Can you imagine doing an energy audit of a castle? You know, one of those beautiful 12th century stone structures on the Rhine River. Not really of importance in those days, I only assume. What is an energy audit anyway? Why is it seen as a valuable tool today?
With the 12th century castle, the occupants were burning wood and candles for heat and light. I suppose if they wanted to calculate how many cords of wood they were burning, it might have helped. But, likely wasn’t much they could do to improve castle efficiency, nonetheless.
A short, fun fact… living at Ramstein AB, Germany during high school, us military brats found one of our hangouts to be a Roman castle. More or less a Roman ruin, I would say. Known as Nanstein Castle. Nanstein Castle - Wikipedia. Not on the Rhine river, but not too far away. It was a fun hangout, and a great story to tell to this day.
So... What is an Energy Audit?
An energy audit is a top-to-bottom checkup of your home’s energy performance. Think of it like a physical exam for your house, but instead of a doctor with a stethoscope, you get a building performance expert with gadgets, cameras, and a sixth sense for where your energy is escaping.
Their goal? To find out where your home is losing energy (and money) and how to fix it.
What Happens During an Energy Audit?
You don’t need to do much to prep. Just be ready to open a few doors and windows, and maybe your mind too. Here’s what typically happens:
1. Blower Door Test
This fan-mounted contraption pulls air out of your house to lower the indoor pressure, making it easier to find where outside air is sneaking in. Think of it as turning your house into a giant leak detector. More details on this another day.
2. Thermal Imaging
An infrared camera shows where heat is escaping (or invading). Cold walls, poor insulation, drafty corners…nothing hides from a thermal lens.
3. Insulation & Air Sealing Inspection
Attics, basements, crawlspaces... the auditor checks how well your home is insulated and how airtight it really is.
4. Lighting & Appliance Review
Your fridge, furnace, water heater, and even your light bulbs all get a once-over. Energy hogs, beware.
Why Get One?
If you’ve ever muttered “why is it so cold in here” while paying your heating bill, an audit could change your life (or at least your utility statement).
Here’s what you get:
- Lower energy bills (potential savings of 10–30%)
- More consistent comfort (no more hot upstairs / cold downstairs chaos)
- A plan of action tailored to your home
- Rebates and incentives you might not know about
Who Performs It?
Professional energy auditors are trained and certified, often by organizations like BPI (Building Performance Institute) or RESNET. Many utilities also offer low-cost or free audits, so check locally before shelling out cash.
What Comes Next?
After the audit, you’ll receive a detailed report showing:
- Where energy is being lost
- How efficient (or inefficient) your heating and cooling systems are
- Recommended upgrades (with estimated savings)
- Cost vs. benefit breakdown
From there, you can prioritize fixes…whether it’s sealing leaks, adding insulation, replacing a furnace, or just swapping bulbs.
Bottom Line
An energy audit isn’t just about patching leaks…it’s about making your home smarter, more comfortable, and cheaper to run. It’s one of the most useful things you can do as a homeowner, renter, or landlord.
So don’t just weather the weather...weatherize like a brat. Get the facts, get the audit, and take back control of your castle.
The Weatherized Brat ðŸ›
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