Posts made in May 2022

What Does it Mean to Buy an Energy Star Certified Appliance?

In 2022, it’s no secret that consumers have prioritized energy efficiency. If you’re looking for a way to make your home more energy-efficient, upgrading to Energy Star Certified appliances is the solution. A lot of people are unsure precisely what that certification means, though.

What is an Energy Star Certification?

The US Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is always looking for ways to make American homes and businesses more efficient. Over 20 years ago, they devised the idea to create an Energy Star Certification for products that meet certain efficiency requirements.

Windows, appliances, siding, and even entire buildings can receive an Energy Star Certification if they meet the required standards set by the department. When you see an Energy Star Certification on a product, you know it’s an efficient product. View the complete list of Energy Star Certification requirements here.

Are Energy Star Appliances Good Quality?

A big concern for consumers is whether an Energy Star Certified product is of the same quality as a non-certified product. The short answer is yes, Energy Star Certified products are good quality! That’s one of the requirements to earn the certification.

Manufacturers must prove that their Energy Star product is as good as or better than the less efficient counterpart. Efficient products also tend to have a longer lifespan, saving you money on repurchasing a replacement in the future. When an Energy Star product does need to be replaced, it’s easier to recycle the old product.

Reasons to Make the Switch to Energy Star Certified Appliances

There are many reasons to switch to Energy Star Certified appliances, but most of those can be summed up into 2 categories.

  1. First, you’ll save money! Energy Star products are more efficient. That means less water, electricity, and other resources are used to operate the appliance. This helps to keep monthly costs low for homeowners.
  2. Second, you can feel good about purchasing an Energy Star Certified appliance. You’re doing your part to battle climate change and the environmental crisis by using a more efficient product. Even if you aren’t someone who spends a lot of time worrying about their carbon footprint, there’s no denying that it feels excellent morally to be more efficient!

If you’re interested in switching to Energy Star Certified appliances, contact Cape Cod Energy Solutions today! We have access to a large inventory of Energy Star Certified products to meet every homeowner’s needs. We can also help identify other areas of your home that could benefit from Energy Star products. Start making your home more efficient today!

 

What Is the Difference Between a Home and a General Energy Audit?

Home maintenance is undoubtedly a daunting job, especially for new homeowners. It takes a million processes to ensure the smooth run of the home, and an energy audit is one way to know more about the entirety of your home. However, hundreds of families have no idea what an energy audit is.

What is an energy audit?

An energy audit is an inspection analysis of a home’s energy flow—it includes processes that help limit energy consumption without causing harm. Performing an energy audit can range in various ways; hence, it is divided into home energy audits and general energy audits.

These two audit forms entail different processes, and the results can be similar. For homeowners unsure about the types of energy audits, this blog post will extensively provide knowledge about them.

What is a home energy audit?

A home energy audit is an audit analysis performed by an efficiency expert. Most home energy audits do not require equipment to perform these diagnostic and entail processes like checking the sustainability of envelope structure like doors and windows, inspecting the HVAC units, the features it possesses, and how long it has been in use.

Also, it includes checking the lighting and electricity-based appliances, inspecting the source of the homeowner’s complaints, and tackling water issues. In addition, utility bills are checked, and every energy-intensive expenditure is analyzed. In general, a home energy audit takes 60 to 120 minutes to complete and can be done by the homeowners without needing an expert.

What is a general energy audit?

A general energy audit or standard and detailed energy audit is a more intensive form of energy auditing, including diagnostic testing with equipment. It entails more information on the building’s energy consumption, and a certain number of tests are performed to determine the total energy consumption of the building.

Experts are trained to execute tests like intensive insulation checks to determine how effective the insulating materials are, HVAC tests to know the possible leakages, and air leaks.

Benefits of an energy audit in the home

1.    Energy auditing helps save money

According to energy star, homeowners and industries can drastically reduce their energy consumption if they adhere to efficient technologies and advice that can only be received during energy auditing. Energy auditing helps families and companies cut out their excesses, allowing them to save more.

2.    Identify problems in the home

For homeowners who repeatedly battle with home problems ranging from pipe leakages and insulating problems, an energy audit will help tackle them efficiently. An expert auditor will use high-tech equipment to detect the anomaly and proffer a solution to them immediately.

Do You Need an Energy Audit?

If you need an energy audit in your home, why not seek the services of Cape Cod Energy Solutions, a professional efficiency organization with years of experience performing home and general energy audits.

Our team consists of trained professionals with years of experience that has continually helped families and business owners like you audit their building’s energy. We possess high-tech auditing equipment like blower doors, infrared cameras, and surface thermometers to help investigate and detect air and pipe leaks and insulation levels in your home.