Energy Audits Available to Johnston County Residents Posted March 4th, 2008 in Home & Family Johnston County residents have a wonderful opportunity to save money with a low cost home energy audit. Energy audits evaluate a home’s air leaks, insulation, and the heating/air conditioning unit. Professional auditors recommend ways to help residents make the home more energy efficient. Recommendations may include adding insulation, caulking house holes, using a programmable thermostat, servicing the furnace, or changing personal energy use habits to reduce energy use and save money. Residents can schedule audits through E-Conservation – The Power to Control What You Spend, an ongoing project of NC Cooperative Extension Service and NC State University. The Extension office is pleased to offer energy audits to qualified homeowners in Johnston County. A professional energy auditor will conduct a 3 to 4 hour inspection of your home including a blower door test to check for house holes and energy leaks. Homeowners are provided with a written evaluation and recommendations on ways to improve the home’s energy efficiency. Then, the homeowners will be responsible for acting on those recommendations, making energy efficient changes in their home and habits. A $500 value, these audits will cost homeowners $100 through this special program; there are a limited number of audits available to be completed prior to May 1, 2008. To participate in the E–Conservation audit project, the home must be no larger than 2,000 square feet; have only 1 heating/air conditioning system; be 5 years old or older; and be in Johnston County Homeowners must provide a year of utility bills (available through your utility company). They must agree to be present at the home during the 4 hour audit, pay the auditor $100 and to participate in surveys after the energy audit. Next, the homeowners must attend E-Conservation: No Cost, Low Cost Saving Tips through NC Cooperative Extension Service. The next class will be at the Agriculture Center in Smithfield on Wednesday, April 16 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. To register, contact the Extension Office at 989-5380, or e-mail Jayne Cubilla, Family and Consumer Science Extension agent at jayne_cubilla@ncsu.edu. If you have any questions about the workshop or the audits, please contact Jayne at the Extension office. <Bump> Anybody take advantage of this?
