What should we expect from an energy audit?
We start with an informal interview with homeowner(s) or facility managers to understand more about the building and its history. We note building performance issues – rooms that are drafty or too hot in summer. We will ask about the overall health and comfort of occupants, your preferred thermostat settings and other facility habits. For a thorough energy audit, homeowners and facility managers should allow three to four hours with the audit team onsite.
What do you need from me?
You will provide at least 12 consecutive months of utility bills, including electricity, natural gas and other fuels. We review the bills to compare the “baseload” use to the seasonal peaks for heating and cooling.
What does the auditor do?
The auditor will walk through the home to measure and record the size of the home, locations of attic and basement access, renovations or additions to the original house, condition of windows and doors, and programmable thermostat, energy-efficient lighting, low-flow water faucets and “smart switch” electrical outlets. Outside the structure, the auditor will note windows and doors, trees or other structures that may block sun and wind, moisture issues or foundation flaws, location of external vents, overall roof conditions, etc.
Is it safe?
Our audit focuses on safety, comfort, durability and energy-efficiency. We will test the building for carbon monoxide, gas leaks or incomplete combustion of fuels which pose a potential fire hazard or indoor air quality problem. Exhaust gasses that drift back into your basement, attic or appliance area can be dangerous, so we will test your ventilation system to make sure that any harmful chemicals are drafting safely out of your facility.
How do you measure the air leaks?
After checking major appliances, we will use a blower door and heavy-duty fan to pull air out of your home. This test shows us where “replacement” air is coming in – often through gaps around doors and window frames, roof vents, attics or basements, chimneys or other “bypasses” within your building. We use a smoke stick (which emits a small puff of visible smoke like incense) and an infrared camera (which color codes temperature differences). The audit team will measure the air pressure variations to estimate the amount of conditioned air – either warm or cool – escaping from your home. These leaks cost you money and more.
What’s the science of “building science”?
Your building features integrated systems – not just roof, cellar, HVAC and appliances. We use sophisticated computer programs to evaluate the interaction of these systems and identify options to reduce your energy use. Our written report prioritizes each project based on the estimated return on your investment, as well as improved comfort, safety and durability of your building.
Where should we start?
Typically, air sealing is a top priority for improving energy efficiency. The first step in most energy conservation programs is to minimize the heated (or cooled) air that is escaping from your structure. Sealing leaks with caulk or other products may cut your energy use by 25% or more, while reducing the discomfort of drafts.
Then what?
After the building’s “envelope” is sealed, you might consider higher-efficiency heating, cooling, water heating, insulation, ventilation and ductwork, new doors or windows, or alternative energy sources. Some improvements may be eligible for financial incentives – tax credits, low-interest loans, energy-efficient mortgages, etc. Our audit team will help you to assemble the information you will need to explore eco-financing options with your accountant and mortgage company.
How do we know that the work is done right?
Some energy efficiency programs require a verification audit to ensure that the retrofit contractors have installed new systems correctly and that they are working as promised. Waste Not Energy Advisors can perform both the test-in audit and test-out verification for you. A healthy home is safe for the people who live and visit there. It is comfortable year round. It is durable because building systems support – rather than compete with – each other. And it reduces your utility bills and your impact on the environment.
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