Builder Pays Extra for Oversized Cooling Systems
Last week in my role as a home energy rating provider, I had to disqualify a home for the ENERGY STAR label. I hated doing it because it was a nice home and, in every way but one, can be…
The Energy Vanguard Blog
ENERGY STAR 2011 – Version 3 of the New Homes Program
I've just finished going over the newly released ENERGY STAR 2011 guidelines for new homes and, as you might expect, I'm happy about some of the new requirements and disappointed/perplexed about others. Overall, though, the program is moving in the…
The Only Two Certifications for Home Energy Auditors
Whether you're a homeowner looking to get a home energy audit or you're interested in getting trained to become a home energy auditor, you should know that there are only two organizations that offer what you're looking for. One is…
What Do Eggs Have to Do with Energy Conservation?
A couple of weeks ago, one of my friends wrote on Facebook, "How many more times in my life will I forget that I am hardboiling eggs?" That got me to thinking about the time my grandmother told my aunt,…
Home Star Rebate Program Gains Momentum
The Home Star Rebate Program makes so much sense that it's one of a rare breed of legislation for this Congress - a bill that's bipartisan! The Senate bill, S.3177, was introduced in late March and sponsored by Jeff Bingaman…
ENERGY STAR Trained Dogs Find Energy Savings
I saw this commercial on TV last night and knew I had to share it here. I saw this commercial on TV last night and knew I had to share it here. Yes, Georgia Power is part of the Southern…
5 Step Program for Solar Energy
Tomorrow I'm going to the Sustainable Atlanta Roundtable meeting on the topic of 'Georgia's Solar Future,' which got me to thinking about my friend and fellow HERS rater class instructor Mike Barcik's 5 step program for solar energy. Here it…
Finding Air Leaks with a Wizard Stick
A great new tool for home performance diagnostic testing has come onto the market - the Wizard Stick. It's basically a small, handheld theatrical fog machine that uses the same non-toxic fluid as its larger, more prolific brethren. A great…
Beware of Home Energy Auditor Certification Scams
If you visit a lot of home energy efficiency related websites, as I do, and look around at the ads on those pages, you may notice quite a few that are selling various home energy auditor certifications. Unless they're offering…
The Four Types of Duct Leakage
It's Friday afternoon and time for some fun, so let's take a look at the four types of duct leakage. It's Friday afternoon and time for some fun, so let's take a look at the four types of duct leakage.…