Kevin O'Connor and a specialist conduct a whole-house energy audit. (See steps below.)

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A professional whole-home energy assessment examines your home's insulation, appliances, lighting, and heating and cooling systems. It also determines how airtight your home is. At the end of the assessment, the technician will provide a written report that identifies and prioritizes steps you can take to save energy. For more information about energy audits, visit the U.S. Department of Energy website [https://bit.ly/3f2j252].

Steps to perform a whole house energy audit:
1. Check the energy label of each appliance and lighting fixture. Look for the Energy Star label or other low usage ratings. Replace older products that waste electricity.
2. Inspect the water heater and note any leaks, rust spots or lack of insulation. Also check the age and energy efficiency of the heater.
3. Perform a combustion safety test of the steam boiler with a combustion analyzer.
4. Use the analyzer to measure the temperature and ratio of the gases in the flue gas discharge.
5. Then drill a small diameter hole in the flue gas outlet and then use the analyzer to measure the air pressure and ensure that the boiler is drawing (extracting) properly.
6. Hold a smoke stick next to the flue to ensure no gases leak back into the basement.
7. Install an electric fan door in the front door to test for air leaks throughout the house.
8. Close all windows and doors in the house. And close the dampers of the fireplace and then turn on the fan.
9. Use a smoke stick to check for leaks around doors, windows, fireplaces, vents and chimneys.
10. Take a portable infrared sensor and check for temperature differences on the interior walls and ceilings. A cool spot is a sign of poor insulation or an air leak.
11. Use the infrared sensor to check for temperature changes around a drop-down attic staircase.
12. Climb into the attic and inspect the insulation in the attic floor; it should be at least 12 inches deep. Add more insulation if necessary.
13. If the existing insulation is damaged or severely compressed, remove it and install new insulation.
14. Seal air leaks around the chimney with fireproof sealant and sealant, then insulate around the chimney.[BR]
15. Seal all penetrations and holes in the attic floor with expanding polyurethane caulk.
16. Make or purchase a rigid foam attic stair cover and install it over the drop-down stair opening.

Our energy audit was carried out by Next Step Living.

The infrared camera used in the audit was manufactured by FLIR [https://www.flir.com/].

The smoke pencil and inflatable chimney damper are made by Chimney Balloon [https://www.chimneyballoon.us/chimneyballoon.html].

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