Frequently Asked Questions

From saving a lot of money and creating a more comfortable home, to protecting your family from hidden dangers like toxic gases, allergens, mold and mildew, there are dozens of reasons why you need to consider a home energy audit from the professionals at Save Energy Experts.

In the event you're still not sure a home energy audit is right for you, we've assembled this convenient list of Frequently Asked Questions to help you make the right decision.

Why do I need an Energy audit?

Beyond simply saving money on your energy bills and improving the overall health and comfort of your home, there are several reasons why you should consider a home energy audit. For example, if you're already planning on making a financial investment into the Energy Efficiency of your home, having an independent energy audit is the most logical way of creating a list of improvements. Time and time again we see how our clients expectations differ from the actual findings from the audit. Why? Because most thermal and air leaks are usually found in concealed or inaccessible areas; and those conditions are rarely, if ever, detected by the occupants.

Why should I choose to pay someone to conduct an energy audit? Don't some contractors offer free energy audits?

Buyer beware. "Free" energy audits are usually offered by improvement contractors and are nothing more than sales pitches. Some energy service providers may also offer free audits, but these are quick "clipboard-type" evaluations and are essentially just a customer service exercise. What's more, none of these so-called "free" audits are conducted with the proper, high-tech equipment like the Door Blower, Duct Blaster, or Infrared camera. Odds are you'll never save the same kind of money or uncover all of your home's issues with a simple free audit because free audits do not give you the same level of detail (such as air infiltration rate, duct leakage rate, and carbon monoxide and gas leak detection) as a professional home energy audit. Remember, in the end, you get what you pay for.

Why should I choose a home energy audit that's been certified by the "Home Performance with Energy Star" (HPwES) program?

The HPwES program was designed by EPA and the Department of Energy with stringent guidelines specifically for existing homes. All of our audit protocols, recommended improvements, and improvement priority rankings have been established by the EPA and DOE based on volumes of scientific calculations and empirical lab and field tests. When we conduct a home energy audit for you, we follow all guidelines and recommendations of the program and we generate a custom list of prioritized improvements strictly based on these program guidelines. And so you know we've done our job correctly, we'll send a copy of our assessment to Southface Institute for third-party verification of compliance with the HPwES program requirements.

What are the benefits of hiring HPwES improvement assessors like those from Save Energy Experts?

There are several benefits of choosing HPwES certified assessors. The training and skill set of certified assessors like those from Save Energy Experts is unmatched in the industry. As such, you will enjoy all of the following benefits:

You will save money on future energy bills. Any audit completed by a HPwES certified assessor will result in a prioritized list of home improvements based on cost-efficiency, so you'll know just what steps you need to take that will have the largest positive impact on your energy bills.

You will enjoy a more comfortable, healthier home. Hiring a HPwES-certified assessor ensures your home will receive a thorough examination beyond simply finding ways to save money on energy bills. Your audit report will include a whole-house evaluation of temperature consistence and air quality so you can rest assured that your home is comfortable and safe.

You will increase your home's value. Once you've received your audit report and have completed the list of recommended improvements, you will be eligible for a "Home Performance with Energy Star Certificate", which will likely to have positive impact on future resale.

You will be eligible for select rebates and tax credits. Save Energy Experts is associated with both Georgia Power and Energy Star, so you can enjoy valuable rebates on select repairs or upgrades you choose to do following your HPwES assessment. For example, Georgia Power customers are eligible for up to $1,700 cash rebates for various improvements conducted by registered contractors. In addition, there are government programs at the Federal and State level that offer tax credits for specific types of upgrades (such as insulation, high-efficiency HVAC systems, etc.).

Furthermore, because of our association with Georgia Power, customers are eligible for a 50% rebate (up to $200) to cover the cost of the HPwES audit.

How much does a HPwES assessment from Save Energy Experts cost?

The price of an assessment varies based on size, age, and configuration of a home. Most assessment range between $375 and $575. As noted above, because of our association with Georgia Power, customers will receive a generous 50% rebate (up to $200) to compensate for the cost of an audit, so your out-of-pocket costs for the assessment may be less than $200 depending on the size of your home.

Remember this. Your out-of-pocket cost to conduct an audit, plus any recommended repairs or upgrades will pale in comparison to the amount of money you will save on your energy bills throughout the duration of your home ownership.

How long does the home energy audit take?

When you call to schedule your appointment, we'll ask you a few basic questions about the size of your house and the various systems you have in place. Once we have this information, we will be able to estimate the amount of time and the number of tests required to assess the house and, consequently, the price of the assessment. The entire process usually takes between 4-6 hours.

Don't wait! Every day that passes is another lost opportunity to save on your energy bills and make your home safer and more comfortable. Call Save Energy Experts today at (770) 315-9796 to schedule your home energy audit. Or, email us at info@SaveEnergyExperts.com.