The Home Energy Assessment: The Hundred Point Inspection for Your Home

Did you know that during a typical home energy assessment more than 100 points of data are collected from every area of your home? Certified and trained Energy Auditors have access to sophisticated tools and equipment that help pinpoint the sources of energy loss, including calibrated blower doors that measure how tight the building is and infrared photography that identifies specific areas of heat loss. Everything from windows to heating appliances and air ducts are on the list to be tested, inspected and diagnosed. A thorough energy audit is a lot more informative than an off-the-cuff opinion which lacks actual quantitative analysis and diagnostic testing. After the assessment you will have a detailed plan of action that will allow you to tackle energy saving upgrades immediately.

An assessment includes a series of tests which often identify serious durability and safety issues or opportunities for energy savings that an untrained eye may never pick up or know how to address.

Part of the 100-point home inspection will include:

• An air leakage test
• Duct leakage test
• Gas leakage detection
• Insulation assessment
• Detailed assessment of air and duct efficiency
• Attic and crawlspace assessment
• Window and door efficiency assessment
• Ventilation and Building Airflow Standards reports
• Combustion safety analysis of your combustion appliances
• Appliance efficiency ratings
• Thermal imaging report

The home energy audit is about a 3-4 hour top (attic) to bottom (crawlspace/ basement) assessment of your home. Often, these are the areas of the home often where the majority of savings can be found. Have you been in the deep dark depths of your crawl space? Most likely not, but never fear, the trained energy expert will be doing all the creepy crawl space inspecting for you.
Have you ever wondered what that big red fan is they place in your door during an assessment? This is called the blower door and it helps identify leaks in the building’s envelope by pulling air from the outside to the inside. While the blower door is running and collecting data the Energy Expert is looking throughout the house with an infrared camera or smoke pencil noting exactly where the leaks are coming from. At the end of the test, you will know where your house leaks, how many times it changes air per hour. Part of the action plan will provide details on how to seal up all those leaks.

Benefits of a home energy audit and home performance upgrade include: 

• Lower energy bills year-round
• A more comfortable home
• Improved indoor air quality
• Greater building durability
• Improved health & safety in your home
• A reduced environmental impact
• Lower risk of asthma & allergies

Get started today by taking the Bend Energy Challenge pledge and doing your part by signing up for a complete 100-point Home Energy Assessment!