Comments on: Hiring Professional Home Energy Auditors – Is It Worth The Money?

By: How to Use Solar Air Heater to Reduce Your Home Electricity Cost | Home Solar Power | DIY Solar Homes Blog

Tue, 15 Jun 2010 01:10:31 +0000

[...] you were to do a complete home energy audit, most probably you will find the electrical devices which consumed the most electricity is your [...]

By: Greensboro Energy Auditor

Greensboro Energy Auditor — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 22:47:13 +0000

A professional home energy auditor is likely certified through the Building Performance Institute (BPI). I believe the BPI website lists its certified energy auditors and contractors, so homeowners can contact someone they know is proficient and knowledgeable in the industry. Hiring a professional energy auditor is a good idea, in my opinion. While much of energy auditing is basic building science, a good portion of it is also mechanical. The untrained eye will be able to spot only so many problems. Professional energy auditors are trained to look for a variety of issues, from air and moisture leakage, incomplete combustion, indoor air quality, insulation and more. It’s much easier to hire a professional energy auditor. You know they’ll get the job done right.

By: SK

SK — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 18:12:21 +0000

I perform energy audits, and there is no possible way to do a comprehensive audit of a home in 1 hour. It takes me and a helper an average of 4-5 hours to do the on-site work at an average sized home. Then I add another 3-4 hours to perform a computer-aided energy model of the home, then another 2-3 hours to model the potential energy improvements to see if they will be a good investment. It’s a bit surprising what I find that many recommend, but the return on investment is 25-35 years (not a good investment). Saving energy shouldn’t be the only factor in the decision process. The mail-in or online “audits” are based upon many assumptions and averages. Each house has its own issues and best solution. An independent auditor will be the best bet to provide the best solution for the homeowner.