What is an Energy Audit?
January 26th, 2012
“Energy Audit” is a term that is somewhat unclear and when you hear people use it don’t think that they all mean the same thing. Today, there are a variety of people offering energy audits ranging from your local handy man to the public utility company, and with that diversity comes a variety of services and expertise offered under the title of “energy audit”. So that is why I intend to equip you with the information necessary to discern what you are really getting when you sign up for an energy audit. Here are some simple questions to ask during your investigation process.
Who Are They?
This is the first question you ask to discern who you are dealing with. If they answer that they are a window replacement company offering an energy audit you can bet that you will get not much more than a free window estimate and a lecture on how much money “their windows” can save you. The key objective in asking this question is to discern what their motivation is for providing the audit.
What are Their Credentials?
If someone is truly an expert in their field they should have some training or credentials to point to. In the energy world, two of the leading credentials are offered through the Building Performance Institute (BPI) and the Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET). Ask the service provider if they are certified by either of these companies or have other additional training. If their answer is no, although they may be well read, they are probably not equipped to be doing professional energy testing.
What Services are They Offering?
Finding out exactly what services they are offering is one of the best ways to discern the value of their “energy audit”.
1. Consultation: One of the most basic elements of an energy audit is consulting the customer to find out what their past energy bills have been, if there are any comfort problems, and what their main objectives are.
2. Visual Examination: An energy audit should always include a thorough examination of the house from the crawlspace to the attic and from inside to out. It is clues from this investigation that set the savvy energy professional on the track to determine the right solutions.
3. Blower Door Test: Using a fan system, the energy auditor can blow air out of your home and measure the rate at which it is being replaced. This test will find out exactly how much air is leaking out of your home and where those air leaks are coming from.
4. Duct Leakage Test: A duct blaster can be used to calculate the exact amount of air that is being lost through leaks in your duct system. Duct leaks can be hard to locate and this test will let you know if they are there.
5. Thermal Imaging: An infrared camera can be used to visually examine your home for insulation voids and air leaks. Because it captures images based on temperatures, you can see cold air (represented by a blue color) coming in around your doors or a cold spot in your wall caused by missing insulation. A thermal scan can often pick up problems that the naked eye could never see.
6. Computer Modeling: By using computer software, an auditor can increase the accuracy in determining the return on investment of energy improvements and calculate a projected reduction in cost based on the improvements he recommends.
7. Analysis and Reporting: An energy audit is only as good as the auditor’s ability to analyze the data collected, determine a prioritized list of improvements, and communicate his findings in a clear and understandable way. Chances are, if an energy auditor can’t clearly explain what is offered in his energy audit, then he won’t be able to clearly explain what you are to do once he has conducted it.
Energy audits range in price from free to around $800 for a residential building. As a general rule of thumb, the fewer of the above services offered the less you should pay. If you are having trouble figuring out how much you should invest in a diagnostic audit, it is wise to pay no more than 10% of the total amount you are willing to invest in improving the efficiency of your home.
So when you go to choose an energy audit for your home, use these tips to help you to find a quality auditor and avoid an energy imposter.