Homeowners are now facing challenges in their home and transportation energy costs. It is difficult to know how to best spend your hard earned dollars.

There is a plethora of constantly changing rebate programs, residential energy tax credits, utility incentive programs and national initiatives that make it difficult for the average citizen to know what dollars are available and how to access them correctly.

Everyone needs to have a personal assessment of their goals, both short & long-term, that directly affects how they determine their energy needs.  Retirees typically cannot take advantage of federal tax credits whereas young people have to struggle to obtain cash or financing for retrofitting their recently purchased homes.

Hathmore can:

Hathmore Technologies Residential Services

Many people are new to the concept of looking at their energy consumption from a rater’s perspective. Below are explanations of each of the services that Hathmore Technologies, LLC provides. Hathmore is certified and/or accredited to provide third-party verification services for the programs that are described in this list.

Residential Energy Audits

Hathmore Technologies offers residential energy audits for homes, apartments, town homes, condominiums and other residences using state-of-the-art equipment and software. Small commercial buildings can also be evaluated using this software and equipment. Basic energy audits involve between 2 to 4 hours at the building and several more man-hours of input and analysis time. Our auditors inspect the full exterior and interior of the structure (including the attic and basement/crawlspace) as well as equipment, lighting and appliances.  Our audits always incorporate an analysis of the health and safety aspects of the building including combustion appliance safety testing.  The cost of a residential energy audit is based upon the size of the building, distance to travel and services requested. Hathmore Technologies is a Building Performance Institute (BPI) Certified Contractor, meaning that our audits qualify homeowners for a variety of incentive programs.

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Home (HERS) Energy Ratings

A home energy rating or HERS rating is a nationally recognized, comprehensive evaluation method for residences and some small commercial buildings. The term HERS is an acronym for Home Energy Rating Systems. HERS ratings are used to score (or rate) the energy efficiency of buildings. ENERGY STAR qualified homes are at least 15% more energy efficient than homes built to the 2006 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). They will obtain a rating index of 85 or less in climate zones 1-5 and a rating index of 80 or less in climate zones 6-8. Lower index numbers indicate more energy efficient buildings. An index of 0 would be a zero-energy home. The new construction codes require homes to be energy efficient and can require the testing of a home by an energy rater to evaluate whether the building meets the new code requirements or not. Also, programs like the EPA ENERGY STAR program and many “Green” building programs require that a rating be performed on a home to determine its energy efficiency. .

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Site Planning/Blueprint Analysis

It is good practice to conduct an energy analysis or HERS rating using a set of blueprints or other plans before a residence or small commercial building is constructed. By doing this, the energy efficiency of the new building can be predicted with a fairly good degree of accuracy and changes can be made, if necessary, to achieve the desired end result. In other words, it is relatively easy to incorporate energy changes or upgrades before or while the building is being constructed. It is typically much harder and more expensive to retrofit energy upgrades in an existing home. Plus, many programs now require a preliminary analysis or HERS rating in order to obtain a permit or meet the requirements of a particular program.

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ENERGY STAR Consulting and Third Party Verification

The ENERGY STAR program offered through the US EPA is a nationally recognized program to promote the construction of energy efficient buildings. An ENERGY STAR building is at least 15% more energy efficient than a similar building that meets the 2006 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). In order for a home, apartment or other residence to achieve ENERGY STAR status, it must first have a HERS rating conducted to determine the energy efficiency rating index. If the index is low enough, the building can then be listed on the EPA ENERGY STAR website and the owner and/or builder can take advantage of special incentives such as utility incentive programs. Many ENERGY STAR qualified homes are also eligible for energy tax credits.

The goal for the ENERGY STAR program in our area (Kansas City) is to reduce the energy consumption for each qualified home to 85% or less than that of a model home built to 2006 IECC standards.  ENERGY STAR certification requires third-party verification.

ENERGY STAR also has an Indoor Air Package (IAP) that starts with an ENERGY STAR qualified home and then adds supplementary requirements, which include building products, moisture management, pest control and pollutant control.  Again, third-party verification is required.

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Solar/Renewable Additions

Hathmore Technologies, LLC has provided solar consulting and design services for many clients over the last several decades. A new residence can be designed to incorporate both active and passive solar features. An existing home or other building can have solar room additions, such as a greenhouse, atrium or sun room incorporated into the building. Hathmore Technologies, LLC will provide consulting and design services for solar electric (photovoltaic) systems of all forms, including grid-connected or stand-alone.

Hathmore Technologies, LLC recommends that you have an energy analysis performed on the building before designing or installing any solar features. Once the heating and cooling requirements of the building are determined, it is then possible to design a solar heating or cooling system sized upon the building’s specific requirements. Plus, if the building needs energy upgrades, it makes economic sense to perform these upgrades first and then conduct a new energy analysis on the updated building. By reducing the heating and/or cooling requirements of the building, you can reduce the size of the solar system needed to heat and/or cool the building. This can result in a lower up-front cost to the client.

For solar electric (photovoltaic) systems, it is important to conduct an analysis of all the electrical equipment, including appliances such as electric clothes dryers, electric ovens/stoves and electric water heaters. These items can use a significant amount of electricity and affect the sizing of the solar electric system. Often it is more economical to replace an old, energy-guzzling refrigerator or stove with a new, energy efficient model. This can then allow you to downsize the solar electric system and shave the overall cost downward.

If you are adding a solar greenhouse, sunspace or other solar addition, then it is important to consider many factors including: designing the addition to shade itself and reject heat in the summer, be oriented for maximum solar gain in the winter and to blend-in with the architectural style of the building it is being attached to. Without due consideration of the summer and winter design aspects of a solar room addition, it is possible that you can end-up with a room that is too hot in the summer and too cold in the winter. Plus, improper design of the solar room will probably require the installation of an auxiliary heating and/or cooling system that will likely increase your monthly utility bills instead of decreasing them.

If you are considering the installation of a wind generator, Hathmore Technologies, LLC can help you determine the right size for your needs. Also, the proper placement of a wind tower will increase its ability to catch the wind in low wind conditions.

Additional information on wind systems, solar rooms and photovoltaics can be found on our links page.

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2005 EPAct Federal Tax Credits Consulting and Third Party Verification

The 2005 Federal tax credits require a 50% reduction in Energy Consumption mainly through equipment efficiencies and a 10% reduction to the envelope loads as compared to the 2006 IECC.  Builders who meet the energy reduction targets can be eligible for a $2000 tax credit per unit of housing.  Qualifying for the federal tax credits requires ‘right’ sizing the HVAC equipment.  There are penalties for over-sizing.  In our area, qualifying for the tax credits usually requires basement insulation, some under-slab insulation and limiting duct locations in unconditioned areas such as attics, unconditioned crawlspaces/basements and in the floor cavity above garage ceilings.  Just because a home qualifies for ENERGY STAR does not automatically mean it will qualify for the tax credits.  Homeowner-builders do not qualify for this tax credit which expired December 31, 2009 and has not been renewed to date.

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Green Design Consulting and Green Building Program Third Party Verification

Green construction is becoming a large movement all around the world. Green design, also called sustainable design or eco-design, is the use of non-toxic, natural materials in the construction of a home or business. Most green programs involve the use of recycled materials, resource conservation of water and energy, natural landscaping and other features that minimize damage to the environment. Many cities and counties are now requiring that new residential and commercial buildings meet a certain green standard. Green buildings can also offer improved indoor air quality (IAQ), water and air filtration and a healthier indoor environment.

Unlike energy efficiency programs, green building programs look at environmental features such as site selection, construction impact on the environment, transportation, materials choices/usage and water in addition to energy efficiency.

NAHB:The NAHB Green Home Building Guidelines is a green building certification program through the National Association of Homebuilders.  This third-party verified program contains six primary sections: Lot Preparation & Design, Resource Efficiency, Energy Efficiency, Water Efficiency/ Conservation, Occupancy Comfort & Indoor Environmental Quality and Operation Maintenance & Education.  A minimum number of points are required in each section to achieve the Bronze, Silver or Gold levels of ‘Green’. Third-party verifiers accredited by the NAHB Research Center confirm requirements are met through plan review, document review and on-site inspections.  The guidelines can be found and downloaded at:  www.NAHBgreen.com

LEED for Homes: The US Green Building Council’s LEED for Homes uses a third-party system of verification for their program.  The program has eight different categories to measure home performance:  Innovation & Design, Location & Linkages, Sustainable Sites, Water Efficiency, Energy & Atmosphere, Materials & Resources, Indoor Environmental Quality, and Awareness & Education.  A minimum of 45 out of 136 points are required to achieve a Certified level and increasing numbers of points are required to achieve the Silver, Gold and Platinum levels.   Some of the prerequisites involved in a LEED-H certification include durability planning, erosion controls during construction, Energy Star verification, efficient framing, diversion of waste from landfills, and closed/power exhaust DWH and furnace.  All points achieved for LEED-H are verified and documented by either the third-party rater or responsible professional.  All documentation is then sent to a LEED-H Provider who will make the final decision on certification.  LEED-H is targeted towards the top 25% of new home builders who are already building high quality homes beyond the minimum building codes.  The LEED for Homes Rating System can be down-loaded from the USGBC website.

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Non-Toxic Product Review and Indoor Air Quality Testing

Many studies have shown that the indoor environment of homes, apartments, condominiums and other residences can be worse than the outdoor air. Since most of us spend the bulk of our time indoors, it makes sense to take the time and effort needed to provide the best indoor air quality possible. One of the best ways to improve the indoor air environment is to make sure that all the products used in the construction and maintenance of the building are non-toxic in nature. The typical home often has a plethora of household cleaning chemicals that can be toxic to the inhabitants, especially to the young children and babies. A review of the products used to construct or clean a building is a good step towards improving the indoor air quality for everyone. Hathmore Technologies can conduct this product review and make suggestions for improvements as well as perform testing of a home’s indoor air quality.

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Energy Efficient Mortgages (EEM) and Energy Improvement Mortgages (EIM)

An EEM will allow a person wanting to purchase a home to qualify for a larger loan than they otherwise would have when they purchase a highly energy efficient home.  The additional monthly payment money comes from the utility savings they will experience.  A HERS rating is required to determine the additional energy value of the home and the anticipated utility expenses.  An EIM is usually either a complete refinance or a second mortgage for a person wanting to make energy improvements to their existing home.  A HERS rating is conducted on the existing home and then desired improvements are modeled to determine the anticipated utility savings and expected payback of the energy improvements. The payments for the EIM come from the utility savings experienced by the energy upgrades.  Some lenders require a post-improvement HERS rating, verification of installed improvements and quality check of work done be performed by the HERS rater before releasing escrowed funds.  (See the "Hathmore Can Help" Forum for more information on Energy Mortgages.)

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CertifiedGreen Modular Home Program™

Working with the National Modular Housing Council, modular homebuilders and other stakeholders, SBRA has developed a green building and certification program. The new procedures are designed to take advantage of and leverage the quality control and building methods already used by modular companies. To achieve CertifiedGreen designation, plants and builders must work together to demonstrate that the home and the site contain a combination of green features, or measures, from six categories: Lot Design, Preparation and Development; Resource Efficiency; Energy Efficiency; Water Efficiency; Indoor Environmental Quality; and Building Operation, Maintenance and Education. CertifiedGreen homes must comply with the requirements of the national ENERGY STAR program. Energy efficiency is a linchpin of green and ENERGY STAR is the best guarantee of consistent superior energy performance. CertifiedGreen offers four levels of compliance: Bronze, Silver, Gold and Emerald, providing modular companies and their builders opportunities for qualifying homes with greater “green” content. Modular manufacturers must be certified by an independent third-party “Certifier” to build CertifiedGreen homes. Routine production is monitored by the plant’s own in-house quality control staff. While the plant is certified to routinely construct homes that are both CertifiedGreen and ENERGY STAR, there is no equivalent certification for the builder. Rather, each home is approved in the field by an independent third-party “Verifier”. Rather, each home is approved in the field by an independent third-party “Verifier” retained by the builder. A completed and qualified CertifiedGreen home has a Designed to Earn CertifiedGreen label, two ENERGY STAR labels, an ENERGY STAR Home Certificate and a CertifiedGreen Home Certificate.

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