Written by Dennis Cheslik

We are happy to report that, after close to 3 years and 3000+ twitter followers later (we love our #green twitter friends), our ongoing paperwork and communications with the IRS has finally officially approved us a non-profit 501c (6) organization with the IRS. Believe us, we are totally non-profit. We have donated way beyond what we have raised so far. We encourage people that care about our environment to contribute to our efforts to preserve our planet. Just get involved! And, keep using our links for information.

Although we intend to keep supporting the reforest efforts throughout our country in the next year, we are looking at ways to support our troops coming home from overseas as well. There are some new efforts moving forward to move the enlisted brothers and sisters of ours into the green movement. Most of these programs involve jobs in building energy efficiency, renewable energy, and water conservation.

The green landscape heading into 2012 is just plain murky at this point. For example: The "Cash for Caulkers" program never got off the ground in 2011. The movement to increase home efficiency with "Property Assessed Clean Energy" (PACE) got sidelined by Fannie and Freddie. The good news is that new legislation has been proposed for the upcoming year for efforts to improve home energy efficiency and the Appraisal Institute has released document 820.01 that helps homeowners by having energy efficiency investments show up on home appraisal values.  

Get involved / contribute / be a sponsor / help efforts to save our planet / contact us. Thanks,

Dennis Cheslik
Cofounder
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What You Need to Know About Home Energy Audits:

The U.S. Department of Energy does recommend that homeowners hire a professional home energy rating company to perform an energy audit of their home. The problem is that there are so many different green rating systems and companies out there to sort through that your not sure who to trust. For example, here are just a few:

BPI Building Performance Institute

RESNET Residential Energy Services Network

LEED-home U.S. Green Building Council

NGBS National Association of Home Builders

ENERGYSTAR Department of Energy

IECC International Energy Conservation Code

The list goes on and on with Green Seal, the Forest Steward Council, BREEAM, Greenlabel, etc… And to make things even harder, those are just the national green rating systems. Then you have other green rating programs at regional, state, and local levels, such as the new “Green Building Standards Code” recently adopted for the state of California. In Texas, we have the “Green Built Texas” program which is affiliated with the NAHB. In Austin, Texas they have the “Austin Energy Green Building (AEGB) Rating System.”

All these rating services have different formulas and levels of value for each category that is rated during an energy audit. The bottom line is that they are all working toward the same goal, which is to make your home more energy efficient. There are two main questions to ask when seeking an energy auditor:

How to Choose a Home Energy Audit company:

Question 1: Does your energy audit include a “Blower door” test?
Question 2: Are you a member of a “certified” energy rating service?

The top 2 energy rating services are BPI and RESNET. Both are excellent programs that require training, testing, and have quality assurance programs. With both these rating services you will receive a blower door test from a certified rating company.

A certified home energy audit usually last 4 to 6 hours and costs between $200- $500. The reason the cost may seem a little high is that it requires $4,000- $10,000 worth of equipment to do a proper certified audit. The main piece of testing equipment used is called a “Blower Door.”

During an energy audit, the “Blower Door” replaces your existing front door. It is attached to the doorframe while leaving your real front door wide open. There is an extremely powerful fan in the door that depressurizes your whole house by sucking all the air out. Then, the auditor will check all the walls, windows, doors, and ceilings throughout your home for drafts of air being pulled into your home by the extreme force of the fan. Often, smoke sticks may be used or incense for a more visual effect for the homeowner to see where the air is leaking into your home.

Another effective tool used by energy auditors is called a “Duct Blaster”. This tool is used to measure, test, and document the amount of air leaking from the ductwork of your heating and cooling system. It works under a vacuum type testing system as well. Air leaks in your ductwork can be costing you as much as 20 to 50% extra on your heating and cooling costs.

Another very expensive and efficient tool that is often used for energy audits is a “Thermal Imaging Camera”. Infrared cameras detect radiation and produce images of that radiation. Since radiation increases with temperature, the images reveal extreme heat gains and losses throughout your whole house. It can even detect missing insulation inside of walls. It is a very effective tool for finding air leaks.

During the audit, the Energy auditor will ask you a series of specific questions regarding your energy use history and your energy use patterns. The auditor will inspect all aspects of your home including attic insulation levels, attic vents, weather-stripping, caulk, closets, cabinets, doors, windows, etc... Following the audit, the auditor will combine that information with the detailed notes taken during the audit. Within a few days, you should receive a detailed summary of the analysis, as well as, an extensive list of recommendations and options for upgrading your home to be more energy efficient.

Could you use $1,000 to $8,000 from Uncle Sam to upgrade your home to be more energy efficient and lower your utility bills? That's exactly what the H.R. 5019: Home Star Energy Retrofit Act of 2010 would offer you as a homeowner. Unfortunately, after the House of Representatives approved the legislation (a.k.a "cash for caulkers"), the Senate has dragged their heals to approve the measure and get the program up and running. According to the New York Times (8/13/10), over 90 percent of stimulus money has remained unspent.

With over 20 percent of the construction sector currently unemployed, the Home Star program is expected to provide a boost in green job growth and help homeowners struggling to make ends meet. The program would not only make your home more energy efficient with lower utility bills, it would also lower your carbon footprint and help preserve the environment.

A breakdown of what the proposed legislation would offer homeowners:

• Silver Star Rebates: Homeowners would be eligible for rebates of 50% for the cost of upgrading homes with insulation, duct sealing, water heaters, HVAC units, windows, roofing and doors. The maximum rebate amount would be $3,000.
   
• Gold Star Rebates: Homeowners would be eligible for comprehensive retrofits through energy auditing and tailored upgrades that achieve a 20% energy efficiency savings. Gold Star would require employing certified contractors and vendors with a payout range of $3,000 to a maximum $8,000.

Even though Environmental groups managed to raise $22 million toward lobby efforts to get some sort of climate bill legislation passed, they were outspent by oil and gas lobbyists that put out $175 million to defeat the efforts. Other hurdles to overcome are which certification program should oversee the program and how quickly rebates are to be paid out.  

The House version of the bill has Building Performance Institute (BPI) as the certification entity to deploy the program. Critics suggest that BPI contractors are primarily in the Northeastern U.S. with very few members to offer services to homeowners in a high number of states. For example, the BPI website has no Silver Star members listed for the state of Arkansas. Here in the Dallas Fort Worth area, BPI has 12 Silver Star contractors listed on their website. Still, only a dozen for a population of over 6 million.

Under the proposed scenario, contractors and vendors would receive the rebates after the work is completed in order to keep homeowners from being out of pocket the total costs. However, in our current economic situation, how many contractors and vendors have the deep pockets to be out large amounts of cash and waiting for rebates to reach them? We will see how it all plays out when the Senate reconvenes after Labor Day.

Written by Dennis Cheslik | 21 July 2010

The main thing to know about investing in a Solar Energy System for your home is that there are many options out there and plenty of incentives. Unlike in the 1980's when solar power was a fad that came and left, solar in 2010 is here to stay. It's gone global now. Especially in Europe and China. The incentives and options:

Incentives for Going Solar:

• It's Free Energy: No more paying the utility bill--You may even get a check back from them.
• It's Good for our Planet: It reduces burning coal for power which pollutes our planet.
• Free Green Money: Uncle Sam will pay for 30% off your system on your tax return.
• Free Green Money: Many Local Utility company's are offering rebates on solar systems up to 20%.
• Choices: You can lease, you can buy, pay though energy bonds, or purchase in a group.  
• Increased Home Value: Your home value automatically increases.
• Durability: Solar Panel materials are state of the art, built to last, and designed to perform.

Solar Options Available:

• Purchasing a System Outright: The first thing to do is check with your local Utility Company/ Electrical provider and find out if they offer a rebate on purchasing a solar energy system and what the going rate is per watt. Here in the Dallas area, Oncor is offering around $2.25 per watt. Depending on what system you buy, the rebate may pay up to 15-20% off your system. When you combine that with the 30% off from Uncle Sam, you get half off.
   
• Purchasing through PACE: P-A-C-E or Property Assessed Clean Energy is very unique program and it's concept is a very realistic way for solar expansion in the U.S.. Municipalities sell bonds, the money is loaned to consumers, and the pay back period is over 15-20 years through property taxes. P-A-C-E alleviates the investor from being out of pocket for the upfront system cost. The amount of money saved on your energy bill offsets the cost of the system, or, possibly even better.
   
• Leasing a Solar System: Leasing is another option that is gaining momentum throughout the U.S.. Many companies are forming that offer leasing programs. The major players so far include: SolarCity, Akeena, Sunpower, and Sungevity. Here in Texas, Sungevity has launched a program with TXU Energy. There is no upfront cost for the lease. Here again, the money saved on your energy bill offsets the cost of the system, or, possibly even better. The down side is that the homeowner does not get the tax credits, the rebates, and is under a contract if he/she decides to sell their home.
   
• Purchasing Solar Through a Group: Yet another option for investing in solar is also gaining momentum. 1BOG, or, One Block Off The Grid is a company that offers homeowners the ability to purchase in a group to acquire huge discounts. Any city can participate. Once 1BOG acquires 100 people in a given region, they launch an installation campaign. 

The landscape for investing in solar is changing daily. Therefore, it is essential to research as much as possible before investing to find the best deal out there for you and your situation. For example, right now the P-A-C-E program has been under attack from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The Democrats have introduced a bill to defend the program. For the latest information, visit PACE clean-energy program. For more information and advice in the North Texas area, visit GreenTex Energy Savers.