Energy Audit
With winter in full swing and energy costs showing no evidence of coming down anytime soon, a number of my clients have started to ask me about energy audits.
An energy audit is simply an inspection, survey and analysis of energy flows in a building. Typically an energy audit is conducted to seek opportunities to reduce the amount of energy input into the system without negatively impacting the output(s). Beyond simply identifying the sources of energy use, an energy audit seeks to prioritize the energy uses according to the greatest to least cost effective opportunities for energy savings.
Buyers, suppose that you have identified a home that you’d like to make an offer on it but are apprehensive because you have concerns about energy efficiency and consumption. Don’t hesitate to make offer AND instruct your Realtor to make the offer contingent upon a satisfactory energy audit!
Chances are, your Realtor will include other contingencies with your offer (structural inspection, water quality etc). All of these contingencies will need to be fulfilled within a short period of time after your offer is accepted. The energy audit is just one more method to protect you. Remember, time is of the essence so don’t hesitate to get the ball rolling with all of your inspections.
It’
s not a bad idea for sellers to do an energy audit preemptively. I know, I know…its bad enough that the market has slowed and now I’m suggesting that you potentially add more slowness and doubt to the transaction. However, with the cost of energy rising so rapidly and buyers already stretched by the price of homes, letting them know the cost of heating their homes and the cost of higher efficiency energy upgrades is a show of goodwill and potentially will make your home seem like a better buy.
In this market, knowledge is key and if you can assist buyers by giving them the straight scoop on energy consumption…you may find that you’ll be working with some pretty appreciative buyers.
Below are some resources that will explain energy audits better than I can.
Good luck…and stay warm!
-Dan Cypress
