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Energy Efficient Homes - how important are they in your area

I recently attended a great gathering organized by a group of engineers at the Ohio State University that focused on Energy Efficient homes and energy efficiency.

The goal was 2 fold. What obstacles were in front of us that was keeping home buyers and home owners from having the efficiency of the home important to them and what can be done to get the word out across the industry.

Some of the items that came out of the great discussions was to have

1) A standard rating that can be applied to a home and eventually every one would know a good number from a not so good number. For example... would you prefer a car that gets 45 MPG or 14 MPG?

2) Make this a part of the MLS listing - the rating and what is installed in the home to get this rating.. updated appliances, upgraded insulation package, Blower door test results for air changes per hour.

I'm interested in your thoughts and what maybe happening in your area.

Thanks,

Posted by Rick Harrington Specialist--Infrared Residential on 02/02/2009 06:21 AM

Comments (6)

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6 Comments on Energy Efficient Homes - how important are they in your area

FEB

That will be very interesting. The rating system would be a good way to look for a house. Also might be a problem the first sale that gets scared away.

FEB

Very interesting topic. I hope there is a distinction between homes that are originally designed with energy efficiency in mind and homes that have energy efficiency improvements. My top 3 items that consistently appear with energy efficiency improvement homes are; 1) Make-up Air, 2) Moisture Control / Ventilation, and 3) Indoor Air Quality.

I feel an energy efficiency rating number without this distinction in homes may do more harm than good for the consumer.

Jim,

Good points. The group did bring all those issues up and some others.

For a car it's seems pretty simple as you can test a few at the test tracks and give that car with that set up a number.

However with a house there are many factors that should be used to create the NUMBER.

One of the ideas was to build 5 houses in the same area with different setups that all achieve a good number and know what each system or component contributes to that NUMBER.

That way a client can choose the options that fit in with their taste to achieve an energy efficient house. size and location of windows.... insulation package, hvac package, and so on.

Then all those could be listed on that house.

Then.... we get to the hard part. Each house will need to be measured individually by an individual. And there in lies an issue. Is everyone trained the same using the same methods and calculations?

That is where we need to get and get there fast and to educate the public so they know what is going on and to demand it!!! Then we will start saving the resources.

Hi Rick. The other advantage the car has is that people let them go. How often do you see a 40 or 50 year old car on the road? Cars are typically not 'improved' for more modern features (efficiency, safety, etc). Homes are kept much longer and receive all types and varieties of 'improvements'.

In a simplistic approach it is real easy to measure the energy efficiency of any home. Setup some of the temperature data loggers indoors and outdoors. Chart the temperature differential against the fuel costs and you have a solid data set.

I feel the indoor air quality measurements and long term health effects will be more difficult to categorize and measure. I remember the Army barracks study where the newer (tighter and more energy efficient) barracks occupants were 'sick' more days than the occupants of the older (drafty and not energy efficient) barracks.

I have confidence that reputable engineering firms and builders will be able to achieve energy efficient and healthy homes. I am concerned about others advertising on their coat tails without the same quality housing.

I agree that the training of the individuals and assessment techniques will be key items.

FEB

When fuel prices were higher I noticed more interest. Now that heating costs are holding stable I seem to be more interested than my buyers.

MAR

there is more interest in Geo-thermal heating plants

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