An Energy Rating Is The First Step To An Enegy Efficient Home

   Looking for an investment that could improve your quality of life AND give even better returns than the stock market? Making a home more energy efficient saves homeowners hundreds of dollars each year, and can make a home a warmer, healthier place to live.
    Energy Rated Homes of Alaska exists to help homeowners improve the energy efficiency of their homes in a variety of ways including offering energy ratings and loans to help cover the costs of making improvements. A home energy rating allows a homeowner to gauge how efficient the home is, and to look at specific, cost-effective improvements they can make to improve the home’s performance. A home energy rater inspects the home and looks at things like insulation levels, window efficiency, wall-to-wall ratios and the heating and water systems. A blower door test for air and duct leakage may also be performed.
     The home receives a point score between 1 and 100, then that score is equated to a Star rating ranging from 1 Star for very inefficient, to a 5 Star for a highly efficient home. The homeowner receives a report listing cost-effective options for improving the home’s energy rating. The rating costs anywhere from $200-$300 and can usually be done in a couple of hours.
     Once the rating is complete, there are usually a variety of do-it-yourself fix-ups every homeowner can perform to improve the home’s overall efficiency. Suggestions from an energy rating might include sealing duct joints with mastic or high-quality duct tape, installing a programmable thermostat and adding ceiling or wall insulation. Many homeowners are surprised to find out how much money they could save simply by replacing their older appliances with an ENERGY STAR-labeled model or by using fluorescent or compact fluorescent fixtures.
     For major repairs, Energy Rated Homes offers a loan program that allows you to finance improvements without the hassle or expense of a home equity loan or second mortgage. Homeowners can borrow up to $20,000 and choose the loan term— up to 10 years. Not all contractors are approved to offer an ERH Loan, but those that meet the minimum guidelines can receive quick approval.
     For more information, visit the Energy Rated Homes of Alaska Web site at www.erha.com/alaska