A new iPhone & iPad app was recently released called the "Home Energy Performance App." This intuitive program -- offered for $3.99 -- can calculate the energy efficiency of any home or building based on type, orientation, structure, ventilation, insulation and other factors.

The app is easy to use and can be useful when thinking about selling a home or remodeling an existing structure to become more energy-efficient. It can create recommendations for energy improvement and then e-mail the report from your phone.

The US version of the app is based on the building guidelines of agencies such as ENERGY STAR and the Department of Energy's Building American program. Learn more about the app here.

Interested in learning more about ENERGY STAR building? Then check out Silvia & Silvia's green building section of our website. As an award-winning ENERGY STAR building partner, we are committed to energy- and money-saving green building practices.