I have always considered myself energy conscious. I buy energy efficient light bulbs, turn down the thermostat when I leave home and unplug my phone charger when I’m not using it. They’re only small things, but small things I know to have a big impact on my wallet.
In Norwich, Quaranta Energy Services (QES) - a subdivision of Quaranta Housing Services, supported by Opportunities for Chenango and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) - has made it its goal to lower energy costs for Chenango County residents, promote energy conservation and aid homeowners in the process. I was afforded the opportunity to work with QES Operations Manager Gene Seldon this week, performing a home energy audit simulation at a residence in the City of Norwich.
“It’s a process that typically takes three to four hours to audit an entire home,” Seldon told me, explaining that most anyone who applies to QES for a home energy audit is eligible to receive it free of charge, thanks to reimbursements to QES from NYSERDA. “Then it’s another six hours to the paperwork that follows. So when you have six or seven of these audits per week, sometimes it’s easy for us to get backed up.”
For training purposes, I was walked through the process of a home energy audit at the home of Dennis Eaton, who himself is an energy auditor for QES. The job, he explained, is to conduct a thorough examination inside and outside the home, scrutinizing every aspect that contributes to health and human safety, and energy costs. In a regular audit, Eaton looks at everything from gas and water lines to windows and insulation. Based on the information gathered, Eaton compiles his recommendations into a final report given to the homeowner, along with his own recommendations and the options available to them.
“Most total upgrade costs typically range between $10,000 and $20,000,” said Eaton, citing the price tag tied to home energy efficiency which often dissuades homeowners from following through with upgrades. But because QES is an accredited agency by the Building Performance Institute, it can offer homeowners grant funding through NYSERDA. Grant funding up to $5,000 is available through NYSERDA to match 50 percent of the cost of upgrades. The challenge, he added, is letting people know that opportunity exists.
“The main reason a lot of people don’t take advantage of this program is because a lot of people just don’t know about it,” Seldon added.
My energy auditor training began outside, where Eaton and Seldon showed me that the auditing process begins with basic visuals. Eaton took pictures of the outside of the home with special attention given to things that catch his eye, such as foundation damage and ventilation issues. In the meantime, I looked for any potential leaks in the homes gas line.
From there, the audit moved to the basement of the home, where Eaton showed me the process of examining the homes hot water heater, water and gas lines, electrical lines, insulation and HVAC (Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning) systems.
The meticulous auditing process then carried through the rest of the home. Eaton and Seldon pointed to appliances that, if updated, could use 10 to 20 percent less energy, windows and door seams that allow warm air to be pushed out by colder air, and small repairs - things as simple as caulking window frames and exchanging light bulbs and shower heads - that any homeowner can correct to ease the strain on their gas and electric bill.
Findings of the auditor are published along with recommendations in the finalized report presented to the homeowner. If the homeowner decides to take advantage of NYSERDA grant funding to have work completed, QES then contracts with an outside company to do the work.
Spending a little bit of extra money now means big savings in the long-run, Eaton told me.
“This entire process is all about making that audit as easy and detailed as possible,” he said. “Our goal is to ultimately save people money on their gas bill, their electric bill, and their water bill.”
For additional information about Quaranta Energy Services and ways to take advantage of free services, contact QES at 336-7316 or visit its website, qes.savesonenergy.org.