Home Energy Audits Are Free With WG&E

The Residential Conservation Program (RCS) is a program designed to educate our customers in energy awareness, provide an energy audit of their home, and assist them in the initial steps for implementing conservation measures to help reduce energy consumption. The RCS program is a free service to Westfield residential property owners. If you are interested in a residential energy audit, please call 888-333-7525 to schedule an appointment.

Save energy and lower your monthly utility bills with WG&E’s free home energy audit. An experienced and licensed auditor will assess potential sources of energy waste in your home and offer ways to make it more efficient.

Here’s an overview of what you can expect from a home energy audit.

The energy audit process
An auditor will conduct a thorough top to bottom walkthrough with the owner of the home. They’ll look at heating and hot water equipment and opportunities for air sealing. They’ll also collect usage information and provide a report that details what you can do to conserve energy and save money. The auditor will also list the potential cost for improvements and the estimated cost savings.

The best time to schedule
You can get an audit done any time of the year, but spring or early fall are the best times to coordinate upgrades with a contractor.

What you can do to check for energy waste
Walk around your home and put your arms up against a door or window to feel for drafts. Look for gaps in the structure due to piping or in the foundation of the basement, or cutouts in the living space such as under bathtubs. Also, older homes often have drafty attics, which can allow a great deal of heat to escape.

Common areas of energy loss
The most common causes of energy loss include pipes penetrating the structure, lack of insulation in basements or attics and drafty doors and windows. You should also look at your consumption habits. Do you leave the thermostat on a higher temp when no one is home? Or leave lights on, or appliances plugged in when not in use? You’ll see a great savings when you cut back on usage.

How to prepare for an energy audit
Prepare a few questions for the auditor regarding a specific area you’d like to focus on, such as drafts, heating systems, fuel consumption, etc. It’s also helpful to have a history of usage, preferably at least a year’s worth.