
Did you know you can get a free energy audit for your home? Have you had yours yet?
I had mine today. Fabulous experience and.. free gifts!
Duke Energy will come to your home and do a FREE energy audit. Just call Duke Energy to schedule your appointment. I had to wait almost 3 months for mine but it’s no big deal to wait, right?
My audit took less than an hour. The inspector started by sitting at his laptop where my account was already pulled up. He knew my energy usage history. Then he asked questions about our energy needs and habits such as how many people live in the home, what temperature we keep the thermostat in the winter (68*) and what temperature in the summer (74*), do we wash in cold, warm or hot water. (cold)
Then he made a tour of the property beginning in the attic crawl space where he looked at insulation and duct work. He checked the hot water heater for age and efficiency, checked windows, fireplace openings, heat ducts, vents and insulation in the attic as well as under the house. He checked the heating unit for age and efficiency.
When his inspection was complete, he sat down to share his findings and make suggestions. Everything was entered into our account through his computer. Our home has recently been renovated so it’s pretty efficient already. My biggest problem is an open 4′ x 5′ fireplace where our heat is pouring out through the chimney. I will definitely be getting a glass door for that space.
Then, the goodies. Duke Energy sends a box with all sorts of goodies. First thing out of the box was a wonderful energy efficient shower head for for our shower. It has adjustable spray and is manufactured by Earth. Best part? It cuts water usage in the shower from as much as 3 gallons per minute down to only 1 1/2 gallons per minute. Sweet!
One of my favorite things in the box was a low flow Kitchen Faucet Aerator. It has swivel and a lever for flow control and produces either a single stream or a spray. Again, reduces water flow from 3 gallons per minute to only 1 1/2 gallons per minute.
Next, a Needle Spray Bathroom Faucet Aerator which reduces flow again to, you guessed it, 1 1/2 gallons per minute. With all of these flow control devices, you still get fantastic water pressure while conserving water and energy. How does it save energy? Your hot water heater doesn’t work as much because you’re using less hot water.
I got a roll of Adhesive-backed Weather stripping which I will probably put around the pull-down door to the attic. There’s some air leakage there. And Switch and Outlet Energy Seals to stop drafts from coming in through the plug outlets. Put your hand by your plug outlets, especially on exterior walls, to see if you feel cold air coming in. I bought a bag of outlet plug covers at the Dollar Store and put them in all of our outlets that don’t have cords in them. You know the kind I mean? The ones you put in when baby proofing your home so children don’t stick their fingers in the plug openings? My kids are grown but I use the covers now to stop any air flow.
And, finally, 3 compact fluorescent light bulbs. We should all be using those by now. He also left a booklet, Energy Savers, Tips on Saving Energy & Money at Home.
Pretty great gift from the energy company, huh? If you don’t live in an area serviced by Duke Energy, check with your energy company to see if they’re offering a similar program.