Dan's Papers - June 5, 2009

In the winter months, no one enjoys getting his or her heating bill. But not many people realize that the cost of cooling a home is just as expensive!

A great way to make your home more energy efficient is to start by consulting the professionals. Energy Testing Services is a company that provides an in-home audit service by appointment. An audit is an in-depth analysis of your home during which many different tests are performed to evaluate your home's energy efficiency.

One of the tests performed is the Blower Door Test. The blower door gets installed into the front door of your home, depressurizing your house. This machine is similar to a vacuum, sucking all the air from your home through the blower door. The auditor then walks around your home with a smoke pencil, looking for areas, like windows or doors, where smoke emitted from the pencil blows towards the blower door. This is an indication that there is an air leak in your home. This also means that on any ordinary day, outside air is coming into your home and heat from the inside of your home is getting out. No matter how you look at it, it is a leak that needs to be fixed. This must be where the expression, "throwing money out the window" came from.

Another test is the Duct Blaster Test, which can improve the comfort, health and safety of your home. This tests your ducts for leakage. Duct leakage can increase your heating and cooling costs by over 30%.

The Combustion Safety Test is also performed during your audit. This is an inspection of your mechanical equipment, such as your boiler, hot water heater and furnace, to test their energy efficiency. Most importantly the auditor is checking for any CO2 leakage.

Along with all of the mentioned tests, Energy Testing Services also does a visual inspection of your home to ensure that it is free of mold and mildew and also to make sure that it is structurally sound.

After completion of the audit a detailed report is provided, listing the suggested measures needed to lower your energy bill, in most cases 20 to 30%. Companies like Energy Testing Services can complete the needed repairs that your home may require to achieve the Energy Star standards. They can also assist you in attaining any rebates, grants or tax credits that may be available to you.

If you are planning on building a new home, most towns on Long Island have adopted the Energy Star Program. All homes in these towns must meet Energy Star standards. An Energy Star home is 40% more efficient than a conventional home. The process of labeling a new home Energy Star efficient begins with contracting a Home Energy Rating System rater (HERS). Energy Testing is a fully accredited and insured H.E.R.S. rater, providing plan reviews, inspections and filings needed to achieve the Energy Star label for your new home.

Energy Testing Services is a part of the Delfino Insulation and Picone Stone and Fireplace family of business. For more information, contact the Hamptons Green Alliance or Energy Testing Services 631-244-2627. www.Energytestingservices.com.