| This heating season, you probably want to save | | | | see if caulking and weather stripping are applied |
| money on your energy use. This is especially true | | | | properly and in good condition. |
| during this winter’s cold snap that has affected | | | | Every house and lifestyle, is different. It’s safe |
| much of the country as far south as Miami and | | | | to say that climate and location are primary factors in |
| Houston. But that might not be the only reason. You | | | | how your home performs. The other major factor is |
| might find that your home’s HVAC system is | | | | how you use energy in your home. When combined |
| always running hard but can’t adequately heat | | | | with information about local weather, the home’s |
| your home. Or some rooms in your house seem | | | | thermostat settings, as well as energy bills for a 12 |
| cooler or hotter than others. Maybe you noticed a | | | | month period (24 is more accurate), an energy audit |
| mold or mildew problem in a room other than your | | | | can render a more accurate picture of how your |
| bathroom. Perhaps your water heater can’t keep | | | | home uses energy. |
| up with demand. You can fix these problems by | | | | Unless you already have a few years experience of |
| starting with a home energy audit. | | | | belly-crawling the dusty, cramped spaces of your |
| How does a home energy audit work? | | | | home to weather-seal it, you should consider having |
| An energy audit looks at several specific features of | | | | a professional visit and perform an energy audit. Now |
| your home. First, it lists the characteristics of your | | | | you might think all an energy auditor does is seal a |
| home’s thermal envelope: walls, ceilings, floors, | | | | fan onto your front door and then prowl your house |
| doors, windows, and skylights. Each of these | | | | looking for drafts. Sure, they might perform this test, |
| features has a specific R-value, which is a | | | | but not only do you get the benefit of their years of |
| measurement of the resistance to heat flow. The | | | | training and experience, you also gain from a fresh |
| higher the resistance (or R-value), the better the | | | | perspective. |
| insulative quality. Another factor is the leakage rate | | | | Professionals can often see things you have |
| or how much outside air infiltrates into your home. | | | | overlooked that can help you save on your energy |
| Drafty doors and windows are the primary culprits | | | | costs and be more energy efficient. For example, a |
| here, however, other features of your home’s | | | | slight discoloration along a corner of your living room |
| construction, age, orientation to the sun, and physical | | | | wall might indicate an unsealed gap in your |
| condition will have an effect. A third area to look at is | | | | home’s framing that lets in cold air and moisture. |
| your home’s mechanical system – the | | | | This and other hidden heat loss can also be detected |
| heating/ventilation/air conditioning (HVAC) as well as | | | | with heat-sensitive cameras, a tool most |
| the heating water. | | | | homeowners don’t own. |
| Energy Star provides a Home Energy Yardstick | | | | A qualified energy auditor can also give you an |
| website so you can compare your household’s | | | | informed choice of options. Some fixes might just |
| energy use to the rest of the country. The site is a | | | | require a tube of $4.00 caulk to save you $100.00 in |
| good place to start and gives some basic | | | | energy costs. Some fixes might be more expensive |
| recommendations about making home energy | | | | but can be done over time. An energy auditor can |
| efficiency improvements. | | | | make recommendations for improvements and |
| Generally, performing your own energy audit will help | | | | solutions based on what they learn about your living |
| you discover most of the major energy usage | | | | habits, needs, and budget. This can include efficient |
| problems in your house. For example, locating and | | | | low-wattage lighting fixtures, getting the best |
| sealing air leaks will help you save money and make | | | | insulation for your buck, as well was Energy Star |
| your home more comfortable. An easy way is to | | | | rated appliances and upgrades so you can take |
| wet your hand and then feel for drafts around: | | | | advantage of both Federal and State rebate offers. |
| - Electrical outlets | | | | Remember, not only will an energy audit show you |
| - Switch plates | | | | where to start saving money to heat your home this |
| - Window frames | | | | winter but it will identify cooling problems that cost |
| - Baseboards | | | | you during the hot summer months. But whether or |
| - Weather stripping around doors | | | | not you decide to do it yourself or consult a |
| - Fireplace dampers | | | | professional, you should do it as soon as possible so |
| - Attic hatches | | | | you can identify your home’s problems and |
| - Wall or window-mounted air conditioners. | | | | develop a plan of action. After all, making your home |
| Look and feel for gaps where pipes and wires enter | | | | energy efficient not only saves money, energy, and |
| a wall. Also check where your floor meets the | | | | natural resources, it also makes your home more |
| foundation. And don’t forget mail slots. Check to | | | | comfortable and enjoyable for you and your family. |