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On The Level Newsletter                December 2012, Volume V, Issue IV

Cari Barron | Contractor Hotline | [email protected]

425.775.9085 | www.contractorhotline.net

In This Issue
Home Energy Audit - Should You Get One?
Featured Projects
Green Tips

Edmonds finally has a hardware store!

 

Edmonds Hardware & Paint   

 

 Location

201 Fifth Avenue South, Suite 206

In Downtown Edmonds

425.967.5352

  (Old Milltown on 5th Avenue South and Maple in the upper parking lot)

 

Winter Hours

Mon - Fri 8:30 am - 6:30 pm

Sat & Sun 9 am - 6 pm

What Our Customers Are Saying

Thank you so very much Cari for setting us up with quality people who provide affordable prices and professional services. ~ M. Koehler, Woodway 

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Habitat for Humanity
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is your FREE resource for dependable, home improvement professionals who have been carefully pre-screened and proven to be some of the best in their field. Whether you have an immediate problem or a long-range plan to refurbish your home we can help.

 

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Greetings!

Cari

I hope your Thanksgiving holiday was filled with good friends and family and the past year full of many reasons to be grateful. I am personally grateful for each of our valued customers, service professionals, friends, and colleagues. THANK YOU for your continued support and friendship throughout the year. 

 

Have the chilly, long nights got you thinking of ways to make your home more cozy and warm? The following article Home Energy Audit - Should You Get One? is full of ideas and resources to make your home more energy efficient and comfortable.  

 

I wish you all the best for a safe, healthy, and joyous holiday season and New Year!  

 

Warm wishes and Happy Holidays!

Signature 

Cari Barron

 

Contractor Hotline

Email: [email protected] 

425.775.9085

www.contractorhotline.net 

Home Energy Audit - Should You Get One?

 

Home energy audits help you understand how much energy your home uses and identify ways to improve its efficiency. There are many things you can do on your own such as caulk and weather strip around doors and windows or wrap exposed water pipes. But many homes are so inefficient that even after completing the more obvious improvements, there are still many ways to further reduce your home's energy consumption and increase comfort.

 

A professional audit can cost upwards of $400 or more but when used wisely can pay for itself in a short amount of time. If this is out of your budget, there are do-it-yourself alternatives. For starters, there are easy online surveys such as Energy Star's Home Energy Yardstick.  The survey compares your home's efficiency to similar homes in your area. Another, more comprehensive self-study is the Home Energy Saver.  Snohomish County PUD also offers a free online energy audit called the Home EnergyAdvisor

 

While an online audit can be a good starting point, it is no substitute for a home inspection by a professional energy auditor. A Home Energy Audit is an investment to help you determine the best steps to increase your homes efficiency.

 

The many benefits to a Home Energy Audit and related improvements include:

  • Improved comfort & safety
  • Enhanced appearance
  • Increased salability
  • Reduced environmental impact
  • Assists in tenant retention of investment properties
Many home improvements such as adding insulation or replacing the furnace are not inexpensive. Having an audit conducted before making these improvements will help prioritize the best approach for long term value. It doesn't do much good to install a new heating system if the air leaks have not been addressed. Planning a remodel? Having an audit completed before starting a remodel will help you plan and incorporate energy saving upgrades into your project.

 

The following are questions to consider when determining if your home is operating as efficiently as it could.

  • Is your home comfortable during hot and cold seasons?
  • Are your energy bills excessive?
  • Does your heating/cooling system run constantly to maintain a comfortable temperature?
  • Are there drafty rooms or variable temperatures throughout the house?
  • Do you have cold floors in the winter?
  • Is moisture on the windows?
  • Do you have excessive dust?

A thorough inspection will determine what components are negatively affecting the comfort and efficiency of your home. Based on the inspection results, you should have a good understanding of recommended repairs and improvements, along with an idea of estimated costs and potential annual savings in energy bills. 

 

A professional auditor uses a variety of techniques and equipment to determine the energy efficiency of your home. A thorough audit will include:

  • Blower Door Test (used to de-pressurize the home and expose air leaks)
  • Infrared Camera Scan (used to reveal hard-to-detect areas of air infiltration and missing insulation)
  • Combustion Safety Testing (detects carbon monoxide leaks)
  • Complete Basement to Attic Inspection
  • Survey of Appliances & Lighting Systems

The following video provided by the Department of Energy explains each of these steps in detail.

Energy 101: Home Energy Assessment
Energy 101: Home Energy Assessment

 

Home Energy Audits alone won't save energy. You need to implement the recommended improvements. The results of the audit will help prioritize repairs and put a short or long term plan in place, depending on the extent of improvements needed and your budget.

 

A Home Energy Auditor should be certified through either BPI (Building Performance Institute) or RESNET (Residential Energy Services Network). Both BPI and RESNET have set standards for home energy professionals and are recognized by the DOE (Department of Energy) and EPA (Environmental Protection Agency). View a list of certified BPI accredited contractors near you. 

 

Currently Seattle City Light customers can obtain a Home Energy Audit for $95. Rebate programs are available and in some cases, free weatherization services for those who meet income qualifications. For more information visit the Energy Conservation page of their website or call an Energy Advisor at 206-684-3800.

 

Puget Sound Energy (PSE) offers their natural gas customers a free HomePrint Assessment of their home's energy use. The review is determined by a visual walk-through but does not include any diagnostic testing such as blower tests and infrared camera scans. You will receive a summary that includes energy saving recommendations and free compact fluorescent light bulbs.  For more details, contact a PSE Energy Advisor at 1-800-562-5482.

 

Snohomish County PUD customers whose homes are electrically heated may qualify for incentive payments toward energy-saving home improvements. The weatherization program includes eligible upgrades on windows, heat pumps, duct sealing & insulation, and electronic thermostats. Contact the Energy Hotline with questions at 425-783-1700

 

Beware - Energy Saving Scams!  Snohomish County PUD warns of a postcard scam targeting home and business owners. If you received a notice in the mail, someone visited your home or business, or you received a phone call claiming they can help slash your utility bills, please beware. Visit Snohomish County PUD's website for more details to avoid becoming a victim of an energy saving scam.

Featured Projects

Is your kitchen outdated? Completely transform an older kitchen with new cabinets, countertops, flooring, paint, appliances, and lighting.
 
Kitchen Remodel - Before
Kitchen Remodel(2) - After
BEFORE
AFTER
Kitchen Remodel(2) - Before
Kitchen Remodel - After
BEFORE
AFTER

Green Tips 

  

Tree-cycle ~  

Support the Boy Scouts and have your tree recycled. Visit Operation Dry Needles for a map identifying which troop is assigned to your neighborhood and the location and dates they are collecting trees for recycling.  King County's Solid Waste Division website includes information on tree-cycling in your neighborhood.  

 

 

Green Products & Services ~ 

Thinking of purchasing a fuel-efficient vehicle? Shopping for a tankless water heater? MOTHER EARTH NEWS compares these products, and many more! Their convenient search tools help rank green products and services, making it easy to narrow down your search. Save time, save money, and find the products that best suit your needs and lifestyle.

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