The following 2 paragraphs are from Tamasin Sterner of Pure Energy of Lancaster. I asked her to comment on what people say when they see her business card the first time and on the industry in general. Thanks Tamasin!
"Home Performance has been a confusing term for many people. After looking at my business card, one person asked me if I act in plays in peoples homes...However, I think the building science field called "home performance" will soon be recognizable as more and more people are becoming interested in green building, healthy homes, and energy efficient homes.
Home Energy Magazine, www.homeenergy.org, and ACI Inc., www.affordablecomfort.org, have pioneered the home performance industry. Home Performance is more than home inspection: it is a complex industry that treats the home from a whole house perspective. This means that we must understand energy, HVAC systems, building construction, IAQ, appliance use and efficiencies, consumer behavior, moisture issues... and the list goes on. We use tons of equipment and tools including the blower door, manometers, combustion analyzers, duct testers, psychrometers, moisture meters, thermometers, infrared scanners, watt-hour meters, boroscopes, and more. We must be able to communicate difficult concepts, easily and simply."
You can contact Tamasin at tsterner@redrose.net for more information. As the healthy home movement gains momentum, look for more educated consumers and more interest in "green" building techniques.
Jeff,
Thanks for the information, I especially like the CFL calulator
Roberta, I don't want to hijack Jeff's post - "green seal of approval" is what LEED for Homes is all about. LEED for Homes is a voluntary rating system that promotes the design and construction of high performance "green" homes (credits: http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=147#what) I am amazed by the technology available and not widely used.
Jeff: you have provided valuable links and "home performance" is a great topic that will be in the forefront more and more.
Mary, thanks for the info on LEED. LEED certification is all the rage right now in commercial building circles, but has yet to make a noticeable impression on the residential market. The hurdle I see is what Denise brought out about the cost - that's all builders can see (and I can't blame them). We have an opportunity in our respective markets to be educated about the technologies and help the building industry adopt what's good about green advances.
Thanks Gary, Roberta & Janeann for your comments!