Comprehensive Energy Audit

Austin Auditor's Comprehensive Energy Audit

Includes:

1) Onsite analysis including duct leakage test, blower door test, attic visual inspection, interior visual inspection, exterior visual inspection, CO test, combustible gas leakage test,and more;

2) 20+ page report including potentials for efficiency improvement, potentials for comfort improvement, color photos, return on investment analysis, and suggested contractors; and

3) an in person review of the energy audit report where the report is explained and any questions client may have are answered.

Price: $300 for a home 3,000 sq ft or less. For each sq ft over 3,000, the price goes up by $0.07. For example, a 4,500 sq ft home is $405, which is $300 plus 1,500 sq ft x $0.07.


Austin Energy's Mandatory Energy Audits

City of Austin Mandatory Energy Audit

Includes:

Mandatory City of Austin energy audit, which includes exterior visual inspection, interior visual inspection, attic inspection, and heating and cooling air duct leakage test.

Price: $200 for a home 2,000 sq ft or less with one central air conditioning system. For each additional air conditioning system add $25 and for each additional 500 sq ft of the home add $25. For example, a 4,200 sq ft home with two central air conditioing systems costs $300.

For more information see our City Ordinance page or go to Austin Energy's website


Individual Energy Audit Services in Austin, TX

Blower Door Test

Determine how much outside or attic air leaks into your home or commercial building. For well-sealed homes and buildings, determines whether there is sufficient replacement of the interior air.

For more info go to: Energy Savers or Home Energy

Why get this test?

Many homes and buildings have unnoticed holes that let the cold air out during the hot summer and let the cold air in during the cold winters. These holes can cause your heating or cooling system to run inefficiently and can reduce your home or building's indoor air quality.


Heating and Cooling Air Duct Leakage Test

Determine how much conditioned air that your A/C and heating system's ducts are leaking. Determines sufficiency of insulation encasing your duct system. As additional option, the inspector can locate the major leaks in your duct system.

For more info go to: Energy Conservatory or watch this video

Why get this test?

Leaky ducts can be a significant source of energy loss and inefficiency. The average duct leakage for an American home is 27%. An acceptable level of duct leakage should be in the 10% to 15% range.


External Static Pressure Test

Examine the static pressure across the air handler. Determines the efficiency of the air handler and the duct design.

Why get this test?

Static pressure in a HVAC system is the same thing as blood pressure in your body. This test involves taking the air pressure on either side of a component of a duct system. To find pressure drop, simply subtract the two pressures. The difference is the pressure drop of the filter, coil, fitting, or duct run. When the manufacturer rates a fan, at say 0.50-in. W.C., and the system measures 0.83-in. W.C., airflow will typically be at 70% to 75% of capacity. At that airflow, heat transfer suffers significantly and the system performs poorly. Systems do not operate well outside of the manufacturer's specifications. Another interesting fact is that the higher the AFUE or SEER, the worse the equipment will operate at low airflow.


Flow Hood Test

Examine the air flow from each supply and return grill in the house. Determines the air flow of the system and compares it against what the air flow of the system should be.

Why get this test?

Each air conditioning system should cause a specific amount of air to flow through the ducts and each specific duct should be designed so that a specific amount of air flows through that duct and enters the conditioned space. This is often not the case. Measuring a system's air flow can determine the quality of the system's design and how well the entire system distributes air.


Exterior Visual Inspection

Examine the quality of shading and windows. Look for moisture problems. Examine drainage around house. And more...

Why get this test?

Living in a sunny and hot climate, the use of solar shading can be one of the most economical ways to increase a home's efficiency. Moisture and poor drainage can seriously reduce the lifespan of your home or building. Moisture can also be the source of health problems for you and your family.


Interior Visual Inspection

Look for potential air leaks or air infiltration. Examine windows. Look for moisture problems. Examine ventilation and exhaust fans and their sufficiency.

Why get this test?

Air leaks and air infiltration can reduce your home's efficiency. Moisture can cause problems for you and your family's health as well as your home or building. Ventilation is an important component to a home or building having a high indoor air quality. The use of ventilation to dilute contaminants, filter the air, and control the source of the indoor air is one of the primary methods to improving indoor air quality in most buildings.


Attic Inspection

Examine existing attic insulation and determine quality of the insulation and the installation of that insulation. Look for moisture problems.

Why get this test?

Insulation helps keep a home comfortable and reduce costs for heating and cooling. Generally, the attic is the most important area of insulation in a home. The home will not be as comfortable and energy costs will be higher if sufficient insulation is not installed or is not installed correctly. Even though it is fairly simple to install, insulation is installed incorrectly surprisingly frequently.


Combustible Gas Leak Inspection

Examine appliances that use combustible gases for potential leaks. Examine potential for backdrafting on appliances due to pressure changes.

Why get this test?

If an appliance is leaking combustible gas, it can be both dangerous and potentially deadly. It is infrequent for an appliance to leak a combustible gas, but it is always best to be prudent, especially if your appliance is older or in disrepair.


Carbon Monoxide Examination

Determine home's interior air quality with regards to carbon monoxide. Examine combustible appliances for release of carbon monoxide.

Why get this test?

Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless and toxic gas that is the byproduct of the inefficient burning of natural gas. Because it is impossible to see, taste or smell the toxic fumes, CO can kill you before you are aware it is in your home. At lower levels of exposure, CO causes mild effects that are often mistaken for the flu. These symptoms include headaches, dizziness, disorientation, nausea and fatigue. Around 200 people die every year from exposure to CO produced by non-automotive consumer products. To put this in perspective, approximately 60 people die a year from being struck by lightning.