Why Upgrade?

Energy Costs

Energy is expensive and rising!  Upgrading your home eliminates the most expensive energy first!

The cost of energy is rising for two reasons.  One, we have finite resources and our energy portfolio is getting more expensive.  Two, people are using more energy.  We did not used to have TVs in every room, laptops, smart phones, ipods, ipads, PSPs, Portable DVD players, Kindles ect.

To encourage people to reduce their energy consumption, the utility companies in California bill you on a tiered system.  To the left are the current electricity prices.  The same unit of electricity that costs 12 cents at the beginning of the month may cost up to 40 cents at the end of the month.  When you upgrade your home, you shave off the most expensive electricity tiers first.

Health

Although we do not always link health to energy, upgrading your home can make it more healthy.  One major example of this is "the stack effect", as shown on our left.

Hot air rises.  This air is replaced by cooler air from below, some of which comes from our crawl space.  Crawl spaces often contain mold or asbestos, which may constantly being pulled into your home.  Homes that are not properly sealed or insulated, or have old ducts magnify the stack effect.

Comfort

Every home has its own unique problems.  Unfortunately, most people have learned to live with them.  Whether it is a drafty hallway, a cold bedroom, or a hot bathroom, people tend to believe "that's just the way it is."  Play with the thermostat all you want, it isn't about the amount of heat, but the heat distribution.

An energy assessment uses technology, science and expertise to measure how the energy is distributed and where it is leaking from.  With energy modeling, energy professionals can identify the root causes for discomfort in your home.

The Energy Ambassador Program is made possible by these sponsors: