tim e for a diagnosis and prescription.
A professional energy auditor (also
know n as a hom e energy rater) w ill
evaluate the ductw ork, insulation
levels, and other aspects tha t affect
hom e perform ance. The rep ort not
only pinpoints the source o f the
“ pain” b u t also p rio ritize s recom -
m ended hom e energy upgrades to
m axim ize the re tu rn on investm ent.
“W e take a ho listic approach
to a house, lo okin g not only at the
in dividu al components, b u t w hether
together they perform as they
should,” says M ark Cannella,
p rin cip a l partner o f Pro Energy
Consultants, a nationally franchised
hom e energy auditing com pany
(
proenergyconsultants.com
).
Some professional energy audits
are sim ple visual inspections that
id en tify costs and savings fo r upgrades
appropriate fo r your home, and m aybe
offered at a lo w cost by your local
u tility company or state energy office.
A comprehensive energy audit,
w h ich can cost about $500, includes
the use o f diagnostic tools. A blower
door tests a home’s airtightness, for
example, and an infared camera detects
insulation gaps and other inefficiencies.
To find an energy auditor in your area,
start w ith Energy Star (
energystar.gov;
click on Hom e Performance w ith
Energy Star) or B uilding Performance
Institute Inc.
(bpi.org;
click on Find a
BPI Resource).
The m ost com plete inform ation
w ill come from a pro, but you can also
do your ow n evaluations. A basic home
energy review uses an Internet-based
tool or software program; your input
produces generalized results that give
some sense o f your upgrade options.
These organizations offer free surveys:
Energy Star (
energystar.gov/yardstick
),
D epartm ent o f Energy (
h ttp ://h e s.lb l
.gov;
start by enteringyour zip code),
and A lliance to Save Energy
(ase.org;
search fo r “home energy checkup”).
You can also do your ow n w alk-
through to locate air leaks, evaluate
heat loss through ceilings and walls,
inspect heating and cooling
equipm ent, and measure energy use.
See
energysavers.gov;
click on “how to
conduct your ow n audit.”
Payback isn’t the only indicator
of whether you should upgrade.
Be realistic about the m oney you’ll get
back by m aking an energy upgrade.
T hough you’re eligible fo r a tax credit
BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS APRIL 2010
101
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