Schedule an Energy Audit
Today 262-470-3149
Today 262-470-3149
Energy Audit Credentials
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Beyond Energy LLC
P.O. Box 201 Mukwonago, WI
53149-0201
53149-0201
262-470-3149
Serving Southeast Wisconsin
Wisconsin Energy Audit Frequently Asked Questions
| What is the benefit to having an energy audit completed? | TOP | |
The benefits of an home energy audit for your Wisconsin home are numerous and here are a few of them:
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| How long does an home energy audit take? | TOP | |
| The typical home energy audit takes between 2-3 hours however depending on the types of issues we find and the questions you have we could take up to four hours. | ||
| What's the payback on the cost of a Wisconsin home energy audit? | TOP | |
| The payback on the cost of a typical Wisconsin home energy audit/assessment we provide can be as soon as improvements are made, the post testing is completed and Focus on Energy sends you your check which is usually within a few weeks. With the current rewards available for having an energy audit done on your home they can more than make up the initial cost. Keep in mind that energy efficient improvements continually pay you back over the life of the home, and this payback increases as energy costs increase. | ||
| How much money can I receive back from Focus on Energy for having an audit completed? | TOP | |
| Once the no charge post visit is completed we will send in the necessary paperwork to Focus on Energy for the rewards you have coming. Focus on Energy will then send you a check directly to your home. The amount you can qualify for depends on what needs to be completed to your home based off the inspection and testing, and what was actually completed at the time of the no charge post visit. Some of the current rewards are for: Attic insulation $100, air sealing $75, Sill box insulation $50, exhaust fans $50, comfort bonus $100, and a Completion reward of $250 for completing 3 of the top recommended measures on your home. | ||
| Should I spend a lot of money to find out what my homes issues are? | TOP | |
| The cost you spend on an audit has to be part of the over all cost payback equation. In most cases the diagnostics performed during a typical energy assessment are plenty enough testing to help you find out what your homes issues are. Ask yourself what you're looking to find out and if it's worth the extra cost of more in depth testing. As certified Home energy raters we can perform additional diagnostics if need be, or if you decide you want them -for an additional cost. This additional testing and diagnostics may add an additional 1-3 hours to the length of time to complete the audit. | ||
| I already know my windows and doors are bad. | TOP | |
| We concentrate on the issues we find to be lacking in performance in your home based off of the testing we perform. Not opinions. Weather they are bad or better than you thought -you'll be able to see that for your self during testing. | ||
| I know I need insulation, why conduct all this other testing? | TOP | |
| Because it's in your best interest. We take the "Whole house approach", to making home improvements. What this means is that when you make a change to one part of the home such as replacing windows, siding, adding insulation, weather-stripping etc. Those changes affect the performance of other parts of your home relating to indoor air quality, your furnace and water heater, moisture, and comfort. By performing the tests on the whole house we can make solid recommendations that will make a difference in the issues you're trying to resolve, and reduce the potential for health, safety, or comfort issues to arise as a result. |
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| Does it have to be cold out to perform an energy audit on my home? | TOP | |
| No. We can conduct testing on your home during any time of the year. According to the manufacturer in order for the infrared scan to work best we need at least a ten-degree difference in temperature between the inside and outside of the home. Whether it's the summertime or during the winter. We can perform this part of the test without that large of a temperature difference, but the infrared pictures you'll see won't be as defined. | ||
| Do I have to use the contractors you recommend? | TOP | |
| NO. We provide you a short list of some of the contractors who have aligned their companies with the Home Performance with ENERGY STAR program as a courtesy. You can make the improvements yourself or hire your own contractor. Using one of the contractors who've partnered with the program benefits you a couple ways. 1. They're familiar with the techniques used in making energy efficient improvements to your home. 2. They know that as part of the program we come back to test the home again after they're done. 3. If they've missed something as part of the program and good customer service they come back to remedy the issue without hassle. | ||
| I want to save money on electrical costs, but I don't like the light the CFL bulbs give off? | TOP | |
| To achieve better results with the ENERGY STAR rated CFL (compact fluorescent light) bulbs compare and match the amount of Lumens of the bulb you normally buy to the energy efficient bulb you're going to buy to ensure you're getting a bulb that's giving off the same amount of light. Different brands may have different colors of light available which will also have an effect on your regard for the new light bulbs, however without specific labeling we're not aware of an easy way to tell the difference between them from the package other than screwing one in and turning it on. New L.E.D. bulbs are hitting the market and are efficient, but costly. | ||
| I heard the new CFL bulbs have mercury in them? | TOP | |
| This is true. However the amount is significantly less than you may be used to. ENERGY STAR rated CFL bulbs usually have around 5 milligrams of mercury in them where as the circular thermostat you may have on the wall has about 3 grams! A thermometer may have anywhere from 500 milligrams to 2 grams of mercury in them. | ||
| Can a house be too tight? | TOP | |
| Building tight and building right can be successful if proper testing is completed by a certified home energy (HERS)rater such as us at Beyond Energy LLC. | ||
| What's your experience? | TOP | |
| Our experience lies in residential new construction and remodeling since the mid 80's. Tim has also built 8-10 family condominiums. Some credentials held- UDC and HVAC building inspector, and WI. Weatherization inspector. Various positions held were carpenter, remodeler, drywaller, field expediter, customer service manager, assistant superintendent, and superintendent. We've also been certified by RESNET and have passed the national rater exam required for all certified HERS raters, and are accredited by the Wisconsin Energy Conservation Corporation. Partnerships include Focus on Energy, Wisconsin ENERGY STAR Homes, National ENERGY STAR and Home Performance with ENERGY STAR programs. | ||