Certified Energy Consulting does not perform energy audits at this time. But we do encourage home owners to invest in them. It's a good thing and when done right, can provide a lifetime road map of your home's features, issues, and eventual remediation.

Worried about your gas, electric and water bills and whether you're wasting energy in your home?

A new program from the city of Fresno's Planning and Development Department can help. The Sustainable Fresno community energy program offers free home energy surveys to determine waste.

The surveys are designed to detect hot and cold spots that lead to waste and to educate residents about how to make improvements to reduce energy bills and increase comfort in the home.

The program is the result of a $4.6 million Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant from the U.S. Department of Energy. More than 2,800 communities received grants in March to help reduce energy use and fossil fuel emissions. Visalia also received money for a similar program. Madera is interested in learning more from Fresno's program.

More than 70 Fresno home surveys have been conducted since late July.

Only homes built prior to 1998 are targeted. After that date, the Title 24 California building code required energy efficiency standards.

Inspectors use high-tech infrared cameras and other tools to conduct thermal scans inside a home to determine where there is heat loss or penetration. The surveys take 11/2 to 2 hours.

Officials believed windows would be the primary trouble spot. But Fresno's sustainability manager Joseph Oldham says surveys are detecting a lot of inadequate insulation, particularly around ceiling ducts.

Inspectors also evaluate water fixtures and refer residents to the city's water conservation program for free outdoor landscaping audits.

Oldham says survey assessments will also help the city develop financial incentives designed to jump-start the local economy with green jobs.

Fresnans spent more than $750 million on energy in 2007. Sustainable Fresno wants to reduce energy spending by about 30%.

"If we could reduce energy costs for the community -- that $225 million going back in the community would be a huge economic driver," he says.

The reporter can be reached at \n // --> This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or (559) 441-6304.

Standards have been developed in California for an index of our state’s existing housing stock. The Index will look at a home with a somewhat scientific approach based on accepted national and statewide protocols (e.g. DOE 2 ). The HERS Rater will calculate and certify the home using the “California HERS Index ” score.

The HERS Index scorerates a home on a scale of 0 to 100. Zero represents a net-zero energy home and 100 represents California's current enegry code. Most existing homes will be above or well above 100. The computer program takes into account insulation and surface areas of walls, windows, attics, etc. Orientation and mechanical equipment is also inventoried and entered into the computer program and the resulting calcualtions are put into a report.

Typically a HERS Rater does not perform remedial measures such as duct sealing or insulation installation. But they are knowledgeable and often (for an extra fee) will agree to manage energy efficiency improvements. Some feel that the HERS Rater, who is an independent 3rd party, is likely to offer the most objectivity.

Building Performance Contractors

The California Building Performance Contractors Association trains, certifies, and has blazed the trail of figuring out home performance issues in existing homes. They have been gathering data on which efficiency measures offer the best value in the real world. But the most important value of a Building Performance Contractor (BPC) may be in their understanding of how a home works. They look at the home as a system and conduct mechanical, infrared, and other cutting edge testing. They will make recommendations on their findings and counsel the home owner. A good BPC will charge a fee ($500 to $800 or more) and provide a report that will be detailed and authoritative. You then have the option of having some or all of the recommendations done by your BPC or someone else.

The BPC may refund part or the entire initial auditing fee to get your business. If they do the work, they will apply the same tests and standards to another report. And that report will list the improvements.
In the Central Valley we recommend

Rare Heating Service Heating and Air and Central Valley Energy Consulting.

Sol-Tek Industries, Inc. Especially if you are considering a residential solar electric system.

Energy Audtis are smart, practical, and necessary if a home owner is interested in the health and enery efficiency of their home.

If you'd like a HERS Rater to come to your home for an Index Audit, contact one of the HERS providers; CHEERS , CalCERTS , or CBPCA.

If you'd like a Home Performance Contractor to do an energy audit, contact the California Building Performance Contractors Association