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Energy Audits: Find Out How You Can Save

By: Art Gib

An energy audit, as you would expect from the name, is an evaluation of the energy usage of a home or commercial building. The object of an energy audit is to determine the best ways to improve energy efficiency.

An energy audit should be done by an experienced, professional energy auditor in order to garner the best, most accurate results. A thorough energy audit makes use of some specialized tools, such as blower doors and infrared cameras, to make detailed measurements of a building's airtightness and thermal performance. A quantitative diagnostic of the HVAC system may also be conducted. Three factors greatly associated with energy efficiency are user behavior, climate, and age of home.

User Behavior

An interview is often conducted with the home owners to determine their pattern of use, and education can be conducted in order to promote user responsibility and control user-influenced factors on energy efficiency. Smart user control of heating or cooling can be a major factor in improving energy efficiency and lowering energy costs.
Climate

While climate isn't a directly controllable factor, many adjustments can be made in order to optimize a home's energy efficiency for the climate. Different solutions can be applied in cold or warm climates in order to maximize energy efficiency.

Age of Home

The age of a home often correlates with older, less-efficient HVAC systems, uninsulated windows, unsealed doors, and many other factors that make for low energy efficiency. While it's probably not practical or possible to install every new energy-efficient feature or appliance on the market today, an energy audit can assist in indentifying the most cost-effective route to increased energy efficiency.

Computer Modeling

Some energy auditors make use of the latest computer modeling technology in order to help determine a home's energy consumption and identify cost-effective way to improve it. Computer models are often more effectively utilized with if energy bills from the past one to two years are available. Climate data is also used in these computer models. With recent advancements in normalization and compensation for other factors, computer simulation models are becoming more and more useful for energy audits.

Common Solutions

While the most common and cheapest (free) energy-efficiency solution is improvement of user behavior, there are many passive solutions that may be suggested in order to improve a home's energy efficiency and lower energy costs. These can include:
* Insulated (high R-value) windows and doors
* Installation of improved or additional insulation
* Air infiltration and leakage sealing
* Installation of new, energy-efficient appliances, such as fridges, washers, dryers, etc.
* Installation of a new, energy-efficient HVAC system

Article Source: http://articles.tiptopweb.info

A professional will offer licensed and bonded (www.residentialenergyservices.org) energy auditors throughout the state of Washington. Ask us how to take advantage of these opportunities to save you money.

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Energy Audits: Find Out How You Can Save