Category Archives: energy retrofitting

Summer is Coming; Let the Aussies Inform You How to Keep Your House Cool For Less During Summer

Posted on January 25, 2024 | Leave a comment

Running air-conditioning all day isn’t the only – or the cheapest – way to keep cool, and homeowners and renters can make small tweaks to their homes to beat the heat in the cost-of-living crisis.

The first step was to identify a part of the house that would be improved, typically where the most time was spent, such as a living room or kitchen.

From there, Adams recommended installing or improving insulation, both in the ceiling or beneath the floor. “Putting insulation in the ceiling, if there was none there, would really make a significant difference,” he said.

Adams said even those who already had insulation might not be getting its full benefit if it were incorrectly installed or if the ceiling featured downlights (canned lighting).

“Lots of houses have recessed light fittings, with gaps around them because some lights were designed to have airflow past them to keep them cool,” he said.

Next was to draught-seal doors and windows to prevent cool or warm air from escaping, and adding heavy or sun-blocking curtains or blinds to keep the sun out and warmth in.

8 Essential Questions to Ask Before Buying a Green Home

Posted on August 29, 2023 | Leave a comment

#2 Do I have a knowledgeable appraiser? Did you know you can request that the lender use a certified green appraiser? Well you can. If you know a green appraiser like those at Southern California Appraisal Services. You can request your lender reach out to them.

How old is the roof? How much is the monthly utility bill? Has the sewer ever backed up? In many ways, the questions you should be asking before buying a house seem pretty obvious, but what if you’re checking out eco-friendly homes? New products and technologies and innovative design are bumping up the eco-factor in many homes across the country, but are all green homes created equal? Of course not. That’s why it’s extra important to know your stuff before making any offers. You’ll likely pay a premium for a green home and you’ll want to know that you’re getting what you pay for. Here’s a list of 8 essential questions to ask before buying a green home, so you can confidently make an offer with your eyes wide open.

#1 Is this home certified?

The easiest way to tell if a home is more sustainable is if it has a credible certification. Energy Star and LEED both offer certifications; LEED has several different sustainability categories while Energy Star is more focused on energy efficiency. To become LEED-certified, homeowners must gain a certain amount of credits in categories like water efficiency, location and transportation, innovation, and more. To have an Energy Star home, owners must commit to a defined set of energy measures that make it more sustainable. Of course, not all sellers bother to get their green homes certified, so just because it doesn’t have a stamp of approval, doesn’t mean it’s not energy efficient or built with sustainable building materials. Clearly, you’ll have to ask some questions to make sure. There are a few websites out there, such as Green Homes for Sale, that list homes specifically by their certifications and make it easier for you to find already certified homes.

#2 Do I have a knowledgeable realtor/appraiser?

Your realtor should be the one giving you the low-down on your new potential home, right? Well, if he or she has no background knowledge of green homes, you might not get all the information you need. A realtor who has experience selling homes with eco features or who has a green credential can make a world of difference in the buying process. Other substantial credentials to look for are a National Association of Realtor’s Green Designation or the LEED Green Associate certification. Use the online resource, Realty Sage Pro, to get a referral to local agents who have the expertise, connections, and who can help you make the decisions which are right for your lifestyle, priorities, and budget.

Another important factor is the appraiser. Does he or she understand the actual value of a green home? An appraiser who doesn’t factor in the benefits of an eco-friendly home may undervalue it and price it as they would a standard-built home. Get an appraisal by someone certified so that you fully understand the investment you’re making.

California rooftop solar decision remains on hold

Posted on March 16, 2022 | Leave a comment

The next voting meeting for the commission is set for Thursday but once again, the agenda does not include an item regarding the fate of a controversial Net Energy Metering proposal that — if passed in its current form — would make major changes to the way solar customers are compensated.

Under Net Energy Metering, or NEM, when a rooftop solar system generates more energy than the homeowner or business actually consumes, the excess can be sent back to the electric grid and customers receive credits on their bills.

Net Energy Metering tariff that included:

Altering how much solar customers are paid when they send power back to the grid. Instead of receiving the retail rate of electricity, they would get paid at the “actual avoided cost,” which is much lower.
Creating a “grid participation charge” of $8 per kilowatt on the solar systems of residential customers. The typical rooftop system is about 5 to 6 kilowatts so the charge would come to about $40 to $48 per month for San Diego Gas & Electric customers. The charge would not apply to commercial customers.
Establishing a $600 million Equity Fund to support clean energy and energy storage programs for low-income Californians. Disadvantaged households would be exempt from paying the grid participation charge.
Provide a 10-year payback period for customers who add energy storage to their solar systems.