Energy Audit Process

A home energy audit is a complete, in-depth analysis of a home's energy efficiency. During this procedure, a certified professional home energy auditor will use state-of-the-art equipment to analyze how energy is being used and where energy loss is occurring. By conducting an energy audit, the auditor is able to identify ways to either stop or reduce energy loss. Minimizing or eliminating energy loss altogether could result in dramatic savings to your energy bills. Once the audit is completed, you will receive a detailed report of the results. The report will highlight any problems and include the auditor's recommendations on what action needs to be taken to improve energy efficiency. A normal home energy audit takes about 3 hours to complete.

There are 5 stages to a home energy audit:

• Step 1 - Initial Interview

  During this interview, the auditor collects as much background information as possible about the house. Any existing energy or ventilation problems should be discussed at this stage, as well as your concerns, goals or any plans that you may have for your home (e.g. building an extension).

• Step 2 - Outdoor Inspection

  The outdoor inspection examines all the exterior aspects of the house. A thorough assessment is made of the doors, windows, overhangs and skylights - if any. The outside perimeter of the home will also be taken into account. This includes looking at the building orientation and any vegetation that affects shade and windbreak.

• Step 3 - Indoor Inspection

  The indoor inspection is divided into the following sections:

  Main Level & Basement
  the examination of this area includes: thermostat, furnace, water heater, basement wall and band joist insulation, ducts for sealing and insulation, window sealing and locking and glazing, weather stripping for doors and windows, flooring, washer hoses and overall character of all appliances.

  Upper Floors
  the examination of this area includes: attic hatch seals, canned lighting, attic insulation/ventilation and sealing of perforations in the ceiling below the attic.

• Step 4 - Blower Door and Infrared Tests

  This stage consists of 2 tests, each to ascertain different areas of concern:

  Blower Door Test
  the blower door test entails the use of specialized diagnostic equipment to measure the air tightness of the house. It will determine where any air leaks are occurring and what the total amount of that air leakage is. This test is also used to check if there are any moisture condensation problems and to test the indoor air quality. The blower door test uses a powerful fan to depressurize the entire house and then check the rate at which air reenters the building through unsealed cracks and other openings in the building envelope.

  Infrared Thermal Image Scan
  in conducting this test, the auditor uses an infrared thermograph and a special infrared camera called a Forward Looking Infrared or FLIR camera. By using wavelengths, which are invisible to the naked eye, the FLIR camera will measure temperature variations along the building's surfaces. In this way, "hot" and "cold" spots in the building envelope can be identified, allowing the auditor to form a picture of what's going on behind the walls. The scan enables the auditor to accurately pinpoint those areas where insulation and / or air sealing needs to be improved.

• Step 5 - Review Results

  The auditor will review the preliminary findings with you, giving you a general idea as to what improvements you can make to your home. Within one week, you'll receive a more detailed report by email. The second report will outline specific steps you can take to make your home more energy efficient. By making energy efficient improvements to your home, you can qualify for a number of tax incentives offered by the federal and state governments.