Congratulations! After years of struggling with high utility bills, you’ve finally decided to bring in a professional to evaluate your property and recommend changes that will help you reduce your energy costs. A home energy audit is a vital first step in making improvements to increase your property’s energy efficiency quotient. On the other hand, if you’ve never gone through this type of audit before, it can be difficult to know exactly what to expect and how to prepare accordingly.
Kerry Hollenbeck is the proud owner of Advantage Diagnostics Energy Services, a company that provides home energy audits to Delaware, Maryland, and Pennsylvania customers. According to him, gearing up for a home energy audit is a simple affair. All you have to do is stick to the following rules:
Gather your utility bills
Your home energy auditor needs to see how much money you’ve spent on utilities over the past year or two. To help him help you, gather all of your gas, electric, and water bills from the last 12 to 24 months and have them ready in time for your energy auditor’s arrival.
Gather data on your appliances
It’s helpful for your home energy auditor to know exactly how old your various appliances are. Before he arrives, make a list of your appliances and include as much purchase information as you can.
List any home improvements you have recently made
Your energy auditor will want to know if you’ve made any improvements in the past couple of years to make your home more energy efficient. To ensure that you don’t forget to mention anything on the spot, walk through your home before your appointment and jot down any relevant information that your auditor will need.
Make a list of your concerns
The purpose of a home energy audit is not only to save you money, but to bring about suggestions for improvements that can make your home more comfortable. So it’s a good idea to list any concerns you have with respect to your house. Let your auditor know which areas are too drafty, too warm, or too dusty, and don’t hesitate to note even the most minute of details. The more specific you are, the easier it will be for your auditor to do his job.
Take note of where your leak spots are
A good home energy audit will include a moisture analysis to determine if any problems are lurking or already present. To help your auditor along these lines, list the areas of your home that tend to experience leaks.
Be prepared to answer questions about your day-to-day habits
A big part of your home energy auditor’s job is to make recommendations on how to reduce your energy consumption. In order to accomplish this, he needs to learn about your daily living habits. So you should be prepared to answer questions like: Do you usually shower or take baths? Which rooms in the house do you use the most? How often are you home during the day? By answering these questions accurately, you’ll do your part to help your home energy auditor arrive at the best possible suggestions.
Preparing for a home energy audit is easy, as long as you know what to do. By following these tips, you’ll be able to make the most out of your upcoming investment in your home.
