So, I'm at work and I get an email with the subject: "Energy and Security Act brings auditors into your home."
Now, this is a frequent occurrence. Not the auditors, the scary email subjects. I get these emails all the time, but this one was from someone I knew, not to mention the sender loves playing devils advocate, as do I. So I think to myself, "wtf? Auditors in my house? I hate Auditors in my house!!"
I click the email.
H.R. 2454 is a 1400-page promise to audit every aspect of your home and life under the guise of creating jobs, clean energy and a sustainable world.
Oh, hell no, now the 'auditors' are not only in my home, they're going to be doing their auditing on every aspect of my life! Not only that, all this creating jobs and clean energy and sustainability hoopla is only a guise for them to do their devious auditing. I must admit, I'm getting pretty scared. And 14,000 pages? That's alot of trees!!
The email is a link to an article by Tony Pacheco of the Kansas City Headline Examiner. I clicked on his bio and he has 8 years of writing experience and an English Degree. So I guess he's qualified enough... the email goes on:
Home Audit: A Look into the Future
The bill states every home owner will receive an energy audit. What is a home energy audit? It is an intrusive visit made by the bureaucrats at the Home Energy Team or a similar group. They will examine and report the way you live your life directly to RESNET (Residential Energy Services Network) . Light fixtures, socket types, spas, hot tubs, windows, appliances, walls and roofs will all be under review. Energy tests will be conducted throughout your house. At the end of the visit you will receive a report and a rating. The report will focus on the changes you need to make and the rating is called a HERS rating (Home Energy Rating System). RESNET will perform the audits through authorized contractors. RESNET has adopted the Mortgage Industry National Home Energy Rating Standards. The standards set the national procedures for home energy ratings.
According to RESNET, an audit consists of:
Comprehensive Home Energy Audit - A level of the RESNET Home Energy Audit process defined by this standard to include the evaluation, diagnosis and proposed treatment of an existing home. The Comprehensive Home Energy Audit may be based on a Home Performance Assessment ("Comprehensive Home Performance Energy Audit") or Home Energy Rating ("Comprehensive HERS Audit"), in accordance with the criteria established by this Standard. A homeowner may elect to go through this process with or without a prior Home Energy Survey or Diagnostic Home Energy Survey.
Here is an in-depth breakdown of the audit:
704.1.2.3 The Home Energy Survey Professional shall request copies of utility bills or
written permission to obtain the energy use information from the utility company, and use
them to produce an estimate of generalized end-uses (base, heating, and cooling).
704.1.2.5. Minimum Procedures for an In-Home Energy Survey:
704.1.2.5.1.1 R-values of wall/ceiling/floor insulation
704.1.2.5.1.2 Square footage and approximate age of home
704.1.2.5.1.3 Type of windows: glazing type(s) and frame material(s)
704.1.2.5.1.4 Type, model number, and location of heating/cooling system(s)
704.1.2.5.1.5 Type of ductwork, location and R-value of duct insulation, and any
indications of previous duct sealing
704.1.2.5.1.6 Type of foundation is crawl, basement, or slab
704.1.2.5.1.7 Checklist of common air-leakage sites indicating likely opportunities
for leakage reduction
704.1.2.5.1.8 Estimated age and efficiency of major appliances such as
dishwashers, refrigerators, freezers, washing machines and dryers
704.1.2.5.1.9 Number and type of hardwired light fixtures and screw-in bulbs in
portable lamps suitable for energy efficient re-lamping
704.1.2.5.1.10 Visual indications of condensation
704.1.2.5.1.11 Presence and location of exhaust fans, and determination of whether
they are vented outdoors
704.1.2.5.1.12 Number and type of water fixtures (e.g. faucets, showerheads)
704.1.2.5.1.13 Presence and type(s) of combustion equipment; identification of
visually identifiable evidence of flame rollout, blocked chimney, and corroded or
missing vent connector.
There is no doubt homes need to be more efficient, however, this audit will drain the pockets of the unlucky people whose houses are older and/or cheaply made due to builder irresponsibility. Let’s say your builder used cheap windows, very little insulation or a high-water toilet, the cost of those upgrades will be in the thousands of dollars. By making the recommended changes, you will receive a tax credit for improvements made under the energy star program. Please note, most rebates are 30% of cost, maximum $1500. Good luck if your central air is deemed unacceptable. After the upgrades are completed, you must have the auditors back out to your property for a final inspection. Early reports of denying audits carry a misdemeanor charge and a $2000 fine for each count. The more you deny, the more you pay.
Wowza!! Now I'm freaked!! The man wants to inspect my shower!! I peed in there before!! And what is this RESNET? It sounds sketchy to me! Well, this guy seems like he knows his stuff, i mean, look at all those digits and codes. It would take some kind of English major to decipher all that!