Save your energy - audit your home's efficiency

Auditing your home's efficiency can head off the great escape

By Debra Melani, Special to the Rocky

Friday, July 4, 2008

Sick of watching his energy bills soar and unable to figure out the overriding cause of the giant leap, Brad Sandler called in the cavalry.

Armed with a checklist and an infrared gun, his aide tracked down the enemy in less than two hours: There was an escape route through the roof.

A little ceiling insulation and a couple of attic fans later, Sandler and his family have triumphed, enjoying their coolest summer inside their fort: a non-air-conditioned, 1926 brick bungalow. Compared with last year?

"It's night and day," said Sandler, 37, who lives with his wife and two young children in Denver's Berkeley neighborhood. And despite an uncertain economy, Sandler remains hopeful that he and his utility bills have reached a truce.

Many people, reeling from the sticker shock of everything from gas and electric bills to a tank of gas and a jug of milk, are looking for ways to win their financial battles while conserving natural resources. One result: Home energy audits are gaining attention.

"We're substantially busier than we've ever been before," said Steve Byers of EnergyLogic, which has offices in Berthoud, Denver and Colorado Springs. "Typically, we have slow periods. That's not happening this year."

With an average of 20 audits a week, business has quadrupled from three years ago for Standard Renewable Energy in Boulder, said account manager Eric Van Orden. The company, which conducted Sandler's audit, had to triple its staff to meet demand, he said.

During an audit, an energy-efficiency expert evaluates a home's interior and exterior, from attics and basements to windows and doors, for air leaks and insulation problems. Most have equipment, such as Standard's "z infrared scanning device," which monitors heat flow through a home and detects areas where air escapes.

Lighting, appliances, electronics, heaters and air conditioners are all inspected, and clients are given a complete report on ways to reduce energy use. Homeowners who follow through on those recommendations can put money back into their pockets.

"I bet it'll pay for itself in three months this winter - if not by November," Sandler said of his $150 audit and $800 in subsequent fixes.

His R-38 insulation between ceiling and attic (along with some other caulking and sealing jobs) helps hold cool night air in while his attic fans pull rising hot air out during the day. In the winter, the changes should lower heating bills.

This time of year, with many homeowners reaching for the air-conditioning dial, energy use spikes. Byers tells clients that simply having their units professionally cleaned and serviced could cut their costs significantly. He also tells them to use fans only when they're in the room and to switch to compact fluorescent bulbs, which emit less heat (as well as save energy).

Upgrading air-conditioning units can significantly pad the pocketbook, depending on how old the unit is, Van Orden said. For instance, replacing a 1970s unit with one of today's top models can reap a 30- to 50-percent reward on energy costs, he said. Even replacing a unit that's 10 years old could save 20 percent to 40 percent, he said.

Better yet, opt for an evaporative cooler, which uses considerably less energy, Van Orden said. Although they don't cool quite as well, evaporative coolers work best in dry climates and can cut the edge during Colorado's short hot season.

Even better still, Coloradans (such as Sandler) with well-insulated homes can forgo expensive cooling units completely with the proper use of fans and the state's cool night air.

Dan Metzger recently bought a whole-house fan for his 1992, 3,200-square-foot home in Littleton and, as of the end of June, hadn't touched his air conditioner.

"It's going to pay off a lot quicker than I thought," said Metzger, 32, whose wife works from home with three young children, so the house needs to remain comfortable all day.

Metzger and Sandler said they were amazed at all the "little things" they learned from their energy audits."It feels good, because it's the right thing to do," Sandler says. "I feel like I'm doing my part to help the environment that's in such dire need, and I'm helping my bottom line as well."

Expect to pay . . .

* Private companies offer audits for anywhere from $100 to $1,000, depending on the length and level of the audit and the size of the home.

* Some nonprofit organizations provide the same services for a reduced rate or for free through grant programs.

* Eligible homeowners can receive free audits through the state.

* The Governor's Energy Office provides do-it-yourself energy-audit directions on its Web site.

* Solar and insulation rebates are available. Visit colorado.gov/energy for more information.

Common energy-eating blunders

* Inefficient windows (best choice is vinyl-framed and at least two panes).

* No compact fluorescent lighting (regular-looking CFL bulbs, rather than just the curly type, are now available).

* Poor approach to sun (homeowners should block it in summer, welcome it in winter and consider solar power).

* Improper cleaning of furnace systems and filters (should be done at least twice a year).

* Worn stripping around doors.

* Hollow exterior doors.

* Poor attic insulation and ventilation.

What they learned

Clients share top tips from their energy audits

* Use insulating foam behind electrical-outlet plates.

* Caulk around windows.

* Note spider webs, which can indicate air leaks, as spiders are looking for spots where insects enter.

* Don't charge your cell phone all night; it generally takes less than three hours.

* Save up to 30 percent on heating bills with a programmable thermostat, dropping temperatures at night and when you're not home.

* Clean refrigerator condenser regularly.

* Replace all appliances with Energy Star models when you can, and don't save the old refrigerator for the garage.