Home Energy Assessments

Getting a home energy assessment is one of the best ways to save money on your utility bills and improve the comfort of your home. Energy assessments come in several different varieties that will achieve different goals. A few of your options include:

Online Energy Assessment - These are online tools, like The ENERGY STAR Home Energy Yardstick,  that allow you to enter your utility usage, cost and home description. The tool will then let you compare your energy usage to others around the country. It also provides general ideas of how you might be able to lower your energy usage.

In-Home Energy Assessment - Usually costing between $75 and $175 dollars. A representative of the assessment company will come to your home, review your utility bills, do a visual inspection and make suggestions that can improve energy usage and comfort. You can expect to receive some general advice and several specific suggestions for your home, based upon the visual inspection. These professionals will usually safety test your furnace and leave you with a list of improvements. This is a good option if you are looking for a low cost way to start your weatherization plan and want expert advice on how to get started.

Whole Home Diagnostic Energy Assessment - Commonly called an energy audit, this service includes diagnostic testing of your home with a blower-door, and sometimes includes and infrared camera and duct-blaster. It is used to positively identify air leaks in your home, resulting in a detailed plan for air-sealing and insulation. It should also include testing of your combustion appliances to verify the are operating efficiently and safely. The result is detailed information on your energy usage and a road map that can save you 25-40% or more. Providers of this type of service need to be certified through RESNET and BPI. The service will range between $300 and $500 dollars depending on the tests performed and size of your home.

Whole Home Performance Energy Assessment with Computer Modeling - This audit is similar to the service listed above but includes computerized modeling of your home that pinpoints current energy usage and estimated the savings from proposed upgrades and their payback periods. This ENERGY STAR program returns the report required for homeowners that want to apply for low interest Keystone Help loans which help pay for energy related improvements and for West Penn Power customers that want to take advantage of rebate programs. It is also a necessary step to applying for Energy Efficient Mortgages as part of the sales process.

If you are looking for an energy audit in Allegheny or Westmoreland counties, contact New Leaf Home Energy, a PA Home Energy Service Provider to schedule your energy assessments.

And if you are looking to purchase an energy efficient home, or improve an older home as part of the sales process, in Allegheny or Westmoreland county call Christa Ross from RE/MAX Select Realty, at 724-933-6300 x214 (office) or 724-779-1437 (direct) or visit my website at www.greenhomespgh.com.