Conduct an Energy Assessment to Determine Where You Can Save
The first step in preparing to save energy is to find out where you are losing energy—and money. Energy assessments, also known as home energy audits, can be conducted in homes, apartments, multi-family homes, and small businesses. An assessment will show you problems that may, when corrected, save you significant amounts of money over time.
Homes and Apartments
- Get a professional energy assessment or conduct your own.
Do-It-Yourself:
- The Home Energy Saver auditing tool can help you conduct your own energy assessment.
- Apartment dwellers, find out what you can do to make your home more energy efficient.
Professional:
- Your utility might offer free or discounted energy assessment—contact them first to find out.
- Find a professional auditor in the Certified Rater Directory from the Residential Energy Services Network.
- Then implement the findings from the assessment with low-cost or no-cost tips for summer and winter, or consider making a long-term investment for energy savings.
Multifamily Homes
- For multifamily homes, determine where you could make the most cost-effective energy efficiency improvements.
- Use the Energy Efficient Rehab Advisor Multifamily Building Calculator to find potential costs and savings of making your multifamily building more efficient (especially during a remodeling project).
- Then implement the findings from the assessment with low-cost or no-cost tips for summer and winter, or consider making a long-term investment for energy savings.
Small Businesses
- Find state and local efficiency programs to help you conduct an energy assessment and save energy at your business.
- Determine areas where you can save energy in your workplace.
- Use the Office Energy Checklist to take simple measures to save energy.
- Use the Small Business Guide to Energy Efficiency to learn how to save energy and money and where to find assistance.
