energy Audit is a more rigorous energy assessment and tests the envelope, combustion zones, and addresses moisture issues. It can include a blower
door test (measure hidden leaks), infrared scan (find exactly
where the hidden leaks are located), HVAC combustion and
leakage test, basic safety inspection and a visual inspection
of the home. This test usually only costs a few hundred
dollars. The energy assessor’s recommendation is a guide to
the improvements you can make to start saving money.
Remediation: The fixes are prioritized from the least costly,
most beneficial and efficient upgrades you can make to your
house. These repairs usually focuses on lighting, insulation
and caulking. Much of the work may be done by the
homeowner. The assessor can also recommend trades
people in your area who can execute exactly the repairs
needed. There may be Energy Star suggestions that can take
energy improvements to a whole new level. The goal is to
qualify you for lower utilities, energy purchase rebates and
tax incentives to help pay for it all.
