Products and Services
We offer products and services from only the best licensed contractors and reputable brands. All recommendations are just those, recommendations. All work performed by partner companies are agreements between homeowner and contractor only. Energy Research Group is just that, a research company concerned with creating energy efficient homes through inspection and technical analysis.
Sample Home Energy Audit
Energy Research Group collects data and enters it into Energy Conservatory computer-based modeling system that evaluates, scores, and helps produce the rating report. The following areas are measured, tested and considered:
- Insulation R-values
- Building Volume
- Air Leakage
- Mechanical Systems
- Square Footage
- Local Climate
- Building Orientation
- Windows
- Duct Work
- Analysis of Utility Bills
An instrument audit of a home is conducted and can take up to three hours. Then, Energy Research Group examines the heating, cooling, ventilating, and hot water systems.
Afterwards, we set up a blower door, a device that measures the relative tightness of a home and identifies most sources of leaks. (You may be surprised to see where leaks are found; often they are in out-of-the-way places like where floor framing meets the foundation wall in the basement, passageways for plumbing and wiring and interior wall openings to attics).
Next, tests are conducted of each of the combustion appliances in the home. These include pipe leaks, combustion gas, and back drafting potential. These tests assess both the safety and efficiency of the appliances. Ductwork and HVAC systems are modeled through the use of a software application called “Manual J.” The Manual J Residential Load Calculation Procedure is the best practices standard, for the proper sizing and selection of HVAC equipment in residential homes. Technicians also review and analyze at least twelve months of a home’s utility bills. This provides them with an understanding of the trends and patterns of energy consumption helps identify the times and places within a home when energy is being lost unnecessarily.
Any type of existing home can benefit from HOME ENERGY IMPROVEMENT AUDIT.
Retrofit Work
Once testing is completed, the homeowner is given the results and presented with the most cost-effective means for increasing energy efficiency. Upon the homeowner’s approval, the following kinds of retrofit work can be completed:
- Adding insulation
- Upgrading furnaces and/or air conditioning systems
- Upgrading high-use lighting and appliances to more efficient models
- Sealing ductwork with mastic
- Applying caulking and weather stripping
- Other kinds of home improvement strategies
- Replacing doors and/or windows
Diagnosis:
One reason for high energy bills is an increase in the price of electricity or heating fuel. However, it is common to trace high energy bills to an in-efficient component (windows, heating and cooling equipment, ducts insulation) of your home or a failure of one of these components to perform as intended. It is not always easy to pin-point the problem, but fixing it can make your home more energy-efficient and comfortable.
Prescription Checklist:
To improve the energy efficiency of your home start with an evaluation of your homes' energy use.
To get started today, call us now at 303-339-8304 for our Home Energy Improvement Audit to score your home's energy use and generate a customized list of improvement. All we need is one year of your utility bills and two hours to analyze your home. We use specially developed diagnostic equipment to evaluate the performance of your home and generate a customized list of improvements.
Pricing:
Cost for a home audit ranges from $695 to $995 depending on square footage.