Anyone have experience with home energy audits?
Recently bought an older-ish home and wondering if having an energy audit done would be a good idea. Unfortunately all the government credits seem to have expired, but along that it seems most company doing them have also gone away.
Has anyone recently got an energy audit done and would recommend a company? I'm basically looking for a detailed list of where the home is losing heat, and a list of what I can do in priority order to improve it (ie: best bang for your buck).
Thanks!
Posted Feb 6, 2015, 5:12 PM UTC
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Older home, air leaks. This is what I did, insulation in attic 50 rating. New windows and doors, new toilets, seal holes in walls, new furnace. If your home isn't insulated in the walls, that is a massive job but worth it over the long term.
I bought those $18 led bulbs. Print off the $5 and save. Yes their expensive but 3 100 Watt bulbs versus 21 watts, pay for themselves in less than 3 months depending on usage. Led last 25000 hours versus 6000 hours.
Could be wrong but I think the $5 coupon for led bulbs has ended.
Nope, they released new ones good throughout 2015.
This is correct. SaveONenergy.ca
Thanks, sounds like upping the attic is a no brainer, I'll start from there.
You lost me at paying 18 bucks for 21w LED bulbs. That's both relatively inefficient as well as expensive. Ikea's bulbs are better.
The Watt per bulb is 8 to 11 Watt. $18 - $5 rebate. The hydro you save will pay for itself in months but last year's. I doubt ikea will last and be as bright as these bulbs. I just looked on their website, you have to look at the lumens output. You can buy at home depot or ikea the same types and prices. The one I'm talking about is bright at 18, sure you can buy a $8 led bulb at home depot or ikea but it won't be bright enough when you want to light up a room.
Home depot has a 1440 or 1600 lumens for the same price as ikea 1000 lumens but the bulbs at ikea won't fit all sockets and is the same price.
If I'm not mistaken the last ones I bought were 600 (would have to recheck) lumens. With regards to longevity, we're talking similar. My personal experience with Ikea bulbs in general in 7 years of ownership has been two failures so far. One CFL, one halogen (housewide). I'd be surprised if the LED bulbs fared any worse. It really depends on the supplier and they haven't disappointed me. Hell, their rechargeable batteries are merely rebranded Sanyo/Panasonic Eneloops, which are top rated.
The only downside I think (not sure?) is that they're not eligible for the rebate. Either way, you end up with a more energy efficient bulb that costs less than the subsidized one.
Yes at those levels sure they will be cheaper but I'm talking if you want a 100watt equivalent they cost more. Cfl have mercury and give off bad spectrum of light. Led are better on your eyes and cfl last about 10,000 hours and led is 25,000 hours for the same price. Anyways it's whatever works for you and your budget.