In an energy audit,  the goal is to answer several questions - how cost-effective is it to keep a house comfortable? How much does it cost to replace the energy dissipated to the outside? What does the homeowner need to do to improve the house so it resists heat loss? And most importantly, given a limited budget, what are the priorities?

Paul Kando says that most people believe that doors and windows are the biggest problem, but it usually turns out to be something else.  “Most of the time, people have inadequate insulation,” he said. 

The energy audit also looks at the whole house, its wiring, its heating system, its pipes and their insulation. They also inspect the chimneys and wood appliances.

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The family shares its energy costs with the team.

Paul Kando (right) measures the interior of a room.

In addition to the furnace, Paul looks at the hot water heater, and any wood burning appliances.

The thermal camera images show the location of air leaks.

The exterior of the house with the blower door installed.

Paul records readings as the blower door expells air from the house. As the air is expelled, fresh air from the house leaks will become clear.

The family will share its energy costs with the auditors.  The whole house - outside and in - is measured to get the entire square footage and cubic footage of the building.

Surface temperatures are taken on the walls and doors, to determine where the house is leaking energy.  A thermal camera can also show the homeowner in a very graphic manner where his or her heating dollars are going!

Finally, the team uses its blower door to determine the amount of air leakage, the location of the leaks, and what the house would benefit from, whether it is more insulation or greater air exchange.

Midcoast Green Collaborative offers energy audits to homeowners in the midcoast area.  For more information, visit them on the web at www.midcoastgreencollaborative.org, and click on the energy audit link.