Energy Efficiency Increases Home Values

Find Out Where YOUR Home is Losing Energy:

With rising energy prices, home buyers are showing an increased preference for energy efficient homes. According to a study by real estate company Royal LePage, almost 3/4 of potential home buyers are looking for energy saving features. In fact, they're willing to pay a premium for an energy efficient home. Half of potential home buyers are willing to spend $5,000 to $20,000 for those features, and 10% are willing to pay $20,000 or more for energy saving features. According to a study by the Appraisal Institute, for every dollar of energy costs saved per year in an energy efficient home, the value of the property increases by $20. By installing energy saving upgrades in your home, you'll save on your energy bills each month while increasing the value of your home.

Many Energy Efficient Solutions

There are so many ways to make your home more energy efficient - from air sealing to insulation, heating and air conditioning systems, plumbing, water heating, home energy assessment, appliances, ventilation systems, alternative energy systems and more. A home energy assessment will provide a list of energy saving recommendations specific to your home, along with the savings you can expect from each upgrade (Schedule a home energy assessment now). There may be government or utility incentives or rebates available for some types of energy efficient upgrades.

Where to Begin?

This website contains many energy saving ideas. Use these energy saving solutions for the different areas of your home. And use these tips to address problems in your home. And here are some solutions for high energy bills. For a more comprehensive, customized analysis of your home, schedule a home energy assessment with a certified professional home energy auditor.

Energy Saving Tips

Follow these tips to make your home more energy efficient.

Seal air leaks in your building envelope by plugging cracks or holes in outer walls, windows, doors, etc.
Add insulation in your attic, exterior walls, basement or crawl space walls, floors, ceilings and around ductwork.
Have your ducts tested for air leakage and seal any leaks.
Install a programmable thermostat and program it to adjust the temperature automatically.
Install a solar power system to reduce or eliminate your reliance on power from the utility company.
Keep the fireplace damper closed when not in use. Install a chimney balloon to reduce the heat that escapes up your chimney.
Reduce lighting costs with motion sensors, dimmer switches and timers.
Provide shade for your AC condenser unit.
Wrap your water heater with a thermal blanket. It costs $20 or less, and will pay for itself in a few months with the energy you save by keeping the water hot.

If you own a home, consider doing some energy saving upgrades. Even if you're not planning to sell your home in the near future, you'll save on your energy bills each month and help reduce the effects of climate change and atmospheric pollution. When you are ready to sell, your home will be worth more, and may even sell faster.

If you're in the market to buy a home, try to find a real estate agent who's knowledgeable about energy efficient homes. They can help you find a home that meets your housing needs and offers the benefits of energy efficiency.

Home Energy Problems & Solutions:

Reduce High Energy Bills Energy Efficiency, Home Improvement Tools
Drafty Rooms Air sealing, Heating and Cooling Contractor
Peeling Paint Control moisture, Building Science Specialist
Mold, Mildew or Musty Odors Reducing Indoor Humidity
Dust Sealing air leaks, Change Filters
Hot or Cold Rooms Room over a garage, ENERGY STAR ceiling fans
Damp Basement Stop water leaks, Ventilation Fans
Moisture on Windows Control Moisture, ENERGY STAR Labeled Windows
Dry Indoor Air in Winter Home Sealing, Diagnostic Equipment
Cold Floors in Winter Basement floor, Floor over a crawlspace
Ice Dams Roofing Contractor, Diagnostic Equipment

We were unaware of what was involved in an energy audit and your audior took the time to explain everything. We were impressed with the report which told us the areas in which we need to take action on. He never pressured us to use any particular contractors, he just suggested that we go to the Building Energy Pros web site to select contractors of our own choice. He did an excellent job and we HIGHLY recommend the Building Energy Pros. We already have recommended them to several of our neighbors. Again, EXCELLENT JOB!
Cynthia Simpson

The Building Energy Pros auditor was very knowledgeable. I was VERY HAPPY with him. He promptly E-mailed my energy audit report to me and I will consider all of his recommendations.
Tom McGee

We found out that our house really has no energy problems. We are happy to know that we
Leslie Stewart

I was very satisfied with your energy auditor. He was very qualified and spent a great deal of time with me. The energy audit was very informative.
P.B.

The energy auditor was very good and helpful. He keeps in touch with me to answer any of my questions.
D.G.

I was very satisfied with my energy audit. The auditor gave me some tips on attic insulation that were very helpful.
R.G.

I was very satisfied with my energy audit. Thank you!
R.S.

Very good service! I am going to replace the windows as the auditor had suggested.
D.W.

I was very happy with the energy audit. THANKS!
A. M.

My energy audit was very helpful. Joe Dempsey, your auditor, identified some structural problems that I was not aware of and explained to me why I need more insulation.
J. F.

The auditor was EXCELLENT! He spent ALOT of time with me. I am going to take 3 to 4 of his suggestions and correct these small items to save on my energy bills.
M. B.

The auditor did a GREAT JOB! He knew a lot about older homes, which we have. The report was very comprehensive. Thank you!
Vicki Nez/at

Your energy auditor was very nice and helpful. He answered all of our questions. We will recommend Building Energy Pros to our friends and neighbors.
Katherine McCaffrey

The auditor did a TERRIFIC JOB! The report was FANTASTIC! I will make all the repairs he suggested. I will definitely recommend him to everyone I know that could benefit from a home energy audit.
Steve Sleigh, Chevy Chase

The energy auditor was very professional and I am very satisfied with both the energy audit and the report I received. I will be referring the Building Energy Pros.
Tim Clary

I was very satisfied with the auditor. He was great and gave me some very valuable information. I will refer him to people I know who may need a home energy audit.
Willie Gantt

Your home energy audit proved to be very informative and helpful. I was not aware of the updraft created inside our walls because of the balloon framing construction. You said that that can cause heat to be pulled out of the house with the draft going up inside the walls and should be re-mediated. You also said that the attic insulation was insufficient and that fiberglass batts can leave spaces for around the edges causing heat loss and that it should have blown in insulation on top of what was there to seal the whole attic and increase the r factor. After going over your findings and telling me how you would fix the problems you told me how I could do it myself with stuff from the Home Center and for a quarter of the cost. Well, I did. I went into the basement and filled the bottom of the wall joist with unfaced insulation where they set on the sill plate. I then cut one inch foam board the size for each space and set it in and the sealed the edges of that with expanding foam as well as the sill plate to the foundation. I also sealed the sill plate to the foundation where the joist ran along it, as well as the top of those joist where it made contact with the subflooring. Next I went to the home center and rented their blown insulation machine and got ten bales of the insulation. I filled the attic on top of the batt insulation with about six inches giving another r-19 factor on top of the r-19 that was there. You said that the blown in would also help seal the heat loss around the edges of the batt. The work in the basement cost $144.00 and the work in the attic cost $328.00. After the 30% federal energy tax credit it will end up costing me about $330.00, which you said I should recover in savings in the first year. Thank You for all your advice and expertise. You made me aware of things I should consider and did.
Tommy Thompson