Eliminate the Headaches
with a Professional Energy Audit
Are you a do-it-yourself kind of person? Someone who likes to save money while taking pride in the work you’ve done? Are you considering improving the energy efficiency of your home? This time, instead of figuring it out on your own, you might want to consider calling to conduct a professional energy audit. I guarantee it will save you time, money and headaches.
There are hundreds of “How To” books out there that address everything from basic electric and carpentry to computing (that one I need). But I’ve never found one on “improving the energy performance of your home” that’s written in basic layman’s terms. And trying to find a class that teaches energy improvements is almost impossible. So going it alone without guidance can be a very dangerous and expensive way to make home improvements, and can leave you with the sinking feeling of, “I wish I knew that before I took on this project.” In past articles I’ve written about additional energy improvement work you could incorporate when replacing your siding, roofing, and/or furnace. Today I want to talk about the value of having a professional energy audit that can not only make your home more comfortable and save you money, but leave you feeling comfortable with the decisions you make.
As with the human body, each house operates as a system and while each home has similar characteristics, it is also very unique and further complicated by the inhabitant’s lifestyle. Books on energy improvements are purely generic, however, ignoring the details particular to your own home and its unique characteristics.
Some typical mistakes I have seen include:
- Replacement of windows with the belief it’s going to solve all of your heating and cooling problems.
- Adding insulation to your attic without considering air sealing, the real cause of ice dams.
- Insulating your basement walls or ceiling without addressing the potential of freezing pipes or creating carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Replacing your furnace or boiler with the same BTU output of your old unit.
An energy improvement plan for your home can only be identified by a certified BPI / HERS Energy Auditor, who recommends customized, specific improvements based on information found during the Energy Audit, and presents them to you in a prioritized report that takes into account cost, practicality and comfort.
An Energy Audit is also valuable because it can qualify you for an Energy Improvement Loan. EIMs have a lower interest rate than a typical home improvement loan, and are available at most banks.
So now that you have the knowledge, money, and confidence go ahead with those home energy improvements.
Tortorice's Tips are written and republished by Bob Tortorice, our owner and head contractor. Bob Tortorice has more than 35 years of experience in residential and commercial construction and shares his knowledge through his monthly article.