You have started your home improvement project.  As an Atlanta home inspector, I realize the value of having an energy efficient home.  I see old windows all the time that is letting all the cold air in during the winter and costing home owners major in both the winter and summer months.  I got to looking around our own home, north of Atlanta and noticed some of our windows were also older, so I decided to be amoung the smart folks and take advantage of some of the tax credits and get new windows installed where we still had the older ones. 

Also for more energy efficiency we now provide Infrared technology where we can locate missing insulation, air penetration, moisture intrusion, and we can use our thermal camera to do an infrared scan of your homes duct work to see if you have a major source of heat loss there also.  Give us a call at 404-788-2581 to find out more information about infrared technology and Southern Infrared Services.

I found the article below and thought I would share it with you.

Federal tax credits set to expire by end of year
(ARA) – Putting off that home improvement project? Waiting too long could be detrimental to your wallet.

On Dec. 31, the federal tax credit worth up to $1,500 for energy-efficient home improvements will expire, leaving procrastinating homeowners out in the cold – or at least chilly from their old, drafty windows.

In addition to tax credit savings, many window sellers are offering savings on qualifying windows during October, which happens to be National Energy Awareness month.

“The timing couldn’t be better for value shoppers to make the investment into new energy efficient windows for their homes,” says Erin Johnson, window expert for Edgetech I.G. “Special offers and tax credits will add up through December, but the long-term savings on energy bills will be long-lasting if consumers do their homework to find the right windows to meet all of their needs.”

Shopping for replacement windows

The first rule of thumb when shopping for new sustainable windows is to understand what the labels mean, and to read them carefully. Windows that bear the ENERGY STAR label are proven to reduce heating and cooling costs, and are National Fenestration Ratings Council (NFRC) approved for U-factor (the rate of heat loss through the window) and solar heat gain (how well the window blocks heat from the sun).

To meet the federal tax credit requirements, windows must achieve a .30 U-factor and .30 solar heat gain coefficient, and this information should be clearly marked on the windows. But to ensure the long-term performance of replacements, there are a number of other factors that should be considered, including condensation resistance.

“The existence of condensation on windows is a sign that a window is inefficient,” Johnson says. “This can even occur in newer, poorly constructed windows and will lead to other problems, including mold and damage to curtains, walls, carpet and the window itself. Most importantly, moisture can lead to seal failure and the need to replace the entire window system.”

Some NFRC labels include condensation resistance (CR), which is reported on a scale from one to 100, and measures the ability of a product to resist formation of condensation on the interior surface of the product. The higher the CR rating, the better that product is at resisting condensation formation. While this rating cannot predict condensation, it can provide a credible method of comparing the potential of various products for condensation formation. This rating is not required to be posted on new windows – so be sure to do your homework if it isn’t there.

The primary component to watch for to prevent condensation is the spacer – the window component that separates and seals the two panes of glass. According to the NFRC, an important step toward reducing the potential for condensation is the use of a warm edge spacer system that reduces the conductivity through the edge of the window.

“Non-metal, dual-sealed warm edge spacer systems, such as Super Spacer, are less conductive than metal spacers, which leads to less condensation in insulating glass windows,” Johnson says. “Because of its all-foam, no-metal design, Super Spacer offers the highest condensation resistance in the industry.”

According to Johnson, all-foam spacers have other benefits that will ensure the long-term energy performance of replacement windows. “Rigid, metal spacers do not bend, so over time stress from wind, snow and barometric pressure changes can cause the seal to crack. A flexible spacer will expand and contract with weather changes, keeping the seal intact and the window performing longer,” she says.

A survey conducted by the Alliance to Save Energy found that 64 percent of homes in the U.S. have single-pane windows, which contribute up to 35 percent of energy wasted in buildings. In cold climates, energy-efficient, dual-pane windows with low-e coatings can reduce heating bills by as much as 34 percent. In warm climates, they can cut cooling costs by 38 percent.

For more energy-efficient window buying tips and tax credit information, visit www.sustainaview.com.

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As a home inspector in Atlanta I look for things that will bring value to you as the home owners in Atlanta Georgia.  I receive so many questions about homes being energy efficient that I thought I would share the following article with you.

Warm your home for the holidays with energy-efficient products

(ARA) – Fall colors, cooler weather and crackling fires mean the holidays are right around the corner. As consumers prepare themselves and their homes for colder temperatures, many will seek out energy-efficient products. By making smart decisions, you can be sensible, yet stylish, when the cold weather, family and friends arrive for the holidays.

The first place to start: your windows and doors. Replacing old, drafty windows and doors with fashionable, more energy-efficient ones can help you save energy and lower your utility bills year-round. If you’re an American homeowner, it could even help you save at tax time if you purchase and install before Dec. 31.

Long-term energy savings
“Today’s budget-conscious consumers demand energy-saving products,” says Kathy Krafka Harkema, energy efficiency expert at Pella Windows and Doors. “To help stretch your paycheck and add to the comfort of your home, replace items with more energy-efficient options that help provide long-term savings and a short-term defense against rising energy rates.”

The Energy Star program, created by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy, helps consumers identify energy-efficient products. In 2009, Americans, with the help of Energy Star, saved $17 billion on energy bills and reduced greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those of 30 million vehicles, according to the EPA.

Improve your energy efficiency
To help improve your home’s energy efficiency, consider these tips:

* During cold weather, keep window treatments on southern-facing windows open during the day to capture the sun’s heat. Close them at night to help keep heat inside your home. During warmer months, close the blinds, shades or curtains during the heat of the day to reflect the sun’s heat away from your home’s interior.

* Choose double- or triple-pane windows with low-emissivity (low-e) coatings to improve energy efficiency and reduce heating and cooling costs, especially from northern-facing windows.

* Keep window treatments closed when the sun is shining in from east- and west-facing windows to help reduce the heat buildup from solar heat in your home.

Regardless of the type or style of windows and doors you choose, it’s essential that they are installed properly for best performance in sealing out air and moisture.

Short-term style solutions
Pella is teaming up with Lowe’s to make it easy for homeowners to jumpstart their next energy-saving home improvement project. Find a daily energy-saving tip this fall at www.lowes.com/pella and view the variety of energy-saving products.

“Energy-efficient windows and doors are smart and beautiful,” says Shelli Locklear, Pella Corporation national accounts segment marketing manager. “With our Designer Series 750 products, you can create the stylish, breathtaking views you always wanted in your home.”

Pella Designer Series 750 windows and patio doors feature between-the-glass blinds, fabric shades and removable grilles with exclusive snap-in technology that make them easy to change. And, since the blinds are between-the-glass, they don’t accumulate dust, dirt or certain indoor airborne allergens.

Your Lowe’s millwork associate can help you choose the windows or doors that are right for you. Qualifying energy-efficient windows and doors may be eligible for up to $1,500 in U.S. energy tax credits when installed by Dec. 31.

Also for more energy efficiency we now provide Infrared technology where we can locate missing insulation, air penetration, moisture intrusion, and we can use our thermal camera to do an infrared scan of your homes duct work to see if you have a major source of heat loss there also.  Give us a call at 404-788-2581 to find out more information about infrared technology and Southern Infrared Services.

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