Home energy audits are free or low cost to CenterPoint Energy and Xcel Energy customers.
SAINT LOUIS PARK, Minn — This time of year, homeowners and renters slowly start shifting from heating their homes to cooling them.
Spring is a good time to check your home for energy improvements that can save energy and money.
Customers of CenterPoint Energy and Xcel Energy can request a home energy audit from the “Home Energy Squad” operated by the Minnesota Center for Energy and Environment.
The service is free or at a minimal cost to customers and usually takes 2-3 hours, depending on the size of the customer’s home.
On Friday, Saint Louis Park homeowner James Vair asked the “Home Energy Squad” to audit his home.
“I’m always energy conscious, so I always appreciate an expert opinion,” Vair said.
The home was built in the 1950s and Vair suspects there may be opportunities to improve the energy efficiency of his home.
“It’s kind of nice peace of mind knowing that I’m not wasting a bunch of energy,” Vair said.
The audit typically starts outside with an inspection of the exterior vents, siding, and air conditioner.
Energy auditor Matt Morrical also inspected the attic to see if the home had the recommended amount of insulation.
“Nothing up there that I would be like ooh, that’s bad,” Morrical told Vair during the inspection.
Morrical also inspected the walls and discovered less insulation than they typically recommend.
“You can add a ton more insulation in there,” Morrical said during the inspection.
Insufficient insulation is a common issue with older homes.
“Almost 100% of the time. If your home was built before 1970, maybe 1968, I would say you are probably under-insulated,” Morrical said.
Adding extra insulation to your walls can save both energy and money.
Morrical says some utility companies and cities will offer rebates to cover some of the cost of installing insulation.
“Customers can get well over $1,000 depending on their situation,” Morrical said.
The energy audit also revealed the temperature of the hot water in the home was at 135 degrees.
“Our specific recommendations are between 115 and 125 degrees,” Morrical said.
That window of temperature is designed to balance safety with energy efficiency.
Water that is too cold may not kill bacteria and water that is too hot can pose a risk for burning.
Morrical says consumers can adjust the temperature of their hot water through their water heater.
Consumers can also hire a professional or energy auditor to adjust the temperature for them.
“Turning down the temperature could save you a few dollars a month on gas,” Morrical said.
CenterPoint Energy spokesperson Joshua Solis says Spring is a great time to schedule a home energy audit, because consumers can easily add the audit to their typical list of spring-cleaning projects.
“It’s a great way to save energy and to help you save money as the seasons change,” Solis said.
For more information on the “Home Energy Squad” and their energy audits, click here.