Energy Audit - Home Enegry Solutions LLC

What is a Home Energy Audit?

A Home Energy Audit is an assessment of the building structure and mechanical systems that maintain Indoor Air Quality and Temperature. This is a multi-step process involving tests like duct blasters, blower doors, and thermal scans to identify any areas of thermal or humidity transfer, airflow in the home, and any sources of contamination.

The Home Energy Audit Process

Pre-Testing: During this initial phase, our auditor will get to know your home better. We'll conduct an interview, asking questions about the home, then perform a visual inspection to assess the current condition of your home, noting areas of potential concern and the location of your HVAC system components.
The Home Energy Audit: This is the most in-depth part of the process and typically takes a few hours to complete. Our auditor will perform a series of tests to gather data on how your home uses energy.
The Report: After the audit is complete, we'll compile all the information gathered during testing.

What does a Home Energy Audit measure?

There are some terms to understand for the measurements we take. I will give a brief explanation of the terms and relate the terms to each of the 3 areas of testing.

BTUs: British Thermal Units, the standard unit of measurement of heat used in HVAC. BTUs are derived from an equation using airflow and air energy, enthalpy.
Enthalpy: the energy in a specific amount of air. Enthalpy combines the two kinds of energy in air, temperature and humidity, into a single unit. Sometimes those two energies are also called sensible and latent heat.
CFM: cubic feet per minute, this is the measurement of airflow typically used in HVAC. When we describe the amount of air in a system, we typically say 200 CFMs.
Static Pressure: this is the pressure that resists airflow. When we want to push air down a piece of duct and out of a diffuser, the resistance that air encounters is called static pressure. The fan is responsible for creating enough pressure to overcome the static pressure in the system to get the CFMs into the space. A dirty filter will have a higher static pressure than a clean filter.
Infiltration: when unfiltered, unconditioned outdoor air makes its way into the home via cracks and crevices in the walls, floor and ceilings. This outdoor air can be very different in temperature and humidity from our indoor setting, making it difficult for the HVAC system to maintain space temperatures.
Insulation: a thermal barrier very resistant to heat transfer. Most people recognize the pink batts or blown insulation in their attic. The insulation keeps heat from escaping out in the winter and heat from sneaking in during the summer. A continuous insulation layer around all sides of a home is called the thermal barrier.

Benefits of a Home Energy Audit

Improve comfort in your home by addressing drafts, uneven temperatures, and indoor air quality concerns.
Save money on your monthly utility bills by identifying areas for improvement.
Increase the value of your home by making it more energy-efficient.
Do your part for the environment by reducing your home's energy consumption.

Ready to Get Started?

Don't wait to start saving money and improving your home's comfort! Contact us today to schedule your home energy audit.

Frequently asked questions

How can a Home Energy Audit save me money?

A Home Energy Audit will identify causes for your HVAC system to be running in excess. There may be outdoor infiltrating through small holes in the walls and attics; or excess humidity from an unseen leak; undersized ductwork or ductwork that is damaged reducing the airflow to specific rooms. All of these common issues will be identified through the audit and a scope of remediation work can be written up. Some of these solutions can counteract others, so having our expertise in building science gives us the chance to anticipate these before the renovation and reduce further complications.

How much money on average can a Home Energy Audit save me?

An audit identifies savings opportunities, and does not save money on it’s own. Without an audit, the savings of potential upgrades is unknown and might not solve the problem a homeowner is experiencing. Example: if your system is only providing 50% of the cooling it’s designed for, more insulation won’t have a significant impact compared to reducting to increase the delivered capacity.

How much does a Home Energy Audit cost?

A few hundred dollars typically. Costs range proportionately to the size of the home being audited.

How long does a Home Energy Audit take?

About 4 hours total in the home. Initial interview at the beginning of the audit is about 30 minutes.

Is a Home Energy Audit safe?

Yes, we are careful to make sure every home is safe to conduct the needed tests during the initial inspection. If any health risks are identified, we immediately notify the owner and wait to conduct the audit until remediation efforts take place. The things we are checking for are possible asbestos, air contaminants, and any naturally aspirated fuel-burning appliances.