Benefits of a Home Energy Audit

With the right home energy auditor, there are many benefits of getting a home energy audit. Complete home energy audits can save your money on home energy bills, increase your homes comfort, improve your homes resale value and marketability, help you to take advantage of government incentive, and help the environment.

Save money on your home energy bills

If your home's energy bills are through the roof, then a home energy audit would be a major benefit for you. Your energy bills can be affected by many things. From small spaces around your windows and doors that aren't keeping in your conditioned air, to a large water heater that is using more energy than it needs to. A complete home energy audit will pinpoint the exact ways you can lower your home energy bills.

Not only will a home energy audit identify where you can save money, it will also prioritize the issues so you know which changes would make the most difference for you.

Increase your home's comfort

A key problem that many home energy auditors find in homes is air sealing. When a home energy auditor identifies air sealing as a problem, and fixes the problem, you will literally feel the difference in your home. The changes in your home will be night-and-day, there will no longer be cold drafts in the winter or hot bursts in the summer which will not only make you feel more comfortable, it will also save you money.

Improve your homes resale value and marketability

Another benefit of a comprehensive home energy audit is that it will increase the resale value and marketability of your home. According to a study published in the Appraisal Journal, every $1 decrease in annual energy costs increases the market value of a home by $20. So, you are not only saving money annually, but also making sure that you make money when it comes time to sell your home.

Homeowners that implement suggestions from a home energy audit also increase the perspective buyers' chance of buying their home. Home buyers will be pleased to hear that you have made changes to decrease energy bills and keep the house more comfortable.

Take advantage of government incentives

Recently the government has offered incentives to make energy efficient changes to your home. By receiving a home energy audit you are eligible to take advantage of the government's rebates and tax incentives.

Help the environment

Lastly, a complete home energy audit helps the environment. When you implement the improvements recommended by energy experts you use less energy, therefore reducing the amount of greenhouse gasses and pollution created. When your home isn't expelling as much energy to heat or cool it, to run appliances, or to light your home, you're saving money and helping the environment. 

 

Source: http://www.artipot.com/articles/1113228/benefits-of-a-home-energy-audit.htm

Top Reasons for a Home Energy Assessment

As energy conservation becomes more and more of a priority for homeowners, many people are opting to receive home energy assessments--also frequently called home energy audits. There are steps you can take to assess the level of energy consumption in your home and identify opportunities to reduce it. However, a professional energy auditor may be able to more closely hone in on the problems and target the areas where energy saving is most possible.   Whether you take the DIY route or hire an expert, a home energy assessment is important for several reasons--here are five of them:

1. Save money! Many people take the energy efficient route because they believe it will save them money, and in the long run, they're absolutely right. Installing a programmable thermostat that switches into conservation mode when you're not at home; getting better insulation in your attic; putting in new, energy-smart windows…all of these actions will, in time, save you money.

2. Earn money! Another reason many people receive home energy audits is because it makes them eligible for rebates of some kind. Whether from a governmental rebate program, your power company or the manufacturer of an Energy Star appliance you recently purchased, rebates from anywhere are appreciated and a great way to cushion the cost of making energy-saving upgrades.

3. Enhance your level of comfort. If you have drafty windows or doors, you know they can be uncomfortable in colder months. Livable attic and basement space is often difficult to equally heat or cool alongside the rest of the home. Keeping your home more consistently comfortable, and doing so in a manner that doesn't waste energy and money, is one of the greatest benefits that comes from making changes based on a home energy assessment.

4. Professional home energy assessments vary depending on who performs them, but comprehensive audits will include things such as carbon monoxide testing; checking of the ducts; inspection for mold or moisture in the home; and the inspection of the home's ventilation. If problems are found, they are not only energy inefficient, they can also be dangerous to you and your family. Potential safety threats found in a home energy audit should be dealt with immediately.

5. If you're planning to rent, sell or make improvements to your home, a home energy assessment is a wonderful idea. If you have dated appliances, a hot water heater or an HVAC system that will likely need replacing regardless, do so with an energy efficient model. For whatever reason you're planning to make upgrades, it is most sensible to do so with energy efficiency in mind.

While home energy assessments may seem superfluous, they offer a valid, solid foundation on which you can make an action plan for saving money, improving the comfort of your home and ultimately making your property safer and more valuable. You don't necessarily have to spend thousands of dollars and months of time making all the energy efficient improvements you need simultaneously. But, as a homeowner, it is wise to know where the problems and challenges lay and have a course of action in place to resolve them.

Source: http://www.artipot.com/articles/1317394/top-reasons-for-a-home-energy-assessment.htm

Revamp Your Home With Marvelous Renovation Styles

Home improvement, remodeling are some of the many terms used for renovations done in home. Building stylish and high end homes have become a trend and spurted the growth of several home furnishing brands. Making additions to one’s home without the knowledge of interior decoration or designing is not a very good idea. Thus, several designers have now emerged to provide solutions to people who wish to have a classy home. Currently this industry is a booming sector and is poised to grow further in the coming years as the preferences of people gets more refined. 

What is Home renovation all about?
Home renovation process usually involves altering the structure or construction of existing home that covers lawns, garages, gardens and other outdoor structures. The renovation for improvement projects might also involve electrical work, maintenance and other general servicing tasks. The primary goal of all the above activities is to increase the comfort, create space if required and revamp the entire look. It might also include ensuring safety and saving energy to reduce utility costs. Home improvements can be done by hiring of general contractors, specialized contractors or you can do it yourself with DIY home improvement kits.

Home Renovation Industry

Since homeowners have grown more conscious about improving the appearance of their home, home improvement industry has undergone a huge revolution. Several designing firms are now bringing fresh home renovation ideas to the table. Some companies have also gone online to dive into this new emerging market. Several professional associations offer services to homeowners in the form of experienced architects, home decorators and also educate them about the varied trade guidelines. These days there are thousands of magazines, TV channels and consultancy firms who offer varied ideas for home renovation.

Current Trends of Home Renovation

Home renovation ideas can be categorized for kitchen, bathroom and rooms. Kitchen happens to be the heart of a home and you should carefully choose slip-resistant surface materials such as granite and laminate that last for years. A kitchen should have bright lighting, should be placed such that places like the island and the cook top are well lit for safety. Opt for stylish cabinets out of veneer or wood with glossy finish where you can hide away the containers& utensils.

Create color contrasts with cabinetry and wall paint it’ll prove to be a visual treat. Pullout wardrobes and wall ovens are great additions. Bathroom remodeling is pretty easy with a few tricks and tips. For bathrooms you have to play it cool with bright colors on the walls or floor tiles. Experiment with textures and patterns on curtain fabrics. Incorporate stylish metallic fixtures that match your bathtub. Use large mirrors that reflect a lot of light. Outdated floors can be covered up under a new bath mat. Living rooms and bedrooms can be tastefully designed with various themes such as cottage look, traditional, vintage and contemporary. Utilizing every nook and cranny is the best trick. Hang chandeliers in living rooms to draw attention to the ceiling. A small fireplace can be decorated with showpieces and artworks. Seating arrangements for small rooms can be limited to few chairs and a coffee table. Large living rooms can have three seated sofas and wing chairs. Upholsteries and window treatments should match your furniture style and wall paint to create a uniform effect.

Source: http://goarticles.com/article/Revamp-Your-Home-With-Marvelous-Renovation-Styles/8266612/

How to Create a Personalized Home Energy Conservation System

Notice I didn't say "how to install" an energy conservation system. To create an energy conservation system that's going to reduce your home's energy consumption requires a combination of conservation and efficiency, or choices and technology.
Here's how you create a home energy conservation plan that will help you reduce your home's electric bill.
Think about like this:
·        Conservation results from conscious choices over time.
·        Efficiency utilizes technology.

Start With Conservation
Conservation is not deprivation or lack.
Simply put, conservation is being aware of how much energy your home uses and making behavioral changes in your energy habits. Conservation takes into account the final end sum of the energy it takes to maintain your home's minimal comfort level.
The minimum comfort level of your home cannot be measured against another home. Factors vary with each home's location, family size, and family lifestyle.
If you live in Maine, your greatest energy expense may be heating your home; if you live in south Texas, your greatest expense may be cooling your home. A family of two (2) whose members work away from home five (5) days per week need less energy than a family of four (4) who work from home.
Think about. Look at the ways your home uses energy. Heating, cooling, heating water, cooking and storing food, lights, laundry, and electronic equipment.

Here are five (5) actions to begin reducing your overall energy use?
·        adjust your heating system thermostat down in winter,
·        turn your cooling system thermostat up in summer
·        take short showers instead of long baths
·        wash laundry in cold water
·        turn lights of when leaving a room

Now Add Efficiency
Efficiency is the use of technology to maximize our conscious conservation choices.
Here's how to apply technology to the conservation choices listed above.
·        Install a digital, programmable thermostat compatible with your heating and cooling system. Program the thermostat for the temperature settings that work for you during the day, at night, and while family members are away from home.
·        Reduce your water heater thermostat to 120 degrees (rather than the manufacturer's setting of 140 degrees)
·        Install a timer on your electric water heater. Set it to automatically come on during the hours your family actually uses hot water for showers and laundry. Set it to automatically turn off when no one is home to use it.
·        Switch to compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) when you replace your standard incandescent bulbs.
Making conscious decisions to reduce your home's energy consumption coupled with the technology compatible with your choices, creates a personalized energy-reducing plan for your home. In a sense, you put your energy conservation on automatic pilot.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2041596

Solar Panels for Your Home Energy Needs

Solar Panels for Your Home Energy Needs

Green energy benefits everyone, from business owners to home owners. Solar power can be used to provide power for anything electrical. Governmental support helps add popularity to an already growing phenomenon of energy conservation efforts. Solar panels for a home are designed to provide the energy required to run all aspects of a home's electrical needs, including heat. Home solar panel systems are the biggest sellers in available in the solar panel system market. To provide the ability for optimal performance, most solar panel systems have compatible accessories and equipment that a consumer can purchase with heir solar panel system. A tracker can automatically rotate your solar panels to pick up the best concentration of sunlight. This saves you from having to climb up on your roof when the seasons change and the sun's directions changes. This accessory is also a benefit to those homeowners who do not have a south-facing house. You can also add accessories that would allow you to heat the water in your pool. You would be able to enjoy consistent water temperature all year long!

More recently, the installation of solar panel systems during the construction process has become popular. This process allows a more comprehensive installation of solar panel systems, primarily because of the added stability during mounting. With an open roof, the solar panel frames can be mounted directly to the support beams of the roof which bypasses the plywood and shingles. The rest of the roof is then built around the solar panel system. The only drawback is that this type of installation does not provide optimal energy production if the solar panels are not faced in the southern direction.

If you have reservations about adding a bulky solar panel system to the top of your house, there is another solution for you. You can also purchase flexible thin film solar panels. These alternatives are so versatile that they can be placed on many services. As long as there is enough sunlight, you do not have to mount these solar panels systems to your roof. For house that do not face south, this is a good choice because you can create a space in your yard to mount these solar panel systems.

Source: http://goarticles.com/article/Solar-Panels-for-Your-Home-Energy-Needs/1347401/

The Reality Behind Home Energy Consumption

"Expensive" is just one of the words that people today use to describe electricity bills. It seems that every day, the cost of electricity keeps getting higher and higher. Because of this, home energy consumption needs to be a top priority for any household, especially these days with times as tough as they are.

New energy technology, of course, takes some time to perfect. In the meantime, there are a lot of do-it-yourself home improvement projects you can do to minimize your home energy consumption with small adjustments to your home in order to improve its energy efficiency.

When you use the air-conditioning system or the furnace, maybe you shouldn't turn the thermostat up so high. It's not like you are living in the equator or the North Pole, for crying out loud. And when you go out of the house, you do not really need to keep your air-conditioning on, do you? Think of how much you will be able to eliminate from your home energy consumption by just turning these appliances off when you are not using them.

What about the kitchen? Kitchen appliances count for 26.7 percent of home energy consumption. Of course, you can't really turn off your refrigerator when you are not home, could you? Don't panic, however, there are a lot of alternatives in order to help you reduce your electricity bill. Leaving the refrigerator door open increases your home energy consumption, so don't leave it hanging open while you spread the butter on your toast in the morning. Heat rushes inside the refrigerator which means that the fridge has to consume more electricity in order to maintain its internal temperature. If you leave the door open, you are wasting electricity and increasing your home energy consumption.

The energy of information administration of the US department of energy has recently concluded a survey on the home energy consumption of US households during the year 2001. Through this data, we can at least gain an insight of which appliances are costing us. At the top of the list, of course, is climate control. Would you believe that American households consume 355.7 billion kWh just to keep themselves cool or hot? That's 31.2 percent of the total home energy consumption! Do you really need to consume so much energy just to feel hot or cold?

Water heating cost US households 104.1 billion kWh in electricity. Cutting down on the time you spend in a hot shower can cut down on your water heating bills.

As a matter of fact, there are solar heaters out there which not only save electricity by using solar power to heat your water, but these can also be connected to power small appliances. If everyone just invested in these ideas, people would be able to lessen their home energy consumption considerably.

There are a lot of easy ways you can cut back on your home energy consumption. Just by exerting a little effort, we can save a lot of our money. Did you realize how much energy our homes consume just because of wastefulness?

Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Reality-Behind-Home-Energy-Consumption&id=1746978

Your Basic Guide to Home Energy Systems

Home energy systems primarily are associated with the sun. The most popular residential energy system is the conversion of solar energy for electricity or water heating. There are two main types of solar energy, light and thermal. Light energy, from the sun, is harnessed by a collecting medium then transformed into electricity. Thermal energy, which is derived from the heat of the sun, is used to directly warm household water and swimming pools.

A typical home energy system has four components:

1. Solar Cells - Photovoltaic or solar cells made of a semiconductor material in which sunlight is converted into electricity through excitation of electrons. These cells require protection from various environmental and mechanical elements; thus, they are encased in photovoltaic modules or panels. These modules come in different sizes, weights, and shapes.

2. An Inverter - An inverter transforms direct current into alternative current electricity.

3. Mounting System - A sturdy mounting system is imperative to secure your home energy systems atop a variety of surfaces from tiled roofs to the shiny exterior of a yacht.

4. Batteries - Batteries are optional as they served as storage for electricity produced.

Home energy systems also use semiconductor materials. The commonly used semiconductor materials in the manufacture of solar cells are:

1. Mono-Crystalline Silicon - Mono-crystalline silicon is made by the use of a crystal microtome that thinly slices the material into 150 - 350 microns thickness.

2. Multi-Crystalline - Multi-crystalline silicon is made by sawing into a block of silicon.

3. Amorphous Silicon - Amorphous silicon is produced when a thin layer of the material is placed on a substrate to make a photovoltaic module.

4. Thin film has a width of 1/10 micron, the flimsiest material to be used in solar cells.

The benefits of home energy systems are definitely extensive. Among such perks are the following:

1. There is relatively fast turnabout of capital investment now considering that solar power companies offer a minimum of a 20-year warranty and solar units can last a lifetime with proper use and care.

2. You are no longer affected by price hikes of electrical providers. You now have full reigns on the amount of electricity you can generate with your home energy system.

3. There are no taxes yet levied by the government when you harness solar radiation. You are entitled to as much sunlight as your system can get.

4. With minimum movable parts, home energy systems have low maintenance costs compared to electrical connections with their many wirings and cables.

5. Many governments actually offer incentives for people to switch to home energy systems as part of their environmentalist movement.

6. It is safe for the environment. Unlike renewable energy, solar power does not emit polluting emissions and harmful greenhouse gases such as carbon and methane. Accidental dredging and spillage seen in fossil fuel production is also not possible with solar power.

7. With home energy, there are no dangerous ecological by-products made during solar power production.

8. Using home energy helps the environment. You set a good example for your neighbors to hopefully emulate. When you use solar power energy, you actually help conserve other depleting natural energy sources like petroleum and coal for future generation use.

Source: http://www.artipot.com/articles/205748/your-basic-guide-to-home-energy-systems.htm

Tips For Using Solar Home Energy

Solar energy--this term basically does not cause a stirring in the mind as the explanation that comes at hand is indeed too simple. Everyone knows what is meant by solar energy, and that is, the energy that comes from the sun. In its most basic sense, solar energy and other solar home equipment are nonetheless environment-friendly and not risky at all. But then you need not become one fine environmentalist first before you will be able to come across with whatever advantageous benefit solar home energy has.

Why is the solar home energy said to be environment-friendly? What are its general benefits? Practically speaking, when solar home energy is used, the electrical bills tremendously go down as compared to the other type of home energy available for all people. Why would you pay for such expensive bills when all you need to do is to employ solar home energy?
Another major advantage of the solar home energy is the absence of the very complicated and dangerous wiring. Solar energy lights in the garden path or any other solar energy-powered items used in your home are ready to be installed less the wiring to be dealt with. In reality, these solar light bulbs are equipped with darkness sensors so they need not be turned on to give off light and they need not be turned off as well when they are no longer needed. As a sort of simple explanation, the solar light bulbs will simply have to be purchased, taken out of the boxes, installed, and then presto! You just have to situate them where you want them to be and never worry about them ever again. A List of the Benefits of Solar home Energy Why is the solar home energy equally beneficial? Why is it more recommended for use? Here are some of its benefits which are truly worth the attention to be graced by anyone:
Solar home energy is environmentally friendly. As mentioned a while ago, solar home energy will not harm the environmental features. It is specifically clean and renewable as well. More so, it does not cause pollution just like what the rest of the traditional electrical forms do.
Solar home energy systems need the least maintenance. They are not fuel-powered so no need to buy the refills.
Solar home energy makes you save a lot of money. The energy that is derived from the sun can be accessed for free as you make use of solar lights, solar panels, and the likes. The federal government most of the time gives out financial incentives. You don't get affected by the rise of the fuel rates since you are using solar home energy.
Making use of the solar home energy makes you entirely independent from the foreign and centralized energy sources. Power outages will not likely affect you in any manner.
Most of the solar energy items are very easy to install thus lessening the complicated work of the wiring systems.

Harry Intrim runs his own decorating business. Check out these great articles about Solar Home Energy [http://www.homes-interiors-and-gardens.com/Solar-Home-Energy.html] now and start saving money.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/525059

How Can We Save Home Energy

Energy is a thing which is required everywhere in doing any sort of work.eating, reading, studying, playing etc are all those works which are done by us in our daily life and we use energy for this.in the same way in our homes there are different types of energy used by us like electricity thermal energy and others. Now what to think is that how can we save this energy and what steps should be taken by us to save the energy. Very first step to be taken by us is we should have those devices which give better work but consume less energy like energy savers in energy savers we are given much better lights and along with this we are given this quality or facility that they consume less energy Further steps which we have to be taken are when we leave our room we should switch off our lights and other things which we were using before coming out of out of our room in this way we will not only saving energy but also saving our home bills.

We should use such types of appliances which are helpful for us in saving energy as in our kitchens we use microwaves ovens, grinding machines etc these types of machines should be of such quality that they should not take or consume much energy. We should use blind screens instead of screen savers on our computers because screen savers are also of that types which consume much energy.the other way of saving energy is that we should plugged out the switches from the sockets because there are some devices which usually takes out or consume energy. 

Sometimes the solutions are as simple as not leaving the refrigerator door open for too long to more complicated solutions like investing in an energy efficient heating system or solar panels. All homeowners should be aware of the way that they use energy and make adjustments where needed. If everyone did their part, we can make a real change in the world.

Source: http://goarticles.com/article/How-Can-We-Save-Home-Energy/2711127/

The Top Seven Questions About Energy Conservation With Home Energy Audits

Energy efficiency, energy savings, and money saving get a lot easier with a simple home energy audit walk through of your home or apartment. Every single home, even energy efficient homes, lose energy. But with the insight gained from a detailed energy audit, you can create energy savings and turn your home into an energy saving home by limiting your home's energy loss and using energy wisely.

Here are the top seven frequently asked questions and answers about home energy audits and how they can help you save energy -- and save money.

1. What is a Home Energy Audit?

A "green homes" energy audit is a simple process of walking through your home, room by room, paying careful attention, and writing down how you use energy in that room, plus possible places where you home uses... and loses... energy. You can "do it yourself," or hire a professional. The energy audit professional typically looks at heat loss with specialized thermal imaging equipment and other techniques that "visualize" heat loss and energy gaps. But the "do it yourselfer," however, can very easily take note of energy usage and energy loss in each room. And when you add up the numbers, you'll see exactly where you can save on energy. Computer spreadsheets are a valuable tool for the do it yourself home energy auditor to save and compare your findings on a room by room and year by year basis.

2. How Long Does it Take to Do an Energy Audit?

The first time you do a home energy audit, it will take several hours at least, and you may decide to spread it over a few days - depending on your home's size and how much you have in it. As you do your "energy walk" through your home for the first time, you will find many areas of energy usage you hadn't thought of before. Future energy saving audits will take a little less time - because you're already aware of these "hidden" areas. Also, as you fix the energy leaks in each room, those will no longer need your attention, saving time. Fixing any problems you find, of course, may take a bit longer.

3. How Often Should I Do an Energy Audit?

At least once each year, though I would definitely recommend energy audits more often. The best times to do home energy audits are: spring, before you see the jump in your energy bills for the high energy air conditioning season, and fall before you see the jump in your energy bills for the heating season.

4. How Much Can I Save on my Energy Audit if I "Do It Myself?"

The amount varies by home and location. By doing an energy audit yourself, you'll probably save several hundred dollars because you're not paying someone to conduct the audit. This is on top of the potential 15% - 40% savings in energy costs that many people realize when actually finding and reducing energy usage. The nice thing about doing it yourself is that you become intimately familiar with all the energy consumers and energy losers in your home, and can set your own agenda to fix it.

5. What's the Best Room to Start In?

It doesn't matter, as you will do them all. I prefer to start in the basement. There is a lot going on in the basement that gets my mind thinking about energy saving! Ducts, vents, registers, furnace, washer, dryer, lights, hot water heater, sump pump, etc. All these items have an energy related cost to them. If you don't have a basement or prefer to start elsewhere, go for the kitchen. Ultimately, you will want to do your energy audit in every room to maximize your potential energy savings.

6. What's the Best Way to Test for Drafts Around Windows?

A simple strip of single ply tissue taped to the end of a pencil, or flame from a candle (please be careful!). These will quickly show you any air movement, which is what you're looking for. It's best to do your testing on a breezy day, because more air will leak on those days so you can see it more easily. You can also close all the windows in the home and set a couple of fans blowing out in a couple of open windows and turning on any exhaust fans to help draw air into the house through the leaks and cracks and make them easy to spot with your tissue tool or candle.

7. How Do I Record the Results of My Audit?

On a simple piece of paper! Label it with the date and room so you can easily compare notes between rooms, and between successive audits conducted at later dates. (So it's best to use one sheet for each room!) Here is where home computers come in especially handy. Record your data for each room in a spreadsheet program and the computer can "do the math" for you. And then you have an easy way to compare results, notes, and numbers from energy audit to energy audit.

Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Top-Seven-Questions-About-Energy-Conservation-With-Home-Energy-Audits&id=6296820

Your Home Is Wasting Energy! You Need a Home Energy Audit!

Welcome to the Home Energy Guide series of articles on how to make your home more Green and Energy Efficient. With each article we highlight an important topic in making your home more energy efficient.

This article's topic is Home Energy Audits. Your home is an energy hog! New homes, old homes, refurbished homes...all are losing energy! The typical American home loses a minimum of 30% of the energy used to heat and cool it. Home Energy Audits are the exact place to start when beginning to make your home more energy efficient. These will highlight all the key areas that affect your home energy performance and most importantly you and your family's comfort!

Symptoms of a home that is not energy efficient are drafty rooms, moisture around the windows, inconsistent home temperature between rooms, excessive dust and of course high energy bills. A Home Energy Audit can find the source of these issues. This takes out the guess work and allows you to fix what is wrong the first time rather than through trial and error. It's kinda one of those things where you don't want to really know how bad it is and it will just make you depressed. But one piece of advice, don't waste your time or money on an audit if you aren't prepared to do or get the work done.

So you are ready for a Home Energy Audit? These audits come in two forms: Self Assessment and In Home Audits. A self assessment is one that you, the homeowner, do usually through an online site. You can usually find these on your local utility's website or through local, state and local government energy websites. The Pros of these types of tools are that they are free and quick to administer. Cons are that the information provided by these home audits is very general (they cannot give specific details about where you are losing energy) and only as accurate as the homeowner enters. In Home Audits are administered by a professional where he uses tools such as a Blower Door, Duct Blaster and possibly an Infrared Camera (an absolute must in my opinion). They will do a series of diagnostics and enter the information into specific software used for Energy Audits that give you accurate information on how leaky your home is and exactly where those leaks are located.

An Energy Auditor should be sanctioned by either RESNET (Residential Energy Service Network) or BPI (Building Performance Institute). These agencies directly partner with the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Agency. Trust me, you do not want a "weekend" home improvement specialist performing these tests. And you never should take bids to fix the problems from your energy auditor, as that is probably a bit of a conflict of interest, don't you think? Okay, so pros of this type of audit are that you will get a complete understanding of where your home is inefficient and you will get a detailed report showing you such. The sole con is that these audits usually range from $300 to $500 depending on the size of your home and the exact type of information you are looking to find. But you will usually get this money back after you make the energy saving improvements to your home.

In conclusion, I cannot recommend any more highly the value of a professional home energy audit. You will find out where and how to make your home more energy efficient as well make the world a bit greener as your home will be using less energy.

Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Your-Home-Is-Wasting-Energy!-You-Need-a-Home-Energy-Audit!&id=5696136