|| Home Energy Audit Program

New and improved energy audits start August 25th! Sign up now! HCCC energy audits include blower door testing, infrared scanning (outside temperature dependent), and building science consulting. Call HCCC's Energy Programs Manager, Jon at 970-485-3509 or email jon@highcountryconservation.org for pricing and more info. Schedule your energy audit early and receive a set of CFL light bulbs.

Residential Energy efficiency and sustainability should start with making intelligent informed decisions. When considering the numerous opportunities for making your home more sustainable you should consider starting with an Energy Audit.

A cold and drafty home, rooms that are too hot or too cold, and high energy bills are all common issues for homeowners. Installing a new heating system, buying replacement windows, or adding more insulation may fix part of the problem, but the path to better results is by implementing an integrated "whole-house" approach that looks at your home as a system. This is what you can expect from an Energy Audit, whole-house perspective from an independent third party inspection specific to your home.

Your Energy Auditor will spend 2-3 hours with you going through your home taking a close look at attics, crawl spaces, basements and mechanical equipment to gain a whole-house perspective of your home. Along the way the auditor will share observations and insights where your home has room for improvement. This time is very much a learning experience for home owners, giving them insight into how there home and its "systems" work together as a whole.

The results of your Energy Audit will be compiled into a comprehensive report that will address issues specific to your home and detail strategies to improve your homes energy performance. This report can be used to map out where to spend money on efficiency upgrades over a short or long period of time.

Download an HC3 Energy Audit Program Brochure HERE!

Download a PDF on Infrared Scanning HERE!

|| Diagnosing the Problem
Rather than focusing on a single component, such as single-paned windows, an old heating system, or leaky ductwork, an Energy Audit will assess your entire home and result in recommendations for the most cost effective improvement options that will result in:

• consistent comfort throughout your home

• increased efficiency

• lower utility costs

• better ventilation & humidity control, thus better indoor air quality

• reduced impact on the planet
  

|| Common Recommendations

Sealing Air Leaks and Adding Insulation
Many air leaks in homes are fairly obvious, such as around windows, doors, and electrical outlets. But others, like those in attics, fireplaces, around chimneys, and through recessed lighting fixtures, are often the more significant sources of energy loss in a home. Sealing air leaks is critical to improving the overall efficiency of your home and will make your heating and cooling system perform better. Along with air sealing, your Auditor may recommend that you add insulation. Many older homes are not well-insulated, and some have no insulation at all. Properly installed insulation in walls, floors, and attics provides for more even temperatures throughout the house and results in a quieter, more comfortable home that is easier to heat.

Sealing Ductwork
Many homes have leaky ductwork and poor air flow, resulting in stuffy and uncomfortable rooms — regardless of the thermostat setting. The Energy Auditor may recommend sealing your home’s ducts with mastic, metal tape or spray-on sealant, and balancing the duct system to optimize air flow to all rooms. Insulating ductwork in attics, crawlspaces, and some basements can also help to ensure that your home will be more comfortable.

Improving Heating Systems
If your furnace or boiler is more than 10 years old, your Auditor may recommend that you replace it with a unit that has earned the ENERGY STAR label. Installed correctly, these high-efficiency units can save up to 20 percent on heating costs. But when it comes to heating equipment, bigger is not always better. A properly-sized unit will make your home more comfortable by providing more consistent temperatures control.

The Energy Auditor should also test combustion equipment, such as your furnace and hot water heater, to ensure that it is operating and venting properly.

Upgrading Lighting and Appliances
Energy used for lighting, entertainment equipment and appliances can account for half of your home's total utility bill. As a result, the Energy Auditor may recommend ENERGY STAR qualified products, such as refrigerators, dishwashers, electronic equipment, light fixtures, and compact fluorescent bulbs. An energy- and water-efficient hot water heating system may also be recommended.

|| Energy Audits and Renewable Energy

Once you’ve taken steps to increase your home's efficiency, you may also want to consider adding renewable energy systems, such as solar electric (photovoltaics) or solar hot water, to further reduce your utility bills. By having an Energy Audit performed on your home first you may be able to substantially reduce the size of your renewable energy system.

|| Consider an Energy Audit if:

• Your preparing to remodel or add-on to your home.
• You have excessively high utility bills.
• Your home has noticeable cold or hot spots.
• You are interested in adding renewable energy features to your home.
• You would like to make your home more efficient and reduce your impact on the planet.
• Your home has indoor air quality issues such as condensation on the windows, mold or other respiratory toxins.
  

|| Fall Energy Efficiency Extravaganza (FEEE) and Sustainable Homes Tour
The Fall Energy Efficiency Extravaganza is held each Fall to highlight energy efficiency tips and tools for getting your home or business ready for the winter season. This year's FEEE is on Saturday, October 11th and will be held at the Ecoasis located behind the Bighorn Paint Store (next to 7-11) on County Road 450.

Energy efficiency demonstrations and workshops will be held throughout the day. Additionally, the Summit Sustainable Homes Tour will take participants on a guided tour of local homes that have gone above and beyond to save energy, reduce waste, and conserve resources. Space is limited on the guided tour, so please register early by calling 668-5703 or e-mail jon@highcountryconservation.org.