Local Knowledge About Computer Assisted Audits

The most comprehensive energy audits will evaluate a wide range of options including improvements to the thermal envelope, upgrades to the heating and cooling systems, renewable energy options, energy usage patterns, comfort preferences, and more. Then the auditor will enter the data into a computer program which will generate a detailed report prioritizing energy improvements according to return on investment, or ROI. This provides the homeowner with a clear picture of the estimated savings that will result from each improvement. (Remember, the more improvements you make, the more money you will save on your energy bills. However, this is only cost effective UP TO A POINT. With each improvement, the ROI on the next improvement is reduced because you are paying for it with lower energy bills, thanks to the previous improvement. On the flip side, each energy improvement will increase your equity in your home, again, UP TO A POINT. A computerized audit will help you find the point of deminishing returns at which it is no longer cost effective, at projected energy prices, to continue energy related home improvements. For environmental reasons, however, some homeowners prefer to reduce their energy usage to the lowest possible level with little concern for return on investment.