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Energy Audit on a New Home?

By Dinah Lee Griffey

Managing Real Estate Broker with Windermere Peninsula Properties

February 05, 2009 01:56 PM

I thought it was strange this winter when I sat next to the window in my new home and it was ICE cold! We bought our home in 2005 and did not give the windows much thought. They looked nice and they were new...

I was uneducated and naive. The windows the builder put in are actually costing me money and were most likely the most inexpensive that they could get away with. My power bill should drop by at least 40% with new windows.

I have an energy audit scheduled for Monday and I will share with you all that I learn. I expect it to be informative and enlightening. Certainly something worth while for sharing with buyers purchasing new construction. When buying a new or preconstructed home it is important to know all the important questions to ask.

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Calvin Cowles

Cowles Home Inspection Services Inc. - Newnan, GA

Many people believe that a new home is well built with all the systems installed and working properly and therefore, they don't get it inspected by an independent home inspector. BIG mistake! I find as many and some times more things wrong with new construction than with resales. I don't perform energy audits so to speak but, if I inspect a $200,000 home that has $150 windows I inform my client!

Feb 05, 2009 02:06 PM

Dinah Lee Griffey

Windermere Peninsula Properties - Allyn, WA

Managing Broker Windermere Peninsula Properties

Calvin- I always recomend a home inspection on new homes. I wish I had taken the time to conduct an energy audit on this one then. I know now!-Dinah Lee

Feb 05, 2009 02:10 PM

Robert Havana

Park and Protect- Alberta Real Estate License Parking - Calgary, AB

Alberta Real Estate License Parking

I replaced all my windows last summer, just in time to sell the house and buy another one that needs windows. Thankgoodness I am experienced at it now, lol.

Feb 05, 2009 02:12 PM

Robert- we bought a spec house years ago and when I finally got the yard I wanted we sold and bought a new spec house....Dinah Lee

Feb 05, 2009 02:13 PM

Pat Tasker

Shorewest Realtors - Germantown, WI

Your Milwaukee Metro Area Agent (WI)

I can totally relate...new home 2004, don't think it is very energy efficient....maybe I should get a survey...I am having a personal challenge of how low I can keep the heat to lower my bill...but that gets harder to do with sub zero temps...

Feb 05, 2009 02:47 PM

Jim Mushinsky

Centsable Inspection - Framingham, MA

It is also important to look at the forest and not just one tree.

Houses are designed to balance energy usage, combustion air, and moisture. A cold door or window may appear to be an energy issue, so while you investigate be sure to look at the other aspects of the house to see if the builder intended the combustion make-up air to infiltrate through windows.

A healthy home is a balanced home.

Feb 05, 2009 05:06 PM

Jeannette Neerpat

CondoDomain.com - Coral Springs, FL

e-Pro Coral Springs/Parkland Real Estate

I always love the pictures you post, do you take them? You have a very candid eye!

Feb 05, 2009 10:19 PM

Pat- I was really surprised. My windows in the last hous were never like this adn it was built in 1993-Dinah Lee

Feb 06, 2009 02:46 AM

Feb 06, 2009 02:47 AM

Jim- thanks. I never even thought of that-Dinah Lee

Feb 06, 2009 02:48 AM

Jeannette- thanks. I got your message this morning. Can you e-mail me some of the information you mentioned. It has been a struggle to figure that one out:)

Feb 06, 2009 02:49 AM

Energy Audit on a New Home?

Comments(11)

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