Energy analysis of homes and businesses for saving energy dollars with incentive programs for home builders, Beyond Energy LLC can show you how to get the most from energy savings efforts

Energy Savings Information Center and FAQ's

Q.  How long does an energy audit take?

A.  The typical 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.

Q.  What's the payback on the cost of the audit?

A.  The payback on the cost of a typical home energy audit/assessment we provide can be as soon as  improvements are made, and the post testing is completed.  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.

Q. Should I spend a lot of money to find out what my homes issues are?

A. 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.

Q.  I already know my windows and doors are bad.

A.  A considerable amount of time spent during a home energy audit is spent on the other parts of your home.  Replacing windows can be effective but costly. We concentrate on the issues we find to be lacking in performance in your home based off of the testing we perform, and unless your windows are falling out of their jambs, or you have questions about them we won't spend a lot of time discussing them.  

Q.  I know I need insulation, why conduct all this other testing?

A.  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, weatherstripping ect.  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.

Q. Does it have to be cold out to perform an energy audit on my home? 

A. No.  Because of the testing we perform we can conduct testing on your home at any time of the year.  According to the manufacturer in order for the infrared scan to work we need at least a ten degree difference in temperature between the inside and outside of the home.  Weather that summertime or during the winter.  We can perform this part of the test without that large of a temperature difference, but the pictures you'll see won't be as defined.

Q.  Do I have to  use the contractors you recommend?

A.  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.

Q. I want to save money on electrical costs, but I don't like the light the CFL bulbs give off?

A. 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.

Q.  I heard the new bulbs have mercury in them?

A. 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. For more info click here.

Q. Can a house be to tight? 

A.  Building tight and building right can be successful if the whole house approach has been taken and utilized.  This means whole house testing in addition to considering strategies that will ensure proper indoor air quality,  safety of the occupants, durability, comfort, and performance of the installed components of the home.  These factors will also affect how energy efficient the home is too.  When these things haven't been taken into consideration or tested once installed problems could arise.

 

Thank you for considering us!