Please call to schedule your follow up visit prior to March 31, 2012.  There is no cost for this visit as Focus pays me to document the energy efficiency improvements to your house.  Please read here for a breakdown of what you may be eligible to receive.

Here’s how the process works:

1) We schedule a 1.5 hour time slot.
2) During the visit I double check the air leakage, combustion safety, and other relevant improvements for quality installation.
3) During the visit you provide copies of any invoicing or receipts showing purchased insulation, exhaust fans, or relevant mechanical upgrades.  I need these copies to apply for your cash rewards. If these were purchased through your General Contractor, please request the original copies or at least an official letter demonstrating proof of purchase.
4) I complete the paperwork and an online database to apply for your rewards.  You may expect a rewards check in 4-8 weeks.

Please call or write to discuss scheduling.

Please note that Artisan Energy will be unavailable March 10 – 17, 2012.

Look into the seminar schedule as I will be speaking with Sam Breidenbach of TDS Custom Construction and Chad Speight of Chad’s Carpentry.

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  These incentives were originally enacted in 2005 and have been revised and extended by Congress multiple times, generally for one or two years at a time.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

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.

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!

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.

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.”

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.