Energy Efficiency
In a recent survey, 90% of homebuyers said that energy efficiency was an important consideration in a home purchase. Consumers are increasingly aware of energy use and costs, and homebuyers are more poised than ever to take advantage of the information, products and services available to improve the energy efficiency of homes. Your home’s windows, insulation, heating & cooling systems, appliances, and even its orientation, influence its energy efficiency. Read on for a few examples of energy-efficient products and services, including “green mortgages!”
Green Mortgages
A home with proper insulation, high efficiency heating & cooling, and energy-efficient windows, can save 10-50% on utility bills. Since a home with energy-efficient features is more cost-effective, there are programs available that provide homebuyers with more options for financing for efficient homes. Some lenders offer wonderful incentives for those buying an energy efficient home, or for buying a conventional home the buyers intend to upgrade to greener standards. A buyer using an energy-efficient mortgage may qualify for a better rate and/or extra money for energy improvements.
Some green financing programs require an inspection from a professional who is certified under a state or nationally accredited Home Energy Rating System (HERS). For example, to qualify for a Fannie Mae energy-efficient mortgage product, the energy report typically must show that the new home is already energy-efficient or that the recommended improvements for an existing property are cost-effective and will save money. Darcy & Associates can refer buyers to professional energy raters, an essential resource for anyone interested in green financing.
Energy-Efficient Windows 
Windows are a major factor in heat loss during the winter and heat gain during the summer. Energy used to offset heat losses and gains through windows accounts for about one-fourth of all energy used for heating and cooling in US homes!
Window frames come in a variety of materials including aluminum, vinyl, fiberglass and wood. Each has advantages and disadvantages. For example, while aluminum frames are strong and excellent for customization, they are prone to heat loss and condensation. Most energy-efficient windows have wood or vinyl frames that do not transmit heat as readily as other materials.
If a window has a high R-value (high resistance to heat flow), it will lose less heat than a window with a lower R-value. There are several factors that influence a window’s R-value, including glazing material (i.e. glass, plastic, treated glass), the numbers of layers of glass, the size of the air space between the layers or glass, the thermal resistance or conductance of the frame, and the tightness of the installation. The R-value is only one of many values used to determine the energy efficiency of a window. Window manufacturers are now required to disclose the R-value, as well as other energy-efficiency measures, on every window they make.
Many steps can be taken to render windows more energy efficient, significantly lowering your energy use and utility bills. For example, “Low-E” coating can be applied to the glass to reduce heat loss, improving both heating and cooling performance. Darcy & Associates can refer you to professionals who can precisely evaluate the energy efficiency of your windows, and recommend next steps.
Energy-Efficient Heating & Cooling
Heating and cooling a home costs the average homeowner about $600 a year—nearly half the average home’s total energy bill of $1400. And that’s just the average. Many households pay far more than this. There are various reasons why people use more energy than they need. Consider the following examples.
Most humans are comfortable at a relative humidity of 50%, plus or minus 10%. In the winter, air inside the house is cycled repeatedly through heating elements in heating systems, where the air gets drier and drier. As room air dries, people experience increasingly dry and itchy skin, dry eyes and mouth, and chapped hands. Dry air increases the rate of evaporation of body moisture from skin surfaces, and this evaporation makes a person feel chilled. A normal reaction is to turn up the heat in an attempt to keep warm. The net result is that we burn extra fuel to maintain a higher room temperature, and the air becomes progressively drier. To maintain a comfortable room temperature in the winter, the simple strategy is to add moisture to the air, which few people do!
Adding moisture also reduces our use of a/c in warm weather. Studies show that when humidity is maintained around 50%, a/c thermostats can be set as much as 7ºF warmer while providing the same level of comfort to occupants. Since most air conditioners are electric, the energy savings–and associated cost savings–from reduced a/c use are substantial. Programmable thermostats are another terrific way to maximize energy savings without sacrificing comfort. Setting back the thermostat for as little as four hours a day can result in significant savings. Programmable thermostats can save you hundreds of dollars a year. They allow you to pre-set temperatures for various times during the week, for when you are at work, at home, or in bed sleeping.
There are many other steps that can reduce your energy use and utility costs. Darcy & Associates can help you sort through the options, and refer you to experts who can help you with installation and implementation.
Energy-Efficient Appliances 
Lighting and appliances (refrigerators, washers, dryers, dishwashers and stove) account for about 27% of all energy used in homes, and for more than 45% of energy costs. These numbers do not include the cost of water and the cost to heat water.
You’ve probably noticed that bright yellow Energy Guide label that is stuck to appliances in stores. Federal law requires that label. The label shows you the most and least energy used by comparable models of the same appliance type, and helps estimate the cost of operating the appliance on an annual basis. Look for Energy Star® labeled appliances, which typically exceed federal minimum efficiency standards by 15-20%.
Some non-Energy Star® designs are also more energy-efficient than others: A side-by-side refrigerator/freezer is much less energy efficient than a top-freezer model, for example. Water is also an expensive and precious commodity, especially in the desert of Southern California. A front-loading washing machine (aka a horizontal axis machine) uses only one-third of the water used by a conventional top loader! A front-loader also spins clothes faster, resulting in less drying time. And front-loaders typically do a better job of cleaning than top-loading machines.
Proper placement makes a significant difference as well. For example, a refrigerator placed near a stove, heater or in direct sunlight, will expend considerably more energy than a more strategically placed refrigerator.
Darcy & Associates can help you understand the benefits of Energy Star® appliances, and help you find additional information as well as experts who can evaluate your appliances.
Building Orientation 
How your house is situated influences how energy-efficient it is. “Passive solar design” refers to a building’s ability to maximize the sun’s benefits without having to install “active solar” features such as photovoltaic panels. If you are shopping for a home with maximum energy-efficiency, consider the following.
Passive solar homes range from those that are entirely heated by the sun to those that use the sun to address a fraction of their heating load.
Houses can be retrofitted to better collect and store solar heat.
Southern exposure is the key physical orientation for passive solar energy in the northern hemisphere. In the winter, the sun comes up in the southeast and sets in the southwest. In the summer, the sun rises in the northeast and sets in the northwest. In the middle of the day in the summer, the sun is high in the sky overhead. In the middle of the day in the winter, the sun is low in the southern sky.
In general, a south-facing orientation within 30º east or west of true south will provide 90% of the maximum static solar collection potential.
Rectangular buildings should be oriented with the long axis running east-west, so the east and west walls receive less direct sun in the summer. In the winter, passive solar heat gain occurs on the south side of the building.
South-facing windows are desirable. They are easy to shade in the summer with roof overhangs or awnings, and allow heat absorption during the winter.
Maximum winter heating is achieved through glazing (window glass) angles that are approximately 10-15º steeper than the location’s latitude.
An energy efficiency or solar expert is an invaluable asset in helping determine how your home’s position is influencing its energy efficiency. Experts can also explain what steps –from simple to complex—can be taken to make a positive difference. Ask Darcy & Associates for a recommendation.
Information for this Energy Efficiency section was obtained from the EPA, DOE, and the Association of Energy and Environmental Real Estate Professionals