A Home Energy Audit in the Middle of Remodeling? You Bet.

There is a real benefit to conducting a home energy audit not only before you start a renovation on your home, but while it is still in process. Why? Because home energy audits provide critical information about the way conditioned air flows through (and out of) your house, and if you find out where the trouble spots are while the walls are peeled open, your efforts to make changes will be a whole lot more cost effective.

Two blower door tests have been conducted at PT and Lisa's house (fondly referred to as the Energy Circle house) in the past 12 months. The first, accompanied by infrared photography, showed considerable loss of conditioned air, weakened or compromised insulation in a variety of locations, and gaps in the rim joists. Almost immediately after the first audit, Lisa and PT began air sealing the trouble spots. Air sealing is the lowest hanging fruit with a dynamite ROI (Return on Investment). They have not, as of this writing, repaired or replaced insulation in the walls. The second blower door test revealed that the very beginnings of a comprehensive air-sealing effort had a profound affect, reducing air loss from 3600 CFM down closer to 3000. This is great news. But there's a hint of regret. Not so long ago, the Energy Circle house was renovated.

What IF that auditor had come while while the renovation was still underway, rather than years later, when the dry wall was up and the paint was dry? "We'd have pulled out and replaced that insulation in a snap," Lisa says. "It's an incredible opportunity when work is being done to undertake an additional project, particularly one that's going to save you money down the line."  What else might an audit at that time have uncovered? Moisture build up, air quality issues, and ventilation concerns.

The lesson: if you are renovating, take advantage of the opportunity to have an energy audit done by a certified professional. Don't wait until you are all finished with your renovation (or even paint job) to call an auditor. Find out what changes you can make while your house is exposed, and your tolerance for mess is high. Most of what an auditor suggests won't require a lot of mess, mind you.  But insulation and air sealing - both of which can save you a pot of gold and keep you more comfortable, are a whole lot more appealing when your handy work will quickly be covered up with a bright fresh coat of paint.

Most importantly, when a renovation project is underway, the incremental cost of the energy efficiency measures can be very inexpensive.

We recently proposed that home performance professionals: auditors, weatherization specialists, insulation specialists and home energy contractors lacking a unified title be called "House Hackers." Now we suggest you invited the hackers in, while your house is a little bit hacked up. You'll be glad you did.