Home-Wizard
Sponsored by:

Boston Digital LLC
Making it easier for you to manage your home
   
http://www.boston-digital.com
Interactive Home Maintenance Guide
Homepage | Free_Newsletter | Free_Automatic_Reminders | Recommended_Schedules | Maintenance_Library | Find_Contractors | Energy_Savings | Safety | Sponsorship_Opportunities | "Ask the Wizard" | Login | Help_&_FAQs

Energy Audit Reminders

To maintain and improve the energy efficiency of your home and to find new ways to save energy, it is important that your home maintenance program include timely energy audits.

An energy audit involves surveying your home and appliances to find ways to save energy costs.  As new technologies are developed, new ways to save energy can be found.  In addition, these surveys can identify problems with current operations (stuck vents, loose insulation, etc.) that can be causing energy losses.  Energy audits are often offered free of charge by utilities, energy service companies, etc., or you can call an independent energy auditor.  A good energy auditor will use a variety of special equipment (infrared cameras, surface thermometers, blower doors, etc.) to find inefficiencies that cannot be detected by visual inspection.  Simple energy audits can be done by yourself.  See also: Energy Rates, Telephone Rates, Insurance Rates, Mortgage Rates, Garbage Rates, Utility Meter Verification and Tax Assessment.

Shown below are the recommended routine maintenance tasks for your energy audits.  

Learn to enjoy managing your home with our free Newsletter or our free Automatic Maintenance Reminders.  We can also show you the Recommended Maintenance Schedules for your entire home.

     

 

 

 
 
 

 

  

 Maintenance Task:  Conduct an energy audit

  
       
    How do you conduct an energy audit?  

 

  

A detailed energy audit should be conducted by a trained professional, who has experience in evaluating how energy is used and can be conserved.  The types of things they should look at include:

  • Evaluate the cost-effectiveness of energy saving devices such as programmable thermostats, low-flow shower heads, water heater wrap kits, attic fans, etc.

  • Evaluate your appliances for cost-effective opportunities to replace them with higher-efficiency models.

  • Evaluate your insulation and windows for heat loss ratings.

  • Evaluate replacing light fixtures and light bulbs with higher efficiency types.

  • Develop recommendations for reducing operating costs such as reducing the temperature setting on your water heater, doing laundry during off-peak times, etc.

  • Use an infrared device to detect sources of heat and cooling losses around your home.

You should shop around to find a service provider with sophisticated tools and techniques for analyzing your specific home for energy savings.

 
       
    Why is it important to conduct an energy audit?  

 

  

An energy audit can help find ways to save you money on your energy costs.  The recommended changes from an energy audit can range from no-cost adjustments, to changes that require investments that pay back savings over several years.

  
       
    How often should you conduct an energy audit?  
    We recommend that an energy audit be conducted every 5 years, as new technologies are developed.  We recommend that it be done in August when work is typically slow for utilities, energy service companies, etc.  

 

  

 

    
    How does Home-Wizard rate the costs and benefits for this task?  
    The cost of this task is moderately low.    
         
    The benefits of this task can provide significant energy savings depending on the age of your home, your cost of energy, and the number of energy saving steps that you have still available to you.  
       
    Overall Home-Wizard benefit-versus-cost rating (one 'hat' = low and four 'hats' = high):   

 

  

 

Would you like to receive our free Newsletter or our free Automatic Maintenance Reminders?

Maintenance Library index
Air Conditioning (central) Foundation Program Thermostats
Air Conditioning (room unit) Freezer Radiators
Attic Furnace Refrigerator
Automatic Lawn Sprinklers Furniture (Fine Wood) Roof
Barbeque Grill Furniture (Leather) Roof Gutters
Baseboard Heating System Furniture (Upholstered) Safety Tips
Basement Garage Security System
Brick Siding Garbage Disposal Septic System
Carpets Garbage Rates Showers & Tubs
Ceiling Fan Gas Fireplace Smoke Detectors
Charity Goods Donation Heat Pump Storm Windows
Clothes Dryer Holiday Lighting Stove
CO Detectors Hot Tub Spa Sump Pump
Daylight Savings Time Humidifier Swimming Pool
Decking Insurance Rates Tax Assessment
Dehumidifier Large Trees Nearby Telephone Service Rates
Dishwasher Lawn Trash Compactor
Drapes and Blinds Locks & Hinges Utility Meter Verification
Driveway Marble Floors Vinyl Siding
Electric Air Cleaner Mattresses Washing Machine
Electric Shaver Medicines (expired) Water Beds
Electrical Ground Faults Microwave Oven Water Heater
Emergency Supplies Mortgage Rates Weatherstripping
Energy Audits Outside Lighting Well Water
Energy Rates Outside Water Faucets Windows
Energy Savings Tips Oven Window Screens
Exhaust Fans Patio Furniture Wood Siding
Fire Extinguishers Personal Computer Wood Stove
Fireplace Pest Control Wooden Floors
Forced Air Heating System Plumbing  

Terms of Use
Copyright © 2000-6 Boston Digital LLC. All rights reserved.