Green Home Inspections in Dallas, Texas
The new generation of Green Home Inspections is upon us. The City of Dallas just recently set into action the first of a two phase process for Green Home Building Standards. As of Oct. 1, 2009 the Dallas Green Building Program, administered by the Department of Building Inspectors, is looking to see that the following two ordinances are in place.
First- The proposed Green Home must implement water reduction strategies that include high-efficiency (low-flow) faucets and fixtures on at least four of the following six items:
Lavatory Faucets, Showerheads, Toilets, Dishwashers, Clothes washers, and Drip Irrigation Systems.
Second- Use 15% less energy than the Dallas Energy Conservation Code provisions. Prove compliance using Energy Systems Laboratory software with a resulting HERS (Home Energy Rating System) index of 85 or less, or by installing systems certified by Energy System Laboratory or the EPA’s Energy Star program. A third party Green Home Inspection is needed.
Homes built according to the 2006 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) have a HERS rating of 100. A home that is 15-20 years old would approx be 140-160 HERS rating, just to put it in perspective. If I just lost you, it’s OK - this is where Green gets complicated! Your average homeowner doesn’t understand when and why all the gadgets and gizmos come into play - blower door tests, HVAC seal tests, and let’s not forget about those cool thermal imaging cameras!
What do all these things tell us? Well, these tests have been regulated for NEW Green Home construction. Most people do not know it, but North Texas communities in Allen, Frisco, and Plano have built a large number of green homes. Energy Rated Homes. The problem is that home builders are not building them at the same rate they once were. Now that the general public is being introduced to green, everyone wants to know what can it do for pre-existing homes. The problem is that the majority of the real estate market is made up of homes that are at least 10 years old and older. That’s where I come in!
Green Scene Home Inspections offers a different type of professional home inspection service. A Green Home Inspection Service done by a licensed, certified, professional home inspectors,providing all of the same services you would normally find in a professional home inspector. I’m not saying every home that gets a Green Home Inspection has to have an Energy Audit. Although it would help to find more exact results, especially in older homes! I help my clients make smart, conscious decisions when looking to "green" an existing home. Green Scene Home Inspections helps their clients calculate their potential household carbon emissions.
Calculating your household carbon emissions is part of the Green Home Inspection, done through a series of questions about your personal energy consumption habits. Energy used is money spent! If you can reduce your energy consumption, you can save money... and do your part towards saving the planet! My Green Home Inspection offers a FREE household carbon emissions plan that helps families make more environmentally-conscious decisions. I believe in today’s market that the buyers are watching every penny they spend and tracking where their money goes.
I challenge realtors to provide their clients with green options. It’s always been said that a home is the most important purchase that most people will ever make. It’s also the largest carbon offset decision that can be made. Help your clients understand what their potential carbon footprint could be (based on factors like the age and location of the home) by calling Green Scene Home Inspections to evaluate their prospective new home.
Clayton Bailey
Professional Home Inspector
214-796-7707 Office
214-206-9092 e-fax
.......serving the Dallas / Fort Worth Area and beyond!
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