In advance of the summer heat, Oncor’s “Take A Load Off, Texas” program has added a new addition the Residential Energy Audit Program, designed to decrease overall energy consumption and demand. The Residential Energy Audit Program is now available throughout the entire Oncor service area.
Oncor has contracted with Texas HERO (Texas Home Energy Rating Organization) to implement the Residential Energy Audit Program. Texas HERO is a statewide nonprofit organization that trains and certifies Auditors to its nationally recognized technical standard for comprehensivehome energy audits.
Michael Stockard, Director of Oncor’s Energy Efficiency Programs, announced the Residential Energy Audit Program for existing homeowners. “In the past, home energy audits have varied widely in purpose, quality, and comprehensiveness,” said Stockard. “The new program assures existing homeowners consistent, comprehensive audits provided by certified Auditors. We believe this program can provide Oncor’s interested homeowners with a reliable source for planning energy savings and finding products and incentives to help achieve them.”
Homeowners can be assured of:
• A standardized system for evaluating opportunities for existing homes to improve energy efficiency, while maintaining or improving levels of comfort, durability, and environmental impact
• Standardized training and certification for individuals performing audits
• Quality assurance of home energy audits and the scope of work performed
The Residential Energy Audit Program provides incentives for companies using qualified Auditors to perform the energy audits and should lower consumer audit costs. Service Providers set the actual audit cost, based on local market factors, including size of the home. Consumers are informed of the cost prior to the audit.
The goal of a comprehensive home energy audit is to maximize savings by helping homeowners identify the most appropriate opportunities to improve their home’s performance. The factors affecting performance include consumer choices and habits, as well as the condition of the home and its energy-using systems and operating efficiency.
Homeowners signing up for a home energy audit will receive comprehensive evaluations of their homes. Elements of the audit include determining existing performance through an initial interview, visual inspection, diagnostic testing, and energy simulation and analysis.
Auditors identify potential improvement measures and repairs to the home to improve energy efficiency, comfort, durability, and indoor air quality. Homeowners receive a written report of results and recommendations for energy improvements. Texas HERO carefully monitors all Residential Energy Audits and will contact homeowners about their satisfaction with the audit and plans for further action.
Consumers wishing to learn more about the Residential Energy Audit can access www.takealoadofftexas.com to learn more about the program and to identify a participating Service Provider in their area.
Oncor offers more than 30 energy efficiency programs that help homeowners, businesses, schools, and governments save energy. For more information on Oncor’s Take A Load Off, Texas initiatives, visit www.takealoadofftexas.com.