Why Do You Need A Lehigh Valley Home Energy Audit?

If you are trying to save money on your electric bill, then you should consider getting a home energy audit. You can save anywhere from five to 30 percent on your electric bill by making upgrades recommended by an energy auditor. A professional energy assessment will typically assess your home’s energy use in great detail.

Your energy auditor will examine every room inside of your home. He or she will also take a look at your electric bills. Some energy auditors will also perform a blower door test. Most energy auditors use a thermographic scan. A PFT air filtration measurement technic is another type of test that can be used, but it is rarely offered.

What Do I Need To Do To Prepare For An Energy Audit?

There are a few things that you will need to prepare for an energy audit. You should make a list of problems that you are having in your home, such as an drafty or uncomfortable room and condensation. You should also make sure that you have a summary or copy of your past energy bills. Your utility company can provide you with these. Your auditor will use this information to find out exactly what to look for during the audit.

First, the auditor will take a look at the outside of your home. He or she will also take a look at the features, such as size of the windows, the number of windows and wall area. The residents’ behavior will then be analyzed by the auditor.

• Is every room being used?
• How many people live in the home?
• What is the average thermostat setting during the winter and summer months?
• Is there anyone at home during working hours?

Those are some of the questions that you may be asked by an energy auditor. Your answers to the questions will help your auditor find ways that you can cut your energy usage. Walk through the house with your auditor as he or she checks each room. Ask the auditor questions.

How To Find An Energy Auditor

There are several places where you can find an energy auditor.

Below are some resources that can help:

• Your local or state weatherization office can help you identify a company or organization that performs home energy audits.
• Your energy supplier company can recommend an energy auditor.
• You can find an energy auditor using your telephone book. Look under headings that start with the word energy. You may be able to find companies that perform energy assessments.

Before hiring an energy auditing company, you should check with the Better Business Bureau and see if they have received any complaints. You should also contact previous references. Additionally, you should make sure that the company uses a calibrated blower door and performs thermographic inspections.

New Energy Saver 101 infographic breaks down a home energy audit, explaining what energy auditors look for and the special tools they use to determine where a home is wasting energy. Infographic by Sarah Gerrity, Energy Department.