Energy Audit

What will an auditor do?

When an energy auditor walks into a home to do an audit, one of the first things
he might ask is, "What rooms are cold?"
Rather than automatically recommend a standard set of actions such as a
contractor may do- insulate…storm windows…seal leaks – an energy auditor
evaluates each home to get a feel for where its problems are before offering a
winter-proof "prescription" for that home.
"Every house is different. Most homes today already have some insulation, so
attic insulation might not be the best first choice for everyone."
If a favorite chair in a much-used room is located near a drafty window, attic
insulation, which will improve energy efficiency throughout the house, won't make
that single spot any more comfortable.
An auditor will look at where the person spends their time and try to deal with
making the home more comfortable for them first.

The evaluation process

With a trained eye, an auditor evaluates ceilings, walls, windows and door jams.

Attic Insulation
Most older homes have had insulation added to the attic, helping the ceiling have
very low heat loss. What is often missed are the corners, which isn't unusual. The
seams where strips of batting meet or the pockets where they don't lie flat can
also allow cold air to creep into the house. It's like having a down jacket with a
broken zipper. If needed, an auditor may recommend blown in insulation which
covers better than rectangular batting because loose insulation gets in the nooks
and crannies, and conforms around odd shapes.

Curtains
When using drapes homeowners must be careful not to leave too big a gap
between them and the window. With a dead air space created, cold on the side by
the window combined with the warm on the room side, can cause a convection air
current, causing cold air to drop in the space and suck warm room air in the top.

Storm Windows Can Help
Condensation and ice forming on windows is a good indicator of heat loss through
windows. Either double-glazed windows (two panes set in one frame) or storm
windows will improve single pane windows from R-1 to R-2, a 100% increase. This
increase equals a 50% decrease in heat loss. (This savings is only through the
window itself. Don’t be confused by window manufacturers claims and think it will
save that amount on total heat loss. The home still has walls, ceilings, doors, and
floors to consider). Caulking gaps around windows and around any loose glass
may be suggested to lessen drafts.

Drafts and Air Leakage
What about air leaks? Not only can these bump your utility bills up, but the drafts
can make your home miserable. Testing for drafts using a blower door may be the
only practical way to find the real causes of a drafty home. Many times there are
hidden air leakage paths in the attic, basement, and even interior walls. Using a
blower door will allow an auditor to pinpoint these areas and offer ways to seal
them.
Light fixtures and electric sockets are another frequent culprit for air leaks. If an
auditor feels drafts coming from some of them he may recommend foam sealers
specifically made for electric outlets.

Basements
Basements may offer a real test. Lurking in the basement is sometimes a
behemoth that passes for a furnace - a huge octopus-like system. "Ah yes,” thinks
the seasoned auditor, with the knowing eye of a knight who has met a dragon like
this before. “I'm not ready to replace the furnace” is a common homeowner
comment and in many cases replacing an old system is not warranted. In that
case, there is still much to do to make the situation more efficient.
Insulation materials with a reflective surface put up on the basement walls,
especially around the furnace, will bounce heat back into the room instead of
letting it escape through the walls into the ground.
Sealing the loose basement windows will help, but most old furnaces do not have
a source of fresh air ducted to it, a window nearest the furnace should be left
loose as a necessary source of fresh air. If the basement is too tight, the
combustion process inside the furnace will draw fresh oxygen from upstairs,
creating drafts and wasting heated air.

Crawl Spaces
Sometimes a vapor barrier is missing. If needed, an auditor may recommend
laying heavy plastic over the exposed earth of a crawl space. This unheated area
below the house, through which the heating ducts often run, not only pulls heat,
but since it is warmer than the surrounding earth, acts as a wick to pull moisture
from the soil.

What else can be done?
Every home is different and an auditor will tailor his audit to best suit you and your
homes needs. What you can and should expect from a professional audit is a
comprehensive look at your homes total energy profile and unbiased advice
designed to help you make important decisions to save energy dollars and
improve your homes comfort.