Thinking about some home improvements but need to get a sense of the actors involved? Please consider attending the 2012 NARI Madison Remodeling Expo. This is an excellent opportunity to directly communicate with Builders and vendors. Kind of like when you get to ask your doctor or nurse for free medical advice when you see them around town!
Look into the seminar schedule as I will be speaking with Sam Breidenbach of TDS Custom Construction and Chad Speight of Chad’s Carpentry.
As of January 3, 2012, the Home Energy Efficiency Tax Credit of 2011 has expired. It is unknown whether the credit will be renewed in its historical form or if it will be modified.
The 2011 tax credit applied to windows, insulation, HVAC systems, water heaters, qualifying new homes, and certain household appliances. These incentives were originally enacted in 2005 and have been revised and extended by Congress multiple times, generally for one or two years at a time.
“Discussions have begun in Congress about further revisions and extensions, although we do not expect any action until [late 2011]. So far, discussions have focused on simple extensions of the new home and appliance credits, and some modifications to the residential credit, updating qualification levels and modifying incentive amounts. There has also been some discussion about reinstating the commercial vehicle tax incentive that expired at the end of 2009. In addition, there is discussion of incentives for comprehensive energy-efficiency retrofits to homes and commercial buildings. Under these proposals, incentives would be paid for homes or buildings that reduce energy use at least 20%, with incentives increasing as higher levels of savings are achieved. Any changes to the incentives or new incentives would likely not begin until January 1, 2012.” – The Tax Incentives Assistance Project at www.energytaxincentives.org
With this cool weather and lack of snow, your roof can tell a story. Look for uneven frost formation to identify areas of excessive heat loss. Dig deeper. You may find uneven insulation, open walls, light bulbs, or vent fans dumping heat to the roof. All pose problems.
The above photo had a large interior wall top plate open to the attic and the lower photo had very poor insulation insulation distribution.
What does this pair of images show about dropped ceilings? A dropped ceiling with unconditioned space above is a poor air barrier that allows extreme air leakage to the joists and roof decking above. In this particular case, the Homeowner had an aquarium in the same room. Needless to say, mold resulted and an expensive mitigation scenario ensued.
The dark lines in the thermal scan show cold outside air being pulled in to the house during blower door testing.
If the Contractor of the Year Awards are the CotY’s then does that make me the SCotY? Or the Sub-CotY?
Thank you to NARI and to all the of local professional remodeling community for the kind words and warm regards. It’s truly an honor to be selected as the Subcontractor of the Year.
Thank you also to Robert Nelson and Heartwood Construction for the chance to be a part of the “Residential Addition $100,000 to $250,000″ Team. Very cozy addition and very well built!
Many are asking what the incentives will be for 2012. Well…here’s an info release from Focus on Energy. Please keep checking back here for updates.
Home Performance with ENERGY STAR ®
“The current program model will continue through March 31, 2012 with only slight modifications. This extension of the current program design will allow for a more orderly transition to the new program in April 2012. After that transition period, consultants will be able to perform energy assessments under the new program design, but the program will promote a contractor-driven approach that encourages auditors and contractors to partner together to effectively serve customers. In the coming weeks, a more detailed description of modifications to be effective on January 1, 2012 will be provided. In December, Focus on Energy will be hosting webinars and other meetings to discuss new program design details effective next April, including eligible measures, incentive levels, provision of training and QA/QC.”
While I do not know any more specifics than what is provided above, Artisan Energy will continue to deliver accurate building performance consulting.
Thanks to Todd Finkelmeyer of the Cap Times for his excellent overview of WI’s recent shifts regarding energy policy. This article covers recent political turmoil and its impact on retooling our economy toward a more proactive, sensible future. Please read this through and consider contacting your legislators to express your opinion.
An except: “Academics can pontificate in papers about the need to find more renewable energy sources and better ways of doing things all they want, but until there is a real groundswell from the public, there won’t be a significant push for change. Maybe when gas reaches $4.50 per gallon or people feel some economic pain in other ways we’ll reach that pressure point. It would be nice if we could get out ahead of some of these issues and start thinking about them in proactive ways right now.”
Thanks to Clean Wisconsin for the great write-up in the Fall 2011 issue of The Defender. Clean Wisconsin helped to draft a letter of support for Focus on Energy. In exchange, Artisan Energy donated a Home Performance Assessment as a service in the their annual fund-raising auction. The Assessment found several needed improvements in a Madison home on the East side and the Owners are moving forward with plans to insulate and weatherize. Go Local Action!
Clean Wisconsin‘s mission is to protect and preserve Wisconsin’s air and water and to create a cleaner environment by being the leading voice for environmental protection.
Want to be inspired? Interested in making your own renewable energy? Thanks to proactive thinking, MadiSUN is helping to make local solar installations a common reality.
“On behalf of homeowners, MadiSUN has negotiated a limited-time group discount price for solar installed in the Madison area. The last day to sign up is October 31, 2011.” Read more about the program by visiting here.
The above video shows me on a roof performing an assessment with the Wiley ASSET solar assessing tool. 7.5 minutes. Well worth watching!
Conservation Services Group will be taking the reins of Focus on Energy. This news was released Oct. 3, 2011. There will be likely be new rules regarding homeowner incentives and possibly new roles for consultants (yours truly). Stay tuned for updates. I’ll post as soon as I learn the news.
