I chatted with Adam Levitt, President of Pro Energy Consultants. Adam helped me gain some insights about home energy audits. We talked about finding a reliable company, the common sources of home energy loss, costs and reasons to have an energy audit completed for a home.
1. How does a homeowner find a reliable company?
Adam suggests talking with other folks who've had energy audits completed. Referrals and recommendations are a good start. There is also useful information on the web. Adam explained there are no standard certifications required to complete a home energy audit. Adam has a Level 1 Thermographer certification. This certification allows him to interpret infrared camera results, which are important to making recommendations to help correct deficiencies.
2. What do you find to be the most common sources of energy loss in homes?
Adam said he sees three culprits commonly. The first two are common because they are not a required in the building codes. And, the third is especially common in older homes.
1. A lack of air sealing along the sill plate.
2. Unsealed duct work
3. Deficiency of insulation, especially in attics.
3. What are the estimated costs of energy audits?
To be fair and understandably, Adam was most comfortable talking about his company's costs. Pro Energy Consultants' energy audits are $425 for a home up to 2500 square feet. Adam's company does not do any of the work he recommends as a result of the energy audit's findings. He explained there are companies that are advertising low cost energy audits, but cautions homeowners to take the time to learn what is included and excluded. Adam's company does a full energy audit that includes the systems of the home.
4. How long does it take and how long to receive the results?
The entire process is dependent on the size of the home. It takes typically, about an hour and a half. The homeowner receives a report in about 3 days.
5. Why should a homeowner consider an energy audit?
Adam hears many different reasons why homeowners are considering an energy audit. Sometimes homeowners are frustrated with rooms feeling cold and/or drafty, and high utility bills. Homeowners may even have concerns about their home's air quality. Either because the air is smelling badly or they are experiencing a new allergy and/or some kind of other respiratory problems.
If you'd like to learn more about Pro Energy Consultants,
click here to visit their website. If you have any questions about home energy audits or would like more information please give me a call at (410) 349-3282 or send me an email to
jmhall@villabuildersinc.com.
Thank you to Adam for sharing some of his valuable time with me.