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Home Energy Audits


Home Energy AuditsHave you ever asked yourself …

  • How is my house performing?
  • To save energy, should I insulate, air seal or change my windows?
  • What should I improve first?
  • Will the air in my house be healthy for my family after the improvements?

A professional home energy audit is the best way to get answers to these and other questions pertaining to the energy efficiency and safety of your home.

A professional home energy auditor, who is well trained and follows the high standards set by national quality control organizations, can help you to determine how best to improve your home’s efficiency. After performing a battery of tests and taking careful measurements, an auditor can advise you on the most effective improvements while ensuring the safety of your home and family.

There are several levels of energy audits. The most accurate and thorough follow standards set by the Building Performance Institute (BPI) or Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET). Both of these organizations require auditors to administer the following tests as part of a comprehensive home energy audit:

  • “Blower door test” – helps locate and measure air leaks in a building.
  • Combustion safety test – measures the carbon monoxide produced by furnaces and water heaters.

Both BPI and RESNET advocate that an audit that does not include these tests is more likely to miss important energy and safety issues.

At BOWA, we believe a proper energy audit is an important step when planning a remodeling project. As participating contractors in the Maryland Home Performance with ENERGY STAR program, we currently perform audits only in conjunction with our large-scale remodeling projects.

Other homeowners looking to improve their home’s energy efficiency might consider visiting the following sites to identify a qualified energy auditor who will follow recognized protocols for safety: