Free Energy Audit? No Such Thing. - 05/23/11 12:09 PM
In an attempt to arrange for sales presentations to potential buyers, salesmen who are promoting a particular product or service will often offer a “free” energy audit to arrange the meeting. Consumers need to understand that these so called “free” and super low cost energy audits are not what they appear to be and rarely provide the home owner with all that he needs to know that will benefit him.
When a certified professional conducts a complete performance analysis to determine (1) the present level of energy efficiency in a particular home and (2) what improvements to recommend to improve the … (0 comments)

Aging in Place - 05/18/11 08:46 PM
For more information, go to www.missouricertifiedenergy.com Aging in Place by Nick Gromicko and Rob London "Aging in place" is the phenomenon describing senior citizens' ability to live independently in their homes for as long as possible. Those who age in place will not have to move from their present residence in order to secure necessary support services in response to their changing needs. The Baby Boomers
As the baby boomers age, the 60+ population will spike from roughly 45 million in recent years to more than 70 million by 2020. Research shows that baby boomers’ expectations of how they will receive … (0 comments)

Contractor Fined $150,000 Under Lead Paint Law - 05/18/11 04:31 PM
http://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/blogs/dept/green-building-news/lead-paint-law-claims-first-contractor?utm_source=email&utm_medium=eletter&utm_content=20110518-first-lead-paint-fine&utm_campaign=green-building-advisor
This article concerns the $150,000.00 in fines that a contractor is facing for failing to comply with the 2010 EPA lead paint law. Remodelling a house that was constructed before 1978 requires special handling by certified people. Non-compliance is not an option.
… (0 comments)

Using You Tube for Testimonials - 05/12/11 04:17 PM
I did this one at my computer in just a few minutes. My next project will be to videotape them and embed them into my website.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1xFY_E3U2U
… (0 comments)

Advising Your Client About Energy Audits - 05/09/11 10:40 AM
With so many different types of energy efficiency services available to the consumer, today, the term "energy audit" is being used in a variety of contexts that can be confusing to the average person.  Hopefully, this will clear up some of the confusion.
1.  What is an "energy audit"?
Depending upon who is performing it for you, it can be a variety of things.  Here are a few examples.
     a.  Diagnostic energy audits - Conducted by a Building Performance Institute trained and certified energy auditor that measures the existing conditions of the home with a variety of sophisticated tests (blower … (3 comments)

What a Home Inspection Isn't - 05/06/11 12:06 AM
Many buyers wrongly equate a home inspection report with something resembling a warranty. Buyers and their agents should be warned that an inspection report is based largely on the concept of "what is" wrong with the house as opposed to "what will be" wrong with the house in the future. 
If people expect a home inspection to provide more than just a snapshot, they should expect to pay far more for the service or purchase some sort of warranty or service contract.  For such an inspection a buyer should expect to pay thousands of dollars (I charge $2,850.00 and require 15 days to produce my report … (2 comments)

Home Performance and What it Means to You - 05/04/11 11:11 PM
     You love your home ... but it is not performing for you as it should.  It is still in the same convenient location for school or work and its walls continue to echo with the laughter and familiar voices from all of the birthday parties, holiday celebrations and other gatherings of family and friends that have meant so much to you.  Still, there are things that are not working like you would like them to.
     After all of the money you have spent in upgrading your heating and cooling system to a more efficient system, you still have that cold room.  New insulation, new … (0 comments)

Indoor Air Quality - Why We Care - 05/04/11 02:37 PM
Why I care about the indoor air quality of your home ... and why you should, too.
The following is quoted from an abstract on the subject of "Indoor Air Quality" published by the Lawrence Berkely National Laboratory:
"All occupied buildings have various sources of indoor air pollution.  Humans (and their household pets) generate carbon dioxide, odors and microbes simply through the normal living processes.  Other more important sources of indoor air pollution are combustion appliances (gas stoves, unvented space heaters), building materials (used in construction, furnishings and insulation), and soil under and around houses.  These sources release carbon monoxide (CO), … (2 comments)

What is a Diagnostic Energy Audit? - 05/04/11 01:05 AM
A diagnostic energy audit is also referred to among professional auditors as a "Level 2" or a "Level 3" energy audit.  A useful and effective diagnostic energy audit, as those that are performed by me, will include the following important items, as a minimum, conducted in full compliance with the standards and protocol prescribed by the Building Performance Institute (BPI):
1.  Identification of the type, size, condition and rate of energy consumption for each major energy-using device.
2.  Recommendations for appropriate energy conservation, operation and maintenance procedures.
3.  A measurement of the amount of air leakage calculated through the administration of a blower … (2 comments)

Air Leakage and the Blower Door Test - 05/02/11 02:33 PM
     Air leakage from the home accounts for anywhere between 5% and 40% of the costs associated with heating and cooling a residential building. Air is leaking from your home and, as it leaves, it pulls outside air into the home behind it.      
     Not only does the home owner want to keep his already heated or cooled air inside as long as he can for the obvious economical reasons ... but the moisture and pollutants that the unfiltered replacement air brings into the home can affect his comfort and health as well as his checkbook.
      A blower door test … (0 comments)