Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

WHAT IS A HOME ENERGY AUDIT?

A Home Energy Audit is a cost-effective way for a homeowner to get an energy-efficiency analysis of your home, along with recommendations on what improvements you can do to get the "most bang for your buck."

Eco-Wise Living:

• uses the latest in Performance Testing equipment and evaluation software
• assesses your home against national energy efficiency standards
• recommends specific changes and improvements (many of which are surprisingly simple!)
• estimates the savings that could result from those recommended changes using rates from your utility company

Learn more...

WHAT IS A HOME ENERGY RATING?

The Home Energy Rating System (HERS) is a consistent, nationally recognised tool to identify and measure the energy efficient features of any home. The Rating is based on building performance testing to determine the air infiltration and leakage of the building. The Rating Report, in conjunction with rater recommendations, provides homeowners/realtors/builders with information about specific, cost-effective energy efficiency improvements for a home. This type of rating is required when you are applying for an Energy Efficient Mortgage for your home. A Home Energy Rating is also required for ENERGY STAR^® Certification for new home construction. Learn more...

WHAT DOES THE RATER DO?

1. Visual inspection of exterior of home, recording dimensions, size, position and energy characteristics of windows, skylights and doors, and solar orientation of building.
2. Visual inspection of heating and cooling equipment, and hot water system, recording location, size of unit, manufacturer and model number.
3. Visual inspection of interior of home including basement and attic, recording room dimensions, dimensions and position of architectural features such as vaulted or pan ceilings, R-value of insulation in walls, ceilings, and floors structure and condition of thermal distribution system (duct work) including ducts in unconditioned space such as attics and garages energy sources and ENERGY STAR^® ratings of laundry and kitchen appliances.
4. Takes digital and thermal images
5. Blower Door Test
6. Duct Depressurization Test

HOW DO I GET READY FOR A HOME ENERGY AUDIT OR A HOME ENERGY RATING?

1. Ensure that Rater has easy access to the attic.
2. Move furniture and all personal items away from heating vents and returns. The Rater will need access to every vent and return to prepare for the Duct Depressurization Test.
3. Ensure that Rater has easy access to heating and cooling system equipment and to the water heating system.
4. Ensure that Blower Door can be safely installed in your front door. Move furniture and decorative items away from the door. The Blower Door frame is designed to fit into the doorway without doing any harm to your doorframe. However, the equipment is large and the Rater will need some open space around the door to set up the equipment.
5. Arrange for small children and pets to be safely occupied during the Performance Testing. New objects are always fascinating to small children and pets, so for their safety we do ask that you keep them away from the equipment.

HOW LONG DOES A HOME ENERGY AUDIT/RATING TAKE?

About four hours, depending on the size of your home. While we are happy to arrange evening appointments, we ask that your appointment begin at least one hour before dusk so that Rater can complete the external inspection of your home with adequate day light.

HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?

For a Home Energy Audit, contact us for pricing info.

For a Home Energy Rating, refer to our pricing schedule.

WHAT IS THE HERS INDEX?

The Home Energy Ratings System (HERS) has been developed by the Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET), a non-profit organization that develops and maintains national standards for assessing the energy efficiency of houses. After Eco-Wise Living completes a Home Energy Rating on your home, your Rater will contact you with your home's HERS Index. The HERS Index ranks your home against a "standard house." The "standard house," which is ranked at 100, refers to the energy efficiency of a house built to the specifications of the 2006 International Energy Conservation Code. Each index point above 100 is the same as 1% of energy use inefficiency. Each point below 100 indicates energy use efficiency. So the lower your home's HERS Index, the more energy efficient your home is as compared to the HERS "standard house." A HERS Index of zero indicates a house that uses no net purchased energy.

For example, a home with a HERS Index of 142 is considered 42% LESS efficient than the "standard house." Whereas a HERS Index of 90 is 10% MORE efficient than the "standard house." For homes in Southeastern Michigan, to qualify as an ENERGY STAR^® home, the house needs to have a HERS Index of 85 or lower.

A final note: If you own an older home, you may not be able to get your home's HERS Index down as low as 85, since many building methods and materials used 20, 30 or more years ago did not emphasize energy efficiency. However, even if you start at 285 and then make the suggested improvements as recommended by your Rater and get the Index down to 110, you know you have greatly increased your home's efficiency and comfort level and are doing your part to protect the environment.

WHO RECOGNISES THE HERS RATING?

Department of Energy
Environmental Protection Agency
ENERGY STAR^®
American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)
American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM)
National Mortgage Bankers Association
Fannie Mae
Freddie Mac
VA
FHA

WHERE DO I FIND INFO ON SEALING/INSULATING ATTIC ACCESS POINTS?

For information on products to seal or insulate attic access hatches and attic stairs/ladders:
www.toolbase.org/TechInventory (Attic Access Insulation and Air Seal Systems)
www.batticdoor.com
www.industrialladder.com

CFL WATTAGE IS MUCH LOWER THAN THE WATTAGE OF REGULAR LIGHT BULBS. HOW DO I KNOW WHICH KIND TO BUY FOR MY LAMPS AND LIGHT FIXTURES?

For information on proper size of Compact Fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs), see manufacturer's information on product packaging. The following is provided only as a quick reference and should not be used in lieu of the manufacturer's recommendations.

Comparable Wattage of CFLs and Incandescents

Incandescent Wattage	CFL Wattage
25	5
50	9
60	15
75	20
100	25
120	28
150	39

Read more about CFLs...

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