A home energy audit is an evaluation of how your home uses and loses energy. After analyzing the results of an audit, the auditor can make recommendations on reducing energy consumption, improving comfort, increasing safety and best of all saving money. A home energy audit typically costs $200-$400, but by taking advantage of the programs featured on EnergySmartsPay.org, an audit may in many cases, be completely free of charge.

Typically, the audit will begin with some initial questions by the auditor on the homeowner’s energy usage and the move on with an inspection/measurement of the home’s structure. The auditor will attempt to measure the type and amount of insulation in the walls, attic and basement/crawlspace. The home’s “envelope” is the most important factor that keeps energy from entering, or escaping. The envelope’s goal is to keep the warm air out during the summer and the warm air in during the winter.

Then the audit will proceed to the largest consumers of energy in your home: the heating and hot water systems. By performing a number of tests the auditor can determine how efficiently fuel is being used. In the case of out-dated, worn-out, or dirty equipment as much as half of the energy could be going straight out your chimney. These tests also determine if combustible devices are safely venting dangerous carbon monoxide outside your home. Finally, servicing and cleaning dirty filters, burners and fan blades will increase the lifespan of these appliances.

Finally, the audit will conclude with a “blower door test.” This important and quick test will create a pressure difference between the inside and outside of the house. The auditor can then tell how much air leaks through the house. These leaks can then be addressed through a variety of ways such as caulking, weather-stripping and addressing deficient insulation issues. On a recent test, the auditor estimated he could save the homeowner 20-25% on their energy bill just by fixing the air leaks. Nothing to sneeze at (excuse the pun!)

So you can see how the energy audit process is a valuable tool to improve the livability, safety and economy of your home. This is not your father’s tax audit--this kind is a service that will keep on giving in more ways than one. Keeping your home safe, your rooms warm and your wallet cool. That’s EnergySmartsPay.org!