How Much Does a Home Energy Audit Cost?

The cost of a home energy audit is generally anywhere between $250 and $650. In some cases, your utility may subsidize or even cover the cost of a home energy audit. Depending on what the auditor or advisor finds, an investment of another $500 to $1,000 in energy efficiency repairs and maintenance could save $50 per month on your electricity and heating and cooling bill. These savings generally offset the cost of the renovation within a year or two.

Who Performs Home Energy Audits?

Most of us would not need an expert to tell us that we could save by changing our old light bulbs for LEDs. However, most of us can't find the almost undetectable air leakages around our doorframe or through our attic that might be lowering our home's energy efficiency. Certified energy advisors are trained to do just this and help you maximize your home energy audit benefits.

Why Do You Need a Certified Energy Advisor or Auditor?

A certified energy advisor or auditor (CEA) is becoming mandatory in many areas across North America. In the city of Vancouver, Canada, to name just one example, a CEA is required for any new building or renovations over $5,000. Many rebate and incentive programs offered by utilities and municipalities across North America require an energy audit to be completed by a certified energy auditor to receive money back for energy-efficient upgrades to your home. Perhaps most importantly, a quality energy audit of your home will maximize the money you can save on your energy bills.

What Does a Certified Energy Advisor or Auditor Do?

A qualified energy auditor or advisor will usually begin by checking your past utility bills to discover your home's current energy consumption and need. During the on-site inspection, he or she will most likely use several different tests and tools to inspect the energy efficiency of a home. The blower door test (explained in more detail below) is one of the most common home energy auditors' tests.

How to Tell if You Have Asbestos in Your Home?

Asbestos causes cancer and other diseases, and there is no known safe level of asbestos exposure. Asbestos identification and removal should be left to experts with proper protective equipment and removal methods. One way to identify vermiculite is by sight if you can view your attic insulation without disturbing it. Vermiculite insulation was a pour-in product that is gray-brown or silver-gold and pebble-like.

Here are ways to identify your insulation as Zonolite:

• Built before 1990:  The Libby mine was closed, and production ceased in 1990. So, if your home was built or reinsulated after 1990, the chances of your insulation containing asbestos are greatly reduced.
• Specific color: Vermiculite insulation is generally gray-brown or silver-gold.
• Accordion-like texture: Due to the treatment process, insulation that contains asbestos will likely have an accordion-like texture. Manufacturing applies heat to the material causing this unique texture.
• Lays flat:  Loose-fill fiberglass insulation tends to fluff up and mimic snowdrifts. Insulation containing asbestos tends to lay flat and remain firm in the joist cavities.

The EPA suggests that once you've found vermiculite insulation in your home, take precautions not to disturb it and use a trained professional to remove it. In the interim, if you have found asbestos in your attic, do not store boxes or other items and do not allow children to play there.