In a home energy assessment, you gain an understanding of your energy use, thanks to an evaluation by a trained professional. At the end of the process, you’ll know your next steps for improving your home’s efficiency and saving money. A home energy assessment is a room-by-room evaluation of your home’s energy usage. 

Professionals may: 

• Use special equipment to measure air leaks 

• Ask about hot or cold areas, drafts, or temperature concerns 

• Discuss your energy bills and routine usage. 

A blower door is a powerful fan that a trained energy professional temporarily mounts into the frame of an exterior doorway in your home. After calibrating the device, the fan pulls air out of the house, lowering the air pressure inside. The higher outside air pressure then flows in through all unsealed gaps, cracks and openings such as gaps, cracks, or wiring penetrations. If conditions do not allow for lowering the pressure in the home, the fan may also be operated in reverse, with air pressure increased inside the home.

While the blower test is being conducted, the analyst may use an infrared camera to look at the walls, ceilings, and floors, to find specific locations where insulation is missing and air is leaking. The analyst may also use a nontoxic smoke pencil to detect air leaks in your home. These tests determine the air infiltration rate of your home, which is recorded on a laptop or tablet.

The blower door test is conducted as part of the energy assessment of your home. Your contractor may also operate the blower door while performing air sealing (a method known as blower door assisted air sealing), and after to measure and verify the level of air leakage reduction achieved.

This program is based up your household income. The combined income, as well as, household size must be 200% or less of the 2021 US Federal Poverty Guidelines. Once it has been determined that you qualify for the program a representative will reach out to you for additional information about your home and send any additional paperwork that may be needed.

The HEIP Program offers a rebate for 50% of the cost of the initial  assessment, up to $150 as a part of our Home Energy Improvement Program. This means you save money up front with the rebate and then, once you’ve completed your assessment and started tackling energy issues, you’ll save money in the long run! The home energy assessment is the first step in the Whole House or Particial Home  Improvement Approach, so it will help you identify savings opportunities while setting goals and arranging priorities for saving energy throughout your home. Plus, based on your home energy assessment, you may qualify for a rebate of up to $1,000 towards qualifying energy efficiency home improvements.

1. Service your air conditioner. Easy maintenance such as routinely replacing or cleaning air filters can lower your cooling system’s energy consumption by up to 15 percent. Also, the first day of spring could serve as a reminder to check your air conditioner’s evaporator coil, which should be cleaned annually to ensure the system is performing at optimal levels.

2. Open windows. Opening windows creates a cross-wise breeze, allowing you to naturally cool your home without switching on air conditioners. This is an ideal tactic in spring when temperatures are mild.

3. Use ceiling fans. Cooling your home with ceiling fans will allow you to raise your thermostat four degrees. This can help lower your electricity bills without sacrificing overall comfort.

4. Cook outside. On warmer spring days, keep the heat out of your home by using an outdoor grill instead of indoor ovens.

5. Install window treatments. Energy efficient window treatments or coverings such as blinds, shades and films can slash heat gain when temperatures rise. These devices not only improve the look of your home but also reduce energy costs.

6. Caulk air leaks. Using low-cost caulk to seal cracks and openings in your home keeps warm air out -- and cash in your wallet.

7.  Bring in sunlight. During daylight hours, switch off artificial lights and use windows and skylights to brighten your home.

8. Set the thermostat. Set your programmable thermostat to 78°F in the summer and 68°F in the winter, for energy-efficient results. On warm days, setting a programmable thermostat to a higher setting when you are not at home can help reduce your energy costs by approximately 10 percent.

9. Seal ducts. Air loss through ducts can lead to high electricity costs, accounting for nearly 30 percent of a cooling system’s energy consumption. Sealing and insulating ducts can go a long way toward lowering your electricity bills.

10.  Switch on bathroom fans. Bathroom fans suck out heat and humidity from your home, improving comfort.

11. Using dishwashers and clothes washers/dryers at night will keep the house cooler, reduce strain on the power grid during the peak usage hours and reduce the chance of an emergency!

12. Set your refrigerator temperature to the manufacturer's recommendation to avoid excessive cooling and wasting energy.

13. Change your light bulbs to LEDs.