How to Choose a Home Energy Auditor

How efficient is your furnace? How much conditioned air is escaping from leaks in your ductwork system? How does your home's air leakage compare to the level of air leakage recommended for an energy-efficient home? Where is your basement insulation installed, and is it installed in the right way?

To answer these questions and many others about your home's energy efficiency, you need to have a home energy audit. This series of tests, inspections and calculations is also referred to as a "home energy checkup" or "home energy assessment."

A home energy audit is a good investment

Regardless of what name is used, a home energy audit is the best way to gain a comprehensive assessment of how your home uses energy, and how different improvements can positively impact not only your utility bills, but your home's comfort and healthfulness as well.

CAUTION: Energy audits can vary greatly

Be careful when choosing a home energy auditor. Some energy audits -- especially those sponsored fully or partially by local utility companies -- are not as complete as they should be. Subsidies may make an energy audit cheap or free, but you usually get what you pay for.

At the very least, a home energy audit should include a blower door test, an insulation inspection, and an evaluation of your ductwork system and HVAC equipment. Many "bargain" audits do not go this far. A qualified energy auditor will have completed a program of study and testing to be certified as a licensed energy analyst.

A Dr. Energy Saver Home Energy Checkup isn't the least-expensive energy audit, but it's definitely the best. To make sure you do the right things in the right order, invest in Dr. Energy Saver's comprehensive and customized Home Energy Checkup. You'll not only get a detailed "report card" that grades your home in 10 distinct areas of energy performance; you'll also get a prioritized list of recommendations to improve energy performance.

If you're interested in renewable energy options like a geothermal heat pump or a solar system, our energy audit will also evaluate your home's potential for these improvements.

What happens after the audit? We complete the improvements you select.

Another thing that's different about Dr. Energy Saver is that we don't leave you hanging after your energy audit is done. We'll provide you with free estimates for any of the recommended upgrades identified in the audit; then we'll complete the improvements you select.

Looking for a price? Get a no cost, no obligation free estimate.