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Well, the holidays have come and gone again, and we are that much closer to spring. But in the meantime, we still have a lot of winter to deal with. I'd like to talk to you about what an energy audit is, and how it can help lower your heating bills in the winter, and cooling bills in the summer.

Professional energy audits are typically done by your power company or a heating / cooling contractor. They involve tools like blower doors and infrared cameras to determine where your home may be leaking energy. They can cost several hundred dollars, but generally will pay for themselves if suggested repairs are completed. There is usually a rebate offered by your energy provider also, so if if you decide to go this route, make sure you ask.

But there is a cheaper audit, and you may be able to perform it yourself. Start out with a list of all the rooms in your house. As you go through the rooms, make a note of any drafty areas, or spots that feel colder than the rest of the house. By stopping drafts, you could potentially save 10% on your heating bill.

Good places to check are:

Electric outlets, including switch plates

Window and door frames

Baseboards (where the wall and floor meet)

Fireplace dampers (air can blow down the chimney)

Attic entries or hatches (be sure they are insulated)

Wall mounted air conditioner

These are all good places to begin your search. Another major heat loss problem is attic and wall insulation. I believe that you can never have too much attic insulation. Just be sure that any vents in your attic are not blocked by it. Also make sure that any ceiling light or fan fixtures are caulked tightly, as heat can escape into your attic through these openings.

If you have an unheated basement, make sure that the floor above is insulated.

Insulation levels should be at or above at least R-25 for attic and floors to be as effective as we need. R value is insulation's resistance to heat flow and depends on the type of insulation you have.

If you need assistance, or need someone do to an audit for you, please give me a call.

Tom Phillips

T & D Inspection Service