CONDUCTING
A HOME ENERGY AUDIT

GOAL:

To become aware of features in building construction that conserves or wastes energy.

OBJECTIVES:

The student will:

1. Recognize and record energy conservation design features in buildings.

2. Become aware of and use energy conservation vocabulary.

3. Conduct a home energy audit.

LESSON/INFORMATION:

For a nation with a small population (6% of the world), the United States uses an enormous amount of energy, about a third of the energy produced each year. As Wilson Clark stated in his book Energy for Survival: The Alternative to Extinction, "it's as if every American citizen had 300 laborers working 24 hours a day for him alone."

Such a situation cannot continue to exist. There are many alternatives, but not all are attractive. To give ourselves the best chance at maintaining a comfortable standard of living without monopolizing the world's resources, we must develop awareness and habits of energy conservation.

The biggest energy consumer in the home is the AC / Heating unit. Conservation measures that affect this factor can make a marked difference in the energy consumption and comfort level of buildings. The owner of an older home or building can save as much as 50% on heating bills by adding insulation and preventing excessive air infiltration. Although there is an initial cost, most energy conservation improvements pay for themselves in five years or less. As energy costs continue to rise, one begins to realize that heating a poorly insulated house is like burning money.

A Home Energy Audit and the implementation of the auditor's recommendations will enable the average home-owner to save up to 40% on the home energy bill. The audit process is not difficult and can be conducted by any student. The recommendations are usually low cost and can be implemented by most homeowners.

ACTIVITY 1:

1. Review Activity Guide: Learning How to Conduct a Home Energy Audit.

2. Obtain brochures on home energy conservation from your local utility company. Information can also be obtained from other guides in this packet.

3. A supply of tissue paper, or thin plastic and tape should be available for students' use in making their draft meters. See illustration below.

4. Collect samples of insulation, caulk, and weather-stripping, and pictures of these items being installed. Many hardware and building supply stores have free "how-to" pamphlets and samples for prospective customers.

5. Read SLEMCO Design I Booklet or a similar utility company energy information booklet.

6. Get permission to conduct an audit on your parents' or relatives' home.

7. Answer all yes/no questions in the following audit. Do not make recommendations until teacher has reviewed your audit.

Directions: After obtaining permission to perform the following audit on a friend's or relative's home, please answer the following questions. Recommendations will be made after your instructor has reviewed the answers given.

Name or location of building inspected:
__________________________________________________

1. Are the ceilings insulated?
( __ ) yes ( __ ) no
Recommendation:________________________________

2. Is the building on a slab or is it built off the ground?
( __ ) slab ( __ ) pillars
Recommendation:________________________________

3. If the building is built off the ground, what is the thickness of the insulation under the house?
_________________ inches. Any air barrier?
( __ ) yes ( __ ) no
Recommendation:________________________________

4. Estimate how much of the floor is covered with rugs, padding, and carpeting? (percent or fraction)
________ percent
Recommendation:________________________________

5. Is heating and cooling equipment (ducts, grills, radiators) blocked by furniture, rugs, drapes, etc.?
( __ ) yes ( __ ) no
Recommendation:________________________________

6. Are walls/ceilings light enough in color to reflect light?
( __ ) yes ( __ ) no
Recommendation:________________________________

7. Does the sun enter the home through windows or glass doors in the summer?
( __ ) yes ( __ ) no
Recommendation:________________________________

8. If there is a fireplace, does it have a damper and glass doors?
( __ ) yes ( __ ) no
Recommendation:________________________________
( __ ) yes ( __ ) no
Recommendation:________________________________

9. Is the damper closed when the fireplace is not being used?
( __ ) yes ( __ ) no
Recommendation:________________________________

10. Is the central heating turned off when the fireplace is in use?
( __ ) yes ( __ ) no
Recommendation:________________________________

11. Does the draft detector move when placed along edges of doors and windows on windy days?
( __ ) yes ( __ ) no
Recommendation:________________________________

12. On windy days does the draft detector show air currents through electrical outlets and switches placed on outside walls?
( __ ) yes ( __ ) no
Recommendation:________________________________

13. Check all openings for drafts, and make a list of drafty openings. EXAMPLES: plumbing pipes in walls, exhaust fans in kitchen and bathroom while OFF, chimney pipes exiting thru walls or ceilings.
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
Recommendation:______________________________________
_______________________________________________________

14. Are hot/cold water faucets and toilets free from drips?
( __ ) yes ( __ ) no
Recommendation:________________________________

15. Have flow-restrictors been placed in pipes connected to shower heads?
( __ ) yes ( __ ) no
Recommendation:________________________________

16. Is there a clock HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) thermostat adjusted to "set-back" temperature automatically at bedtime?
( __ ) yes ( __ ) no
Recommendation:________________________________

17. Check attic for exposed hot water pipes. Are they insulated?
( __ ) yes ( __ ) no
Recommendation:________________________________

18. Check attic for ducts carrying heated and cooled air. Are they wrapped with at least 2 inches of insulation? (Check for air leaks. Use draft detector.)
( __ ) yes ( __ ) no
Recommendation:________________________________

19. Check air filter. Has it been changed lately, at least once a month in summer and winter months? Are openings or metal fins inside blocked or filled with dust?
( __ ) yes ( __ ) no
Recommendation:________________________________
( __ ) yes ( __ ) no
Recommendation:________________________________

20. Is the exhaust hose from the clothes dryer free from obstructions?
( __ ) yes ( __ ) no
Recommendation:________________________________

21. Has the indoor and outdoor HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) unit been cleaned and serviced in the last year?
( __ ) yes ( __ ) no
Recommendation:________________________________

22. Have all major home appliances been cleaned and oiled during the last one year period?
( __ ) yes ( __ ) no
Recommendation:________________________________

23. Are the kitchen and bathroom areas vented to the outside?
( __ ) yes ( __ ) no
Recommendation:________________________________

24. Are food preparation appliances turned off when cooking is completed?
( __ ) yes ( __ ) no
Recommendation:________________________________

25. Have provisions been made for natural lighting wherever possible?
( __ ) yes ( __ ) no
Recommendation:________________________________

26. Do you notice any exterior light penetration around exterior doors?
( __ ) yes ( __ ) no
Recommendation:________________________________

27. Is at least 30% of the cooking done in the microwave oven or other energy efficient means?
( __ ) yes ( __ ) no
Recommendation:________________________________

28. Do the kitchen and bathroom vents have dampers?
( __ ) yes ( __ ) no
Recommendation:________________________________

29. Does the house have mostly fluorescent lighting?
( __ ) yes ( __ ) no
Recommendation:________________________________

30. Does the house have recessed lights?
( __ ) yes ( __ ) no
Recommendation:________________________________

31. Are the occupants aware that setting the thermostat at 78°F in the summer and 68°F in the winter can mean substantial savings in their energy bill? (Savings up to _____% of this bill)
( __ ) yes ( __ ) no
Recommendation:________________________________

32. Does the home have a gas or electric water heater?
( __ ) gas ( __ ) electric
Recommendation:________________________________

33. Is the water heater set at 120°F or on the "low" setting?
( __ ) yes ( __ ) no
Recommendation:________________________________

34. Is the water heater tank insulated?
( __ ) yes ( __ ) no
Recommendation:________________________________

35. Does the water heater tank have a programmable on/off switch?
( __ ) yes ( __ ) no
Recommendation:________________________________

36. Is the family aware of energy conserving habits such as washing with cold water, washing dishes with full loads, hanging clothes while damp to ease the ironing process?
( __ ) yes ( __ ) no
Recommendation:________________________________

37. Does the house have ceiling fans in most rooms?
( __ ) yes ( __ ) no
Recommendation:________________________________

38. During the humid, summer months, does the A/C run approximately one-half of the time?
( __ ) yes ( __ ) no
Recommendation:________________________________

39. Is the house heated by gas, an electric heat pump, a wood stove or some similar energy efficient system?
( __ ) yes ( __ ) no
Recommendation:________________________________

40. Are there few or no windows on the east and west side of the building?
( __ ) yes ( __ ) no
Recommendation:________________________________

41. Are the north windows higher than those on the south side?
( __ ) yes ( __ ) no
Recommendation:________________________________

42. Does the roof on the south side extend out from the house far enough to block summer sun from walls and windows?
( __ ) yes ( __ ) no
Recommendation:________________________________

43. Will the roof overhang allow the lower winter sun to warm south walls and windows?
( __ ) yes ( __ ) no
Recommendation:________________________________

44. Are there storm windows and storm doors in place?
( __ ) yes ( __ ) no
Recommendation:________________________________

45. Are evergreen shrubs and trees planted as windbreaks around the north and west sides of the building?
( __ ) yes ( __ ) no
Recommendation:________________________________

46. Are deciduous (leaf-shedding) trees planted on the east, southeast, south, southwest, and west sides for summer shade and winter sun?
( __ ) yes ( __ ) no
Recommendation:________________________________

47. Does frost melt more quickly on certain areas on the roof? (Indicates need for more ceiling insulation.)
( __ ) yes ( __ ) no
Recommendation:________________________________

48. Can you see spaces for air leaks on the exterior of the house, broken windows, rotted boards or other sources of cold air leaks into cellar or crawl space?
( __ ) yes ( __ ) no
Recommendation:________________________________

49. Are cracks and joints around windows, doors, stairways, pipes, and electrical wires caulked?
( __ ) yes ( __ ) no
Recommendation:________________________________

50. Is there weatherstripping around the exterior doors? Around the windows?
( __ ) yes ( __ ) no
Recommendation:________________________________
( __ ) yes ( __ ) no
Recommendation:________________________________

51. Are exterior doors and windows closed in the summer and winter, and opened during comfortable fall and spring weather?
( __ ) yes ( __ ) no
Recommendation:________________________________

52. Does the home have French doors or sliding glass doors?
( __ ) yes ( __ ) no
Recommendation:________________________________

53. Are unshaded sky-lights evident in the house?
( __ ) yes ( __ ) no
Recommendation:________________________________

54. Has the bottom plate been caulked? Check with draftmeter on a windy day.
( __ ) yes ( __ ) no
Recommendation:________________________________

55. Does the house have storm doors which are converted into screen doors for spring and fall when no A/C or heat is used?
( __ ) yes ( __ ) no
Recommendation:________________________________

56. Does the soffit have adequate vents? (1 inch per sq. ft. of attic space.)
( __ ) yes ( __ ) no
Recommendation:________________________________

57. Does the roof have a ridge vent? If not, list other vents, if any.
________________________________________
( __ ) yes ( __ ) no
Recommendation:________________________________

58. Is the roof a light color to reflect heat?
( __ ) yes ( __ ) no
Recommendation:________________________________

59. Is the ground around the house generally covered with grass and shrubs?
( __ ) yes ( __ ) no
Recommendation:________________________________

EVALUATION:

Ask students to show their completed Data Sheets before preparing the recommendations.

Have student fill out recommendations appropriately.

Collect and examine the recommendation sheets for appropriateness and feasibility.

Present a copy of completed survey and recommendations to homeowner.

Prepare a survey six months subsequent to the activity to identify any improvements made in home energy conservation by your students.

VOCABULARY:

Review terms used in Activity Guide: Learning How to Conduct a Home Energy Audit.

SUGGESTED POINTS FOR DISCUSSION:

1. Why were buildings built for so long without regard for energy conservation?

2. What "Energy Savers" are most important for summer cooling?

3. How could convection be used to help with summer cooling?

4. Describe the "Energy Efficient House of the Future." How would it be designed, oriented, landscaped, and managed?

Comments or questions to: TechAsmt@LA.GOV

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