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Typically, when you hire a home inspector, you expect them to look at the roof, foundation, structure, HVAC, plumbing, and electrical systems. Oh, and don’t forget the solar panels.
Hold on. The what?
That’s right, today’s homes have renewable energy structures, which is increasingly changing the job of home inspectors. Whether you’re a potential home buyer, an inspector, or a renewable energy installer, understanding how these new technologies impact home inspections is vital.
Here’s what you need to know!
Demand for Renewable Energy at Home
Home solar panels are the primary renewable energy source for homes, and adoption is rising. Governmental incentives like solar tax credits help, and between 2020 and 2021, residential solar power installations grew 34%.
This growth continued into 2022, with residential solar setting consecutive quarterly growth records. There’s still plenty of room for growth, though — solar generated only 3% of all utility-scale electricity in 2021.
Installing solar panels in a home can be expensive, which is why many home buyers look for properties with existing renewable energy sources. In a 2021 Zillow Housing Trends report, 67% of buyers said energy efficiency was a characteristic that was very or extremely important.
If more homeowners are installing solar panels, and two-thirds of home buyers value energy efficiency, home inspectors should be able to provide buyers with information about renewable energy structures and home energy efficiency.
Do Home Inspections Include Renewable Structures?
Home inspectors look at the foundation, structure, roof, HVAC, plumbing, and electrical systems. The goal is to let home buyers know about common problems in the home that may affect how much they want to pay for the property. For example, outdated electrical systems can be a fire hazard, plumbing issues can cause water damage and mold, and foundation issues may cost thousands of dollars to fix.
The base guidelines of most organizations, including the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors, do not require the inspection of solar, geothermal, wind, or other renewable energy structures. However, these rules only set the minimum standards for home inspections, and inspectors may choose to exceed them.
Green Home Inspections
Every industry needs to innovate regularly to keep up with changing technologies and consumer behavior. Having an innovation culture is vital for home inspectors, especially since over half of inspectors are independent contractors who need to stand out in a crowded market. Inspectors who get training to include solar panels and other renewable installations in their inspections can set themselves apart from other professionals and can market their ability to offer green home inspections.
Companies and individual inspectors can take note of changes in the home-buying process involving renewable energy. From there, they can get training and work with other professionals to evolve home inspections to include green and renewable technologies.
Beyond the usual standards, inspectors can also evaluate energy efficiency, renewable energy structures, and the use of sustainable materials.
Breaking Down A Green Inspection
A home inspector who is trained to offer a green home inspection will be trained to review a property for energy efficiency and sustainable materials and will know how to review renewable energy structures.
Energy Efficiency
Energy efficiency is something many home buyers look for because it can save them significant amounts of money in maintaining their homes. However, many buildings could be more energy efficient, and a lot of jobs are available in the efficiency industry.
Usually, an efficiency audit is separate from a home inspection, but an inspector who can offer both at once will be in high demand. An energy audit includes a room-by-room assessment of the home, an examination of previous energy bills, and tests such as blower tests and thermal scans.
Based on the results, the inspector can give the home buyer suggestions to reduce energy use while keeping the home comfortable. These suggestions include adding insulation, sealing ducts, improving the HVAC, and installing smart thermostats and power strips to help better control energy use.
Sustainable Materials
The home inspector can also make a note of any sustainable materials used in the home, including fast-growing woods, low-water use appliances, and recycled materials. While a visual inspection may not find all of the sustainable materials used on a property, it can help a buyer understand whether sustainable materials were used and how they can reduce the environmental footprint of the property.
For example, if a buyer is planning to renovate a home, they can start with a good understanding of what sustainable materials are already present and how they can continue to build on that as they renovate.
Also, inspectors can spot water-conserving fixtures or recommend them if buyers want to minimize their water intake.
Renewable Energy Structures
While solar panels are the most common renewable energy structures, training is available for inspecting wind turbines, hydroelectric structures, and more.
This is not typical training for a home inspector, but having the capability to inspect renewable energy structures meets an important need in the market. That means home inspectors with these capabilities will be able to generate more business and revenue.
Unfortunately, renewable energy structures are not always installed well, and there may be problems with not only the structure itself but also any part of the home it’s attached to. For example, when a solar panel is installed on a tile roof, there can be extensive damage to the roof. It’s also important to check electrical wires and connections, grounding, and conductor ratings.
Checking the safety and functionality of renewable energy structures helps meet the needs of a growing number of home buyers, and it’s a great way for inspectors to keep up with current trends.
Home Inspections Should Evolve to Include Renewables
It’s clear that there’s demand from buyers for homes to be energy efficient and have renewable energy. That means that home inspections need to evolve to include renewable energy structures, sustainable materials, and energy efficiency.
Many home inspectors don’t have the training to provide these services, so those that do will stand out in the marketplace and increase demand for their services. Over time, significant organizations will follow suit, and in the future, we can expect to see green inspections become the gold standard of home inspections.
