Last week my home was used to 'train the trainers' in the community college system on how to do energy audits. Many homes were used during the training time so the trainees had the opportunity to do audits on several types of homes with different kinds of system and infrastructure.
Our home provided a good example for the instructors because there are so many similar homes in North Carolina; 20 years old, one story, with a crawl space in a semi-rural setting.
The audit was enlightening. Because I have worked with green builders, been a member of the Home Builders Association Green Building Initiative and attended several green building/energy conservation workshops, I felt I knew what the audit would identify as our weak spots. For the most part, I did, but there were surprises.
The weak spots that most of have are leaks around doors and windows. if you have recessed lighting it leaks like a sieve, soffits in kitchens usually leak, and attic access doors leak. Our windows did not leak as bad as I had expected, but the other items mentioned did. I won't bore you with the entire report, however, the lesson we learned was, the place we were getting ready to spend time and money on; windows, we won't because now we know we don't need it. However, a place I would have never dreamed of considering to address; an interior wall on an added room, has the worst leak in the house. Happily, the remedy is easy and cheap. The bottomline is: what an energy audit costs can pay for itself it in both energy savings and by saving you money on what you THOUGHT needed to be done. Think of it as coaching....for saving money and time.
There are several good auditors in this area. Their prices vary dramatically, so get several quotes. Also I would not recommend using an auditor that also wants to do the repairs. What is to prevent them from creating additional 'work' for themselves? Most remediation can be handled by any licensed contractor. Many can be done yourself or by a handyman.
To learn more: Celebrate Green Central CCCC Chatham County 764 West Street
Friday October 16th 5-8pm
Saturday Trade Show Continues 10am to 3,Tour starts 10am to 4pm Saturday only, 7 great stops! get map at http://www.cccc.edu/green/greenbuilding/greenTour/
FRIDAY
5pm Trade Show Opens
5:30 and 6:15 Biodiesel Demonstration, Farm Tour, Renewable Energy Demonstrations
6:30-8:00 Great Big Gone, brews up a twangy blend of electrified porch picking, finger licking, roots rocking, western swinging, honky tonking Americana all garnished with a pinch of Cajun.
great information - especially with energy prices about to go up again!
Thanks for sharing!