| 10. Don't Get the Free Audit - Energy Audits are like all | | | | do make yourself available. |
| other things in this world. You get what you pay for. If | | | | 5. Don't Sweat Infrared Imaging - I had a call from a |
| you're willing to take a day or a half day off work to | | | | guy last summer who said he wanted an audit but |
| have an energy audit on your home. Then it's | | | | wanted to wait for winter so we could infrared image |
| presumed that you intend to generate enough data to | | | | his walls. If auditors could only work in ideal infrared |
| either satisfy an outcome, or solve a pesky problem | | | | environments, then it would not be a viable occupation. |
| that you may be having. Auditors who perform free | | | | Infrared is useful for about 4 months out of the year. |
| audits do not get paid very well, think sub 40K per | | | | Unless it's less than 40 degrees outside or greater |
| year. As so, they may not be as professional or as | | | | than 85 degrees, it just isn't that accurate on the |
| motivated to serve you as an auditor for hire. | | | | building envelope. Anything that can be determined on |
| 9. Gather Your Records - An Energy Audit without | | | | an ideal day for thermal imaging, can be determined on |
| clear usage histories on both your home's heating fuel | | | | any day regardless of temperature, provided the |
| usage and the electricity associated with cooling, | | | | auditor is knowledgeable and patient enough to |
| operating appliances, and lighting. Is likely to become an | | | | carefully come to his conclusions. |
| audit filled with anecdotes, probables and maybes. For | | | | 4. Do They Do the Work Also, or Just The Audit? - |
| instance, the auditor may very well miss the three | | | | Sure it sounds good: Have an independent professional |
| space heaters you run in the deep of winter that costs | | | | who is not tied to the outcome in any way help you to |
| $700 per year, or that your base-load domestic hot | | | | prioritize energy improvements. However, here is how |
| water usage cost is way too high. Most utility | | | | it happens in the real world. The real cost of a full |
| companies have at least a one year history of usage | | | | service energy audit is about $500. Auditors who |
| on each bill. So even just your most recent bill will really | | | | charge $500 don't stay very busy. Auditors can only |
| help out. | | | | afford to do it for less if they also make money on |
| 8. Be Prepared to Answer Questions - A good audit | | | | energy upgrades. My preference is for the firm who |
| should always begin with the auditor taking the time to | | | | does the audit and makes money on the absolute |
| ask questions. He should be concerned with the history | | | | most cost effective measures. Which is usually some |
| of the house, behaviors of the occupants inside the | | | | weatherization. This auditor should be an absolute |
| home, as well as finding out about any specific | | | | expert on building envelopes and also offer real good |
| concerns that may have prompted the audit. And of | | | | advice about windows, doors, hvac, and lighting. But |
| course what sort of desired outcome there is for the | | | | would leave the big ticket work up to those who |
| findings of the audit. | | | | specialize in it. This type of auditor can usually perform |
| 7. Prepare the House - Do you want a really good | | | | an audit for a couple hundred bucks or so, and more |
| audit? Or do you want someone to clean out your | | | | often than not will also earn a contract worth 1-4K. |
| fireplace and move boxes around in the attic and | | | | Don't worry. Those first weatherization dollars pay for |
| basement. Auditors will burn lots of calories during the | | | | themselves quickly. |
| 2-4 hours they spend with you. Blower door testing, | | | | 3. Do the Upgrades - No, you don't have to do them all |
| infrared imaging, combustion analysis, manual | | | | at once. Yes, you can start with the most cost |
| inspections of dark, tight places. If your fireplace is dirty | | | | effective first and then work your way through the list. |
| with wood ash, clean it out for a safe blower door | | | | But do them. IT WILL improve the value of your home. |
| test. if you have furniture in front of crawlspace | | | | 2. Be Nice to the Auditor - Is he thirsty? Would he like |
| access doors, move it out of the way. I assure you, | | | | a snack? Smile and thank him for coming out. Trust |
| after doing over 2,000 private audits. If you take these | | | | me... he's much more likely to find the draft at the far |
| steps prior to the audit, and maybe mention it in | | | | end of that tight, dark crawlspace if he likes you. |
| passing to the auditor at the beginning. He will work | | | | 1. Tip Him and Offer Referrals - Hey, he worked hard. |
| harder to maximize your audit. | | | | Carried equipment in and out. Didn't complain about |
| 6. Be At Home - Auditors are not magic. They will | | | | your dog jumping all over him. Cleaned up after himself. |
| have questions for you. Because of the programs in | | | | Came up with some good ideas. Maybe saved you a |
| place right now to train new auditors. It's pretty likely | | | | pile of money because the windows or furnace you're |
| you may have an auditor who hasn't been in the field | | | | worried about aren't ready for replacement just yet. |
| that long. He will need some guidance. Someone who | | | | That's right... show him a little extra green so his lunch is |
| can help him sort out what he thinking. I'm not saying | | | | paid for today. |
| you should stay in his "hip pocket" the whole time. But | | | | |