ASPEN THERMO'S CLIENTELE
Aspen Thermo provides a multitude of services for a wide variety of clientele. Each client base has specific needs in regards to home energy conservation, whether it be an energy audit for a home owner that prescribes a prioritized list of energy conservation measures, an EnergyStar compliance service for a developer or a HERS rating for an architect, Aspen Thermo can facilitate the steps involved to make your building as efficient as possible.
HOMEOWNERS
There are two subsidized energy audit programs that the homeowner can take advantage of in the Roaring Fork Valley that offer compehensive auditing services. Both of these services provide the homeowner with a thorough analysis of the home with prioritized recommendations to reduce energy loads, insulation opportunities, in addition to addressing exterior durability and sustainability issues. The energy audits incorporate a blower door, infrared camera, and combustion analysis to ensure proper function of the heating appliances. As follow up Aspen Thermo offers weatherization services to correct many of the typical thermal envelope problems that most houses exhibit.
If you are a homeowner in Pitkin or Eagle County you are eligible for the Colorado Energy Smart Program. This consists of a full energy audit and a multitude of energy conservation measures such as compact fluorscent bulb replacements, low-flow faucet and shower heads, a hot water heater blanket, pipe insulation and programmable thermostats. Limitations do apply. The cost is $50 for a home up to 3,000 square feet and .05/sq. ft. beyond. Additional rebates apply (up to $400 through November '11) for any of the improvements made from the energy audit. To schedule an Energy Smart Home Energy Assessment call 970 925-9775.
The other energy audit program is through SourceGas' Excess is Out Program. This program applys to any SourceGas customer and also offers a number of free energy conservation measures that can be installed during the audit. Although the cost is initially more out of pocket there are audit rebates through the Governor's Energy Office and CLEER that essentially makes this a free energy audit. To schedule an Excess is Out energy audit please call 888-212-5899
ARCHITECTS
More and more municiple builing departments are requireing HERS ratings to be included at permit submittal and certificate of occupancy to ensure minimum yet stringent energy efficiency and quality standards be met. Architects are required to comply with tighter energy regulations within the building industry such as the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code, ASHREA 62.2, EnergyStar, REScheck and HERS index targets, Aspen Thermo can provide critical support to boost the homes’ efficiency and meet the mandated goals before the hammers start swinging.
Considering certifying your project as LEED for Homes? Let Aspen Thermo Consulting provide the required verification services whether it be a HERS rating for EnergyStar compliance, or complete Green Rater verification services through the contracted Provider.
DEVELOPERS AND BUILDERS
Across the country developers and builders are using HERS ratings to help sell their homes, offering tiered levels of energy efficiency at different price points while at the same time setting their businesses apart from the competition. Developers are in the business of planning and selling property with as much appeal and value as possible. As environmental and global awareness takes off in the Roaring Fork Valley, the developer’s customer base is becoming more demanding and discerning in regards to energy efficiency forcing developers to provide a higher performance product. Aspen Thermo can be of service to builders in numerous ways by ensuring their buildings are as high performance as possible and that their subcontractors are providing the quality systems they were hired to install. Aspen Thermo can test and document HVAC duct efficiency, provide blower door and infrared analysis to check air sealing within the structure, can inspect insulation levels, and provide all required testing and inspections for the EnergyStar certification program including HERS ratings.
REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS
Appraisals are an important and required piece of the real estate transaction process establishing a legitimate and verifiable estimate of property value. Why isn’t the energy efficiency of the home part of the equation too? It is with automomiles with an mpg sticker. The cost of space and domestic hot water heating is the largest operating expense a homowner must pay through their ownership of the property. Providing a HERS rating on an existing home at time of sale (which by the way there is a space on the MLS form for this) will encourage home sellers to improve their homes prior to selling, or it will give the prospective buyers negotiating power to come to acceptable purchase prices based on findings within the HERS report. It will revitalize the building and HVAC trades as the demand for efficiency improvements skyrockets. Real estate professionals can get ahead of the competition by working with Aspen Thermo and offering their listed properties with HERS ratings and offer their clients comprehensive energy efficiency disclosure.
A comprehensive energy audit can also be a tool to help move property. The audit can prioritize repairs, establish costs and return on investments for specific work. But unlike the HERS rating the energy audit does not provide a universally accepted index number by which one can quickly compare the relative energy efficiency of prospective properties.
PROPERTY MANAGEMENT COMPANIES
Property management companies set themselves apart by offering superior services required for the ongoing maintenance and operation of their properties. By requesting an Energy Audit Aspen Thermo will investigate the energy efficiency of their properties, recommend prioritized improvements, offer weatherization services and help reduce their client's operating costs and emissions impact on the environment. This helps property management companies sell their services.
HOME OWNER ASSOCIATIONS
HOAs have the onerous task of balancing the operating and maintenance demands of the overall association with those of the individual home owners. Operating and maintenance costs have a direct impact on the budgeting process and the establishment of general assessments and capital improvements. In multifamily condominium buildings Aspen Thermo Consulting can provide numerous levels of energy audits to help the association focus on the necessary improvements to reduce the operating costs of the building. The HOA can have Aspen Thermo audit the entire complex, a sampling of units or every unit to help optimize efficiencies throughout. Is there sufficient attic ventilation and insulation? Can the insulation levels of the exterior walls be improved during the next exterior remodel? Is the common lighting the most efficient system, operating on daylight or occupancy sensors?
