2-4: What Is Energy Audit, and Why You Should Get it with Carl Reese

  "There are many things inside our home that people can focus on before you even get the solar."

Before homeowners rush to get the solar panels installed on your roof, it is recommended that the "envelope" of your home be inspected to make sure the energy is not being wasted.  

Carl Reese, a general contractor and building inspector with many qualifications, discusses what energy audit also known as "home performance evaluation" recently and why homeowners and home buyers should have one, and what measures you can take to improve the energy efficiency of your home and reduce the utility bills as well as the indoor air quality.  

Carl suggests the first thing the homeowners can do is to change the light bulbs to LED, which would reduce the energy bill by up to one quarter. If the home tends to be dusty and/or you sneeze a lot in the house, that's a sign of air leaking into the living area from the attic and that the duct works should be looked at by HVAC professionals. Improving the insulation and sealing air leaks, which can be done relatively easily and inexpensive, alone would have more immediate return of investment.