Is having a home inspection worth it? This is a common question some buyers might ask themselves before ordering an inspection on the home they are planning to purchase.

Realtors almost always recommend home inspections, but is that just because it is a common practice? Or is it a legitimate negotiation tool? And, do Realtors need the inspection report to request the seller to make corrections to the home?

Some buyers are more construction-savvy than others, where minor defects to the home do not worry them. Other buyers, however, may just want the peace of mind that a detailed home inspection can bring.

At Scott Home Inspection, we see the value of a home inspection firsthand every day at our inspections, and the value it brings to our clients. However, you shouldn’t just take our word for it.  Let’s look at the data.

In a world of data-driven technologies and buyer-informed decision making, we decided to crunch the numbers and share them with you.

So, is a home inspection worth it? Can you hope to recoup the cost of the inspection in avoiding costly repairs?  Let’s find out for ourselves.

How to determine if a home inspection is really worth it.

So how do we evaluate this? As a long time Home Inspection company, we have access to the reports of the thousands of inspections we have performed, and can run back through the final recommendations of randomly chosen inspections.

For each inspection, we will collect the following information:

1. Cost of the inspection (You can see our prices here.).
2. Age of home.
3. The estimated cost of repair recommendations included in the report that needed immediate action.
4. The average cost of the biggest repair item.

For each inspection, we will NOT collect the following information, due to privacy and limitations:

1. Address or homeowner information.
2. Add-On service data. (We will include extra services into repair cost and total inspection price.)
3. Specific repair recommendations.

By doing this, we can take the raw data of the average cost of the inspection, and compare it to the average cost of the recommended repair items.

This study does assume a few things:

First, it assumes that the buyer of the home attempted and was successful in negotiating some or all of the bigger items addressed in the report. This should be a safe assumption because this is typically the main point of a home inspection.

Second, it assumes the repair cost of these items. We will use local averages to compare, but some items may cost more or less than the numbers we use. We also assume that a qualified contractor is performing the repair, which will typically cost more than doing it yourself.

Third, this uses our inspection pricing. Inspection pricing can vary depending on the company. We believe our pricing is fair and competitive, but other companies’ fees may be different.

Last, if there was an item that was called out for further evaluation, like structural issues, EIFS siding, or asbestos, we only added the cost of evaluating the issue, and not the cost of remediation. That way if it didn’t end up needing repair, we did not inflate the repair cost in the study.

Sample size:

To get an accurate result, we will choose 50 homes that we inspected within the last year. This will give us up-to-date information that reflects our most recent pricing at the time this article was written.

Once again, these homes will be randomly selected, and reports from all of our home inspectors will be used.

We believe that by using these rules, we can find a fair and data-driven answer to the age-old question.

Is a home inspection worth it?

How the data was compiled.

One home inspection report was randomly chosen each week for the last 50 weeks.

We created a spreadsheet with all the inspections from the last 12 months and randomly clicked on one inspection within the weekly range.

From there, those 50 homes were consolidated to include inspection cost, age of home, repair total cost, most expensive single repair, and biggest repair category. This allowed us to easily evaluate the data.

Total Cost: As stated above, the total cost of the inspection includes all add-on services. This includes services like radon testing, sewer scope testing, mold testing and so on.

Age of home: The age of the home was recorded so we could analyze the value of inspecting a newer home versus an older home. While it’s typical for newer homes to have fewer issues than older homes, we would still like to know if the repair items exceeded the inspection cost.

Total Repair Cost: The total repair cost was found by going through each report section by section and assigning to each of the actionable defects a repair value. This was the estimated cost of repairing that specific item.

The items were filtered by urgency. In our reports, we combine issues into 3 categories: Maintenance items, Repair Items, and Immediate Action Items.

For this study, we only evaluated immediate action items and repair items. Of these recommendations, we only added a repair value if the repair should be made before the transaction.

You can see in the report example below that out of the 26 issues found within the home, we only considered 12 of them.

This includes items such as safety concerns, electrical issues, plumbing and leaks, major siding and landscaping repairs, roofing repairs/replacements, sewer repairs, radon system installations and repairs, appliance replacements/repairs, and moisture concerns.

This does not include cosmetic items, issues that do not need immediate repair, general landscaping, minor handy-man style repairs, areas to monitor, major systems that are still in use but reaching the end of life, and any other items marked as general maintenance within the report.

Out of the 3 comments below, only the first one would be added into the repair total. It was marked as a repair item, AND the defect calls for repair or replacement at this time.

How the prices were found: We used online sources and internal knowledge bases to find the average repair costs of each repair items. Because most of these sources give you a range, and every repair varies depending on the contractor and the severity of the issue, we typically used a number closer to the lower end of the range.

We tried to use unbiased discretion where possible to ensure we came up with accurate results. It should also be stated that some of the online sources we used may not be correct for our area, but we used Colorado numbers where possible.

While we were adding the total repairs together, we would keep track of the largest costs for each inspection and include the category. This is helpful to show how much of the total was due to one big repair item.

The results! Are Home Inspections Really Worth It?

Coming from a home inspection company… YES!

…but let’s actually look at the data.

Average Home Inspection Cost: $662.76

The average cost of one of our home inspections including the add-on inspections that were ordered is $663. This price changes in the data for each house because our home inspection fee varies by the square footage of the home. You can learn more about our home inspection fees here.

Average Age Of The Home: 32

The average age of the homes we looked at was 32 years old. This is pretty typical of Colorado. The state has a large base of newer homes and mid-century homes. There was only one home older than 100 years, and only a handful of homes less than 3 years old. However, there was a house built in every decade between 1920-2019 (excluding the 1930s, as almost nobody was building houses during the great depression.)

Average Repair Cost Per Inspection: $4,120.41

Yeah, that’s a pretty big number! It might make you think that every house has thousands of dollars worth of problems, but that is not necessarily the case. In fact, if you throw out the 3 houses with more major problems, that number drops all the way down to $3200.

However, as we said earlier, this number is the sum of items that should be repaired now or very soon. That means you can use these to negotiate the price of the home or have them addressed by the seller before you take possession of the house.

So one claim we can make from this comparison is that generally speaking, the average repair costs found during an inspection is greater than the average home inspection costs. This means if negotiations and repairs go according to plan, you are actually saving money in the long run by having an inspection performed on a home you are buying.

This is definitely a blanket statement based on averages, but the odds are that your outcome will be similar. Out of the 50 houses sampled, 7 of the inspections had repair items that did not total to as much as the inspection cost.

While you could look at this as a loss, you could also say that the peace of mind knowing that your future home is in great condition is invaluable. Also, while the repair item total did not exceed the cost of the inspection, in most cases, it came pretty close. So after negotiation, there is a good chance most of the inspection costs will be covered.

Also, if your inspection report only has a few immediate repair items on it, that gives you more liberty to ask the seller to correct some of the smaller/maintenance items that were not included in our repair total.

So Is A Home Inspection Worth It?

   Takeaways:

• 43 out of 50 homes’ immediate repair item total cost exceeded the inspection cost.
• This is without including cosmetic/maintenance issues found which could add to cost.
• Only 7 homes had repair items less than the inspection cost.
• Of those 7 homes, all had repair costs over 50% of the inspection cost.
• All repairs result in a better home.

Age and Inspection Repair Totals:

You may look at the above table where the defect total was lower and say, “Hey! Those were all newer homes. Maybe I don’t need a home inspection on a newer home.”

While this is a trend we see as well, that might not be the whole story. However, based on the graph below, older homes certainly have a higher total repair cost than newer homes.

While this is a smaller data set, you can still see the trend occurring. I will say, as an inspector, this is true, but we also didn’t get any homes in our data sample that were very old but fully remodeled at one point. I would say this is fairly common as well, and these homes tend to have a lower repair total as well.

But let’s visualize the data in a different way.

Here you see the trend, too, but the interesting thing is that even houses built in the last 15 years  have a repair cost average higher than the inspection cost. So while the chances of finding a bunch of repair items are lower (which is really a good thing), the inspection cost is typically worth it.

Besides, we are talking averages here. This typically is a situation where you don’t want to be the outlier – meaning you don’t want to be the buyer that skips the home inspection on a newer home and ends up with a bunch of issues to deal with yourself.

Ultimately the decision is yours to make. Everything in the home inspection process is a risk/reward trade-off. We just want to give you the information to make an informed decision.

Other interesting data points:

While there are many common issues with homes, some issues come with a higher price tag than others. Because of this, we pulled out the most expensive immediate repair item from each report to see the trends.

This data can help you decide what add-on inspections you should consider, and what the “big ticket items” are to keep in mind.

As you can see, there are some common “big” items. Let’s dig into some of those.

Elevated Radon Levels:

Radon is a harmful gas that is one of the leading causes of lung cancer in America. In Colorado, the radon levels are elevated when compared to other states. When levels are elevated over 4.0 pCi/L, mitigation is recommended.

As you can see, 11 of the 50 houses we looked at had elevated radon levels, and not all of them actually tested for it!

This can be a costly fix, but since this is a health and safety item it is a good thing to ask for in your negotiation process. Testing for radon is good for your health, your family’s health, and it can all be wrapped into your purchase agreement.

Ask your Realtor about negotiating for a radon system if your levels are elevated.  If you are interested in our radon testing services, click here.

Roof Replacement:

Roof issues were high on the list as one of the most expensive items. When we find issues with the roof, we will almost always recommend that a roofing specialist evaluate and give a second opinion, and we are pretty confident that they will agree.

Also, if there is roof damage or hail damage to a roof, it can be much harder to find affordable insurance for your home. Your home insurance provider will likely perform their own inspection to determine the condition.

A roof replacement is one of the more expensive repair items. At an average of $7500 for a new roof in Colorado, that is not a bill you want to get stuck with.

Electrical Issues:

These are lumped together but the big-ticket item here is an electrical panel replacement. These also include addressing aluminum wiring and several other electrical issues.

Electrical issues are a great thing to negotiate for, because typically they represent a safety item. Electrical issues can often result in shock or fire hazards in some form or another.

However, the trades in Colorado are getting more and more expensive as demand goes up. Panel replacement is a somewhat common recommendation, since there are some recalled electrical panel types still present in homes. However, a full panel replacement can cost around $1400-$2000!

Sewer Line Issues:

Although not as common, sewer line repairs still came up as one of the largest expenses in the study.  4 of the 50 houses had sewer line repair that needed to be addressed immediately.

These repairs will have a wide range of costs, spanning from $150 for a root cleaning to $15-$20k for the replacement of the sewer line. If you are interested in the common sewer scope issues we find, read our related article here.

The repairs that we added to this list were ones that were likely to have a significant cost to repair, which made them the most expensive repair for the inspection.

As with radon, not every house in the sample ordered a sewer scope inspection. But sewer line issues are usually out of sight and out of mind, until they cause a dreaded sewage backup, which is why we always recommend that a sewer scope inspection be paired with our standard home inspection.

Summary

While this was a very detailed and graph-heavy answer to a simple question, we think it is important that you understand why a home inspection is truly worth the money. Now you have the data to prove this, and you don’t just have to simply believe us, your real estate agent, or your friends and family.

If we didn’t provide real value to people, we likely wouldn’t be in business. So it is nice to see the data analysis confirms the usefulness of a home inspection. If you are in the market and are interested in having us inspect your home, and you are now convinced a home inspection is worth it, you can learn more about our inspection services here.

Finding a trusted Colorado Home Inspector can seem like a tough task.

Over the last 18 years, Scott Home Services has grown to a multi-inspector firm that covers a broad area from Colorado Springs to Wellington. Thousands of Colorado families have used our home inspection, radon testing, sewer scope, and energy rating services to ensure the safety, health, and comfort of their current or future home. As local Colorado home inspectors, we have years of experience working specifically with different types and ages of homes. Hopefully the video above will help you get a better understanding of our company, and aid in your decision making when looking for a Colorado home inspector.

Questions to ask a Home Inspector before hiring:

When you do search for a home inspector, consider these top questions to ask the home inspection company prior to hiring them:

1. Do you perform repairs or just home inspections?  Seek an unbiased opinion from a home inspection company that only performs inspections and not repairs.  Buying a home is too important to try to sort out whether your inspector is calling out a defect for his own benefit to gain future repair business, or whether it is a legitimate concern.  At Scott Home Services, all our inspectors perform inspections only – we do not do repairs.  We seek to find the concerns in a home and point them out to you, then you can bring in appropriate contractors to quote repair costs as needed.
2. Are you insured? A surprising number of home inspection companies do not carry basic insurance in the event something happens during the inspection.  Since a Colorado home inspector is brought into the home at your request, in the unlikely event something were to happen in the home during the inspection, it is important that the inspector be insured.  We carry General Liability insurance at Scott Home Services for those very rare occasions.
3. Is the inspection company reputable and known in the industry? How long the company has been performing inspection is relevant to how skilled and knowledgeable they are with the inspection process.  And what is their reputation in the industry?  Research of companies is important, since many inspectors are referred by their realtors.  At Scott Home Services, we are members of the Better Business Bureau, we have been in business for over 18 years, all our inspectors are ASHI Certified, we have online reviews from satisfied customers, and we follow the ASHI Code of Ethics and Standard of Practice with every inspection we perform.
4. Can I join the inspector during the inspection process? While some home buyers leave the inspector alone to perform his inspection, others prefer to tag along and take a more hands-on approach to the inspection.  All the inspectors at Scott Home Services welcome your participation in the inspection process.  We will answer all your questions and help to ensure you have a good explanation of all the concerns we have noted.
5. What does the inspection include? Comparing inspections companies, their inspection processes and what is included in a home inspection is an important part of choosing who to work with.  At Scott Home Services, we follow the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) Standard of Practice.  We inspect every area of the home, noting all visible defects and maintenance concerns.  We prepare a digital report with color pictures included that will outline section by section the concerns with the home.
6. Do you have sample inspections reports available?  A home inspection company should be willing to share with you samples of their reports to give you a feel for what to expect.  On our home page we have links to several sample home inspection reports that show how we prepare our reports and what kinds of things are included in a typical home inspection report. You can also check out a sample report here.
7. Do you have additional services you offer with inspections? Many home inspectors only offer the inspection itself, leaving you to separately contract for additional testing needed to evaluate the home.  Examples include radon testing, sewer scope inspections, energy audits, infra-red scanning services, etc.  At Scott Home Services we are proud to offer a wide range of inspection services that can be added to a basic home inspection, providing  you with a one-stop-shop for all your home inspection needed.  All our Colorado home inspectors are trained to perform radon testing.  And we have dedicated inspection team members who perform sewer scope inspections.  We also offer energy audits, infra-red scanning services, water quality testing, mold testing and many more services that can further provide information on the home you are purchasing.
8. How much does the home inspection cost? Shopping on price alone may lead to cutting corners and leaving you with a less than satisfactory inspection.   Many new home inspectors who are less experienced charge lower fees.  At Scott Home Services, we feel that our pricing is competitive with the industry, and when you take advantage of our bundled pricing by adding more services, you can actually save big compared to pricing each of these services out separately.  All our pricing is available on our website on our Fees page.

At Scott Home Services, as a Colorado Home Inspection company we service the Front Range including Denver, Boulder, Fort Collins, Colorado Springs and all surrounding areas.  For more information about us, or to schedule an inspection online, watch the video above to learn more about our company and explore our website at www.scotthomeinspection.com

So you are buying a house and you think you found the perfect one! Well to start, Congratulations! Although your Realtor will be guiding you through the process as well, we want to give you a quick rundown on when you should schedule your home inspection. The buying process seems like a long period of time, but with everything you need to do, it can fly by and there will likely be a ton of questions throughout the process.

When To Schedule Your Home Inspection:

Everything happens once your offer is accepted on a house. At this point, you are officially under contract and can start the inspection process. We typically do not perform inspections prior to a buyer being under contract. However, once you are under contract it is time to look at all your deadlines and get your inspection scheduled!

Often, one of the first deadlines is called the “inspection objection.” This is when you need to request the seller to remediate any items that come up in the inspection that you think are important. In a standard closing process, this can come up early, so it is important to get your inspection done prior to this deadline.

Leave Some Extra Time:

You need to schedule your inspection before the inspection objection, but we recommend you do it as early as possible for the following reasons:

1. You and your Realtor need some time to go over the inspection report and decide which items you want to provide to the seller. This is an important step, so we recommend giving yourself the time to thoroughly read the report and ask questions.
2. Occasionally something will come up in the inspection that requires further evaluation. Maybe you want a roofer to look at a problem or a structural engineer to evaluate something we found during the inspection. You want the time to schedule this out as well. Deadlines can be moved for these items, but if you give yourself extra time you can save the trouble.
3. Be aware of the time of year. If you are buying during the summer, chances are many other people are as well. During our summer months, inspection schedules fill up fast. Although we try to accommodate everyone, if you wait until the last minute we may not have a spot for you.

When to Call:

This being said, we recommend you call us as soon as you go under contract. This gives you and your agent the most time to get everything scheduled. Also, this gives us time to coordinate the inspection with the listing agents and sellers. You do not want to feel rushed during such an important process. And as always, you can rely on the experience of your Realtor to aid you in your closing timeline.

For the fastest service, you can also schedule your inspection online. You will be able to see our availability in your area, as well as the price of your inspection. If you have any other questions or comments about when to schedule your home inspection, please leave us a comment below.

One of the most common questions we get from our customers is: What exactly is included in a home inspection.

That is a tricky question to answer because it varies from home to home, and by the type of inspection. However, when we provide a general home inspection, we usually do just that. Give you a general, but thorough overview of a home. The informational video will give you a brief summary of the different sections included in a home inspection, in the most basic scenario.

As we explain in the video, there are a lot of things to cover in a home, so we break it down into a few major sections. This list is pulled straight from our home inspection template.

1. Exterior – Ground
2. Foundation – Basement – Crawlspace
3. Roofing – Attic – Ventilation
4. Plumbing System
5. Electrical System
6. Heating Systems
7. Cooling System
8. Interior
9. Built-In Appliances
10. Garage

From this short list, we can cover most all aspects of a home. There are other systems that we look at as well including sprinkler systems, radon testing, moisture testing, and energy surveying. These are either included in a home inspection when present or they can be added on prior to your inspection. See some of our add-ons here.

When we go through this checklist, we are documenting and assessing all the different parts of the systems. From there we can inform you of any problems that we find. At the home inspection, we can also address any questions you may have about the home as well.

Limitations of a Home Inspection

Because a home inspection is a general overview of a home, there are some limitations. We often come across defects that we can identify, but due to the potential concerns, we may recommend having a specialist in that area give a complete analysis of the problem. You can count on us to find problems, but more information about the best way to proceed may be better left to a specialist.

A full overview of the home is included in a home inspection, but we are not able to see the future. We can analyze and inform you about what is happening in the home in the few hours we are there, but problems can develop over time and there is not always a good way to see it coming. We will inform you about the best ways to maintain a home to prevent future issues from occurring, but it is up to you to keep up with the multitude of tasks that come with owning a home.

Informed Purchasing Decisions

The number one thing included in a home inspection is your ability to make an informed purchasing decision on one of the biggest investments of your life. Using our tested methods and our 18+ years of experience, we will provide you the peace of mind needed for your new home.

At the end of the day, we will send you a digital report that includes all of our findings. This can help negotiate terms with the seller and their agent before you close. Afterwards, the report will help educate you about maintenance items that may need attention in the future. See some of our sample reports at the link here.

Read more about our Inspection Services.

At Scott Home Inspection, we cover a broad amount of information during a home inspection. This means we can’t always go into specific detail about each system a home has installed. In the last few years, we have seen a large increase in the amount of homes that have a Photovoltaic (PV) or solar system installed. This is great for the environment and your energy bill, but it begs the question: How do solar panels work?

To answer this, our guest writer, Kyle P from the solar company PowerScout, is going to break down the technical aspects for you:

The PV Effect:

Solar panels cover the roofs of houses and businesses across the country. They convert sunlight into electricity through a process called the photovoltaic effect
 (PVs). The PV effect is the process of generating voltage or electric current in a PV cell when it is exposed to sunlight. It is how the cells in the solar panel convert sunlight to electricity.

The PV effect occurs first in solar cells that are made up of two types of semiconductors, a p-type and an n-type, which are linked together to form an electric field. Electrons are knocked loose in both semiconductors when sunlight enters the cells. An external circuit, usually a thin wire that runs on the top of the n-type layer, allows the electrons to have a path to travel from the n-type layer to the p-type layer. The electrons that flow through the circuit are what provide the supply of electricity.

What is a Photovoltaic Cell?

PV cells are made to capture and convert sunlight into electricity that can power homes. One PV device is called a cell, which is typically small and produces about one or two watts of power. PV cells are connected in chains to form larger units that are called solar modules or solar panels in order to boost the power output. Modules can be connected to form solar arrays, which is connected to the electrical grid.

PV cells are manufactured from semiconductive materials like silicon. Semiconductors convert light into energy. Photons of light transfer energy to electrons when light is absorbed by a semiconductor, which allows electronics to flow as an electrical current through the material. When light hits a cell, part of it is then absorbed into the semiconductor material, and the energy of the light gets transferred to the semiconductor. That energy frees electrons, and the freed electrons flow into a current. The current and the electric field of the cell produces a voltage, and together that produces the electricity that powers a home.

Solar Inverters:

String inverters get their name from the name for the rows of solar panels installed on a roof. Multiple strings of panels are connected to one string inverter. The DC power the panels produce is carried to the string inverter and converted into AC power.

Microinverters are installed on each panel. Since they convert DC power to AC at the panel, a string inverter is not needed. The advantage to microinverters is that if a panel is shaded or not performing as well as the others, the performance of the other panels will not be affected. They also monitor the performance of each panel and can report this performance to the owner on solar production tracking software (e.g. an app).

What are solar panels made of?

Silicon is just one type of semiconductor material used in solar cells. It is the most commonly used semiconductor for solar cells, representing about 90 percent of the modules sold today, according to the Department of Energy. There are several reasons why silicon is used so commonly in solar cells. It is the second most abundant material on the planet. Solar cells with silicon as the semiconductor provide high efficiency, low cost and a long lifetime.

Cadmium telluride (CdTe) is the second most common material used in solar cells. Their use allows for low-cost manufacturing, but they are not as efficient. Copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS) is also used in solar cells and has better electronic and optical properties. However, combining four elements is complex and makes it difficult to transition from the lab to manufacturing. Both CdTe and CIGS can be directly deposited into the front or the back of the solar module. They are considered to be thin-film photovoltaics, and account for about 10 percent of the global PV market.

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Solar panels work for you and the future:

As you can see, the technology is complicated but the bottom line is that this is the technology of the future. The emerging advancements in PV systems are going to reshape the way that we power our homes. It is important for home owners and inspectors to understand these technologies. If you have any questions on this topic feel free to leave a comment below.

It has happened to the best of us. The fateful day where you finally have to change out that old dinosaur of a water heater living in your basement. This is hopefully because you knew it was nearing its end, rather than waking up to a basement full of water!

Whatever the cause, water heater replacement isn’t ever a fun thing to do. However, there are a few different options that must be considered before you make an investment in your home. Here are a few things to consider.

To Tank Or Not To Tank (Do I Need a Tankless Water Heater?)

Often times, people go with the cheapest option for a water heater replacement, which is a standard tank water heater. But there are a ton of advantages to purchasing a new tankless water heater system instead. Tankless units come in both gas and electric models, and can be a direct replacement for a standard tank unit.

Most tankless units mount on a wall and are roughly the size of a medium suitcase. When a faucet or fixture is turned on and hot water is needed, the tankless unit immediately activates, running cold water over a heat exchanger to increase its temperature.

The system will consume only the amount of energy relative to the amount of hot water demanded at a faucet or fixture. That is why these units are often referred to as “instant” or “on-demand” water heaters. When using an older tank style water heater, you end up heating water in your unit all day long regardless of if you are using it or not. On the contrary, tankless water heaters only heat water when needed or called for.

Water Heater Replacement with a Solar Hot Water System

Advances in solar technology and storage systems make it a great time to consider installing a solar hot water system.

The systems from the ’70s have come a long way in many respects. However, the concept remains the same – pull some energy from that big orange thing in the sky and convert it into heat for your hot water system.

Most solar hot water systems consist of a number of solar panels mounted outside; piping and a pump system to circulate a water or glycol mixture through the panel; and a special storage tank inside the home that collects the circulated liquid, which then heats water in that tank.

Typically, another conventional water heater is present for cloudy days, but the majority of the heating is done by the sun. We have even seen tankless units acting as the backup source. But the incoming water is pre-heated by the solar system, and the tankless unit only does the small amount of work to raise the temps up to your desired level, if needed.

Comparing Water Heaters: Pros and Cons

Standard Efficiency

If you are looking for the cheapest up-front price and installation cost, the best option is a standard efficiency tank water heater. These types of systems have relatively straightforward venting configurations and plumbing attachments. Therefore, it’s a feasible installation job for the savvy DIYer. Additionally, it has minimal electrical components. So finding parts and service providers will usually come at a reasonable price.

On the other hand, as its name suggests, this type of water heater is going to be the least efficient option. These heaters can lose up to 20% percent of the heat they produce through exhaust. They also require access to outdoor combustion air, in order to operate safely and properly.

High Efficiency

As you may have guessed, the high efficiency (HE) water heater is going to be more energy-efficient than the standard option. It is configured to optimize its combustion process and extract as much energy as possible during the process, using 90% or more of its generated energy. A more efficient system also means that it will heat water faster than its standard counterpart. HE water heaters help you to minimize wasted energy over time, and thus save money in the long run!

However, they are more complex devices than standard efficiency heaters. So they are going to be more expensive to purchase and install. It is crucial to have these systems installed and operating correctly. This makes it more necessary to hire a licensed pro to install and maintain your HE heater.

Tankless

The tankless water heater option is going to be even more energy efficient, as it only initiates the heating process when hot water is needed (as discussed above). So you’ll be looking at long-term energy and money savings. It also takes up much less space than a tank water heater, which could be an ideal option if you have limited utility room space. Another tankless pro is that they generally have longer life spans than tank systems. With the proper maintenance and care, you can expect your tankless water heater to last you 15-20 years.

On the downside, tankless heaters usually cost more to purchase and install than tank heaters. Also, its “on demand” quality means you won’t have your heated water as quickly as with an HE water heater. If you are converting from a tanked water heater, you generally have to change your venting type and might even need a larger gas line which can quickly increase costs.

Additionally, due to its size, a tankless system might not be able to provide sufficient heated water for multiple, simultaneous usages in large homes. For instance, if you are taking a shower, running the dishwasher and doing a load of laundry all at the same time, a tankless may not be able to provide sufficient heat to all 3 areas at once. You have to make sure to size your unit property to your home size.

Solar

The best part about solar water heating is that all you need is the sun. So if you live in an area that receives substantial sunlight, you could be getting your hot water for free! In addition, solar could be used to power other components of your home. This could effectively help you cut lots of energy costs over time.

However, the very feature that sets it apart from the other systems also acts as its primary flaw. Simply put- no sun equals no solar energy. So if it’s particularly cloudy or overcast, you might not receive enough solar energy to heat water to your desired temp. This is why a supplementary water heating device is recommended along with the solar. You might have also guessed that installation costs for solar panels can be quite costly.

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It’s true that a standard efficiency tank unit may cost you the least to install. But by taking the time to research your options and weigh the overall cost of ownership, you may find that upgrading to a high efficiency tank unit, a tankless unit, or even a solar hot water system might be right for you. We recommend that you take the time to explore these options with your local plumbing expert.

What is Involved with Water Heater Installation?

In reality, a water heater is one of the simplest appliances in your home. You have cold water in, hot water out, and a power source.  If you have an electric unit, there is usually a 220V connection to your unit.  If it’s a gas unit you have a natural gas or propane pipe connecting to the gas valve built into the unit.

Water heater replacement involves shutting off the water supply, disconnecting the power connection, draining excess water, and swapping in the new unit. Overflow drain pans are recommended on all tank units with new and replacement installations.

If you are upgrading to a tankless or high-efficiency unit, there may be additional considerations related to venting, proper gas line sizing, etc. It’s not as straightforward as a standard tank water heater, so it’s best to hire a professional. The same, of course, goes for the solar water heater configuration.

What is the Best Water Heater System for You?

Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. Each home and each homeowner has unique needs. When considering water heater replacement, it’s all about weighing the pros and cons to make an informed, educated decision.

Explore all options and consider the long-term costs of ownership in your decision. There are many great options and your choice will have long-term impacts on your monthly operating costs and performance of the system.

For more articles and feedback on home maintenance items, visit our Ask Your Inspector section of our website.

Consider Scott Home Inspection for all your home inspection needs! Read more about our Inspection Services.

At the time of this writing, most Colorado counties have adopted the 2018 IECC 0r the 2021 IECC. These energy standards have established that a number of field tests are required to validate the energy performance of a home. This includes blower door testing and duct leakage testing – both are important tests for evaluating residential energy efficiency. In this article, we will take a closer look at duct leakage testing in Colorado.

IECC Duct Leakage Requirements

When it comes to duct leakage testing, the 2018 and 2021 IECC rules are very similar, save for one key difference. In the 2018 IECC, Duct leakage testing is not required on any part of the duct system that is located within the thermal envelope of the building. This rule is consistent with the 2015 IECC. On the other hand, according to section 403.3.6 item #3 of the 2021 IECC, now all ducts must be tested – even if they are within the thermal envelope.

For more information about the 2021 IECC duct leakage code updates, check out our article, Duct Leakage Testing Requirements in 2021 IECC Codes

Testing is required to be performed by an independent third party. The code applies to new home construction and remodels/additions in some municipalities. These rules will vary from county to county, based on what IECC version has been adopted. So its always a good idea to check with the local building department to see what is required.

Purpose of Duct Leakage Testing:

• Studies show that a typical duct installation loses up to 20% of the air before getting to the registers. If that air happens to leak outside the building envelope, the overall comfort of a home can be compromised, and high utility bills will likely ensue.
• When air is blowing through ducts outside the conditioned space of the home, this can cause a change in pressure between the heated and unheated areas. This can lead to more air movement between the two areas which will transfer heat/cool air outside of the home.
• Leaks in ducts can pull in air from these unconditioned areas. High pressure in an attic, for example, can push dirty or dusty air into the home through small gaps in the ceiling.
• Within the home itself, unbalanced air flow caused by duct leakage can pressurize or depressurize zones causing rooms to be stuffy or to have temperature variation.

When is the best time to do a duct leakage test?

Duct leakage testing can be done during various stages of construction and still meet the specifications of the energy code, although we recommend performing it at rough-in when access is easiest. This also gives you the ability to seal sections of the ducts while they are still exposed.

How do we perform the test?

We use the “Duct Blaster” to test the air supply and quantify leakage. We seal off all the registers in the home and run a fan at a return, or at the air handler to depressurize the system. The total amount of leakage in the system is determined by pressurizing or depressurizing the system with the Duct Blaster to 25 pascals.

Click here to view a great article about duct leakage tests from the air leakage pioneers, The Energy Conservatory.

What Comprises a Pass or a Fail?

The threshold for passing the test is determined by a certain number of CFM of leakage per 100 square foot of conditioned space that the system serves. Here are the baseline numbers given in the IECC 2015 codes.

• 3 CFM per 100 SF – Rough-in—with no air handler installed
• 4 CFM per 100 SF – Rough-in—with the air handler installed
• 3 CFM per 100 SF – Post-construction—with no air handler installed
• 4 CFM per 100 Sf – Post-construction—with the air handler installed
• 8 CFM per 100 Sf – Post-construction—with the air handler installed and all ducts within the conditioned envelope (2021 IECC)

Helpful hints to pass your Duct Leakage Test:

• If this is your first test, always have it performed at the rough-in stage so that issues can be easily addressed.
• Liquid Mastic or “pookie” has shown the best results based on our experience.
• Seal every joint. The test is very sensitive, so the HVAC professional may need to seal quite a bit more than normal.
• The furnace or air handler is often overlooked. Seal around the edges and around the back side of the handler where the returns connect.
• Flex duct is popular in attics. However, the zip ties conjoining them to the system have a tendency to leak. Add mastic to these joints as well to create a tight seal.
• Make sure the filter cover is fully installed and sealed before the test.
• Do a once over of the full system before the test to identify weak or unfinished areas.
• It can be helpful for the HVAC installer to be present during the inspection to help identify and repair leaks on the spot.

Scott Home Services

At Scott Energy Services, a division of Scott Home Services, we have a team of highly trained energy efficiency and air leakage specialists. We offer an extensive list energy services including Duct Leakage Testing, Blower Door Testing, HERS Ratings and more! So whatever your building requirements may be, we are here to be of service.

For more information or to schedule a duct leakage test with Team Scott, click here.