FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions about Residential Energy Conservation
A: An Energy Audit is a term referring to a home energy performance and sustainability analysis. This can and should include a top-to-bottom walk-through of the entire building looking for energy and heating/cooling losses. The subsequent report should include a prioritized list of energy conservation upgrades and actions to take.
A: Sometimes new windows are a must, and they can certainly save energy and increase comfort while potentially being much more attractive to look at. However, buying new windows when the real issues could be cheaper, faster, and more important to remedy (like air-sealing the ducts in your cold basement) can be a very costly mistake.
A: Good question, and I recommend doing both. It's essential to investigate your own home in advance of getting a professional home performance analysis. You live in your home and you should know it inside and out. An energy professional has tools, expertise, and experience in discovering hidden energy losses that you might not discover on your own.
A: Your thermostat only displays the temperature of the area that it is found in. This means that your home office could very well be 65 degrees, but your thermostat is located in the sunny kitchen right above your hottest heat register. Other possible reasons: your thermostat is broken, you're looking at the intended top temperature rather than the current real temperature, or there's a slight draft where you are that is evaporating the moisture on your skin making you *feel* colder than the real temperature in the building. Energy audits can be a great way to truly answer this question...
A: A blower door analysis is a scientific air loss and air pressure measurement using a canvas door insert with a large fan attached. A computer called a manometer measures air pressure differentials and helps an auditor decide if a building is leaking an abnormal amount of conditioned (hot or cold) air. It's not necessary to get a blower door analysis in order to save household energy, but it's a great way to prove that energy upgrades have made a significant impact (especially if you "test in and test out" and analyze the building before and after upgrading). A blower door is also very useful in showing areas of air loss when combined with a thermal camera analysis. Call 206-898-8337 for more details.
A: The first step to going solar is to reduce your energy losses first with a comprehensive energy analysis and subsequent energy retrofit. The more energy you can save with conservation, the more your solar modules or solar hot water system will save you money and energy. Many energy professionals have started to recommend or include energy audits with their solar bids.
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