- If a contractor tells you the audit, improvement design, cost benefit analysis and recommendations can all be done in one day, be very skeptical of whose interests they are focusing on.
- Good answers aren’t quick, and quick answers aren’t good. Face time and Think time can make a HUGE difference in design and quality result for the homeowner.
- Keep this in mind: The home improvements you are considering are a long term investment which hopefully means a long term benefit for you. These improvements mean a short term benefit to the contractor. There is a big difference between sort of right and really right. Getting it really right effects you much more than him.
- If they tell you to expect a certain result, ask how they know. Ask them to show you documentation. If they can’t produce bills from their customers how do they know what you should expect? If they don’t track results how can they promise them, certainly not based upon past experience!
Weigh your house and find out if you qualify for a free energy assessment.
How Can This Service Be Free?
AS OF 11/15/2010 NY PAYS THE COST OF HAVING AN A COMPLETE ENERGY AUDIT PERFORMED, SO CURRENTLY HOMEOWNERS CAN GET A COMPLETE AUDIT FOR FREE. ALL YOU NEED TO DO IT APPLY: CLICK HERE TO LINK TO THAT INFORMATION
OLD: Most homes that I visit have issues I can help solve. For those that don’t I don’t want to leave a bad taste with the homeowner by charging them without helping them. I need to see the house, talk to the homeowners, and see the energy bill. If there aren’t issues I can help with, the first visit will uncover this.
Does My Home Need An Energy Review?
That is an excellent question. To determine if you have high energy bills check out the home energy calculator. Some other basic reasons to have your home reviewed would be you have uncomfortable rooms, ice dams (or other ice related damage), you want to reduce your energy footprint, improve the value of your house, or you want to plan for equipment replacement so when the day comes you won’t make a potentially very expensive 15-year mistake.
What To Expect
A friendly home energy expert will meet with you at a scheduled time at your home. The visit usually lasts 1-2 hours. During this time, you can expect the following:
Home owner questionnaire – By completing a quick initial survey, you and your home energy expert will quickly understand where the areas of greatest concern lie.
Energy Bill Review – The home energy expert will review your energy bill in order to get a general idea of your energy health.
Building Science Q & A – One of the things I found really compelling about the courses I took was how much BAD SCIENCE is current common practice. So many common prescriptions were turned on their ears by taking a step back and looking at the “house as a system” that everyone in the class had multiple “oh my gosh we’ve been doing THAT wrong” moments. Often homeowners have a lot of questions about how different improvements impact their homes.
Discussion of Incentives – Fortunately, there are a number of incentives that can help you get the solutions your home might need. The home expert will ensure your understanding of these resources. To learn more, visit my Incentives for Homeowners & Landlords page.
Home Performance process sequence – Should you decide to go forward with the home performance program an understanding of the process is helpful and reassuring.
RECAP – A home energy review or visit is like a physical for your home. By reviewing your energy bill, discussing your energy habits, and performing a perfunctory survey of your homes insulation and energy devices, we can get an idea how big or small your savings and comfort improvement opportunities are.
The objective of the Free Energy Review is to help the homeowner understand that by taking a more comprehensive look at their situation BEFORE investing in improvements they are less likely to miss significant opportunities. The idea is to not venture into significant investments blindfolded, hoping for the best.
But, the review is by no means just technical. At the heart of this service is a concern for your needs, comfort, and wallet. Your input is crucial. I need to develop a clear understanding of your plans and goals. For example, if you plan to move in 3 years my recommendations are likely to be significantly different than if you plan to stay 10.
Still Have Questions?
I would love to answer them, e-mail me at: INFO@EESNY.COM or call (585) 466-4NRG, that’s (585) 466-4674.
