|
A New Year’s resolution for you: finally get that advanced home energy audit and
identify several energy-saving measures to save on your utility bills.
Many people assume there is
little they can do to significantly reduce their energy use and increase the
efficiency of their homes. In reality, there are many things that typical
residents can do themselves and many other things they can hire others to do. The
Minnesota Department of Commerce strongly recommends having an advanced home
energy assessment, or home energy audit, before
embarking on home energy improvements or remodeling.
An
assessment of how your house is functioning can help you decide what needs
fixing, upgrading, or replacing. It will identify some simple low-cost measures
you can take, such as weather-stripping doors or installing high efficiency
light bulbs, and it will determine more expensive but cost-effective measures,
such as adding insulation to attics or walls and replacing inefficient
furnaces, water heaters, and appliances.
Energy
audits will vary by price and the level of detail and types of tests provided. At
minimum, several things should be included in a home energy audit:
- A
review of energy bills to help assess home performance and identify
opportunities for savings.
- A
blower-door test to determine air leakage.
- Infrared
scans of walls, attic, and foundation to assess insulation levels and locate
sources of air leaks.
- Efficiency
and safety testing for combustion appliances (furnaces, boilers, gas
fireplaces, and water heaters) to ensure they are operating properly and not
contributing to indoor air concerns.
- A
visual inspection for attic, wall, crawlspace, foundation, basement, window,
door, and roof problems.
Contact
your gas or electric utility to arrange an energy assessment. For instance,
Xcel Energy offers a $60 Standard Audit that includes the bulleted
items above. More comprehensive assessments (for new construction or major
remodeling) are available from private contractors specializing in home
performance reviews.
Neighborhood
energy groups often partner with utilities to deliver audit services. For
instance, the Center for Energy and Environment (CEE) partners with Xcel Energy
and CenterPoint Energy to deliver a service called the Home Energy Squad, which includes installing
energy-saving products such as LED bulbs, weather-stripping, and programmable
thermostats.
For more information on home
energy assessments and energy-saving improvements, check out the Minnesota
Department of Commerce’s Home Energy Guide (pdf).
* * * * * *
Minnesota
Energy Tips is provided twice a month by
the Minnesota Department of Commerce, Division of Energy Resources. Contact the
division’s Energy Information Center at energy.info@state.mn.us
or 800-657-3710 with energy questions.
| 
