Home Energy Audits in Southern NH

Are you looking for ways to make your home more comfortable or energy efficient? A home energy audit will get you there. A+ Energy Services conducts home energy audits to help homeowners eliminate issues which cause discomfort and high energy bills. When you schedule an energy audit with our team, we’ll recommend customized solutions especially for your home — and as a trusted local insulation and window contractor, we can even help carry out those solutions.

Our team conducts home energy audits throughout southern New Hampshire, including Keene, Concord, Nashua, Manchester, and Derry, NH.

What Is a Home Energy Audit?

A home energy audit is an in-depth building science assessment of the overall comfort and energy efficiency of your home. More than a mere visual inspection, an energy audit uses advanced equipment to uncover hidden issues which may be affecting your comfort and energy bills — like air leaks, builder mistakes and missing insulation.

If you’re looking to make your home more comfortable year-round or to lower those high energy bills, scheduling a home energy audit is really the place to start.

Why Schedule a Home Energy Audit?

Your energy audit will pinpoint areas that need improvements and help you make prioritized upgrades that deliver tangible and lasting results. We might recommend, for example, improving the attic by air sealing with spray foam and installing cellulose insulation. When you complete the recommended solutions outlined in your energy audit report, you can expect benefits like:

• More stable indoor temperatures

• Greater indoor comfort year-round

• Less need to run heating & AC systems

• Increased home energy efficiency

• Lower energy bills

• Healthier indoor air quality

• Greater protection from carbon monoxide

Rebates & Financing for Your Home Improvements

Did you know that there are valuable rebates and financing options that make it even easier to improve your home? Through the NHSaves Home Performance with ENERGY STAR® (HPwES) program, for example, New Hampshire homeowners can earn up to $4,000 in instant rebates when they schedule an energy audit and complete recommended upgrades like attic air sealing, insulation, and lighting upgrades. As a HPwES contractor, we can help you assess and improve your home while qualifying for these rebates. (NHSAVES is paid for thru a “systems benefit charge” on everyone’s electric bill to implement statewide energy savings program, which is cheaper than building new power stations)

A+ Energy Services also offers a variety of financing options for your home upgrades. Get 0% APR for up to 18 months, loans from $1,000 to $40,000, 10 and 15 year loans, and more!

What’s Included in the Home Energy Assessment

#1 Exterior Inspection

The exterior inspection of your home includes evaluating the general condition of the exterior watershed, siding, and sills. Common issues are mold or fungus growth on roofs, siding, and soffits (usually caused by too much building air leakage and not enough ventilation). There may be grade sloping issues causing moisture problems, and often there will be foundation/framing separation causing cold air infiltration into the basement or crawlspace.

#2 Unfinished Space Inspection

Every A+ energy audit includes a complete inspection of all accessible unconditioned spaces (regardless of how pleasant or unpleasant). This includes basements and dirt floor crawlspaces, knee wall crawlspaces, and attics. As we squeeze into the areas of your home that get the least attention, we’ll be on the lookout for hidden issues that could be causing asthma or allergies, or for insulation gaps that could be causing areas of the house to become either hot or cold.

#3 Infrared Thermal Imaging

With infrared thermal imaging cameras, our Building Analysts can graphically display and photograph the insulation levels and cold or hot spots within your walls, ceilings, and floors without creating any holes or removing any sheet rock. This offers a clear visual of where home energy efficiencies are occurring, and allowing our clients and analysts to zero in on the real problems.

#4 Blower Door Test

The blower door test tells you how much energy your home is wasting due to excess airflow. It allows us to determine where the greatest air leakage is occurring, and to develop cost-effective plans to get your home as close to the Building Airflow Standard (BAS) as possible. The BAS is the “Goldilocks zone”: heat loss virtually eliminated, yet adequate fresh air exchange to ensure plenty of clean, fresh air for the occupants inside the home.

#5 Combustion Safety Test

During your assessment, your Building Analyst may also perform a combustion safety and efficiency test on your heating equipment. This is a very important test that can detect gas leakage, carbon monoxide spillage into your home, and the efficiency of your equipment. This test can even show low-level carbon monoxide problems that may not be detected by plug-in CO detectors, and will also determine how much energy efficiency could be gained through an upgrade to the heating system.

#6 Appliance, Lighting & Hot Water Check

Most homes can save an easy 5-10% of energy consumption through upgrades or adjustments to lighting, appliances, and domestic hot water. Your Building Analyst will consult with you about the availability of instant-on CFL lighting, dimmable LED lighting, secondary refrigerators, and hot water usage. These energy saving measures often offer a rapid return on investment.

Custom Recommendations & Cost Savings Report

Upon completion of your home assessment, your Building Analyst will compile the results into a detailed report that addresses any health, and safety issues and explains any energy loss in your home. The report will detail recommended customized solutions, cost of implementation, and the projected return on your investment.