Worth the cost for big projects
A trained home energy auditor goes much deeper than an online tool or quick walkthrough. A home energy audit includes a visual inspection (of your insulation, HVAC systems, appliances, etc.), diagnostic testing (such as a blower-door test and infrared imaging to measure air leakage and spot insulation gaps) and measurements of duct leakage, appliance efficiency, and even indoor air quality.
A physical inspection of the building envelope reveals where air leaks and insulation gaps occur, things that that smart meter data can’t see. Online data shows when you use energy, but not where your house is physically losing it. An energy auditor can also measure and diagnose efficiency issues with your furnace, AC unit, water heater and appliances.
Home energy audits cost on average between $400 and $600, or more, depending on the number of tests and the size of your home. Consider an energy audit when you are planning a major energy improvement project, like upgrading insulation, replacing an HVAC system or instaling solar panels. A home energy audit is also worth considering when you buy or sell your home!
Testimonial about the importance of energy assessment? “We used HomeIntel to…. - and learned that …. it made all the difference!” – Local Resident
Common energy hogs
Devices in standby mode still use electricity, unless they are unplugged. These “phantom” loads can cost you a lot of energy. Some of the biggest culprits are your TV’s cable or satellite box, game consoles, desktop computers and TV screens. By turning them off at night you might be able to save $100-200 annually. Many people use a smart powerstrip.
Excessive heating or cooling can make a big difference to your bill, as together they account for roughly 40% of energy use in many homes. DOE data show that you can save 1% on heating (or cooling) energy for each 1°F you lower (or raise) your thermostat.
An older or less efficient refrigerator or freezer (including that extra beer fridge in the garage) can burn 500–1,250 kWh/year each, making them some of the largest single contributors to annual electricity consumption, costing you potentially hundreds of dollars!
Tip! A home energy assessment is unlikely to detect how much energy individual appliances use. You can measure this yourself with an energy monitor, which you buy for $25 to $50, or borrow from SERi. Now you will know exactly how much energy you are losing from an old appliance or phantom loads from your electronics.