Home energy audit
Home energy audit
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. During the audit, you can pinpoint where your house is losing energy. Audits also determine the efficiency of your home's heating and cooling systems. An audit may also show you ways to conserve hot water and electricity. You can perform a simple energy audit yourself, or have a professional energy auditor carry out a more thorough audit.
A professional auditor uses a variety of techniques and equipment to determine the energy efficiency of a structure. Thorough audits often use equipment such as blower doors, which measure the extent of leaks in the building envelope, and infrared cameras, which reveal hard-to-detect areas of air infiltration and missing insulation.
To start you can even conduct a <a rel="nofollow" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/article_exit_link');" href=http://www.techstore.ie/Renewable-Energy/Home-Energy-Efficiency/Home-Energy-Audits.htm>home energy audit </a> yourself. With a simple but diligent walk-through, you can spot many problems in any type of house. When auditing your home, keep a checklist of areas you have inspected and problems you found. This list will help you prioritize your energy efficiency upgrades.
Locate Air Leaks
First, make a list of obvious air leaks (drafts). The potential energy savings from reducing drafts in a home may range from 5% to 30% per year, and the home is generally much more comfortable afterward. Check for indoor air leaks, such as gaps along the baseboard or edge of the flooring and at junctures of the walls and ceiling. Check to see if air can flow through these places:
* Electrical outlets
* Switch plates
* Window frames
* Baseboards
* Weather stripping around doors
* Fireplace dampers
* Attic hatches
* Wall- or window-mounted air conditioners.
Also look for gaps around pipes and wires, electrical outlets, foundation seals, and mail slots. Check to see if the caulking and weather stripping are applied properly, leaving no gaps or cracks, and are in good condition.
Inspect windows and doors for air leaks. See if you can rattle them, since movement means possible air leaks. If you can see daylight around a door or window frame, then the door or window leaks. You can usually seal these leaks by caulking or weather stripping them. Check the storm windows to see if they fit and are not broken. If you are having difficulty locating leaks, you may want to conduct a basic building pressurization test:
1. First, close all exterior doors, windows, and fireplace flues.
2. Turn off all combustion appliances such as gas burning furnaces and water heaters.
3. Then turn on all exhaust fans (generally located in the kitchen and bathrooms) or use a large window fan to suck the air out of the rooms.
This test increases infiltration through cracks and leaks, making them easier to detect. You can use incense sticks or your damp hand to locate these leaks. If you use incense sticks, moving air will cause the smoke to waver, and if you use your damp hand, any drafts will feel cool to your hand.
On the outside of your house, inspect all areas where two different building materials meet, including:
* All exterior corners
* Where siding and chimneys meet
Professional Home Energy Audits
Professional energy audits generally go into great detail. The energy auditor should do a room-by-room examination of the residence, as well as a thorough examination of past utility bills.
Many professional energy audits will include a blower door test. Most will also include a thermographic scan.
Preparing for an Energy Audit
Before the 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 home's yearly energy bills. (Your utility can get these for you.) Auditors use this information to establish what to look for during the audit. The auditor first examines 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' behavior:
* Is anyone home during working hours?
* What is the average thermostat setting for summer and winter?
* How many people live here?
* Is every room in use?
Your answers may help uncover some simple ways to reduce your household's energy consumption. Walk through your home with the auditors as they work, and ask questions. They may use equipment to detect sources of energy loss, such as blower doors, infrared cameras, furnace efficiency meters, and surface thermometers.
Selecting an Energy Auditor
To have a valid <a rel="nofollow" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/article_exit_link');" href=http://www.techstore.ie/Renewable-Energy/Home-Energy-Efficiency/Home-Energy-Audits.htm>home energy audit </a> you need to have a certified auditor inspect your house.
John Mahoney is a freelance author who writes about various technology
realated subjects. For more information about John visit his website
www.techstore.ie.
The Homeowner's Guide to Renewable Energy: Achieving Energy Independence through Solar, Wind, Biomass and Hydropower (Mother Earth News Wiser Living) 
The coming energy crisis caused by a peak in global oil and natural gas production will profoundly affect the lives of all North A...
Emissive Energy Corp. X1MT-WT White LED Flashlight 
The X1 from Inova delivers the X Series uncompromising lighting performance, reliability and durability in a sleek design that's j...
Windmax HY400-3 450 Watt Max 12-Volt 3-Blade Residential Wind Generator Kit 
Solar/wind Max: 600w, Wind only: 400w rated, Wind only Max: 450w, solar panel is not included....
Full Auto Shut Off 
Debut release for this salsa-core band that mixes indie rock with some latin flavor....
Aprilaire 401 Spacegard 2400 Filter Media-2pk OEM Replacement Filter Media For 2400 Air Cleaner- 2PK Expandable "accordian" style, factory recommended replacement filters MERV ...
M-D Building Products 4663 R-6.7 Water Heater Insulation Blanket 
White vinyl backed fiberglass blanket. Designed for gas, oil or electric heaters. Fits up to 60 gallons. Includes adhesive tape fo...
LED Rope Light Kit 18 Ft Indoor/Outdoor Ultra-Long Life Lasts up to 20 Years Uses 80% Less Energy than standard bulbs Quick Connections to create any length up to 300 ft. Mounting Hardware, Clips and Extra Saafety Fues Included. Package Includes: O...
 |
 18KW Power Energy Saver Electricity Save up 35 money $0.99 Time Remaining: 6h 2m Bid now |
 POWER FACTOR SAVER AND ENERGY SAVINGS KVAR UNIT 1200 $80.00 Time Remaining: 9d 4h 41m Buy It Now for only: $80.00 Buy It Now |
 18KW Power Energy Saver Electricity Save up 35 money $0.99 Time Remaining: 8h Bid now |
 Energy Saver PU 1200 Energy Controller Lower Bills KVAR $70.00 Time Remaining: 4d 5h 13m Buy It Now for only: $70.00 Buy It Now |
 19 Foldable Mylar solar oven cooker bag for campingoutdooremergency blanket $49.99 Time Remaining: 8h 24m Bid now |
 18KW Power Energy Saver Electricity Save up 35 money $0.99 Time Remaining: 9h 7m Bid now |
 HOWTO BUILD SOLAR CELLS PANELS ARRAYS DIYFREE ENERGY $9.99 Time Remaining: 17d 15h 19m Buy It Now for only: $9.99 Buy It Now |
 One pair MC4 solar connector $4.99 Time Remaining: 12h 31m Bid now |
 18KW Power Energy Saver Electricity Save up 35 money $0.99 Time Remaining: 13h Bid now |
 kvar Energy Saver Light BoxES 1050 Sr 100 $69.00 Time Remaining: 5d 1h 51m Buy It Now for only: $69.00 Buy It Now |
 One pair T branch MC4 solar connector M M F and F F M $9.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 13h 1m Bid now |
 New Power Saving Electricity Energy Home Saver Saver Box EU plug $4.96 Time Remaining: 27d 16h 2m Buy It Now for only: $4.96 Buy It Now |
 120 Watt Solar Panel 12 Volt Low Voltage Panels for 12v Battery BEST BUY SAVE $41.00 (6 Bids) Time Remaining: 13h 17m Bid now |
 120 Watt Solar Panel 12 Volt Low Voltage Panels for 12v Battery BEST BUY SAVE $16.29 (5 Bids) Time Remaining: 13h 24m Bid now |
 Energy Saver Residential Energy Controller KVAR $70.00 Time Remaining: 4d 5h 10m Buy It Now for only: $70.00 Buy It Now |
 200 Watt Solar Panel eco RV Home Remote Power Charge Battery BEST BUY SAVE $152.50 (6 Bids) Time Remaining: 13h 36m Bid now |
 Energy Monitor 2 $45.00 Time Remaining: 1d 11h 2m Buy It Now for only: $50.00 Buy It Now | Bid now |
 50KW Power Saver Save Electricity Energy 35 Less Money saving green new $31.39 Time Remaining: 16d 19h 37m Buy It Now for only: $31.39 Buy It Now |
 Energy Monitor 3 $45.00 Time Remaining: 1d 11h 2m Buy It Now for only: $50.00 Buy It Now | Bid now |
 Energy Monitor 4 $45.00 Time Remaining: 1d 11h 2m Buy It Now for only: $50.00 Buy It Now | Bid now |
 Whole Home Energy Monitor Real Time Current Cost Envi $129.00 Time Remaining: 26d 7h 56m Buy It Now for only: $129.00 Buy It Now |
 One pair T branch MC4 solar connector M M F and F F M $9.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 1d 13h 1m Bid now |
 New Power Saving Electricity Energy Home Saver Saver Box EU plug $4.96 Time Remaining: 26d 20h 48m Buy It Now for only: $4.96 Buy It Now |
 Black Decker EM100B Energy Saver Series Power Monitor NEW $9.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 1d 15h 37m Bid now |
 Solar Hot Water Evacuated Heat Pipe Tube Thermal Collector $895.00 Time Remaining: 2d 1h 39m Bid now |
 New Power Saving Electricity Energy Saver Box Home AC 90 250V US Plug $4.96 Time Remaining: 26d 20h 26m Buy It Now for only: $4.96 Buy It Now |
 Home Surge Protector Electric Saver Energy Power 1200 $97.00 Time Remaining: 2d 11h 20m Buy It Now for only: $107.00 Buy It Now | Bid now |
 One pair MC4 solar connector $4.99 Time Remaining: 2d 12h 31m Bid now |
 50KW Power Saver Save Electricity Energy Saving 35 New $48.59 Time Remaining: 24d 12h 16m Buy It Now for only: $48.59 Buy It Now |
 200 Watt Solar Panel RV Home Remote Power Charge Battery HUGE POWER BID NOW $1.80 (2 Bids) Time Remaining: 2d 13h 38m Bid now |
Tagged with: audit • Energy • heating and cooling • Home