Home Energy Analysis

The Home Energy Analysis is designed to help you save money on your energy bills by making your home as efficient as possible. Using the “House as a System” approach, CEE sees upgrading and updating insulation and mechanical systems as the best way to reduce energy consumption. Our technicians are experienced building analysts who have expertise in construction, indoor air quality and energy efficiency. Call at 612-335-5856 to schedule your inspection today.

For a cost of $150 the Home Energy Analysis identifies possible upgrades to your home’s insulation and mechanical system and gives you estimated costs for these modifications. With the inspection, you will receive a written report identifying insulation recommendations, along with a cutaway diagram of insulation locations and footprint diagram of your home, to help contractors bid the recommended work. The Home Energy Analysis includes:

Inspection of existing wall and attic insulation

Your technician will conduct a visual inspection of your exterior walls and attic to determine if they are adequately insulated. This inspection may include drilling a test hole to determine the depth of any existing wall insulation.

Identification of possible attic bypasses

Bypasses are gaps between your heated and unheated spaces, such as the attic. Bypasses can cause warm interior air to escape to the attic, causing higher heating bills and increasing the potential for ice dams and attic moisture problems in the winter. Your technician will identify potential locations of these bypasses such as drop soffits and recessed lights.

Inspection of attic venting

The inspector will sketch a footprint of your home and identify the location of attic venting. A properly vented attic is important to keeping your attic cool in the winter.

Worst case spillage test

It is important to check that your water heater and furnace are safely venting combustion gases outside your house when you plan on tightening your home through insulation or other measures. The technician will perform worst case spillage and flue carbon monoxide tests on your appliances.

Estimate cost and payback for recommended measures

Your technician will estimate the cost of recommended measures. If you are considering a furnace replacement, your technician can compare the estimated cost of an upgrade to the amount of money you could save on your energy bills with a new, more efficient furnace. You will need to contact your energy utility to request the “heat cost factor” for your home to help perform these calculations.

Insulation design and other recommended improvements

At the end of the visit you will receive an insulation design and other possible improvements you can do to make your home more energy efficient.

Recommended contractors

CEE will provide you with a short list of contractors whose practices are familiar to us and who follow guidelines set by us to ensure healthy, efficient homes.

Post Installation Inspection

For an additional $150 fee, your technician can return to your home following construction to ensure that work was done according to CEE's recommendations. If work is not done as prescribed, your CEE technician will provide feedback to your contractor to correct any problems.

Low interest financing

The Center for Energy and Environment has several loan programs available to help participants finance their improvements.

Contact Amy Larson at (612) 335-5856 for more information.