According to the EPA what's the one item you own that causes the most pollution? Your car? Wrong. In all likelihood, it's your home. "In the United States buildings generate more greenhouse gas emissions than automobiles - 39% to 21% respectively" *1
" ...energy use in residential and commercial buildings accounts for roughly 40% of CO2 emissions" *2
Due to inefficiencies in our homes energy use, typical residential buildings use one and a half to two times the energy necessary to achieve comfort and convenience. This excess energy usage cost American households about $45 billion annually not to mention the cost to our children and planet of putting tons of extra carbon and other green house gases into our air According to national studies by the E.P.A. and D.O.E. programs like those offered by PA Energy Savers typically save 10% to 30% of total household energy consumption. Energy efficiency and conservation must be the bridge between the present fossil fuel era and the future renewable energy era.
YOUR ECONOMICS
According to the U.S. Dept. of Energy simple energy improvements can cut energy cost up to 40%. We at PA Energy Savers have found that with the homes in PA, a more modest 15% to 30% is typical. For most home owners energy cost is second only to home mortgages in the home owners budget. With saving even the more modest 15%, imagine where else that money could be used, food clothes, car payment, helping meet the mortgage payment.
Although windows and door can contribute a little to air leakage, the biggest holes are usually hidden from view and connect the house to the attic, crawl space, or basement where your heated or cooled air escapes to the outside. In many homes, these leaks can add up to an area equal to having a window totally open all winter. Reducing air leakage is typically cost less than $1200 with a payback of 2 to 4 years. Windows and doors with their high cost can take more than 15 years to recover the installation cost.
Air sealing can also have benefits more than just lower energy bills . Lowering the air infiltration out of the house also lowers the air coming into the house thus lowering soil gases, radon, moisture, and other pollutants from entering .
Commitment
Unlike some companies offering "energy audits" who might be "home inspectors" typically used in real estate sales who buy a blower door and offer an audit as an add on to their home inspection or home improvement companies that want to sell you their product, PES specializes in analyzing your home's performance as a complete system. All our auditors are required to undergo extensive training in home performance and carry dual certification with both RESNET and BPI, the two leading oversight organizations in the home performance and energy industry.
IMPORTANT CONSIDERATION To qualify for the highest rebates ( up to $8000.00 ) from the pending "Home Star" program winding its way through the Senate, be sure your auditor and improvement installation company are BPI Building Analyst, BPI Building Shell, and REMRATE certified
*1 Energy Information Administration *2 Steve Baden, executive director, RESNET
