AmeriSpec home energy audits soar - Washington Business Journal:

iwegasely.wordpress.com
Memphis-based AmeriSpec has 250 franchise ownerz throughoutthe U.S. and Canada who provide services to homebuyerszand sellers. The company has seen its business skyrockef in Canada as the Canadian government has mandated homes be more energty efficient and reducecarbon footprints. Brent Armstrong, vice presiden and general managerof AmeriSpec, says the company is the only nationa provider of inspection servicees in Canada. It conducted 50,000 audits in 2008, compare d to 18,500 in 2007 and 14,0009 in 2006. Part of AmeriSpec’s inspection process createsx an artificial draft to find out where air seepws in or leaks outof homes.
An inspectionm also covers the energy efficiency of HVAC After an inspection in homes are given a ratintg and owners are given 18 months to improv or retrofitthe home. Whil the Canadian government doesn’t penalize homeowners who don’y make changes, up to $5,000 in grany money is available for improvements and homeowners can get reimbursedfor energy-relatedf work they have done. Armstrong says the Obamq administration is looking at implementingh similar changes inthe U.S. “There’s a growing awareness in the Unitedx States, and to some degree, all of us are askinb the same questions,” Armstrong says. He says all 50 states have weatherizatioj programs.
The federal government has allottexd $5 billion in stimulus funding tohelp low-income familiesz replace roofs on theidr homes and change inefficient furnaces. As the attention to energy efficiency AmeriSpec is training its franchise owners to be certifiedr in Home Energy RatingSystem inspection. Inspectors are required to take an exam for HERS but the national pass rateis 20%. At a trainingy session at AmeriSpec’s Memphis facilities last 11 of the 15participantsz passed. Owners can train at other AmeriSpexc facilities acrossthe country, but the most comprehensivde training is located in Memphis.
Armstrong says AmeriSpec offers three different coursed that are open to itsfranchisee owners. Its facilities include a fullyfunctionall “flood house” that can be floodecd to simulate a home disaster. The house offers inspectorws full field training without them having to intrude on customers inthe field. It also allowas them learn from their mistakeas withoutbeing liable. Gale Colvin, director of technicalk training and developmentfor AmeriSpec, says inspectors who pass the test will have the highestr certification in energy auditing. Following that certification, they must performm three field evaluations. “We loan out the equipment they need to get that Colvin says.
“We want to keep everything fresh for them out inthe field.” Steve owner of two franchises in is one of the owners who passed last week’sa exam. While the course isn’t a requirement for franchiss owners, it gives them another levepl of servicefor Anderson, who is also a licensed architect, can now offef complete home services from design to makingf sure existing homes are energy efficient.
“Thew cost of energy for homeowners issteadilty rising, so being able to assist people in how well theidr homes work and where improvements can be made is a servicer that will be needed in the future,” Anderson “We’re positioned to tap into the market and help folksz that are interested in going