This is Part 2 of the Home Energy Audit report.  See Part 1 Here.

Once the decision was made to have a home energy audit done on my home, I realized that once again, I had a lot of learning to do.   The more I started looking into it, the more questions I came up with:

1) What is a home energy audit?
2) How long will it last?
3) What will it cost?
4) What kind of Return on Investment should I expect?
5) Who should I hire to do it?
6) What credentials should I look for?
7) What kind of 'Delverables' should I expect after the audit is complete?

I started my research by making phone calls.  I decided to call some of the contractors listed on the GreenBrandywine.com Directory of Home Energy Auditors.  There are quite a few local contractors listed here so I needed to have some criteria by which to narrow the list.  

The first filter was I wanted someone local.  I wanted to support a local business and if was possible to hire someone who didn't have to drive too far, I would be doing a service to the environment.  I found that most or all of the listings in the directory were local businesses, so this didn't help me to much.

The next step was to look for 3rd party certifications.  I remembered from some of the seminars I had attended over the years that there were certain certifications that were the mark of a good home energy auditor.  After looking through some of my old notes and doing some online research, I recalled that the certifications I was looking for were RESNET and BPI.

RESNET claims that their auditors provide Objectivity, Technical Proficiency, High Ethical Standards, and a Complaint Resolution Process.  According to the RESNET website, "RESNET auditor and rater members are fully trained, have demonstrated a high standard of technical proficiency, and have committed to maintain and improve their knowledge and proficiency through continuing education."

BPI (Building Performance Institute) claims to "Set the standared in performance and weatherization."  BPI certified professionals have completed the BPI credentialling program.  According to their website, "Our nationally recognized credentialing program identifies individual excellence in house-as-a-system evaluation, diagnostics and installation. Stringent technical standards and requirements mean that BPI certified professionals are in demand – from homeowners, state and utility energy efficiency incentive programs and weatherization assistance programs."

Both RESNET and BPI are connected with the government's EnergyStar and HomeStar programs.

After making 5 phone calls and having in-depth conversations with two fo the contractors from the directories.  I settled on a local contractor who had both RESNET and HomeStar certification.  (The other runner-up also had these credentials).  The prices and services both contractors provided were comparable.

Ultimately, I agreed to pay $675.  For this the chosen auditor would come to my home for 5-6 hours, climb through my crawl-space, inspect my basement, attic, windows and doors.  He would inspect the interior and exterior of my home, conduct a blower door test and take infrared pictures.  I would be encouraged to be at his side the entire time so that he could point out the problems to me directly.  In addition, I would receive the pictures and a detailed report.  

I was told that I could expect to receive recommendations that would make it easy for me to pay for the inspection within the first year. 

 This is the guy I hired.  The inspection was scheduled for April 13.

Next:  Inspection Day