In these times of energy shortage and fuel price
increase, the question that is often asked by homeowners is, "Do I really need
to retrofit in order to save energy costs?" Well, I can understand their
reluctance, considering that doing a retrofit really means spending money
upfront without seeing much immediate gains. The challenge then is to
determine what kind of retrofit will benefit the homeowners most.
Just like in any kinds of investment, very often the gains are long term. But
if you own an older manufactured home, then the chances are good that you will
be able to gain much by doing an energy efficiency retrofit. Here are some of
the reasons: |
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1. All homes experience wear and
tear. Wind, rain, humidity, vibrations, sunlight and seasonal temperature
changes can loosen up a tight home, increasing air leakage. Doors and windows
may no longer close tightly, and air conditioning ductwork can develop leaks,
wasting huge amounts of heating or cooling energy. Furnaces, air conditioners,
and water heaters get worn out and gradually lose their efficiency, especially
if regular cleaning and maintenance hasn’t been done.
2. Technologies change. While your manufactured home may have been built to the
energy standards of the time, dramatic progress has been made over the past few
decades with high-efficiency mechanical equipment, insulation, windows, and so
forth. Newer technologies are often very much more efficient.
3. Energy costs are going up. Whether you use electricity, natural gas, propane,
or oil, these prices will continue to rise. Improving your home now guards
against future increases, and rolls back the costs you’re paying today.
In the long term, by doing an energy efficiency retrofit, you will be able to:
1. Lower energy and homeownership costs
2. Protect against future increases in energy costs
3. Improve comfort in your home due to better control of temperature, moisture
and drafts
4. Enjoy increased resale value of your home due to its lower operating costs
5. Contribute to environmental stewardship of reduced energy consumption and
pollution
How do you know whether an energy efficiency retrofit will benefit you? Below
are some symptoms to look out for:
1. Your utility bills are very much higher than your neighbors even though you
have similar homes and lifestyles. Of course it makes sense to check on homes
that have been retrofitted.
2. Your home was built before 1994 and hasn’t been significantly improved or
upgraded.
3. Your heating, cooling, or water heating equipment breaks down a lot. The
equipment is in bad shape.
4. You feel drafts inside on windy days. The window/door seals are not sealing
properly.
5. The air near the floor is significantly cooler than the air near the ceiling.
6. You have to wait a long time for hot water, and water cools off quickly
between uses. The insulation is not good. Heat is lost.
7. You have to set the thermostat below 70 degree Fahrenheit to stay cool in the
summer. The air conditioning unit is not cooling fast enough.
8. You have trouble keeping your home warm in winter or cool in summer. Energy
is lost.
9. There are large fluctuations in your utility bills from month to month, and
especially from the same month of the previous year.
10. There is condensation on the inside surface of your windows in the winter.
After looking at the reasons above, do you think an energy efficiency retrofit
is for you? A good contractor will be able to
discuss with you about the jobs he will be carrying out and their significance
in the whole scheme of energy efficiency.
There is no doubt about it - it's a long term investment that is going to
benefit you, but once retrofitted, do make a conscious effort to maintain the
efficiency by doing a proper and regular maintenance on the equipment, the
insulation and the integrity of the house. Then it is money well spent.
About the
Author: Thomas Yoon specializes in
cartoon illustrations
that will make an impact on people's opinions.
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