How efficient is your home? Is an Energy Audit for you?
I recently purchased and older home that we call “The Cottage” as an investment. We didnï’t spend a lot of time inspecting the home for heat loss or
energy efficiency etc. As I watch the news reports of the forthcoming snow and below freezing temperatures I decided I should probably look into it before it was too late. I decided to contact Jim from
Sustainable Energy Solutions. One of the tools that he had was a
thermal imaging camera. I was excited to put my home to the test. I was surprised, but the little cottage faired pretty well. I ended up with a couple little insulation project that I can easily take care of on a weekend. I recommend giving it a try. In the process I asked Jim a few questions and found what he had to say very informative. I asked him if he would share some information on the
LiveWhatcom.com blog, so here it is. Thanks, Jim
Why have a home Energy Audit?
All forecasts in the NW indicate that it is going to be a cold and snowy winter. Even with the cold winter already here, there is still time to improve your home’s building envelope to save money on utility bills. About 46% to 56% of an average US household utility bill goes towards heating and cooling. If you have a central heater 10% to 20% can be lost in the ducting. And up to 40% is lost through roof, outlets, and cracks in the structure. From checking insulating around the door to making sure there is a correct amount of insulation in your attic and wall, a few dollars spent now pays off in the long run.
Since we live in a cooler climate we are usually more concern about heat lose form the home. One step a person should do is to ensure that here is the correct amount of insulation in the walls and attic. Not only can not enough insulation cause heat lose but, compressed, wet, or missing insulation can also contribute to heat lost. Areas were there are electrical or phone jacks are potential areas for heat lost as well. This also includes plumbing and venting for the home. And don�t forget to inspection the weather stripping around your doors and ensure it is in good shape. Your windows should also be chalked and sealed inside and out. Doors and windows are weak points in your home so special attention should be taken.
The next step to reducing ones heating bills is to make sure your heater is in good working condition. The ducting in a central heating unit should be inspected for holes or damage. Un-insulated and faulty ducting should be identified and fixed to reduce the amount the furnace has to work. Baseboards should be kept clean and should have plenty of space around them to radiate heat into the room.
So how does one go about checking if there is the correct amount of insulation, or if there is heat lose for the home? Having an energy audit that includes thermal imaging will identify any areas of concern. A thermal imaging analysis of your home will show you right away where you can make improvements. An energy audit will show how you are using your utilities and ways you can save on them. A complete energy audit can shave hundreds of dollars off your utility bills year after year.
If you would like further information on how to better weatherize your home please contact Jim at Sustainable Energy Solutions. I would be more than happy to schedule an energy audit or send some information your way.
Sustainable Energy Solutions
Jim LeVain, Certified Energy Consultant
Phone: 360-201-9526
Email: jimlevain@comcast.net