Tag: energy

Don't Forget the Energy Audit Before Buying a Home!

City skyline with skyscrapers; ECA audit text underscores home improvement by A-Plus Air Conditioning & Home Solutions.

An Energy Audit Performed by a Professional Is an Important Part of the Home Buying Process

Energy audits are a vital part of the home buying process. When selling a home, an energy audit may be required in Austin. When buying a home, an energy audit can tell the potential home buyers whether the home is energy-efficient or not. But this isn’t the only reason to have an energy audit. Read on to find out all about energy audits and how to go about getting one. 

What Is an ECAD Audit and Why Do You Need One?

Thermal imaging camera used for energy audits, assessing home energy efficiency and identifying insulation issues.

An Energy Conservation Audit and Disclosure (ECAD) is a way to help ensure energy efficiency in homes. This audit is required for every home in Austin that is being sold and hasn’t been audited in the last 10 years. They’re designed to identify ways to save energy in a house or building. They’re performed by professionals and can give buyers the confidence they need in a property, and they can give sellers a leg up over other homes on the market. ECAD audits are always paid for by the seller.

But that’s not all these energy audits are good for. They can also help a home or building improve its air quality. These audits can help home and building owners identify problem areas and address them, thereby increasing energy savings and property value, making the home or building more comfortable for those living or working inside. 

Different Kinds of Energy Audits

There are a couple of different kinds of energy audits that different circumstances call for. There’s the visual audit, which entails a professional inspecting both the outside and inside of the home or building. Austin Home Performance Program uses this type of audit. It will give the homeowner an idea of the building’s overall energy performance, including installation and ductwork. 

Comprehensive energy audits are a more thorough inspection of the home or building. This type of audit includes testing for air leaks, which can be a major factor in inefficient energy usage. This includes air leak testing in both the house itself and the air ducts. These recommendations enable homeowners to enact changes that will allow them to increase energy efficiency, saving them money in the long run. 

Finding the Best Auditors for the Job

Family celebrating home purchase in front of "Sold" sign, highlighting successful real estate transaction related to energy audits and home efficiency.When searching for a company to do an energy audit, it’s best to stick to those certified to do this work. It’s also a good idea to search for Austin companies that have been involved in programs like the Austin Home Performance Program. 

Companies that offer a wide range of energy auditing services and who are willing to file the proper paperwork with the city will make a homeowner’s life that much easier. Trusted HVAC companies with a good reputation and excellent reviews will be sure to do a fine job on energy audits and other HVAC-related issues. 

About A-Plus Air Conditioning & Home Solutions

A-Plus Air Conditioning & Home Solutions has been serving Austin, TX, for over 40 years. They’re a family-owned and operated business that offers fast and friendly service. They’re also BBB accredited and a recipient of the Angie’s List Super Service Award. Give them a call today for ECAD audits across Austin.

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Reduce Energy Bills Enough To Fund Holiday Shopping Sprees!

House adorned with bright Christmas lights and decorations, showcasing home improvement by A-Plus Air Conditioning.

Increasing Your Home’s Energy Efficiency Can Save Money During the Holiday Season

The holidays bring exciting times and the expectations of enjoying some time off with the family. Lights and Christmas trees go up. Shopping lists are made. Family get-togethers and meals are planned. But along with the holiday comes some extra costs. Gift-giving can get expensive. Electricity bills can go up because of the added demand from the decorations.

Because of the added costs associated with the season, it’s in a homeowner’s best interest to keep bills under control. Luckily, homeowners who are diligent about cost-saving measures can save enough on energy bills to offset the cost of all of the other holiday expenditures.

Jolly Decorations Indoors and Outdoors

Festive holiday display featuring inflatable Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus on a swing, surrounded by colorful lights, candy canes, and other cheerful decorations, highlighting the seasonal spirit while emphasizing energy costs associated with holiday decorations.

Holiday decorations can be expensive to put up and operate. Not only do homeowners cover the cost of buying the materials to beautify their homes, but they are also stuck with paying for the energy to power them. There is also the added cost of hanging devices and extension cords so that decorations can go in the best places.

Some homeowners will even opt to have extra outlets installed outside their homes to set up outdoor lighting. When all of this tallies up, it can equal quite the cost. Coupled with the added costs of the holidays, homeowners can find their budgets stressed.

Energy-Efficient Holiday Decoration Choices

The choice of lighting can make a huge difference in energy bills over the holiday season. But beautifying a home for the holidays can come with costs. Many homeowners find themselves eagerly decorating after Thanksgiving and keeping the lights on through the New Year, only to be hit with high bills after the season is over.

Some planning can help save money on holiday decorating. Putting decorations on automatic timers can drastically reduce the cost of decorating a home. Instead of keeping decorations on for 8 to 10 hours through the day, timers can automatically turn lights off at any time to save money.

Energy-efficient LED lighting is available in indoor and outdoor light strands. LED lighting is the lowest energy option available that can save a lot of money on outdoor decoration. An added benefit is that more lighting can be stranded together because of lower energy demands. This makes running more lights easier and requires less planning, along with being much cheaper to operate.

Everyone Could Benefit from a Little Help From Their A-Plus  Friends

With all of the planning that makes the holidays perfect, everyone could use some help this time of year. Even Santa has elves. Homeowners who love decorating their homes indoors and outdoors should hire a professional to help with decorative lighting to keep things low-stress.

Decorating a house with lights can be a daunting process. Homeowners that wish to hang lights around their property will need ladders and sets of compatible lights. Hanging off of ladders is not everyone’s cup of tea. A holiday light installation service can quickly and safely do the job without the need for special equipment or wasting time shopping around for light sets. Homeowners can enjoy the beauty of the season without taking risks or wasting weekends putting up, or taking down, lights.

Family gathering in cozy sweaters around a Christmas tree, enjoying holiday cheer with gifts and festive decorations, highlighting the joy of the season and the importance of stress-free holiday planning.

About A-Plus Air Conditioning & Home Solutions

A-Plus Air Conditioning & Home Solutions is Austin’s choice for energy-efficient holiday lighting. Their holiday light installers are fully insured and have years of experience brightening up the holiday season.  Over their 40 years in business, they have developed a passion for helping customers save on energy bills. They offer a full line of air conditioning and heater repair services and handyman services to keep homes running during the holidays.

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