ENERGY EFFICIENCY - WHOLE HOUSE
A whole-house energy efficiency approach is to look at your house and all of the elements within the house and around the house as a system. The location, the landscape, the design, how well it is built, and your lifestyle all play a part in affecting the energy use. For ease of finding information, we have separated a house system into six areas. They are insulations, windows, heating/cooling, water heating, lightings, and appliances & electronics.
The energy performance of an Energy Star home is tested and verified by third party, thus providing a higher level of assurance. For more information, go to the Northwest Energy Star website.
Home Energy Audit
Home energy audit is a diagnostic procedure to find out if your whole house system is functioning properly. It helps you to understand if you are leaking energy and what is the opportunity for improvement. A comprehensive home energy audit usually includes blower-door test, duct test (if applicable), and room-by-room analysis by a professional energy auditor. In some cases, a thermographic scan is needed also. Unfortunately, there is no business registered to do such service in the Kitsap area. There are heating/cooling system contractors who may have qualified personnel to do a partial audit. The closest available businesses are in Seattle.
Do-It-Yourself Energy Audit
The U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy website has a Step-By-Step Guide to walk you through a home energy audit. There are also an on-line evaluation tools that help you to do your own home energy audit. They are:
Home Analyzer
Home Energy Analysis
