Home Energy Audits

We all want to improve the efficiency of our homes and save on energy costs, but where do you begin?

It can be difficult to identify problem areas of air infiltration, inadequate insulation, heat loss, and household mechanical systems that are not functioning properly.

Are you purchasing a new home? You have a building inspection completed, why not have a home energy evaluation done. Unforeseen energy upgrades and retrofits can be costly. So too can heating costs and electrical consumption on inefficient homes. A home energy evaluation can identify problem areas that may exist, recommend necessary improvements, provide payback periods for any recommended improvements and confirm the building efficiency. Likewise if you are selling your home, it may be beneficial to show your prospective buyers how your home measures up to the competition.

Ecovise uses state of the art diagnostic tools including a blower door, thermal imaging camera, carbon monoxide meters, combustible gas detector, gas analyzer, and advanced modeling software.

We have been trained through Maine Home Performance through Home Performance with Energy Star and Building Performance Institute, a national certification program for energy evaluators.

Our responsibility is to evaluate the building as a whole with emphasis on the health, safety and comfort of the residents, improving the efficiency of the building and reducing energy costs.

We help the homeowner through the process of prioritizing which improvements will yield the greatest return on their investment, which ones cost the least, and which are critical to the well-being of the residents.

Here’s a look at six of the main areas of evaluation affecting home energy efficiency:

Insulation The type, quality, amount, location and installation methods affect how well it performs.

Air Sealing Gaps, cracks, and holes in your building mean warm air escapes and the cold air gets in.

Ventilation is important to avoid moisture problems and maintain a safe, healthy indoor air quality.

Appliances and Lighting The efficiency of household appliances, electrical devices and lighting all affect energy consumption.

Mechanical Systems The efficiency and maintenance of your heating system, hot-water heater, and other mechanical systems affect their performance—and how much energy they use.

Consumption Habits The ways you use and maintain your home affects how much energy is needed to operate it.

By current standards, most of our homes are not particularly energy-efficient homes. Making these improvements to our homes will help all of us:

Save money on heating, cooling and electrical costs.

Be more comfortable with tighter homes, that are well insulated and have good air quality.

Live greener Your energy-efficient home saves resources, generates fewer pollutants and helps minimize greenhouse gases, smog, and acid rain.

Sell your home An energy efficiency home is more attractive to prospective buyers and may fetch a higher resale value.