FAQ
How are you trained and accredited?
The inspectors at PlanEnergyLLC are rater members of RESNET, the Residential Energy Services Network. RESNET Rater Members are trained and have demonstrated technical proficiency through testing and periodic 3rd party quality audits, and have committed to maintain and improve their technical proficiency through continuing education.
What is an energy audit?
An energy audit is an inspection of a home’s air tightness, insulation, doors and windows, and includes a blower door test. A report of the findings is provided to the homeowner with recommendations on how to maintain or increase the comfort level of your home while at the same lowering your energy usage.
Why should I get an energy audit?
Buying a home or investing in upgrades to an existing home involves many important decisions. Besides the mortgage loan, the cost of heating and cooling a home is usually the highest cost of homeownership. Knowing the home’s energy performance is a critical piece of information when selecting or upgrading a home. A home energy rating will educate you about your home’s energy performance, and help you make better-informed decisions.
What is an energy rating?
An energy rating is similar to an energy audit, but more detailed information is collected on the home’s construction, size, and HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) equipment. On a confirmed rating, a blower door test is performed, and so is a duct leak test if the house has ductwork. All this collected information is entered into efficiency modeling software and a numerical rating is generated. This rating corresponds to the HERS index and is a measure of a building’s energy efficiency. The rating also corresponds to the EnergyStar™ rating for homes. The lower the rating, the more efficient the home is. A home must score below 86 to be considered EnergyStar™ compliant. There are two types of ratings. A Projected rating is performed prior to the construction of a home or prior to the installation of energy improvements to an existing home, and is based on plans. A Confirmed rating uses data gathered from an on-site inspection.
Do I need to be present during the audit?
Yes, you need to be there for the audit. We will share our findings with you and we think you will find the process interesting!
How long does it take?
It usually takes about two hours to collect the data necessary for an energy audit or rating.
How much can I expect to save on my utility bills?
It’s difficult to say how much you can expect to save on your utility bills because it depends on how warm or cool you keep your house, how you use your lights and other appliances, how many people are in the home, etc. However, past studies have found that by implementing the recommendations found during an energy audit, an average home’s utility bills can be reduced by up to 40%.
What is a blower door test?
A blower door test is used to measure a building’s resistance to air infiltration, or its “air-tightness.” This is done by setting up a blower door in the threshold of an exterior doorway, usually the home’s front door. Before turning on the blower door, all the windows of the home are closed, all the kitchen and bath vents turned off, the fireplace damper is closed, bedroom doors are left open, and doors to the outside and uninsulated basements are closed. The fan of the blower door is turned on and pushes air from inside the house, outside. This creates a slight vacuum in the house of -50 Pascals.
This slight vacuum is enough to pull outside air into the home through any cracks, gaps, or holes in the building envelope. While the fan in the blower door is running, we take pressure readings which are translated into “air changes per hour at -50 Pascals.” This is a valuable measure of how “tight” your home is and can be used as a comparison against similar sized houses. Also while the fan is running, we will go around the house and using a thermal imaging camera or often just our hands, we will identify many of the entry routes of the incoming air so they can be repaired in the future.
Do you take credit cards?
Not at this time, but we expect to very soon. Please check with us for an update.
How much does an energy audit cost?
Please call 443-286-0742 or contact us for an estimate.
