| Why Get A Home Energy Audit? |
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Your home is one of the most important and expensive investments you will make. A professional home energy audit can help you minimize the energy costs of that investment. At Green Power Living, we provide accurate and unbiased energy audits focused on providing you with the information needed to make your home comfortable and energy efficient. If you want to improve the efficiency of your home, especially if you have high energy bills or your home is uncomfortable, consider contacting a professional to conduct a home energy audit to diagnose why. Specific goals of an energy audit are to:
Select from one of the following topics: What is a home energy audit? What is a home energy audit?A home energy audit is a measurement of a home's energy efficiency. An energy audit by Green Power Living involves an on-site inspection of a home by a residential energy efficiency professional, an energy auditor or energy consultant. A home owner who wants to upgrade the home's energy efficiency can use a home energy audit to evaluate and pinpoint specific, cost-effective improvements. Why is a home energy audit important?A home energy audit is the first step to assess how much energy your home consumes and to evaluate what measures you can take to make your home more energy efficient. An audit will show you problems that may, when corrected, save you significant amounts of money over time. With the audit, we can pinpoint where your house is losing energy, be it your heating or cooling equipment or leaks to the outside. What does a home energy audit include?A home energy audit includes an evaluation of construction techniques, taking key measurements, and performing diagnostic testing procedures to verify a home's energy performance. We use a variety of techniques and equipment to determine the energy efficiency of your house, including equipment such as the calibrated blower door, which measures the extent of leaks in the building envelope, and duct airtightness testing systems. What exactly does a home energy auditor do?The home energy auditor inspects the home and documents its energy characteristics, such as construction techniques, insulation levels, window efficiency, wall-to-window ratios, heating and cooling system efficiencies, water heating system efficiency, and solar orientation of the home. Diagnostic testing, such as blower door airtightness testing and duct system leakage testing, are often part of the audit. The data gathered by the home energy auditor is input into a computer program and a model of the home's energy consumption is generated. Using this model along with local utility rates, estimates of the home's energy costs can be provided. Along with the energy cost analysis, the home owner also receives a report listing cost-effective options for improving the home's energy efficiency. What are the required certifications of a home energy auditor?At this time there is no required certification for home energy auditors. Read the proposed RESNET Draft National Energy Audit Standard . However, Green Power Living's energy consultant is a RESNET-certified Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Rater. Training in residental energy and home energy auditing was completed through the RESNET approved HERS training program at the Kansas Building Science Institute (KBSI). Our consultant is also certified by the Building Performance Institute (BPI) with the Building Analyst & Envelope Professional designations. If my house is new, do I really need an home energy audit?Unless your home bears the Energy Star label, YES. If you are having a new home built, a certified HERS Rater (an energy auditor with specialized training) can work with your builder to ensure that your home meets the EPA Energy Star guidelines for an energy-efficient home. Green Power Living's energy consultant is a RESNET certified HERS Rater. Can't I do an energy audit myself?There are various online tools and guides available to give you an idea of potential sources of home energy loss. Even the best of these tools recommend that the homeowner follow up with a professional energy audit that includes a "blower door" test for airtightness. A home energy professional has the experience, knowledge and training to make detailed documentation of a home's energy properties in order to generate an unbiased and informed report of the energy consumption of a home. The energy professional is familiar with the energy properties of different types of home construction, and understands how different components and appliances in your home work together as a system.
Who should attend the home energy audit?We require that someone age 18 or older be present during the audit to operate any household system or appliances as needed, answer questions about any home comfort or utility bill concerns, and to sign any agreements or paperwork. We recommend that the following persons be present for the report delivery & explanation:
How should I prepare my house for the audit?Before our energy auditor visits your house, make a list of any existing problems such as condensation and uncomfortable or drafty rooms. Have copies or a summary of the last 12 months of your home's energy bills. (Your utility can get these for you.) We use this information to establish what to look for during the audit. We will first examine the outside of the home to determine the size of the house and its features (i.e., wall area, number and size of windows). The auditor then will analyze the residents' interaction with the home: * How many people live here? Your answers may help uncover some simple ways to reduce your household's energy consumption. We encourage you to walk through your home with the auditor as she/he works, and ask questions. We may use equipment to detect sources of energy loss, such as blower doors, duct blowers, and infrared thermometers. We ask that you ensure all interior doors can be opened (including closets), and that all air supply and return duct registers are unobstructed. How should I prepare my house for the blower door test?Prior to conducting a blower test our energy auditor will ensure that you take the following steps:
What will the energy audit cost?Home energy audit fees for a single-family home vary by size and age of the home. Additionally, services such as home improvement analysis, and electric usage evaluation may be needed, depending upon the individual residence. Knowledge gained and money saved from a home energy audit is well worth the time and expense. Pricing to view our fees. How do I schedule an energy audit?Scheduling a home energy audit with Green Power Living is easy. Click on Schedule an Audit to select desired appointment times, view exact pricing for the audit based upon the size of home and, once accepted, you will receive email confirmation for the appointment. Or phone 301-861-0201 to schedule an appointment.
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