Get an Audit...the Good Kind
A thorough energy audit is step one in achieving better energy efficiency at home. Haven't ever put your house to the test? Not sure what exactly to expect? Get the low-down from the people who know best – home energy auditors themselves!
Amanda Evans
Tom Schlotter
Kris Simonich
Jason Acosta
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So what can you do to weatherize? For starters, consider a whole-house approach.
When you weatherize a home, you are equipping it with everything it needs to be more energy efficient. Focusing on just windows will not solve the problem. Instead, most heat loss in a building goes through the roof and other gaps in the walls and foundation. Identify these problem areas by conducting an energy audit. Local utilities and state energy agencies now frequently offer audits – for free or at minimal cost – to help homeowners target leaks and identify cost-effective options for sealing them. If the primary source of heat loss is air leaking through an attic hatch or a poorly-fitted fireplace damper, replacing your windows is not going to help and could actually cost you thousands more.
Weatherizing a home does not have to cost a lot of money to be effective. There are plenty of low-cost projects that can be done to save energy, including:
- Sealing cracks, holes, and gaps, especially around windows, doors, and other areas with high potential for heat loss.
- Checking for proper ventilation to unconditioned spaces to protect from the effects of condensation.
- Repairing older windows and doors with new glazing, including installing storm windows where appropriate.
- Ensuring water is properly draining away from a building through gutters and downspouts, combined with foundation waterproofing and drains.
- Installing insulation, where appropriate, around ducts, pipes, and water heaters, as well as near the foundation and sill.
- Maintaining water-tight roofing and siding.
Want to dig deeper? Visit our Whole House Resource Bank for links to some of the best weatherization information and materials available online. From insightful blogs and articles by the experts, to checklists and how-to's, you’ll find it all here.
Submitted by Karen at: January 21, 2010
Have an older home and would like folks who can do it instead of do it yourself. Thanks
Submitted by Chuck at: October 30, 2009
Good stuff
Submitted by Mike at: September 18, 2009
The important thing about home energy audits is that they should be accurate and actionable. We’ve put together a short video highlighting some of the key elements to look for. http://greenhomesamerica.wordpress.com/2009/09/16/home-energy-audit-video/ Best, Mike