 | What is a Home Energy Audit? |
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A home energy audit is a measurement of a home's energy efficiency through visual and diagnostic inspections. A home owner who wants to upgrade the home's energy efficiency can use a home energy audit as a map to guide them along their journey of cost-effective improvements leading to a more efficient and comfortable home. |
| | Click to learn more about our Home Energy Audit |
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| How long will it take to perform the audit? |
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Generally, it takes anywhere from 3-8 hours to perform a home energy audit. Homes in the 1,500-3,000 sf. range take 3-5 hours and homes in the 3000+ sf. range take 5 hours or more. |
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| Do I need to be home during the audit? |
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You do need to be present for the beginning of the audit when we do the homeowner interview. After the interview, we like for you to show us around the home and point out some of the areas where you know problems exist. After that, it is not necessary for you to be present. |
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| Can you make the improvements for me? |
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If you would like, we can handle making the improvements recommended from the Energy Audit. We don't want to leave you with a list of improvements to make without someone who is qualified to make them. If you can make some of the improvements on your own that's fine as well. Just be sure to have us perform post improvement testing. |
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| I know I need additional insulation in my attic. Why not just install it without having an audit? |
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Making improvements without an energy audit can make implementing the correct improvement more difficult. Attic insulation is usually added after the attic has been air sealed. Without an audit you will not know where the air leaks are. After insulation has been installed it is much more difficult to find and correct air leaks. |
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| What does a Home Energy Audit Include? |
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Our energy audits include a variety of visual and diagnostic tests to find excess energy usage in your home. We use a variety of techniques and equipment to determine the energy efficiency of your house, including the blower door, which measures the extent of leaks in the building envelope, and duct blaster, which measures duct air leakage. |
| | Click to read more about our home energy audit |
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| How do I prepare for a Home Energy Audit? |
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Before the audit, make a list of any existing problems such as uncomfortable or drafty rooms. Have copies or a summary of the last 12 months of your home's energy bills. We use this information to establish what to look for during the audit. We interview you first to find out how you use the home and what issues exist that you are aware of. Your answers may help uncover some simple ways to reduce your household's energy consumption. We ask that you ensure all interior doors can be opened (including closets), and that all air supply and return duct registers are unobstructed. Prior to conducting a blower test our energy auditor will prep the home by doing the following: - -Close primary and storm windows
- -Open all interior doors
- -Temporarily disable heaters and water heaters
- -Remove ashes from wood stoves and fireplaces
- -Shut fireplace dampers, fireplace doors, and wood stove air intakes
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