Home Energy Score Archives

If you are thinking about upgrading the windows in your home, consider options designed to help cut energy loss. Here’s some good information on what to consider when you are thinking about new windows for your home from HouseMasters:

If shopping for windows for your home, be sure to examine the energy performance numbers. Years ago window manufacturers used R-value, a measurement of a materials resistance to heat flow transfer, to rate windows. But this provided to be an ineffective way for homeowners to evaluate overall windows performance.

The National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC), a nonprofit collaboration of window manufacturers, government agencies, and building trade associations, however, has developed a set of standardized rating procedures to help consumers compare and select windows. The NFRC labels use whole-window U-value (or U-factor), which is a measure of the amount of heat transfer through a window. U-value is the inverse of R-value, thus the lower the U-value the better the energy performance of the window. Always choose a window with a low U-value.

Other criteria, such as certified air leakage rate, solar heat gain coefficient, visible light transmittance, and warranty on the seal should also be taken into consideration when purchasing windows.

In addition to using double-pane, insulated glass units for low U-values, modern window technology also incorporates one or more of the following features in the more efficient, low U-value windows available:

Low-emissivity glass (low-e glass)
Heat-absorbing (tinted) glass
Reflective glass coatings
Gas-filled windows
Low-iron glass

Any one of these features can improve window efficiency; however, it is very common to now find combinations of these features in any particular new windows. Radiant heat gain is a very big factor in the summertime, especially in houses with large window surfaces facing south or west. Low-emissivity glass or any tinted or coated windows help reduce the radiant heating factor to not only keep occupants more comfortable but also to limit solar damage to furnishings.

If you are unable to or just don’t want to upgrade older windows, simply closing the blinds or curtains on the windows is an economical way to keep out the sunlight (and heat) during the day.

Remember, these tips are only general guidelines. Since each situation is different, contact a professional if you have questions about a specific issue.

If you are thinking about buying and selling a home in St. Charles, working with a Real Estate expert can help you make your home a cost-effective, energy efficient home. Sandra Meranda specializes in the St. Charles and St. Louis county home markets. Contact me for help with finding or selling your home.

More new homes now will come with energy labels that estimate monthly energy bills, allowing buyers a different way of shopping for homes. The energy labels have been compared to the miles-per-gallon ratings available for cars, which give insight into a car’s fuel efficiency. Likewise, more builders now will give new-home buyers greater insight into how much the home will cost them in utilities–so they have a better gauge to judge the upkeep costs of a home.

Environmental efficiency has become an increasingly important factor in home buying decisions due to rising energy costs. Energy efficient appliances and energy efficient lighting were “very” or “somewhat” important to a majority of home buyers, and heating and cooling costs were at least “somewhat” important to 88 percent of buyers, according to the 2009 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers by the National Association of REALTORS®.

KB Homes plans to debut its EPG (Energy Performance Guide) on its homes by the end of this month.

“For most people, buying a home is the largest and most important purchase they will ever make, and until now there has been no standard way to communicate a home’s estimated monthly energy costs,” says Jeffrey Mezger, president and chief executive officer of KB Home. “We believe providing the estimated monthly energy costs will not only empower our home buyers, but also change the way people shop for a home. Home buyers can now better understand the estimated energy costs for the home.”

PulteGroup Inc. and Residential Energy Services Network also have teamed up to roll out energy efficiency labels on PulteGroup homes this year. The homes will be tested using the RESNET Home Energy Rating System Index, a measure of energy performance that is recognized by government agencies.

“Providing clear, visible energy ratings for homes makes sense for today’s energy-conscious consumers who want to save on their utility bills and reduce their carbon footprint,” says Steve Baden, executive director, RESNET. “Marketing the energy efficiency of homes is a winning proposition for home buyers, builders, and the environment.”

While these labels apply to new homes, the USA Today recently reported that the U.S. Department of Energy is developing a home energy score for existing homes, which it plans to launch nationally this fall.

So when you are thinking about buying or selling a home in St. Charles or St. Louis County, call me and "I'll get you moving!".

Originally posted on February 28, 2011 by Melissa Tracey; REALTOR® Magazine

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