A History of Environmental Excellence & Energy Efficiency

As much as Ennis Construction respects traditional building styles and techniques, we have learned how to incorporate into our building practices the current technological innovations. Providing a well built, easily maintained energy efficient home that more than satisfies the customer is a practical as well as environmentally responsible goal. With today’s high energy prices, employing the latest “green products” relating to super insulation, solar and geothermal heating and cooling systems now has a financial payback time of as little as 5-10 years.
Understanding how to integrate these systems with electronically wired “smart home” computerized features is an option that Ennis Construction Inc has built in to the construction services we provide.
For 10 years now, we have been using heat exchange and recovery systems that recapture some of the heat that is exhausted, at the same time it warms any incoming air. That is long before it was recommended by the state. Along with passive solar design features we employ in the design/ build process, you can be assured that the results will be a “green structure” that will be safe and efficient as well as environmentally friendly.

Energy Audits

There are several thermal analysis tools and instruments that Ennis Construction have invested in to facilitate the energy efficiency process.

Why should you have an Energy Audit?

An energy audit is the first step to assess how much your home or commercial building consumes and to evaluate what measures you can take to make your property more energy efficient. An audit will show you problems that may, when corrected, save you significant amounts of money over time.

What is involved in an Energy Audit?

Inspection & Testing: We start with a 2-3 hour building inspection. This includes a review of your insulation, heating systems and thermal envelope. We use specialized equipment such as infrared cameras and blower door test equipment. The infrared camera helps us detect heat loss, air infiltration and moisture problems, as well as insulation voids in building structures. The blower door equipment works by using a fan to gently depressurize the building. Outside air returns into the building structure through all the nooks, crannies and poorly insulated spaces in the property, this helps us track down and seal air leaks.

Reports: Upon completion of our analysis we will furnish you with a report of our findings. This will include a list of detailed recommended work and estimated costs to improve or repair each issue.

Incentives for Building Solutions for a Sustainable Future in Vermont at State Level:

To facilitate the adoption of renewable energy systems on a broad scale many states are offering attractive incentive programs to home owners and businesses.
In Vermont all renewable energy systems are exempt from Vermont Sales Tax
Solar electric PV systems for individuals and businesses qualify for a rebate of $1.75/Watt with a maximum of $8,750.
Solar hot water systems for individuals and businesses qualify for a rebate calculated as $1.75/ BTU/day, up to a maximum of $8,750.
Wind systems for individuals and businesses qualify for a rebate calculated as $2.50/ Watt with a cap m of $12,500.

Federal Incentives for Building Solutions for a Sustainable Future in the USA:
Residential Solar hot water systems and solar electric PV Systems qualify for a tax credit of 30% of the system cost after any state incentives with a cap of $2000.
An individual can take both a 30% credit up to the $2,000 cap for a PV system and a 30% credit up to a separate $2,000 cap for a solar water heating system ($4,000 tax credit total)

For more information on Federal incentives to business owners please contact us directly.

Please note that further details on tax credit, incentives and the MACRS can be found by accessing   the following web site
www.dsireusa.org