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Home Energy Audit
Purpose:
To help clients spend less on their energy bills and become more comfortable within their home.Method:
The inspector will interview the client to discover their household energy concerns. The house will be inspected inside and out to locate areas of energy loss. The combustion equipment (gas or oil furnace and water heater) will be tested to ensure that it is operating at peak efficiency. A blower door is temporarily installed to depressurize the house and locate air leakage sites. A report is created for the client, which details the findings of the inspector and makes suggestions for improvement. This report is reviewed with the client and improvement suggestions are discussed.Time:
An audit will take 3 to 4 hours on an average house.Preparation:
Perform the following steps prior to the arrival of your home inspector:- Have available one year of energy usage (this information should be listed on your current utility bills)
- Take note of any broken or defective windows and doors
- Take note of any drafty areas or rooms that are always too hot or too cold
- Remove clutter and obstructions around water heater, AC units, and furnaces
- Close all windows and outside doors
- Shut fireplace dampers, fireplace doors, and wood stove air intakes
- Remove all ashes from fireplaces or cover the ashes with damp newspapers
- Remove anything you do not want your Home Performance Contractor to see. The contractor will need to go into every room and closet in your house as well as the basement and crawlspace.