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- General Questions about Energy Audits
- Why choose to have an Audit performed?
- A: You have two choices here;
(1) Don't choose to have an audit, and continue to waste money and energy. Most homes waste between 1/3 and
1/2 of their heating energy. That's a lot of money!
(2) Choose to have either a walk-through or full Audit.
Just a walk-though can find very large savings opportunities in most homes. The full Audit will find all the leaks and all
the opportunities. - A-2: If you want to apply for Maine Housing Authority assistance, and /or some
state and federal loans for home energy work, a full Certified Audit will be required.
- A-3:
Right now, heating oil is relatively inexpensive. This will change within just a few years, and we will see the price rise
above $4 / barrel. Now is a great opportunity to use the short-term savings to invest in the long-term benefits of a
tight and well-insulated home!
- Is the Full Audit worth the cost?
- A: By using a blower door to measure the home's air tightness, I can be definitive about how much and where
your house leaks heat. Also, while under the low-pressure state of the blower door test, the infrared camera will reveal
leaks that are not visible otherwise. The leaking heat duct in the manufactured home is a prime example.
Further,
the Full Audit addresses issues of water and moisture, indoor humidity, home air-changes, and the safety of combustion appliances
in relation to how tight the home will be when air leaks are sealed.
Finally, The analysis section of the report provides
cost-benefit and Savings-to-Investment ratio figures for each recommendation item. These allow you to clearly see how long
it will take to "get your money back", and for loan considerations, how cost effective each item will be.
Are there programs that will help me pay for the Audit and / or the recommended work? - Is
there a better time of year for the Audit?
Yes,
absolutely. Fall, Winter, or Spring, when it is at least a 15-20 degrees colder
outside than inside. Conversely, if it is warm outside, the Audit may not find
some heat leaks. - What are your Questions?
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- Questions about Tile
- The
grout in my shower has turned brown / black and is falling out. Can this be repaired?
- A:
Maybe. If the tile is mounted on Sheetrock, and inspection shows that the Sheetrock is in reasonable condition, then yes.
The grout can be routed out and the tiles re-grouted.
- My shower tiles are loose
/ buckling or the joints are opening up. Can this be repaired?
- A: This kind of damage
is usually caused by moisture getting behind the tiles and swelling wood that they are mounted to. There may be rot in
the wood. Only an on-site inspection can evaluate this circumstance; but a repair may be possible.
- My shower pan is cracked / broken. Can this be repaired?
- This is usually a fatal
flaw that will require the replacement of the entire shower.
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