By Mark Cannella

Mark Cannella, owner of Pro Energy Consultants, a home energy audit business (www.proenergyconsultants.com).

Mark Cannella checks a home for air leaks, which can occur in openings such as the fireplace, vents and windows. – Photo provided by Mark Cannella

My background is in heating and air conditioning. When I was in that industry earlier in my career, I noticed people were purchasing high-efficiency units, hoping they would help with comfort issues — cooling the second floor in the summer, heating the ground floor in winter.

But they weren’t really solving the problems, because they hadn’t really identified the cause of poor air quality and circulation.

An energy audit can be done any time of year, but people usually start looking at energy usage in the summer and fall — when it’s extremely hot or very cool. They want comfort. An energy audit isn’t just about energy — it’s about building durability, controlling humidity and stopping water and ice damage.

Depending on the size of your home, the cost of an average energy audit starts at around $350 and takes about two hours. The process is interactive and educational. We use specialized equipment to identify air leaking in and out of the home. Then we use an infrared camera to sort of X-ray the home to make sure it is properly insulated. We also test the heating and cooling ductwork to make sure it is properly delivering air.

The percentage of savings is difficult to quantify because you can’t control the weather, thermostat setting and energy costs. Every home varies, but when a home is properly sealed, it can save about 30 percent on energy bills.

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An energy audit of my own home identified some needed  improvements. I sealed the gaps in my house that were letting in unwanted air, resealed the ductwork, added insulation, put a light-colored roof on my home and replaced old windows that weren’t closing properly. There are other ways to practice energy efficiency. I also installed compact fluorescent light bulbs, solar lighting, low-flow showerheads and a programmable thermostat. Our family also turns off lights and computer monitors, as well as unplugs cell phone chargers when not in use.

As told to Star reporter T.J. Banes at (317) 444-6815.

BY JOHN COX, Californian staff writer
jcox@bakersfield.com | Saturday, Jun 05 2010 12:00 PM

Short of buying solar panels or a new air conditioner, Rosedale homeowner Clint Phillips has done just about all he can do to control his summer electric bills without sacrificing his family’s comfort.

Some of the steps he has taken — such as analyzing his online SmartMeter data, and signing up for a “SmartRate” plan — came courtesy of his electricity provider, Pacific Gas and Electric Co.

Other measures he more or less invented himself. Instead of leaving on his coffee maker for two hours a day (at a cost of $25 a month), he pours it into a thermos as soon as it’s brewed. He also lowers his air conditioner to 72 degrees at about 5 a.m., then at 2 p.m. he lowers it to 80 degrees, thereby reducing his total monthly usage by as much as 15 percent.

Phillips said his monthly bill of about $550 in peak summer heat hasn’t gone down noticeably, probably because of PG&E’s periodic rate increases. But his bills haven’t gone up, either.

“I think I have done what I can do,” he said confidently.

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Energy efficiency is the other side of Bakersfield’s struggle with steep electric bills. Much attention recently has focused on problems with PG&E SmartMeters, the way its tiered rate structure has grown increasingly lopsided, and the ever-rising costs that are passed on to PG&E’s customers.

But one thing the utility and its critics agree on is that ratepayers can and do save money when they reduce their energy consumption.

As Phillips’ case illustrates, there are many things even the most frugal people can do to keep down their energy costs, often with PG&E’s direct assistance.

Spending to save money

Investing in energy-efficient appliances helps, too, as the experience of Bakersfield retiree Bruce Rapp shows.

When his 3,300-square-foot home was being built in 2002, Rapp bought a high-efficiency air-conditioning system, a whole house fan to make the most of cool morning air, and had only fluorescent lights installed. He also spent big on an energy-saving washer and dryer.

Now his bills run about $400 a month in the summer. And although he said he probably could afford to pay more, having invested wisely over the years, he doesn’t want to.

“If I got a choice between sending my money to PG&E or going out to dinner,” he said, “I’m going out to dinner.”

Help from PG&E

PG&E offers various programs and services to help its customers reduce their usage, from incentives designed to lower consumption at times of peak demand, to a new option that allows the company to turn down air-conditioners remotely.

Free home energy audits are available, too. When customers request one (by calling 800-743-5000), the company sends out an inspector who tours the home looking at things like attic insulation, air-conditioning units and pool pumps.

“Basically, it’s an evaluation of your home’s energy efficiency,” local PG&E spokesman Denny Boyles said. “They can be pretty in-depth.”

The inspector’s recommendations can be wide-ranging, and may include investment suggestions. Boyles said there’s no obligation to carry out any changes.

“It’s just basically someone saying, ‘If you’re looking at your home energy bill, this is some stuff I’d do,’” he said.

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Saving the planet

Some efficiency improvements are simple, like unplugging appliances that use energy even when they’re turned off.

“Anything with an AC adapter, anything with a clock or a light, anything that uses electricity should be put on a power strip and turned off when not in use,” Mindy Spatt, spokeswoman for The Utility Reform Network, a San Francisco-based consumer advocacy group, wrote in an e-mail.

She added that an estimated 5 percent of the nation’s electricity usage is wasted on stand-by power.

“Simple conservation measure(s) can help consumers save money — and the planet,” she wrote.

Advertising Feature — By Rachel Fallert
May 20, 2010

With energy costs on the rise, it is more important than ever to improve existing homes. New lines of windows, insulation, doors, air conditioner and more are available that not only add value to a home, but are cost efficient in the long run.

FALLERT HEATING & COOLING

•SOUTH LYON

A home energy audit is the first step to understanding how much energy is consumed in a home. Fallert Heating & Cooling of South Lyon can evaluate all aspects of a home’s energy use. Proper energy management will keep all systems running efficiently. An energy audit of electrical heating and cooling includes checking insulation, draft stopping, windows and doors, as well as the overall envelope of the home. The assessment will determine the efficiency of the heating and cooling system and how to conserve energy. Corrections in the system will save homeowners time and money.

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Air conditioners are 50 percent more efficient today than ever before. Homeowners can cut up to half or more of their electric bill when installing a high efficiency air conditioner. Fallert Heating & Cooling installs a full line of air conditioners to suit any home. Planned maintenance is important to keep air conditioners and heating systems operating at peak efficiency. All systems must be maintained in order to keep energy costs lower. Heating systems should be checked in the fall right before the heating season, and air conditioners in the spring before the cooling season.

Geothermal systems are the most efficient way to heat and cool a home. The system draws heat of the ground to warm and puts heat in the ground to cool the home. The temperature of the ground about five feet under the surface stays relatively stable throughout all seasons. Not only is this energy efficient and environmentally friendly, the tax credit for geothermal systems have been extended. Homeowners who install geothermal systems may be able to claim up to 30 percent of the installed cost in tax credits in the year the system is placed into service and it no longer has a cap.

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Whether a homeowner is installing a new or old system, planned maintenance is crucial to keep heating and cooling systems operating at peak efficiency. It will not only increase the lifetime of the system but will also ensure it is energy efficient.

Fallert Heating & Cooling is located at 10075 Colonial Industrial Drive in South Lyon. Visit www.fallertheatingcooling.com or call (248) 782-5861.

KC CONSTRUCTION

•GARDEN CITY

While many homeowners believe now is the time to pick up and sell rather than invest in their current home, KC Construction believes it is the perfect time to stay put and make some updates that will add value and increase energy efficiency. Making small changes such as new windows, insulation or siding will not only keep a home in shape — it will add value back faster than non-energy efficient homes.
 
Insulated siding includes custom gapless fit with a layer of polystyrene foam between the home and siding. The insulation can reduce the heating and cooling energy loss through exterior surface walls up to 20 percent. The thermal resistance in insulated siding can reach up to triple the value of other siding options. It is more durable than traditional siding, and it is resistant to pressure and wind, allowing it to last up to 50 years. Insulated siding helps reduce outside noise with a layer of polystyrene foam that acts as a great sound barrier. With all the benefits of insulated siding, including the increased curb appeal, the most appealing of all is the decrease in home energy costs and greater efficiency.

KC Construction provides expertise in all phases of residential and light commercial construction work, specializing in exterior work. The company offers reconstruction as well as remodeling services — anything from one storm door to an entire subdivision.

The company sells do-it-yourself supplies with free usage of its equipment for various projects. Visit KC Construction June 12 for an open house event, featuring manufacturer’s representatives, a car show and give-a-ways.

MECHANICAL ENERGY SYSTEMS

Updated: Friday, 14 May 2010, 7:29 AM EDT
Published : Friday, 14 May 2010, 7:25 AM EDT 

By: Chris Velardi 

Seymour, Conn. (WTNH) – Saving money is one reason a lot of people are calling on the experts to check out the energy efficiency of their homes. A couple of Connecticut businessmen are trying to make identifying the problems in your home a little easier. 

Tom Casey, a life-long ‘doer’, is becoming a ‘teacher’, leading a class about the ins-and-outs of home energy efficiency. “Fuel costs are rising, budgets are tight, economy’s tight, everyone’s looking for ways to conserve,” Casey said. “They’re spending more time at home so comfort and safety is even more important.”

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That’s why Casey calls this a “win-win.” He and Larry Janesky launched a business called Dr. Energy Saver . It’s based in Seymour, Connecticut, and they’re franchising it around the country. This is the first week-long training session for franchisees. 

“What we do is we go out and do a complete, comprehensive home energy audit,” Janesky said. “We don’t just look at one or two things. We look at 10 different things at how a house is using, losing and wasting energy.” 

The guys cleaned up an old machine shop and turned it into a real hands-on training center. The idea here is to give the students experience with every piece of equipment they may find in a home. They even built a home inside the warehouse. 

The home audits — or ‘house visits’ by Dr. Energy Saver — are part of a program run by the Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund and will cost you $75. The work to fix whatever’s wrong will cost you, too, but there are low-interest loans, rebates and other incentives available from both the state and federal governments to makes these kinds of upgrades. 

Casey says it’s money you should consider an investment. “Everything we do pays for itself, plus it makes the house more valuable, increases the comfort of the house and lots of time even improves the safety of a house itself too,” he said. 

You may have also heard about the Cash for Caulkers Home Star rebate program, which has passed the house. It’s a $6 billion bill offering rebates for making your house more energy-efficient. 

You can also set up a home energy efficiency check through your electric company. Both UI and CL&P offer check-ups where they’ll come in and recommend changes.

All Press Releases for April 26, 2010

American Home Inspectors Training Institute, the nation’s premier home inspection training school, is pleased to announce that AHIT is now offering a Home Energy Audit Certification Course.

Waukesha, WI (PRWEB) April 26, 2010 — American Home Inspectors Training Institute, the nation’s premier home inspection training school, is pleased to announce that AHIT is now offering a Home Energy Audit Certification Course.

American Home Inspectors Training Institute has been the leader in home inspection training for over 16 years. American Home Inspectors Training has now decided to take our proved teaching methods and incorporate them into an energy audit training course. AHIT has teamed up with the Building Performance Institute (BPI) to educate individuals on the fundamentals of energy auditing. Home energy auditors are becoming more and more important as energy efficiency audits are growing in popularity.

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There is increasing interest at the local, state, and national level to improve home energy efficiency as part of a broader national energy policy as well as creating jobs in the new “greener” economy. Here are a few current examples of why energy auditing is becoming more popular:

• $11 Billion was provided to state and local governments in the recent stimulus package to help reduce home energy use.
• It is estimated that an energy audit can improve a home’s energy consumption by 30% on average. Given that residential and commercial buildings make up 73% of electricity consumption in the US, there are huge savings.
• A Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies paper reports that more than half of the over 66 million single-family homes in the US were constructed before modern energy codes existed.
• The Department of Energy and the EPA have stated a goal of eventually improving 1 million homes per year through weatherization and home energy improvements.
• The city of Austin requires all homes over 10 years old to have an energy audit before being sold.
• North Carolina has passed a bill that makes home energy audits mandatory for home sellers.
• Oregon’s governor wants to require any owner selling or renting a home to obtain a certificate disclosing the property’s energy use.
• Ontario has passed an Act that requires an energy audit when selling a home unless the buyer waivers their right.

American Home Inspectors Training provides approved nationwide online and hands on classroom training. AHIT’s energy audit course is designed to prepare students for the Building Performance Institute’s Building Analyst online and field tests. Upon completion of these tests, students will be AHIT and BPI certified. Students will also have a clear understanding of how a house works as a system, why some homes fail, and how to use the latest building science technology to help resolve residential heating, cooling, and base load air leakage problems. By using a “whole house” performance-based approach, energy audit graduates will address a comprehensive range of interrelated building issues and be able to provide clients with a more comfortable, safe, durable, and energy efficient home. 

Becoming an energy auditor comes along with great benefits including flexible hours, high earning income potential, rapidly growing industry, and is a great way to supplement an income. Becoming an AHIT certified home energy auditor garners even more benefits such as: ongoing business and technical support for students and graduates, real hands on training, personalized marketing services including business cards, brochures, and web sites, unlimited usage of the “AHIT Certified” logo displaying recognition of training, and AHIT is a one stop training and support partner. AHIT provides students with everything needed to run a successful business.

Call 1-888-280-2184 and speak with one of AHIT’s admissions representatives today to learn more about becoming a certified home energy auditor.

Originally published April 20, 2010, 1:26 PM
By Ed Waters Jr.
News-Post Staff

“Green” is more than just a buzz word for the housing industry and earlier today the National Association of Realtors unveiled its Green MLS Tool Kit.

The “tool kit” is a set of guidelines and resources for Realtors, appraisers, builders and others in the industry to use when broadening their knowledge on environmental and energy efficiency materials, home designs and more.

The MLS — Multiple Listing Services — which keeps track of homes on the market and their details, can now be expanded to include more information on what a house has in that area such as Energy Star appliances and an energy-efficient heating and cooling system.

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Two local professionals in the industry have been working with the national association on the program. Don Briggs, president of Briggs Associates, was the first appraiser in Maryland to get the Green Designation from the National Association of Realtors, has LEED certification and is chairman of the county’s Sustainability Commission. Briggs teaches classes on “green” issues for real estate and building professionals.

Steve Seawright, managing member of Seawright Homes, was the first builder in the county to commit to Energy Star certification for all of his new homes and is the recipient of three White Oak Awards from the Maryland Department of the Environment for using best conservation practices in planning his communities.

“Though not the quick fix that builders and buyers of ‘green’ homes would like to see for the continuing problem of too many appraisers inadequately valuing the ‘green’ attributes of homes, the Green MLS Tool Kit, will prove invaluable for having provided a road map that facilitates MLS systems across the land collecting and reporting the data on home listings that will help home buyers, sellers, Realtors, builders and, especially, appraisers fully recognize and value the economic benefits of ‘green’ home construction,” Seawright said, a certified Green Professional by the National Association of Home Builders.  

(editors note: It is easy to see that home appraisers will be valuing the home with a energy consideration. You home will be worth more if it is energy efficient.)

For more on this story, check out Wednesday’s edition of The Frederick News-Post.

By Doreen Hemlock South Florida Sun-Sentinel April 16, 2010

With summer heat coming, now is a good time to consider ways to cut your electric bill, and one place to start is a home energy audit that details where you might save money.

Traci Miller swears by the results she obtained from a professional audit of her Oakland Park home that found leaks in air-conditioning ducts, a lack of insulation in walls and other problems that she arranged to have fixed.

The bottom line: Her electric bills fell from about $220 a month last fall to roughly $100 a month today.

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“There are no longer parts of the house that are very hot and other parts cold. I’m more comfortable,” Miller said gladly. “And the repairs will pay for themselves in about a year.”

An energy audit looks at how much electricity residents use and how efficiently they use it: their bills, their appliances, their habits and how energy flows throughout their home.

Some people conduct audits on their own. Others call utilities for free inspections: Florida Power & Light offers audits as part of a plan to avoid building costly new power plants. And some people pay for professional audits that usually involve more detailed analysis with more sophisticated equipment, such as a blower door to better identify air leaks and infra-red scanners to measure heat in walls.

Architect Chris Block conducts professional audits through his franchise of ProEnergy Consultants.

On a recent weekday morning, Block snugly fit a blower door – a fan 22 inches in diameter, surrounded by red nylon – into the doorway of a Pembroke Pines home and turned the blower on. The calibrated fan lowered the air pressure inside to exaggerate air leaks from doors, windows, ducts or other openings.

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Block and partner Buck Reilly then tested air flows with a hand-held device that emits non-toxic smoke. At a back door, where weather stripping was worn, the smoke quickly escaped outside. It also leaked into the attic around the recessed lights in the kitchen, indicating a need for better caulking or sealants there.

The auditors also checked heat levels on walls with their hand-held infrared scanner. They found a wall facing the garage much hotter than walls inside the house, suggesting a need for insulation there to reduce heat now pouring into a son’s bedroom. The son often runs two fans to try to cool his room.

“You might be able to cut small holes in that wall and fill it with insulation, so it won’t be so hot in that room,” Block told the homeowner, who was impressed how quickly the scanner identified the problem.

Professional energy audits can run as high as $600, but generally cost about $350 for an average-size house, Block said. ProEnergy identifies problems and possible fixes, but does not perform repairs.

Block recommends residents invest first in repairs that will give them the biggest return, such as sealing holes in ducts or around windows. He suggests they wait on costly fixes with smaller returns, such as buying new energy-efficient appliances if new air-conditioners, washers or dryers are not yet needed.

One guide for repairs: the energy-efficiency pyramid developed by Minnesota Power.

Like the food pyramid that lists the healthiest foods at its wide base, the energy triangle is read from the bottom up. Actions at the base are most cost-effective to save energy, starting with an audit. Next comes turning off appliances when not in use and then, replacing incandescent bulbs with efficient ones. The final top step is least cost-effective: switching to renewable energy such as solar or wind power.

A federal tax credit on solar energy systems or wind turbines may cut the cost of some improvements by up to 30 percent. A tax credit also may apply to new windows, insulation, air conditioning units, and other qualified energy-saving improvements, although that 30 percent credit is capped at $1,500.

Many South Floridians say they’ve obtained good, cost-effective advice from free FP&L audits that helped them save on electricity. One popular suggestion: A digital thermostat for the air-conditioning unit. It can be programmed to raise temperatures during daytime hours weekdays when family members are out at work or school, but reduce temperatures during daytime on weekends when residents are in.

But Scott Saslovsky of Coconut Creek said he was miffed when an dhemlock@sun-sentinel.com or 305-810-5009.

“It helps not only reduce your electric bill but helps reduce your carbon footprint,” the 58-year-old said, referring to the air emissions that contribute to global warming. “You’ve got to start somewhere.”

Doreen Hemlock can be reached at

Copyright © 2010, South Florida Sun-Sentine

 l

Save on Energy with Job Potential

Just released from GreenEcoClub the DIY Easy-Energy-Audits. This step-by-step guide will show you how to do energy audit on your home like the pros. 

DIY Home Energy Audits

If your home is older than 5 years, you need an energy audit. Without an audit you probably are throwing energy out the doors,windows, attic, electrical outlet sockets…… Up to 30% of your total energy bill could be saved. That’s worth over $1,000 each year in some homes.

Professional audit cost $300, $500 and up to $1,000. Although they provide a much needed service Most Energy Auditors Are Just Salespeople Trying to Up-sell You On Expensive Upgrades.

Experts say you can Save $3 to $5 for each $1 Spent on home energy efficiency. That is a 300% to 500% return on your money. Great value!

Why? Because if you can cut your energy consumption.

If you are planning to get Solar Array or Wind Turbine think what lowering your consumption will do to the initial investment. By lowering your power load the installation can be smaller. It could be worth $1,000′s.

OK, so an energy audit is a good thing. If you believe in Do-it-yourself (DIY) Easy-Energy-Audits is a great DIY tool.

With Easy-Energy-Audits each process is broken down into Easy to Follow Step-by-Step Instructions.  The guide will  Walk You Through The Process so that you can quickly get the energy loss results you need and get on with your day.

You will quickly learn the “secrets to the trade” that it takes professionals years to learn.  There are short cuts and best practices that will save you valuable time and energy. You can even customize your own energy audit to give you the results you specifically want to see.

What You Get

The DIY Home Energy Audit includes: Complete Starter Kit and the Pro Version. With the purchase of a few instruments of under $100 you will be able to: 

• Measure your HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) systems. Learn how to test for the most common problem areas and how to fix them.
• Test for air leaks in less than 5 minutes. There are 5 to 10 air leaks in the average home, do you know where yours are?
• Duplicate professional energy audit test results for cheap, using common tools found around your house.
• Create more elaborate testing scenarios with a few energy tools you can purchase for under a hundred dollars.
• Measure heat loss levels, and estimate what it’s costing you each month. Most people spend hundreds of dollars a year from hidden areas of heat loss.
• Do you know which rooms use the most energy? Get a full break down of your energy users and unique ideas on how to easily reduce your energy consumption
• Do you know the top 10 energy wasters in your home? Every home has them, quickly discover where you should be focusing your attention to save the most money.

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Conclusion:

Don’t just consider your home. You could help your other family members, friends, neighbors and maybe find a new sideline business. Since the Pro Version is included this could be a great opportunity. You can do amazing things with a DIY home energy audit guide and  tools.