The Four Easy Steps of Home Energy Tune-uP® HOT WATER CAN SCALD People of all ages can be burned by 140°F hot water in as little as 30 seconds. This time is drastically reduced to 5 seconds for a young child, and only 1 second at 160ºF. According to a Home Safety Council survey of American parents, 71.5% of those surveyed did not know what the correct temperature setting for their water heater should be. The correct setting is 120°F. Burn Degrees: If that example doesn’t explain the severity of scald hazards, then the next surely will. It is called Leah’s Story. In brief, Leah (an 11 month old little girl) and her sister were visiting their grandparent’s new home. The grandmother was giving Leah a bath and left her in just 1 inch of water to retrieve her sister for the bath as well. In the very brief 2 minutes she was away, Leah had managed to climb up and used the hot water handle as leverage. From her feet to her chin, Leah received 3rd degree burns over 90% of her tiny body. Leah passed away after 48 hours in the hospital – 2 days before her first birthday. Had she survived, she would have spent at least 20 months in the burn unit and at least 30 operations before her 18th birthday. My point… water temperature and other home hazards are not trivial. These issues are serious and should be documented. No one had thought to check the water temperature at Leah’s grandparents home… it was new… everything should be in working order right? It was set in excess of 130°F. Water temperature is one of the most documented concerns in my home inspection reports. I have no idea whether our clients heed the warnings, but nevertheless I continue to document and educate. Some simple and helpful advice from The Home Safety Council, H2otStop, and Ashburn Inspection:
Step 1: INSPECTION
As a certified home/energy inspector, I examine and measure the home and finds all opportunities for energy savings and look for safety issues that may effect your health and well being. This can take 1-2 hours depending on the size and complexity of the home.
Step 2: DETAILED ANALYSIS
Specialized software produces a Report which shows savings and costs for energy efficiency improvements and provides tips on ways to save more energy and reduce your energy bills.
Step 3: IMPLEMENTATION
The Report provides access to a database of contractors, a direct line to an energy expert, and access to other energy products and services.
Step 4: FINANCING
The report lists the improvements that, when financed, will save more than they cost. It includes information on the Streamlined (k) Limited Repair Program by which home buyers and homeowners can finance up to an additional $35,000 into their mortgage for energy-efficiency improvements identified by their home inspector. Please check out the link below for more financial information.
http://www.homeenergy.org/consumerinfo/finance/index.php
Energy Issues and What that Means to You
With ever-rising energy prices and electrical supplier rate caps ending soon home owners are trying to find ways to make their homes more energy efficient. Some options might include:
* having an energy audit or inspection of their home to help pinpoint energy dollars that could be saved
* installing energy efficient appliances - like Energy Star rated appliances
* upgrading to energy efficient windows or installing window treatments (like solar film or shades)
* adding solar energy technology to their homes
* lowering/raising thermostat temperatures to use less energy
* installing more energy efficient heating or cooling systems
* switching to alternative fuel sources or green power sources
* finding help from their utilities to pay their bills
A Home Energy Tune-uP® or a HERS Rating?
Rating the energy efficiency of homes has been used primarily by home builders who want to market their new homes as being energy efficient. This rating system has not been readily adopted by owners of existing homes and their REALTORS® because older homes are less energy efficient than new ones, and therefore get lower grades. The majority of older homes would score somewhere between 40 and 70, depending on their age, whereas a home built today should score at least 80. If the home scores 86 or higher, it is considered an Energy Star rated home.
Tune-uP, developed by CMC Energy Services, was designed specifically for owners of older homes who want to upgrade the energy efficiency of their homes, rather than grade them. With a more detailed Report, quick access to low-cost financing, a low price tag, and more inspectors to do the energy audits, Tune-uP is an excellent choice for owners or buyers of older homes, whereas rating remains the choice for builders of new homes.
The Home Energy Tune-uP® Report
Your key to a more comfortable home with lower energy bills
* An Inventory of all energy using systems and appliances, including condition and replacement dates.
* Cost effective recommended upgrades that ca be easily implemented.
* Estimated cost of installation for each recommendation.
* Identifying the group of recommendations whose energy savings exceed the cost when financed.
* Financing options.
* An explanation of each recommendation.
* A discussion of low-cost or no cost improvements.
* Resources to help find contractors and suppliers for implementation.
Please Call 724-838-1665 or 412-856-1665
for more information on how to
save Money & Energy with a Home Energy Audit.
The window sill shown above has several issues that would not be possible to see without Infared thermal imaging.
This common receptacle shows a small heat loss area. It is not that significant alone, however if added to all the other switches and outlets, it is a major source of infiltration.