How To Get a Better Home Energy Score

The new Home Energy Score highlights the Energy Features of a home, helps you buy wisely, anticipate energy usage, and better discover energy solutions. 

In true earth-friendly Portland fashion, the real estate process will be leaning more green. Beginning January 1, 2018 the new Home Energy Score kicks in. What is this all about, you ask? This new policy doesn’t affect price directly. But it does let buyers (and sellers) get a snapshot of a home’s energy efficiency. It also gives recommendations on how to improve that efficiency.   

Why is this a thing? It’s all aimed at meeting carbon emissions reduction goals. (Did you know that the #1 carbon emission in the world is residential buildings?) The Home Energy Score will be required for all homes listed for sale in Portland, Oregon beginning January 1, 2018. 

And if you’re anything like me, you’re going to want to at least understand how to get the best score from the get-go. Here’s what you need to know to improve your home energy score: 

Improving Your Home Energy Score 

If you’re selling your home, the top question on your mind will be how to improve your home’s energy score. (And if you’re a buyer you need to know what it will cost to get the most efficiency from each home you’re considering.) While some suggestions might seem obvious, the top suggestion might surprise you. It’s about enveloping your home well. The tighter you seal it, the more efficient it becomes. 

Insulate Walls and Roof

This is the number one investment you can make to get a high score. Insulating the outer shell of your home is the best way to keep the energy you consume working for you. From foundation to rooftop, the more you seal things up, the more energy that stays inside.

Replace Windows

This is a larger investment but not only helps improve the envelope on your home, it looks great to any prospective buyers. That said, it’s not always smart to dump your money into a large upgrade like this until you talk to your Realtor about the micro specifics regarding your situation.

Seal Foundation

You can lose up to 15-30% of heat through an uninsulated basement or crawl space. Insulating your foundation prevents moisture buildup, reduces radon risk, and creates an additional barrier against any insects. Plus, insulating interior walls is fairly easy and inexpensive.

Update Equipment

Consider updates to your heating system, hot water tank, ducts, and cooling systems to make sure they’re as efficient and environmentally friendly as possible 

Let’s navigate to a better home energy score together.  

If you have any questions about the new legislation, need some help navigating the new rules, or just want to find out how to make the home you’re in more energy efficient, contact me. I also have a list of trusted, well-experienced contractors for any home improvement needs. Energy efficiency in the home helps us all, and creates a better environment for the entire area well into the future.