Finally, the good kind of audit – home energy efficiency!

I talk a lot about energy efficiency and making home renovations that can help cut costs on your monthly utility bills. But say you’re still having trouble understanding. All this talk about ventilation ducts and star ratings and climate controls has your head in a tailspin, and you’re looking for someone to help level you out.

Fear not! You can have your home audited for energy efficiency!

Most of the time, when people hear the word “audit,” they think about the taxman coming to rifle through their boxes of receipts.  Not this time.

With a home energy audit, a professional helps you understand the nuisances of your home. Whether you’re looking to replace your windows or water heater, the first step to savings is often times the toughest.

A home energy audit can identify where energy is being wasted, and help you prioritize your renovations. Efficiency upgrades have the potential to save you 30% on your monthly utility bills.

So, what exactly takes place during an energy audit, you ask?

Well, first a licensed auditor sits down with you and reviews your energy bills. That way, the two of you can target high-expense areas to investigate. Next, the auditor conducts a visual inspection, and may even use special equipment like an infrared camera to detect sources of energy waste. Then, based on his or her assessment, you’ll be provided with a final report that shows exactly which efficiency upgrades are best for you, and how much money you could be saving.

When choosing an auditor, it’s crucial that you go with a person or company with experience and a background in energy. As a general rule of thumb - only hire people you trust. Let’s go with ten years of experience in the industry. That’s a nice round number. Your auditor should also be a Professional Engineer (PE) and/or a Certified Energy Manager (CEM). It certainly doesn't hurt to get an estimate or two before you sign a contract with an auditor either. That way, you know you’re getting a fair price (But remember, it can be expensive up front. Plumbers charge $100/hr after all!).

Most of all – know what you’re paying for! Ask for details. Set deadlines. Keep an open communication with your auditor. Learn from him or her. Remember that the most important step in any journey is the first one! So take that step. Open up your local directory, or search “energy audits” online.

It’s OK that you’re not an energy expert. Some people are.

Tips for Your Gas Tank

Although governments have done their best to keep the price of gasoline down, it teeters at an all-time high. Hybrid and electric cars are more prominent on the road, yet still haven’t matched the price-point of their gasoline counterparts. So besides trading their vehicles in, what can drivers do to cut down on their trips to the pump?

1.  Never top off your tank! People like to round to the nearest whole number because it looks cleaner, but in reality, topping off is a huge waste of energy. Once you hear the nozzle click, that’s your key to stop! The additional gas you pump will only go to waste.

2.  Make sure your gas cap is screwed on tight. Every year, more than 140 million gallons of gasoline are wasted due to evaporation. After refueling, make sure your gas cap is screwed on tight to prevent fuel from leaking and/or evaporating.

3.  If you own a garage, use it for your car! Don’t use it for storage. Don’t become a hoarder. Throw out your old junk and make room. Keeping your car parked in a covered area will keep it warm during the winter and cool during the summer, cutting down on how much you have to use the heater and AC.

4.  Don’t own a garage? That’s OK! Just make sure you keep your car parked in a shady area. Even consider buying a windshield shade to block out the sun. The summer heat can really put a lot of stress on your car’s engine. Not to mention make your interior and unbearable oven. Really – who likes getting into a car that’s been sitting out in the sun all day?

5.  Don’t wait until you see the “Check Engine” light before checking your engine. Make sure it has enough oil. Antifreeze. Regular car maintenance will save you hundreds of dollars at the pump. Pay a little now. Save a lot later.

6.  While you’re under the hood, take a peek at your engine’s air filters. Over time, they get clogged with dirt and grime, which forces your engine to consume more fuel. By replacing your air filters every 3,000 miles, you can reduce your fuel consumption by 10%, saving up to 15 cents a gallon.

7.  When’s the last time you checked your tires? I bet you didn't know that under-inflated tires force your engine to exert more energy, thus guzzling more gas. Take the time to stroll around your vehicle. Kick the tires. If one feels a little flat (you can tell by the awkward thump), go and and get some air!

You’ll be surprised at how little you have to stop at the pump next month. Follow NRGLab at nrglab.asia for more information on what we’re doing to improve gasification processes and fuel-efficiency. Join us, and support a better future.

Why own such a big, energy guzzling home?

Are you single? Are your friends trying to prepare for their future families by taking out mortgages on small houses? Well, if you answered “yes” to both these questions and happen to live in an apartment, then you’re substantially less responsible for global warming than your friends.

Apartments use an estimated 40% less energy than single-family homes, according to recent findings. Sure -- apartments tend to be on the small side. They can be noisy. And unpredictable. But by minimizing space and windows, they waste much less energy. Much, much less.

Over the past thirty years, without efficiency upgrades in multi-family buildings, the United States per-household energy use in apartment buildings has dropped 38%, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The use of energy for heating fell a staggering 50%!

Other types of home have seen decreases in energy usage, mostly from efficiency improvements in regular appliances. But single-family homes still make up the bulk of real estate in the U.S. -- and obviously, that's the front where the energy war can be won.

Companies like WegoWise, a Boston firm whose analytics help people save money on utility bills, are focusing on the energy needs of multifamily home. It's a difficult task – how do you fairly go about dividing energy costs versus function for single versus multi-family homes?

ThinkEco, a company whose energy-saving products facilitate consumption reduction by enabling cloud-control connectivity to multiple energy loads, is hoping to dominate the windowed air-conditioner market. ACs are staples of older homes in cities such as Washington D.C. and New York. With more efficient models, these cities could drastically cut down on their utility costs.

In the future, energy-saving fads will come and go. But last year, in the U.S., 30% of new homes were multifamily buildings with more than five units. Buildings like these will help put a stop to bleeding electricity.

The answer is smaller housing! Practical living. Cooperation.

You don’t need a two-car garage, third story, or finished basement to be happy. Happiness is a state of mind. So ditch the energy-guzzling home. Settle for an apartment!