|
A home energy audit identifies specific improvements you can make to the structure of your home and its energy management to help you reduce energy costs.
Why get a home energy audit?
A professional home energy audit will help you identify energy drains, such as holes or gaps in sealing, and energy hogs, such as inefficient heating and cooling systems and appliances, in your home. Once you fix these issues you will:
- Save money on energy costs.
- Improve the comfort and health of your home.
- Reduce long-term maintenance problems.
- Leverage more money for home improvement projects.
- Decrease your impact on the environment.
- Save money on energy costs.
Investing in energy efficiency improvements in your home is one of the best investments you can make. The U.S. Department of Energy suggests that every $1 invested in an energy improvement project can yield $4 to $7 in energy cost savings over the life of the improvement. Energy audits can help you identify opportunities that can save you hundreds of dollars in energy costs.
- Improve the comfort and health of your home.
Sealing the holes and gaps around the foundation, windows, door, attic, and other parts of your home stops conditioned air from leaking out and outside air leaking in. Often the effect of these gaps combined is equivalent to leaving a window open all day. Stopping air leakage makes the home more comfortable, improves the air quality in your home, and will improve the efficiency of your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system.
- Reduce long-term maintenance problems.
Water damage, ice dams, mold and mildew, condensation on windows, and peeling paint caused by fluctuating indoor environments can lead to costly home improvement projects. Improving your home’s envelope and seal, and using an appropriately sized HVAC system, reduces the frequency and severity of large maintenance problems.
- Leverage more money for home improvement projects.
Many consumers use low-interest loans to remodel and update their homes. Energy-efficient mortgages allow borrowers to leverage the improved energy efficiency of the home against the loan to borrow more. By saving on energy costs, energy-efficient mortgages almost pay for themselves.
- Decrease your impact on the environment.
Did you know that your home pollutes more than your car? An average of 60% of the electricity used in a Montgomery County home is generated from fossil fuels. Together, electricity and natural gas and/or heating oil used in the home is responsible for emitting tons of carbon dioxide and other air pollutants. An energy-efficient home uses less energy and, therefore, has a smaller impact on the environment.
<back to top>
Professional Home Energy Audit Programs
 There are several programs that train and certify contractors to conduct standardized home energy audits. Having a certified contractor conduct your audit ensures that it is completed within the program's standards. See the list of local energy audit programs below to find the one right for you.
Note: In many cases the energy auditor is not a contractor that can complete the recommended projects so many energy auditors have no financial stake in making home improvement recommendations.
Maryland Home Performance with ENERGY STAR
The Maryland Home Performance with ENERGY STAR program is a whole-home approach which aims to seal air leaks, seal ductwork, add insulation, improve heating and cooling systems, and upgrade inefficient lights and appliances. Learn more about the Maryland Home Performance with ENERGY STAR program and find a local energy auditor here.
RESNET Home Energy Rating
The Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET) is an industry non-profit that created national standards for building energy efficiency rating systems. RESNET auditors use the HERS® Index – a scale representing the energy use of a home compared to the “American Standard Building” (100) and a Zero Energy Building (0). RESNET auditors provide a score and a list of recommendations for cost-effective improvements to the home. Learn more about RESNET and find a local energy auditor here.
Home Energy Tune-Up
Home Energy Tune-Up was designed for owners or buyers of older homes who want to upgrade the energy efficiency of their homes, rather than grade them as done in the RESNET process. The final report provides many opportunities for home improvements. Tune-Up providers can often connect you to financing options for home improvements. A Tune-Up costs less than a HERS rating and can be done as part of a regular home inspection. Learn more about the Home Energy Tune-Up audit and find a local auditor here.
<back to top>
What should I look for in an energy audit and auditor?
Energy audits vary in scope, features, and costs. For example, some audits may provide a walk-through offering simple energy savings, whereas, others will go into great depth on the condition of your home and opportunities for improvement. Carefully consider auditors to determine what's right for you and your home.
Just like finding a good mechanic, it's important to find a good energy auditor. When selecting an auditor, always:
 Determine the type of audit most appropriate for your home and budget.
- Check the web pages of the programs listed above for a list of certified auditors.
- Ask your friends and neighbors if they had an audit, and if so, who they used. If you have a good audit experience, remember to spread the word!
- Get references from potential auditors, and check to see if the references were satisfied with the work.
- Visit the Better Business Bureau and research complaints against the company, or check it out on Angie’s List.
- Get quotes from multiple auditors. Quotes should clearly outline what is included in the audit, and list any additional fees or services. The most thorough audits will include at least one or both of the following tests: a thermographic scan and a blower door test.
- Energy auditors are not licensed by the County. However, if your energy auditor provides home improvement services, ensure that they have the appropriate contractor licenses. Click here for more information on professional licensing in Montgomery County.
- If your energy auditor is also a contractor who can complete the improvements recommended in the audit, make sure the audit report includes a detailed list of recommended improvements. You can then compare quotes from other contractors.
<back to top>
How much does a home energy audit cost?
Professional home energy audits in Maryland, depending on the type of audit and the tests included in the review, can cost between $300 and $700.
<back to top>
Can I do an energy audit myself?
 There are several on-line tools for do-it-yourselfers who want to conduct their own energy audit. These tools can help you find many energy savings opportunities. Gather a few months of electricity and energy bills, and try one of these to get started:
<back to top>
Incentives for Energy Audits and Home Energy Efficiency Improvements
At this time there are no federal, state, or county incentives for energy-audits. However, there are some incentives and special offers from retailers and other service and product providers to help defray home improvement costs.
State Tax Credits/ Other programs
The Maryland Energy Administration’s Geothermal Heatpump Grant Program offers residents up to $1,000 in grant money for the installation of a geothermal heat pump.
Utility Programs and Local Rebates
The Maryland Public Service Commission is reviewing proposals from the three utilities serving Montgomery County (Pepco, Allegheny Power, and BG&E); these proposals include energy-efficiency programs that would be funded by a small surcharge on each consumer’s utility bill. The utilities are currently providing an incentive for compact fluorescent light bulbs.
In addition to incentives offered by utilities, retailers often provide special incentives for energy-efficient products. To find rebates from retailers in your area on CFLs and other ENERGY STAR qualified products, use ENERGY STAR’s Rebate Finder Tool.
<back to top>
Information for Renters
Even if you rent or lease your home, you can still benefit from an energy audit. Be sure to check with your landlord before getting a professional energy audit or undertaking any improvements! Find helpful do-it-yourself tips for apartment homes, and do-it-yourself tips for renters of townhomes and single-family homes here.
<back to top>
Q&A for Unique Circumstances
Do you have specific questions about obtaining an energy audit? We recommend searching through ENERGY STAR’s Frequently Asked Questions for Home Improvement, and Home Sealing topics. You'll find a comprehensive list of questions and answers such as: 'Does changing my furnace or air conditioning filter each month save energy?', 'Can I over-seal my house or make it too tight?', and'What are typically the most cost-effective improvements that I can make to my home to save energy?'
Did you get an energy audit? Tell us your story. Do you still have a question or a comment about energy audits? Send us an email!
<back to top> |
Seniors
