Should we consider energy audit?

19 years ago

I normally post on the building a home site...but we put contract out on house that has great lot w/trees and privacy...the house was "custom" built in 98. It has piered beam foundation which in DFW TX area is step up from just a normal poured slab and shows in general a builder who cares. The original owner seems to have taken good care of the property---the downspouts all have French drain tie-ins...we did not notice any problems w/foggy windows. It has two floors and has a compositin roof that will be replaced because of hail storm in this area several weeks ago...

We have 10 day option period for the home inspection which will include the pool, termite/pest, security system, the gas line to home, and general home condition.

This home does not have radiant barrier installed when the composition roof was installed initially...it has 3 units and a zoned system with fiberglass insulation in attic.

Would it be worth calling the home inspector to see if he will have an energy audit done of the house (by another firm probably and incur another fee) so that we will have better idea about problems w/air systems, insulation, and energy use...this house is larger than one we have now but has more trees that should provide good deal of shade to roof/windows during the day...

The house we are in is 20+ years old, has a new 14 seer unit but we did not replace the air tubes and they are probably in bad shape...our electric bill has been controlled because I will turn off the AC during the day in the summer and open the windows in house and use the ceiling fans any time it is less than 100 outside...

we were hoping to build new home w/more energy efficient features but new developments in our area are on land w/o trees, small lots, and no privacy...we just really don't want get better efficiency if we have to sacrifice those things...think we can do some things to this house to improve efficiency and think the trees will be big help to screen the house...

so any ideas about having the energy audit/blower door assessment done?

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Comments (4)

rar1
19 years ago
It couldn't hurt, but if you did not write(into the contract/option) that the house must meet a certian energy level/standard you may not have an out based on that. OTOH, if your 10 day option is a non fault option period, you may have an out.

Two of the best things that I always write into all of my purchase contracts is that the seller must provide 12-24 months of utility bills, and they must also provide a C.L.U.E. report on the house, which will reveal any major insurance claims and amounts paid for damages. I think this report contains 5-7 yrs of claims data.

Good Luck!
housenewbie
19 years ago
I don't know that I'd make it a condition of buying the house, but I don't see why you can't do it. That way, if the roof is being replaced anyway, you can negotiate getting more insulation put in.
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lyfia
19 years ago
Since you have an option you can do whatever you want in that period and then decide if you want the house or not. It doesn't have to be a reason. If it being energy efficient is important to you then by all means do it.

Trees does make a huge difference in energy though and having a zoned AC helps too.

If you wanted radiant barrier, I think you can do the paint in the attic. A friend did this and says it made a difference.
loves2read
Original Author
19 years ago
I am not sure how "no-fault" the 10 day period is--the contract mentions a home inspection for house/pool/termite/sprinkler systems and says that if there is problem w/house not appraising for the selling price, then price would be adjusted

She said that she was not familiar with that type of inspection (and most people aren't who have older homes) but it is basically what is done to new house to get energy star rating...which some builders really live up to and some just kind of lip-service...I know this house won't be energy-star rated just want to know if the HVAC system really works the way it should for house design...

She responded to my email and said that air leaks and "weak insulation points" would not be something the seller could be held responsible for repairing...
so unless the items found were really bad like cracked foundation or problem w/electrical system, both parties would adjust the price...maybe the pool pump is not working or one of the windows is foggy (but they looked fine)...
his roof was totaled in hail storm and has been appraised by his insurance co and he has gotten his money--so contract states that he will replace roof prior to closing...

But we did this so quickly and to be honest my realtor is not really into things like energy efficiency factors or why I think it is important to have a piered beam foundation...she just knows all the secrets about neighborhoods and builders--like who to avoid--
her experience tells her that if a home is more than 10 years old and the slab is still good there probably won't be any problems w/it...and that no house is perfect so any house might have problems no matter who the builder was...

I am sure my husband is not worried about this now...but I know this is something we will have to deal w/because it is an older home and energy costs will rise..