Go Green. Start with a Home Energy Audit.
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• What is a “home energy audit”?
  • In a general, a home energy audit is a series of carefully planned out and developed inspections and tests which are performed by a certified service professional. Together these inspections and tests encompass a qualitative “whole house” approach to improving your home’s overall efficiency. The certified service professionals endorsed by this site embrace and support the “house as a system” approach, which essentially means that all the various systems and elements of your home combined with inputs and outputs from the daily living practices of the inhabitants must be taken into account and analyze.
    
    
    
    
• Who can perform a home energy audit?
  • Performing the home energy audit inspections and tests correctly requires a thorough understanding of the underlying science and principals related to home construction and efficiency.  It also requires a well-informed perspective as to the areas where updates can help as well as where they most likely will not.

    In reality, anyone with a moderate level of knowledge and understanding for the underlying principals of energy conservation and home construction can perform a home energy audit.  In this sense every home owner is fully capable of performing an inspection of their home and using available education materials such as the internet or library books to achieve some level of success. 

    The problem is that this is equivalent to the self-treatment of a medical issue or the attempt to make major repairs to your personal vehicle!  Invariably, unless you are yourself an expert in this area yourselves, you will quickly come to realize that it is far more cost effective and beneficial to call in an expert who is specifically and uniquely trained for this kind of work!
    
    
    
    

• Who does this type of service work?
  • At this point there are no national, local/municipal associations or government sponsored agencies that certify or license home energy auditors.  A handful of organizations have stepped forward in recent years offering certification programs for individuals interested in this as a career option, however only two of them are currently recognized as the leaders in this area… the Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET) and the Building Performance Institute (BPI). 

    Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET) http://www.natresnet.org/
    Established in 1995, RESNET is a not-for-profit organization whose standards are officially recognized by the U.S. mortgage industry, the Environmental Protection Agency's ENERGY STAR program and the Department of Energy's Building America Program. 
    NOTE: Home Energy Auditors that successfully complete the requirements of the RESNET certification process are called “Home Energy Raters”.

    Building Performance Institute (BPI) http://www.bpi.org
    Established in 1993, BPI supports the development of the professional building performance industry through individual and organizational credentialing and a rigorous quality control program.  BPI utilizes and open, transparent and consensus based development process to create and update technical requirements in this area.  

    Note: Home Energy Auditors that successfully complete the requirements of the BPI certification process are called “Building Analyst Professionals”.  In addition, BPI offers a number of other related certification programs that focus on specific areas of the home/building as well as the type of building.
    
    
    
    
• What levels/types of home energy audit services are offered?
  • Under the guidelines of RESNET and BPI there are three (3) basic levels of service which in fact build upon each other to create a fully comprehensive approach to home energy efficiency inspection and testing.  

    Level 1 – Walk-through Inspection (Home Energy Survey)

    During the course of a Home Energy Survey (sometimes called a “Walk-through Inspection” your service professional will perform a visual inspection of the home, which includes the following:

    1. Determining and recording the R-values of wall/ceiling/floor insulation
    2. Noting the square footage and approximate age of home
    3. Noting the window types in the home including the glazing type(s) and frame material(s)
    4. Noting the type, model number, and location of heating/cooling system(s)
    5. Inspecting and noting the type of ductwork, location and R-value of duct insulation and any indications of previous duct sealing
    6. Noting the type of foundation, for example a crawlspace, basement, or slab
    7. Working through a checklist of common air-leakage sites while indicating likely opportunities for leakage reduction
    8. Estimating the age and efficiency of major appliances such as dishwashers, refrigerators, freezers, washing machines and dryers
    9. Noting the number and type of hardwired light fixtures and screw-in bulbs in portable lamps suitable for energy efficient re-lamping
    10. Looking for visual indications of condensation
    11. Noting the presence and location of exhaust fans and determine whether they are vented outdoors or into the walls and ceilings of the home
    12. Noting the number and type of water fixtures (e.g. faucets, showerheads)
    13. Noting the presence and type(s) of combustion equipment; identification of visually identifiable evidence of flame rollout, blocked chimney, and corroded or missing vent connector.

    OPTIONAL:  If the homeowner is able to provide the appropriate amount and types of documentation the home energy auditor will also review the last 12 months of utility bills (electric, fuel, water) and incorporate this data into the inspection report and analysis.

    At the conclusion of the Home Energy Survey your auditor will review his/her findings and provide a report which will include the following:

    1. A summary of all data collected during the walk-through inspection
    2. An overview of the “whole-house” concept describing how everything in your home works as a system, which includes information as to how you should prioritize your actions.
    3. Information regarding quality installation of HVAC equipment including proper sizing of equipment, duct sealing, refrigerant charge and air flow.
    4. Information regarding quality building envelope air sealing and proper levels of insulation.
    5. An overview of the ENERGY STAR program and how it results in better products and appliances.
    6. Non-energy related benefits of improving the energy efficiency of the home including reduction of carbon emissions.
    7. General statement regarding opportunities to improve the thermal envelope, mechanical equipment, lighting and appliances in the home.
    8. Generalized estimates of potential energy cost savings associated with various recommended updates and modifications that may subsequently be made to the home.
    9. General discussion of concerns regarding combustion safety.
    10. A safety notification form is presented when obvious problems are observed
    11. Information regarding how you can get a “Comprehensive Home Energy Audit”.

    Level 2 – Diagnostic Testing

    During a Home Energy Survey the home energy auditor will not perform any physical tests other than to perhaps check temperatures in various parts of the home or identify the geographic direction of the house.  To provide a deeper level of analysis there are several testing options available to the auditor that are utilized on a case by case basis, depending on the needs of the homeowner.  These tests include the following:

    Blower door test

    In order to provide an optimal living environment your home needs to “breathe”, meaning that some amount of air needs to circulate between the outside and inside, 24 hours a day.  The key is that it should not breathe too much or too little, and there are guidelines in place that tell us how much that is. 

    The purpose of the Blower Door Test is to determine exactly how airtight your home is and calculate the level of sealing efficiency.  During this test the Home Energy Auditor will set up a simulated door (called a “Blower Door”) in an open doorway to the outside.  This special door is made of a cloth-like material and contains a calibrated variable-speed fan connected to an electronic device called a “manometer” (which measures air pressure).  During the test your Auditor will adjust the speed of the fan and take a measurement of the amount of air moving from the inside to the outside through the fan. 

    The air that’s moving through the fan (from the inside to the outside) will be coming into your house from the outside through tiny gaps and crevices located in various places throughout the home.  With the fan running, the Auditor will move around your home from to room to room, pinpointing the exact location where air from the outside is coming in.  These will be the locations where sealing (caulking, etc) is recommended in order to make your home more energy efficient as it prevents heating/cooling loss through these crevices and openings.

    After the test your Home Energy Auditor will provide specific information as to how much your annual energy costs might be reduced if you were to correct these issues.  In addition he/she can recommend local certified contractors in your area that can perform these updates as well as provide an estimate for how much you should budget for these changes and the payback period associated with that investment. 

       Get this from www.energyconservatory.com

    Air duct analysis
    If your home is heated by “forced hot air” and/or if you have central air conditioning your home heating and cooling efficiency will be reduced if air is leaking out of the ductwork and into your walls, ceilings or unheated/non-cooled living spaces. 

    During the Air Duct Analysis your Home Energy Auditor will use a device called a “Duct Blaster” to measure the extent to which your current ductwork is airtight.  During the test, air pressure is applied to the ductwork within the home and a measurement is taken to determine the percentage of air loss.  Typically, most homes that are at least a few years old will have a ductwork efficiency of anywhere from 90% - 50%, with the average being around 70%. 

    A leaky air duct system is one of the most common sources of home heating/cooling inefficiency.  Your Home Energy Auditor is trained to provide you with a detailed explanation of the results of this test as well as to provide recommendations with respect to your options. 

     Get this from www.energyconservatory.com

    Infrared thermal imaging
    The purpose of thermal imaging is to get a physical look at temperature fluctuations in your home that cannot be seen by the naked eye.  During this test a special camera is used to scan around your home’s walls and ceilings.  The on-screen camera images will show temperatures on these surfaces using a full spectrum of color rather than traditional visual representations.  On one end of the spectrum, cold areas will appear in a black or bluish range of colors.  One the other end the warm areas will appear as a yellow to red range of colors. 

    As your Home Energy Auditor moves the camera around each room he/she will pinpoint the exact locations and areas where problems exist.  In warm weather areas, hot spots that develop on your interior walls are signs of energy loss and significantly increase the power‐on time for air conditioning units.  The opposite is true in cold weather areas where cold spots indicate a lack of sufficient insulation or gap sealing required to keep heated air in.   Among the most relevant findings of an infrared thermal imaging test are the following:

    1. identifying areas where wall and ceiling insulation is not sufficiently installed
    2. locating small openings which are allowing warm/cool air to move between the inside and outside of your home
    3. pinpointing the location of water leaks in the walls and ceiling of a home
    4. locating flaws in the structural elements of a home
    5. finding the exact location of insect and rodent infestations
    6. recognizing imminent hazards in electrical power panels and outlets (which tend to get warm before they fail)

     

    Overall the most beneficial element of the infrared thermal imaging test is its ability to provide you with exact information as to what areas need to be addressed and the extent to which updates can and should me made.  Instead of conducting a home energy “treasure hunt” you will be able to zone in on the exact work that needs to be done, thus saving significant money in the long run.

    Combustion appliance testing
    Within homes that utilize various “combustion appliances” such as hot water heaters (gas), furnaces (oil, gas, coal, etc) and boilers (oil, gas, coal, etc) the home energy auditor can perform a combustion safety test that investigates three major areas of concern:

    1. checking to make sure that the carbon monoxide levels of gas and oil fired equipment is acceptable
    2. checking for “back drafting” of all vented appliances to insure that fumes are being properly evacuated
    3. inspecting for safety hazards such as gas leaks and cracked heat exchangers

     

    The primary reasons for conducting combustion tests are for the protection of the health of the inhabitants (potential carbon monoxide exposure & poisoning) and personal safety (fire prevention).

    Exhaust fan analysis
    This test is similar to an air duct analysis and utilizes similar equipment.  In many homes the exhaust fans (particularly in the kitchen) are vented to interior walls instead of to the outside of the building.  In either case it is of concern if gaps in the exhaust fan ductwork currently allow fumes to move into areas of the home where they could pose health issues.

    Level 3 – Comprehensive Home Energy Audit

    A Comprehensive Home Energy Audit or “Full Home Energy Audit” is a comprehensive combination of the previous two levels of inspection and testing.  During this process the information collected during an on-site inspection walk-through is combined with qualitative data collected via the diagnostic testing.  All data is then processed through a powerful software program that calculates unique anticipated energy cost savings resulting from various potential updates and modifications to develop a unique home energy audit report that is fully actionable. 

    In contrast to the Home Energy Survey report, the output of a Comprehensive Home Energy Audit includes quantified measurements of air tightness, duct tightness, or ventilation and mathematically derived cost.  It also will include the output of computerized simulation analysis of the home's energy performance and the resulting calculation of energy cost and environmental savings resulting from improvements related to the energy performance of the home.

    NOTE: Depending on the type and extent of recommended updates for your home energy auditor will be able to provide references for certified contractor professionals in your area that can perform the type of work suggested.
    
    
    
    

• How much does a Home Energy Audit cost?
  • Depending on the size, type and location of the home being inspected and/or tested the typical charge for a home energy audit is in the range of $300-600.  Home energy auditors typically require additional fees for very large homes or those that contain multiple heating/cooling systems.
    

• How long does a Home Energy Audit take?
  • You should plan for the entire process to take anywhere from 2-4 hours, depending on the size of the home, the services you are having done and the time needed for discussion between you and the home energy auditor during the audit process.
    
    
    
    
• What kinds of equipment do home energy auditors use?
  • The following is a sample of some of the equipment your home auditor may use during the course of a home energy audit.  Note that the investment cost for these items is approximately $12,000-$15,000!
    
    1. Blower door & accessories
    2. Air duct tester & accessories
    3. Infrared thermal imaging camera
    4. Carbon monoxide sensor
    5. Gas leak detector
    6. Smoke puffer
    7. Temperature sensor
    8. Humidity sensor
    
    
    
    
• How do I prepare for a Home Energy Audit?
  • Generally speaking there are four things you need to be aware of in preparation for your Home Energy Audit:

    1. Utility bills – Gather together your utility bills (electric, gas, water & sewer) for the last 12 consecutive months as well as heating fuel spending information (oil, coal, wood, etc) and have them ready for the Auditor.  As part of the audit process your current spending will be used to calculate comparisons with similar homes in your area as well as to develop estimates of potential savings for various updates and lifestyle changes.

    2.  Furniture – On the day of your Home Energy Audit make sure that you have moved/removed any furniture from areas immediately adjacent to air vents within your home.  Depending on which tests need to be performed your Auditor will need clear access to those areas.

    3.  Fireplace and woodstoves – Prior to the audit close the damper on all fireplaces and woodstoves and cover the opening to your fireplace with a large damp cloth or newspapers.  This will prevent ash from spreading into your home if/when the Blower Door test is done.

    4.  Time allotment – The amount of time required to perform a Home Energy Audit on your house depends on the size of the home, the dimensions of the rooms, the type of heating and cooling systems, the structure of the home, the number of air vents, etc.  No two homes are exactly the same however in general you should plan on the audit taking 2-4 hours.
    
    
    
    

• Why should I get a Home Energy Audit?
  • Home energy audits are designed to pinpoint hidden defects and other problems in your home that currently lead to high energy bills, discomfort and other issues.  During the audit many things can be discovered that you were not aware of, including but not limited to:
    
    1. Structural Problems
    2. Poor, missing, deteriorated insulation
    3.Air infiltration, drafty rooms
    4. Moisture intrusion and build-up
    5. Potential mold in walls and ceilings
    6.Overloaded electrical circuits
    7.Loose Electrical connections
    8. Heating/Ventilation/Air Conditioning (HVAC) system blockages and leaks
    8. Inadequate or improperly installed flashing or sealant

    The true value of a home energy audit is the equivalent of having a doctor determine exactly what is causing a problem in your body and helping you decide what your options are to address it.  Without the help of an expert help you will merely be guessing at what you should do. 

    In reality it is typically unwise to make changes to ALL areas of your home.  Instead it makes far more financial and practical sense to make selective changes with a “return on investment” perspective.  Oftentimes the least expensive and/or least invasive changes will provide significant financial paybacks in a shorter period of time.  For example you could spend hundreds of dollars hiring a contractor to caulk all the windows in your home when only a few actually need it.  You could also add insulation to your entire attic when all that you really need to do is repair your ridge vent.

    Because a home energy audit is uniquely customized to your home, you will be able to target the areas of your home that need enhancement with full precision. 

    The knowledge gained during a home energy audit puts you in control and gives you the confidence you need to determine that the improvements you are making are exactly what is necessary!!

    
    

• How will getting a Home Energy Audit save me energy?

  • Albert Einstein proved that energy cannot be created or destroyed… but it can indeed change forms. 

    Where is energy consumed in the home?
    
    Source: 2007 Buildings Energy Data Book, Table 4.2.1., 2005 energy cost data.

     

    The term “energy” as it relates to home efficiency refers to any source of power that is used to heat and cool the air around us or the water we use within our homes.  It also includes electricity that is used to create light and operate appliances.  Generally speaking all of these sources of power cost us money to use, so it’s in our mutual best interest to minimize the amount we need without negatively impacting the comfort levels in our homes or the activities we need to perform in our daily lives.

     

    The main objective in saving energy therefore is to reduce the amount of power we need to consume on a daily basis.  Lower power consumption means a reduced draw on the Earth’s non-renewable resources such as fossil fuels and perhaps more readily visible… a reduction to our monthly energy utility bill!

     

    Creating an energy-efficient home is all about balance and the concept that a home is constructed as a cross between a living organism and a precision machine.  To be in a position to optimize it one must clearly understand the entire set of dynamics and interrelated functions of a home as well as the interdependencies between all of the various elements within it from the walls, floors and ceilings that contain it… to the heating, ventilation and cooling systems that keep it comfortable in all types of weather… to the electric and water appliances that are constantly used within it… to the day to day habits and needs of the people, animals and plants that inhabit it.   

     

    Who has that kind of training and experience? A home energy auditor!

     

    During a home energy audit you will gain a very powerful understanding of how this balance works and more importantly, a clear sense of direction with respect to where and how you can begin to take action… thereby saving power (ie saving energy) in the short term with minor and inexpensive updates and changes as well as over time with incremental improvements. 

     

    Most homeowners agree that following a home energy audit there is a sense of complete amazement at how easy it will be for them to immediately begin to save energy on a daily basis after implementing only a handful of very minor changes that they were not previously aware of.

     

    Get in contact with a Home Energy Auditor today… and learn how fast and easy it is to SAVE ENERGY!

    
    

• How will getting a Home Energy Audit save me money?
  • A Home Energy Audit will provide a return-on-investment in ways you likely never even considered!

    The honest truth is… a properly performed home energy audit will unquestionably uncover things that you did not know about your home and concurrently expose multiple opportunities for you to save money, both immediately as well as over the long term.  

    What seems obvious is true… a home energy audit will ultimately lead to reduced annual energy costs… but there’s more!

    While it’s true that a home energy audit will present you with multiple ideas on what you can do to save 30% (or more) on your home heating and cooling bills there is an added benefit that is often widely overlooked.

    Which is… the knowledge you will gain to decide where to spend money on improvements and where NOT to spend it!

    Generally speaking a home energy audit will uncover and expose many things in your home that are counterproductive… from insufficient insulation to inefficient appliances to open air gaps there are multiple factors that all contribute to you spending too much to heat and cool your home.  However, does it make sense to address all of them?  NO!!!!

    That’s where a professional home energy audit will provide its greatest value!

    A certified home energy auditor is trained and equipped to carefully inspect and diagnose every aspect of your home and concurrentl provide you with an itemized list of which reparations and updates you can and should make to achieve your highest return on investment!

    An example:  You might be thinking that your old single-pane windows are the main cause of wasted energy and likewise you’re cringing at the thought of spending thousands of dollars to replace them!  Upon getting a home energy audit however you learn (through the use of infrared thermal imaging) that it’s not the windows but in fact the lack of caulking around them that’s the main problem.   So instead of spending hundreds of dollars per window for replacements all you really need to invest is a few hours of your time and $5 for a tube of caulking at your local hardware store!   Wow… now you can save money twice… once for the cost of the reparation and again for the reduced energy use savings!
    
    A certified home energy audit has so many benefits!  Try it… you’ll be amazed at how easy it is… to SAVE MONEY!
    
    
    
    

• How will getting a Home Energy Audit save me time?
  • They say “time is money”.  How much is time worth???

    It’s so very true… time is uniquely valuable.  But in truth, that’s a huge understatement!  Time is not only a valuable resource… it is THE most valuable resource!   Unlike money, gold and other material things, the time we spend doing things can never be recovered.  Once it’s consumed, time is gone forever.  So it goes without saying... it’s extremely important that we all use and manage our time very wisely!

    So the question you should ask yourself is… “what is (my) time worth?”

    Consider this…

    Let’s say that you’ve done your research and come to the conclusion that having an efficient home will result in a significant reduction to your annual heating and cooling costs (which is true by the way!).  For the sake of argument you’ve also decided that increasing the comfort level of your home is something you also want to do.  To accomplish these milestones you need to establish a solid understanding of the current conditions within your home so you can make accurate decisions as to what changes to make with respect to home reparations and which NOT to make.

    There are two ways you can accomplish this…

    The first way is to set off on a course of self-education. You will need to invest many hours (and likely many dollars as well) learning all that you possibly can about home efficiency and the factors that contribute to it.  You’ll need to learn about things like insulation R-factors and thermal conductivity as well as what to look for when inspecting your home for deficiencies.  If you are not careful you may miss something critical, so its necessary to invest a significant amount of your time and money learning about the trade of home energy inspection as well as the physics and building science that goes along with it.

    This option will cost you valuable TIME!

    The second way is to hire a certified home energy auditor to come to your house and spend 2-4 hours to perform a thorough inspection and provide you with a detailed, comprehensive report along with professional advice as to where your reparation dollars would be better spent.

    This option will save you valuable time!

    So at this point it’s important that you ask yourself a very important question… how much is your time worth???  You probably already know the answer!

    Don’t waste another minute!  Schedule a Home Energy Audit today…and proudly say that you’ve found another great way to SAVE TIME!