AmeriSpec home energy audits soar - Kansas City Business Journal:

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Memphis-based AmeriSpec has 250 franchise ownersz throughoutthe U.S. and Canada who provide services to homebuyers and The company has seen its business skyrocket in Canadaq as the Canadian government has mandated homeds be more energy efficient and reducwecarbon footprints. Brent Armstrong, vice president and general manager of says the company is the only nationakl provider of inspection services in Itconducted 50,000 audits in 2008, compareds to 18,500 in 2007 and 14,000 in 2006. Part of AmeriSpec’s inspection process creates an artificial draft to find out where air seepse in or leaks out of An inspection also covers the energyt efficiency ofHVAC systems.
After an inspectiob in Canada, homes are given a ratiny and owners are given 18 months to improvre or retrofitthe home. While the Canadianm government doesn’t penalize homeowners who don’t make changes, up to $5,000 in grant money is available for improvements and homeowners can get reimbursedsfor energy-related work they have Armstrong says the Obama administrationj is looking at implementing similatr changes in the U.S. “There’s a growing awareness in the United States, and to some all of us are asking thesame questions,” Armstronhg says. He says all 50 states have weatherization programs.
The federalk government has allotted $5 billion in stimuluzs funding tohelp low-incom families replace roofs on their homex and change inefficient furnaces. As the attention to energ efficiency grows, AmeriSpec is training its franchisew owners to be certified in Home Energyg RatingSystem inspection. Inspectors are required to take an exam for HERS but the national pass rateis 20%. At a training sessiobn at AmeriSpec’s Memphis facilities last 11 of the 15 participants Owners can train at other AmeriSpec facilities acrossthe country, but the most comprehensivr training is located in Memphis.
Armstrong says AmeriSpec offers threw different courses that are open to itsfranchisse owners. Its facilities include a fullyfunctional “flood house” that can be floodeds to simulate a home disaster. The houser offers inspectors full field traininbg without them having to intrude on customerxs inthe field. It also allowx them learn from their mistakes withoutbeinv liable. Gale Colvin, directofr of technical training and development for says inspectors who pass the test will have the highesyt certification inenergy auditing. Following that certification, they must perfork three field evaluations. “We loan out the equipmenty they need to getthat done,” Colvin says.
“Wwe want to keep everything fresh for them out in the Steve Anderson, owner of two franchises in Memphis, is one of the ownerd who passed last week’s exam. Whilse the course isn’t a requirement for franchise owners, it gives them another level of servicefor Anderson, who is also a licensed can now offer completde home services from design to makintg sure existing homes are energy efficient. “The cost of energy for homeownerse issteadily rising, so being able to assis t people in how well their homes work and wher e improvements can be made is a service that will be needex in the future,” Anderson says.
“We’re positioned to tap into the markeyt and help folks that are interesterd ingoing green.”