Monday, September 26, 2011

Help with Energy Audits

Auditing one's residence is really nothing new. Residents in Virginia who go through harsh climactic regions depend on energy efficiency audits to increase their chances of surviving the weather with the least damage on gas and heating bills. As a result, they increase or lower the heat when necessary and perform energy audit Virginia style in their homes.

Having home evaluations allow the homeowners to save on energy consumption and curb unnecessary expenses. The main purpose for this is to protect you from harmful elements such as extreme heat and colds. The audit will also help you prioritize energy use so you can cut down on costs.

An energy audit is usually done this way. Using professional gadgets, a certified auditor will inspect house components such as windows, doors and walls, which affect the retention of energy within the house where it is needed. A blower door is used to measure the air tightness of your home and an infrared camera to spot leaks in the insulation system.

Your heating and cooling appliances may also contribute in the wastage of energy if left uncared for. External factors are also taken in stock. You can also use your billing history to compare energy consumption for each season.

Also expect to be interviewed with regards to your energy usage habits. It will be helpful to disclose common household practices to the auditor. The number of people and available electronic (heating/cooling) gadgets inside your home certainly has an effect.

The goal here is to eliminate all irrelevant expenditures without sacrificing comfort. You might be even given a chance to renovate your home through government sponsored energy saving programs. You won't be doing a disservice to your house if you have it audited.

You can have your own pick of company who will do it for you. In Virginia, to be specific, private companies such as Energy Max Solutions will advise you on how you can save energy, money and the environment after conducting audit on your home. Some businesses in this sector do not only perform audits but also implement solutions for most energy loss problems.

There are three steps for the type of audit you want for your home which vary in complexity. A walk through survey starts with visual inspection of the features of the facilities and a quick inquiry of its performance with the homeowner. Auditors call this the walk through.

The second type of audit helps you identify where and how energy is being lost through crevices in the walls and shutters or faulty insulations. You will be asked to produce utility bills for the past 12 to 36 months so that a usage profile can be established and a more detailed financial analysis and recommendations be made. Commercial buildings employ investment grade assessment to ensure that the money they spent will not be wasted.

It is better to seek energy companies to further enlighten you regarding this. According to the National Association of Home Builders, there has been an overall increase in energy efficiency in Virginia homes in recent years. It is evident that energy firms have succeeded in their campaign against energy wastage.

For more information and additional tips, checking this online site
will help.