Frequently Asked Questions
What is a GreenStreet Home Energy Audit?
A GreenStreet Home Energy Audit assesses how much energy your home consumes and evaluates what measures you can take to make your home more energy efficient. An audit can pinpoint where your house is losing energy and will show you problems that may, when corrected, save you signifigant amounts of energy. Audits will also evaluate the efficiency of your home's heating and cooling systems. GreenStreet home energy audits will also look for possible safety concerns and the effectiveness of your home appliances.
How do I know if I need a home energy audit?
There are several things that can indicate your home would benefit from an energy audit:- If you have heating bills that continue to go up and you keep setting your thermostat lower.
- Your home feels drafty in certain areas.
- Your home is too cool in the winter and too hot in the summer, even when the heating and cooling systems are running.
- Family members’ allergies seem to be worse inside the house and your home feels stuffy or has a musty or mold-like odor.
- Your home is excessively dusty.
How long will the actual audit take?
The Basic audit may take 2-4 hours.
What should I prepare ahead of time for the audit?
GreenStreet auditors will need copies of your energy bills for the past 12 months, which can be requested by calling your local natural gas and electric utility company. Your natural gas, electric and other fuel bills contain valuable information that allows GreenStreet to compare heating and cooling costs by month. Auditors will look for trends that will help you better understand and manage your energy use.
Do I need to be home during the audit?
Yes, the auditors will need to be able to access different areas of your home and they will have energy related questions for you.
Can I do an energy audit myself?
A professional energy audit can help you identify and quantify the amount of energy that is entering and leaving your house. It will also show exactly where the problem areas are located in your home so you can concentrate on improving those areas. A professional audit will also help you to see where you can reduce your energy use all around your home, resulting in lower energy bills.
What can I expect to get after the audit?
You will get a detailed report that will:- Identify and prioritize problems that need correction
- Recommend specific actions that you should take
- Estimate the cost associated with each corrective action
- Calculate the energy and dollar savings you can expect with each corrective action
- Calculate the long-term payback you can expect as a result of home energy improvements
When and how will I receive my final report?
Analysis of data collected and preparation of your report takes about one week. You will receive your personalized GreenStreet Audit report within 10 business days after the audit. Your GreenStreet Auditor will make an appointment to come back to your home and review all findings and recommendations with you.
Will GreenStreet Auditors make the changes needed?
Many recommended improvements are simple and low-cost, and can easily be done by the homeowners or the auditor. If there are findings that indicate more substantial improvement are needed, GreenStreet Solutions can coordinate and manage qualified professional contractors to oversee the entire project for you.
Will a GreenStreet Audit save me money?
The results of a GreenStreet Home Energy Audit will recommend actions you can take to increase comfort and save energy. These recommendations could range from simple things you can do yourself, to more extensive home improvements that address major issues. Acting on recommendations will produce energy savings as well as improve your family's comfort and safety. Reducing home energy use will save money. Improving your family's comfort and safety is priceless.
Are tax credits available for installing more energy efficient systems?
Yes, federal energy efficiency tax credits allow you to deduct a percentage of the value of specific measures such as insulation and heating system/air conditioner replacement. Energy efficiency improvements must be done within 2009 and 2010. For more information, visit the Tax Incentives Assistance Project at http://www.energytaxincentives.org/consumers/insulation_etc.php or the Energy Star website on this topic at http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfmc=products.pr_tax_credits.
