What Does a Home Energy Assessment Tell You?

A home energy assessment can provide you with important insights about the efficiency of your home and how much energy you use. This knowledge can help you determine what upgrades may be necessary to reduce energy usage and make your house more comfortable.

If you are concerned about sky-high energy bills, drafts inside the house, and other issues, you should get a home energy assessment as soon as possible. Choosing a reputable contractor is key for getting the most accurate report and qualifying for all available incentives.

REenergizeCO is recognized by Xcel Energy as the top rebate-producing energy audit contractor in the Denver area. We also provide assessments for homeowners in and around Fort Collins.

What to Expect During a Home Energy Audit

The goal of a professional home energy audit is to analyze your home’s energy efficiency according to the latest principles of building science. Home energy auditors are specially trained to evaluate multiple areas of a house and assess efficiency.

A home energy assessment consists of the following steps:

1. Reviewing Utility Bills from the Last Year

The last 12 months of utility bills help us understand your household energy usage and identify potential efficiency issues. We’ll sit with you for about 20 minutes to go over the bills and ask questions about your power consumption and habits.

2. Exterior Assessment

We inspect the doors, windows, siding, and foundation for cracks, holes, and gaps. Exterior openings let air in and out, which can cause comfort issues and make it more expensive to heat and cool your home.

3. Room-by-Room Inspection

Each room of the house needs to be inspected for air leaks, drafts, and other issues. The energy auditor will access multiple areas, including the attic, the basement, and the crawl space, to gauge the airflow and evaluate your home insulation.

4. HVAC System Evaluation

The heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system should be closely inspected as part of any home energy assessment. Leaky ductwork can cause you to lose up to 20% of conditioned air, resulting in higher electric bills and difficulty controlling the temperature during the winter and summer months.

5. Blower Door Test

A blower door test measures the amount of air that is escaping or getting into your home. It is a critical tool for detecting air leaks.

Read More: What Does a Blower Door Test Do?

6. Thermal Imaging

During the blower door test, the auditor will use a thermal or infrared camera to pinpoint hot and cold spots inside the house. Excess heat or cold may indicate that insulation is absent or underperforming. Thermal imaging can be performed outside the house or in particular rooms.

7. Combustion Appliance Zone Safety Test

Atmospherically vented appliances (which may include water heaters, furnaces, and boilers) should be in proper working order. Not only is this essential for keeping your utility bills under control, but a malfunctioning combustion appliance is a safety hazard. Combustion appliance zone (CAZ) safety testing can check for leaks and other issues. If you make improvements to seal your home, CAZ testing can help to ensure that dangerous gases won’t be locked inside.

Are Energy Audits Expensive?

The upfront cost of a home energy audit is often offset by rebates and other incentives from local utilities, not to mention the savings you gain long-term by making suggested upgrades.

– Xcel Energy requires customers to use a participating contractor for the home energy audit to qualify for a rebate of up to $200.

– Fort Collins Utilities offers customers a discounted home energy audit. To claim a rebate through Efficiency Works, upgrades need to be performed by a qualified service provider.

REenergizeCO participates in rebate programs through Xcel Energy and Fort Collins Utilities. We help customers claim rebates for any and all work we perform, including audits and upgrades.

View Our Pricing Guide

What Does an Energy Assessment Do?

The first part of a home energy assessment is all about gathering information. Once the comprehensive inspection is complete and all the tests are performed, the energy auditor can provide you with details on your electricity usage, where you’re wasting energy, and specific recommendations for improving efficiency.

Following the recommendations from an energy assessment can make your home more efficient, cost-effective, and comfortable. Common things we recommend homeowners do include:

• Sealing air leaks along windows, doors, etc.
• Adding insulation in key areas, such as:
  • Attic
  • Exterior and/or interior walls
  • Crawl space
  • Basement
• Removing and replacing degraded insulation
• Upgrading lighting to LEDs
• Purchasing energy-efficient appliances
• Insulating the ductwork
• Repairing or replacing the furnace, water heater, HVAC system, etc.

What you do with these recommendations is up to you. For homeowners in Denver, Fort Collins, and throughout the Front Range, a home energy assessment is often a blueprint for taking their energy efficiency to the next level and, in the long run, saving a lot of money. Taking action based on the energy audit can also improve indoor air quality, reduce drafts and temperature differences, and eliminate conditions that can lead to mold and mildew.

Read More: Are Home Energy Audits Worth It?

Get Your Home Energy Assessment

Do you want to use less electricity, slash your spending on utilities, and make your home more livable? A professional home energy audit is the best way to get started!

Experts at REenergizeCO fully evaluate the energy efficiency of your home. We follow industry-leading standards set by organizations like the Building Performance Institute to determine how well insulation, appliances, and the house as a whole are performing. Our energy auditors then create personalized recommendations for upgrades and improvements.

Contact REenergizeCO today to schedule your home energy assessment. Our offices in Denver and Fort Collins serve customers throughout the Colorado Front Range.