Check out this handy video that shows you how to install a window kit. It is a very simple way to help keep your home warm over the winter and reduce drafts.
Now that winter is here, it is the perfect time to ensure that your home is properly air sealed and weatherized. Whether it’s something simple like installing window kits, or something more complicated like adding insulation, we may be able to help.
Our energy-efficiency programs are targeted to help low-income households get out of energy poverty (defined as spending more than 6% of household income on energy utilities), but anyone can benefit from our energy-saving programs. Our BPI-certified Home Analyst, Tristen Eberling, is a strong advocate for local and equitable energy. He has been conducting energy audits for Ecolibrium3 for five years. So what can you expect during your Home Energy Audit or weatherization services? Tristen has broken the process down for you so you know what to expect when signing up and undergoing an energy audit or weatherization services:
How does someone receive weatherization services from Ecolibrium3?
Anyone with either a Minnesota Power or Comfort Systems account is eligible for a free walk-through audit. Free advanced home energy audits and weatherization services are available to income qualified households in Duluth as part of our Giving Comfort at Home program. You can request an energy audit here or give us a call at 218-336-1038.
What happens during an energy audit? A weatherization visit?
The walk-through audit is the free option provided by Comfort Systems and Minnesota Power. This is just a walk through your home to look at things like insulation, windows, doors, heating and water heating, etc. Then we provide a report that shows your energy use and recommendations for a number of different energy improvements, including the estimated costs and savings for each improvement. Also included with the audit are some free direct installs like LED bulbs, low flow aerators, and a few other devices. This audit takes about two hours to complete.
The Advanced Home Energy Audit is similar to the walk-through, but also includes a blower door test and infrared imaging. The blower door test shows how leaky or tight your home is, and can help to determine whether you need to do any air sealing. Or, if your home is too tight, then ventilation is something that would be needed to control air quality in the home. The infrared camera is also used with the blower door test to walk around the home and find any major air infiltration to the home as well as any uninsulated spots, and is also included in the report with images and a brief description. This audit takes about four hours to complete.
Giving Comfort at Home weatherization is where Ecolibrium3 staff and volunteers focus on air sealing and insulation opportunities identified during the Advanced Home Energy Audit. This is more of a minor weatherization where we focus on things like window kits, insulating rim joists, door weather-stripping, and other sources of air infiltration into the home. We also replace most light bulbs in the home with LED bulbs.