AmeriSpec home energy audits soar - Denver Business Journal:

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Memphis-based AmeriSpec has 250 franchise ownerz throughoutthe U.S. and Canada who provide services to homebuyers and The company has seen its business skyrocket in Canadaa as the Canadian government has mandated homes be more energty efficient and reducecarbon footprints. Brenft Armstrong, vice president and general managerof AmeriSpec, says the companu is the only national provider of inspectiobn services in Canada. It conducted 50,000 audits in compared to 18,500 in 2007 and 14,000 in 2006. Part of AmeriSpec’ws inspection process creates an artificial draft to find out wher e air seeps in or leaks outof homes. An inspectioj also covers the energu efficiency ofHVAC systems.
After an inspection in homes are given a ratingg and owners are given 18 months to improve or retrofit the While the Canadiangovernment doesn’t penalize homeowners who don’y make changes, up to $5,00o in grant money is availablde for improvements and homeowners can get reimbursed for energy-related work they have Armstrong says the Obama administratiohn is looking at implementing similatr changes in the U.S. “There’s a growingg awareness in the United States, and to some all of us are askintg thesame questions,” Armstrong He says all 50 states have weatherizatiohn programs.
The federal government has allotted $5 billion in stimulus fundinhg tohelp low-income families replace roofsz on their homes and change inefficien furnaces. As the attention to energy efficiencyg grows, AmeriSpec is training its franchise owners to be certifierd in Home Energy RatingSystem inspection. Inspectore are required to take an exam forHERS certification, but the national pass rate is 20%. At a training session at AmeriSpec’a Memphis facilities last 11 of the 15participants passed. Owners can trainj at other AmeriSpec facilities acrossthe country, but the most comprehensivew training is located in Memphis.
Armstronvg says AmeriSpec offers three different coursesx that are open to its franchise Its facilities include a fullyfunctional “flood that can be flooded to simulate a home disaster. The housw offers inspectors full field training withouyt them having to intrude on customerds inthe field. It also allows them learnh from their mistakes withoutbeing liable. Gale Colvin, director of technical training and developmentfor AmeriSpec, says inspectors who pass the test will have the highesy certification in energy Following that certification, they must perform three fielf evaluations. “We loan out the equipment they need to get that Colvin says.
“We want to keep everything fresbh for them out inthe field.” Steve owner of two franchises in Memphis, is one of the owners who passedd last week’s exam. While the course isn’ a requirement for franchise it gives them anotherd level of servicefor Anderson, who is also a licensed can now offer complete home servicesx from design to making sure existing homes are energy efficient. “The cost of energy for homeowners issteadilyt rising, so being able to assistf people in how well their homese work and where improvements can be made is a servicer that will be needed in the Anderson says.
“We’re positioned to tap into the market and help folks that are interested ingoing green.”