Wouldn’t it be helpful to know if the home you are considering is an energy black hole (EBH)? Or perhaps, is it a hermetically sealed and optimized energy haven? Or something closer to the middle? Let’s be honest, after the principle, interest, taxes and insurance (PITI), energy and maintenance are the second and third most expensive aspects of homeownership. And these are intertwined, aren’t they: To the extent that we do not well-maintain our homes, they become energy inefficient. The opposite is true. To the extent that we proactively maintain our homes, the more energy efficient it becomes and less costly to operate.
How to get started? Oh… if life were only more simple. But actually, it can be, if you take two broad steps. First, get the data you need that starts your new home ownership off on the right foot. Secondly, establish a maintenance plan and keep it moving on a season-by-season basis and stick with it. That’s it! (My compulsion to overcomplicate needs this counterbalance of over simplification or… bad things happen.)
More specifically, for a few more bucks, North Star Home Inspections can deliver to you (along with the home inspection report you may be considering (or have already purchased) an Energy Efficiency Estimate Report (E3R). This is where your energy maintenance begins… with the data. By taking some of the facts gathered during the standard home inspection, you may elect to make these data available to an artificial intelligence (AI) –driven algorithm which will produce a E3R that is tailored to your home. North Star Home Inspections will have the E3R delivered to you electronically. The super computer and AI algorithm (provided by a very specialized provider) is in a secure location and carefully guarded.
The report will give you an initial dashboard allowing you to jumpstart your journey towards energy optimization… for your own home. There are plenty of reasons why you may want this, not the least of which … the federal government wants to give you tax credits when you upgrade or improve your energy appliances. REPEAT: I said TAX CREDITS, not a tax deduction. (There is a big difference: the credit directly off-sets your taxes owed whereas the deduction merely reduces your taxable income). But to the extent that you prioritize your home upgrades and replacements, which steps should you take first? You need the data to begin this journey. You may have already seen this opportunity coming:
… in 2024, rebates for clean [i.e., efficient] appliances will start coming down the pipe for lower-income individuals — meaning immediate cash back, with no need to wait until April [2025] to file taxes. And changes to the electric vehicle tax credit are also in the works, with the option of getting $7,500 off right at the dealership. (Washington Post, online, posted Dec. 1, 2023)
Secondly, by lowering your month-in/month-out energy costs for the long haul, you will receive the benefit (and greater comfort from) modern systems. Isn’t this what life’s all about? The return on investment calculation is often a no-brainer… pay now for a benefit that is both tangible and lasting. I sleep better at night knowing every time I turn on my hot water, reach for a cold drink in the fridge, cool the home in summer, heat it in the winter, I am do so in an efficient manner. In summary, the most modern energy appliances are usually quieter, less expensive to operate and definitely are better for the environment than an older system. There are additional motivations but these cover the top reasons.
What does the E3R look like? Here are some screen shots to give you a taste.
While we can’t give these reports away, they are a very small investment in your energy future with a huge payoff over time.
Addendum:
Here is the IRS explanation of the energy credits for any improvements you make to your home:
Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit | Internal Revenue Service (irs.gov)
