Home Energy Auditors

Home energy audits can take several forms. Some utility companies are offering free energy audits, mainly to some low-income customers. They are typically simple audits, but still worthwhile. To a more comprehensive energy audit, and to get recommendations and detailed reports, you may hire a professional home energy auditor.

Some professional auditors are contractors that can fix the problems and make the improvements themselves.

Locating an energy auditor

Your utility

First of all contact your utility and see if it offers discounted or even free energy audits. The utility may also recommend you a local organization or a contractor to fulfill the audit.

Energy Star

If your utility doesn’t offer energy audits, and if you live in USA, you may find an energy auditor (a contractor or an energy specialist partner) through Energy Star. See: Energy Star for Homes Partner Locator.

Energy Star also offers specially-trained contractors through their Home Performance with Energy Star program. It’s an excellent way to improve your home's energy efficiency, since these professionals will use special equipment and recommend important energy improvements to your case. The problem with this program is their unavailability in many states. To know if Energy Star offers it near you, see: Home Performance program Locator.

Resnet

RESNET network (Residential Energy Services Network) is another option to find energy auditors in USA. See: Resnet directory

To get a Tune-uP inspector

Home Energy Tune-uP is a professional US energy audit organization. They will inspect your home and bring forth a computerized report, listing the savings and costs for the several energy-efficiency upgrades, and information involving contractors and financing.

See: http://www.hometuneup.com/how.asp

Telephone

If you don’t find an energy auditor through your energy utility, or through Resnet, Energy Star or Home Energy Tune-uP, try a telephone directory under the word "Energy".

Features you should take into account

When contracting an energy auditing company through unofficial and uncertified sources, demand references and check them.

You may also call the Better Business Bureau and see if there are any complaints involving the company.

Also ask them which equipment they use in their audit, namely if they use the blower door test equipment, or the thermographic (infrared) cameras.

Information you must provide for the Energy Audit

You should have your home's energy bills at hand (last 12 months), and pass that information to the auditors. With it, it's easier to conduct and determine what to look for during the audit.

Some basic features involving your home will be also of great value to the auditor: its size, wall area, size of windows and doors, their number, number of people, schedules, thermostat settings, habits concerning baths, laundry, etc.

You should also make a list of the existing energy related problems in your house, before the energy auditor’s visit: uncomfortable rooms, condensation problems, or others.

Dialog with the auditor

If you intend to build a new home, the energy auditor can visit the place where it is going to be located, and discuss issues concerning design, building materials, surrounding landscape, sun exposure, etc.

If the house already exists, the auditor can explain steps that can be taken to reduce energy costs: lifestyle, appliances, air leaks, insulation, windows replacement, etc. He should suggest measures, and should be able to answer to your questions.