Benefits of Energy Audit Services:
- Increases home comfort
- Saves on utility bills
- Increases home value
- Improves the environment
A few inspection companies are starting to offer Home Energy Auditing Services with very positive results for homeowners and the environment. The audit is conducted like a typical home inspection where the inspector guides you through your home room by room, it lasts 1-2 hours and the cost is $350 (prices are based on square feet, starting at $300). It is amazing to learn how many small improvements can lead to real energy (and cost) savings.
The CMC Home Energy Tune-uP program is a good starting place for Energy Audit Reports. The program was designed to help homeowners and homebuyers improve the energy efficiency of their homes. The comprehensive Tune-uP report identifies energy efficiency upgrades, estimates their costs and savings, and shows the areas of improvements that everyone can afford because the energy savings exceed the costs. For more information on the CMC Home Energy Tune-uP program and a sample report, please visit their website at http://www.hometuneup.com/
In addition to the Audit Report, there are no cost or low cost improvements to your home to help you save money on your energy bills, for example:
- Cleaning your refrigerator coils once a year can help reduce the amount of energy consumption used by your refrigerator by up to 15%. Clean coils help the compressor cool faster and run less frequently, which extends the life of your refrigerator and reduces energy use.
- Installing outlet and switch plate sealers on outside walls will reduce air leaks in your home. Seal leaky ducts with mastic or a metal backed tape to reduce heat loss within your ductwork.
- Regular furnace maintenance can reduce energy costs between $18 and $60 each winter with an 80 percent efficient furnace in a 1,600 square foot home. In addition, keep inside doors open to improve air circulation and the efficiency of your heating and cooling systems.
- A programmable thermostat can save as much as 20% on heating costs by automatically turning your heating system up or down to coincide with your daily routine. Also, lowering your thermostat temperature by four degrees can save 5 percent on heating costs.
- Replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL) where ever possible. Over the life of one CFL bulb, approximately 5 to 7 years, you will save approximately $25 on your electric bill. They cost a bit more, but you will change them less often and you could notice a difference on your energy bills right away.
- Repair leaky faucets, one drop per second from a leaky faucet wastes up to 400 gallons of water a year. Not only is water being wasted, but so is the energy used to heat the water.
Sincerely,
Domenica
Windermere Real Estate
