Recently, the City of Bend adopted a policy requiring a Home Energy Score when listing your home for sale. This score provides valuable insights into a home’s energy consumption, allowing homeowners to make informed decisions regarding purchase or energy improvements. One common question that arises is whether the age of a home affects its energy score. Let’s look into the relationship between a home’s age and its energy score, highlighting key factors that contribute to energy efficiency.
Age and Energy Efficiency: The graph above illustrates the correlation between a home’s age and its energy score, indicating a trend that newer homes tend to score higher than older ones. This observation can be attributed to the implementation of energy codes that mandated improved insulation standards starting in the 1980s. As energy codes evolved and became more stringent, homes built after the 1980s benefited from better insulation practices, resulting in higher energy efficiency and subsequently higher energy scores.
Upgrades for Older Homes: While newer homes may have an advantage in terms of energy efficiency, it does not mean that older homes are incapable of achieving favorable energy scores. Several factors can positively influence the energy consumption of older homes, such as upgraded heating, cooling, and water heating equipment, air sealing, as well as added insulation in walls and attics.
Advantages of Older Homes: Interestingly, homes built prior to the 1980s possess certain inherent advantages that can contribute to higher energy scores. Firstly, older homes are often smaller in size compared to newer constructions. The smaller footprint translates to less space to heat or cool, resulting in reduced energy consumption. Additionally, older homes often have air ducts located within the conditioned space of the home, minimizing energy losses associated with ductwork situated in unconditioned areas. These factors work in favor of older homes, enabling them to achieve competitive energy scores despite their age.
While age does play a role in a home’s energy score, it is not the sole determinant. The graph clearly demonstrates that newer homes built after the implementation of improved energy codes tend to score higher. However, older homes can still achieve commendable energy scores through strategic upgrades recommended by the score and taking advantage of inherent benefits such as smaller size and ductwork placement. Remember, regardless of a home’s age, it is important to prioritize energy efficiency to reduce energy costs, improve comfort, and improve health. Contact our Bend Home Energy Score experts today to learn more about reducing your home’s energy consumption and achieving a higher energy score.