GreenNow’s Home Energy & Water Review is a complete diagnostic for the home. We look for air leaks, leaks in the ducts, water usage, standby load and lighting usage.  Homeowners often have specific concerns, and our Home Review can pinpoint solutions.  Here are some of the interesting and fun successes we have had to date:

The Guilt-Free Fridge
Joan had a hidden pleasure, a 1950s fridge in her garage. When it came to energy use, she was sure it was spinning the meter “real fast.”  Every time Joan filled the fridge, she felt guilty for keeping it on. 

As part of our Home Review, GreenNow measured the energy consumption of the fridge. We found it to be surprisingly low, only 385 kwh per year!  Guilt was lifted! Two weeks later, as part of our Tune-Up service, we cleaned the condenser coils thoroughly. We measured the energy consumption again, and found that it dropped by 16%!

GreenNow’s data helped Joan to focus on the real energy gluttons in her house, not the fridge.

Oh, Those Leaky Eichlers!
There are over 10,000 Eichler homes in the South Bay area, beautiful residences that capture the light and indoor/outdoor living of California.  But sometimes they feel too cold in the winter and too hot in the summer.  Sue wanted greater comfort.

GreenNow tested the Eichler for air leaks.  Not surprisingly, we found that the home had over 10 air changes per hour, meaning that ….. The typical U.S. home has 8 air changes per hour, and 3 air changes per hour is a reasonable goal for energy efficiency improvements.

GreenNow’s tests showed that weatherization would substantially decrease the air leaks and increase her comfort. A GreenNow Tune-Up to weatherize the home is scheduled for next month.

Saving Energy and Historic Windows
Ellen and Sam are dedicated environmentalists and have remodeled their home to increase its energy savings. Their front windows are 1940s originals, and the glass is warped. Air leak tests from GreenNow showed the windows were a significant source of leaks.

GreenNow introduced Ellen and Sam to window inserts, a low-cost window add-on that reduces air leaks.  With the window inserts in place, their furnace could stop working so hard. The window inserts and other energy saving actions from GreenNow’s Tune-Up service will pay back in less than 2 years.

Backyard Savings
Louise and Joe had high energy and water bills. A GreenNow Home Review showed that they were paying more than twice the average for their area.  More than 70% of their annual water use was for their pool and landscaping.  During the Home Review GreenNow did a sprinkler audit, and found four broken sprinkler heads that were gushing water every other day.

As part of its Tune-Up service, GreenNow fixed the sprinklers and showed the homeowners how to reduce the pool filtration and sprinkler run times. The pool calculations were based on the specifics of Louise and Joe’s pool volume, pump capacity, solar heater, and summer swimming habits. The watering calculations were based on their sprinkler configuration, plantings and daily shading.

GreenNow’s tailored advice kept the backyard humming all summer, with no noticeable change in pool or plants.  Louise and Joe’s monthly water bill fell by 30% and their electricity bill dropped by 18%.

No Insulation, No Problem
George’s house was originally just a summer home. It had no insulation in the walls or attic, and in fact, some of its walls were just thin plywood! George thought that a GreenNow Home Review would suggest that a major home upgrade was needed.

When GreenNow studied George’s utility bills, we discovered that he had very low heating costs. It turned out that George seldom turned on the furnace in the winter, he preferred the air a bit chilly. GreenNow showed that adding insulation would not be cost-effective. With George’s habits, it would never pay off!

For some families, living in George’s uninsulated house would cause sky-high energy bills. But George’s habits allowed him to defer major expenditures

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New Homes Can Still Leak
Carol and Bob bought a brand new home in 2005.  But curious about ways to save energy, they had GreenNow do a Home Review.

The Home Review showed that the new home had leaky heating ducts.  21% of the air leaving the furnace was not being delivered to the rooms, it was leaking into the attic. Studies have shown that leaky ducts are a major source of energy waste in California homes. In fact, new homes are required to have no more than 6% duct leakage and remodels no more than 15%.

For new homeowners, a Home Energy Review can be part of the final construction sign-off, saving money for years to come.