A home energy audit is a complete, in-depth analysis of your home's energy efficiency. Our certified auditor will use specialized equipment to analyze how energy is being used and where energy is being wasted. Minimizing or eliminating wasted energy altogether could result in dramatic savings to your energy bills. Once an audit is completed, you will receive a detailed report of the results. The report will highlight any problems and will include recommendations to which action needs to be taken to improve energy efficiency. A thorough energy audit can take up to 3 hours to complete.
There are 5 steps to complete a energy audit:
Step 1, The Interview
During the interview, our auditor will collect as much background information as possible about your home. Any existing energy problems, concerns, or any plans you may have for your home should be discussed at this time.
Step 2, Outdoor Inspection
The outdoor inspection will address all the exterior aspects of your home. A thorough assessment is made of the doors, windows, overhangs, and skylights - if any. The outside perimeter, house orientation, neighboring buildings, and any vegetation that affects shade or acts as a windbreak will be taken in account.
Step 3, Indoor Inspection
The indoor inspection is divided into two sections, (1) main level and basement, (2) upper floor
Main level and Basement:
The inspection of this area includes: thermostat, furnace, hot water heater, basement wall and band joist insulation, air ducts for leakage and insulation, windows for leakage and glazing, weather stripping for doors and windows, flooring and overall character of all appliances.
Upper Floors:
The inspection of this area includes: attic hatch seals, canned lighting, insulation levels of attic and sidewalls.
Step 4, Blower Door and Infrared Scan
This step is divided into two different areas of concern
Blower Door:
Our auditor will use a specialized equipment to measure the air tightness of your home. It will determine where any air leaks are and what is the total amount of that air leakage is. The test is also used to check if there are any moisture condensation problems and to test indoor air quality. The blower door test uses a powerful fan to depressurize the entire house and then check the rate at whick air reenters the home through unsealed openings in the building envelope.
Infrared Scan:
Our auditor will use a device called a Forward Looking Infrared or FLIR camera. By using wavelengths, which are invisible to the human eye, the FLIR camera will measure temperature variations along your home's surfaces. In this scan, "hot" and "cold" spots in the home's envelope can be identified, allowing the auditor to see behind the walls. The scan enables the auditor to accurately pinpoint those areas where insulation and/or air sealing needs to be improved.
Step 5, The Results
Our auditor will review the preliminary findings with you, giving you a general idea as to what improvements you can make to your home. Within one week, you will be presented a more detailed report. This report will outline specific steps you can take to make your home more energy efficient. By making energy efficient improvements to your home, you can qualify for a number of tax incentives offered by the federal and state governments.
