In recent years, home energy audits and efficiency improvements have become an increasingly popular way for homeowners to save dollars on their energy bills while also lessening their impact on the environment.
In Issaquah, the benefits of improving the energy efficiency of homes are being promoted by organizations such as Sustainable Issaquah and the City of Issaquah’s Resource Conservation Office (RCO).
Though the science and economics of home energy efficiency are clear and well-understood, many homeowners are still wary of committing to energy evaluations in their homes for fear of what it might cost them in the short term. Thanks to the city’s RCO and Puget Sound Energy (PSE), homeowners now have the chance to see what savings are possible, absolutely free of charge.
The RCO and PSE will soon be offering free, in-home energy evaluations to a limited number of Issaquah residents.
At the city’s final Sustainability Film night at the King County Library Services Center, Sept. 16, the first 100 residents to sign up will receive a free PSE HomePrint evaluation, a comprehensive evaluation of a home’s everyday energy use. Provided by an independent HomePrint-certified specialist, the evaluation catalogues a home’s major energy systems, including:
• Central heating and air conditioning
• Water heating
• Weatherization
• Lighting
• Appliances
• Home electronics
The HomePrint evaluation will also provide participants with immediate energy savings with low-flow showerheads and on-site installation of compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). PSE will also provide participants with a customized list of energy-saving action items.
From the 100 participants, one homeowner will also be selected to have his or her home fully weatherized as a show house – a $4,000 value. Free tours of this home will then be offered on Oct. 30 and Nov. 6 for the public to see what’s involved in a full home energy retrofit.
The HomePrint evaluations are available thanks to support from PSE, as well as a U.S. Department of Energy Community Block Grant awarded to the City of Issaquah.
Following the movie on Sept. 16, Rem Husted, a PSE Energy Management Engineer, will discuss “Home Energy 101,” including energy-saving tips and an overview of the energy-efficiency resources PSE offers. Gary Wood, Issaquah resident and principal of Residential Energy Solutions, will explain what’s entailed and what you can expect from a home energy audit.
“While the City is spearheading the construction of zHome – a zero-energy and carbon neutral community in the Issaquah Highlands – to demonstrate that new construction can be ultra-green, these free in-home evaluations focus on how existing homes can also become more energy efficient,” said Brad Liljequist, project manager for zHome.
Sustainable Issaquah will be hosting educational presentations on home energy efficiency from 6:30-8:30 p.m. on Oct. 14 and Nov. 18 in the Eagle Room at City Hall, 130 E. Sunset Way. The Oct. 14 session will cover indoor air quality and healthy energy upgrade choices. The Nov. 18 will outline energy use awareness. For more information visit sustainableissaquah.ning.
