A Green Home Remodel Begins with an Energy Audit

One of the first steps to remodeling green is to have an energy audit done. Not only does an energy audit give homeowners the opportunity to improve the performance of their home, it also provides homeowners with the opportunity to make their home green while reducing the costs associated with heating and cooling their home.

Energy Efficiency is a Key Component of Green Remodels

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) a home can cause twice the greenhouse gas emissions of a car. An energy efficient home reduces the environmental impact of the home as well as heating and cooling costs. Green home remodeling projects allow you to make the desired changes to your home while improving the overall performance of your home.

What is an Energy Audit?

An energy audit identifies the areas homeowners can change in order to improve the performance of their home. An energy audit takes a look at the insulation around doors, windows, insulation in the attic, walls and foundation, efficiency of appliances and heating and cooling systems and offers suggestions on improvements that can be made. Get a basic understanding about your home's performance by using the ENERGYSTAR Home Energy Yardstick. This online tool compares your home's performance with that of similar homes. To use this tool, have a summary of annual electrical costs, annual electrical use and home square footage.

Where to Find Energy Audit Professionals before Starting a Green Remodel?

You can choose to complete an energy audit yourself or work with a professional. If you prefer to have an energy audit done by a professional, first contact your local utility company. Many utility companies offer free energy audits to their customers. A professional auditor often utilizes professional equipment like infrared cameras to find air leaks that are hard to find without this tool. You can also search for home energy audit professionals on the ENERGY STAR website or in your local yellow pages.

Remodeling green not only helps reduce your utility costs, it also lessens your environmental impact. Before starting your project, be sure to check for rebates available from your local and state government agencies and utility companies. The federal government also offers a number of rebates and tax credits that homeowners can take advantage of when completing a green remodel.

Sources:

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency - U.S. Department of Energy Website - http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=home_improvement.hm_improvement_audits