Durham, N.C. – Durham County residents have a tremendous opportunity to save energy and money with a low-cost home energy audit being offered through Cooperative Extension’s E-Conservation Program.  The E-Conservation Program, an ongoing collaborative project between North Carolina Cooperative Extension, North Carolina State University, and the State Energy Office, is designed to help homeowners reduce residential energy usage and the associated costs. Energy Assessments evaluate a home’s air leaks, insulation, and the heating/air conditioning system.    

Homeowners that take advantage of the E-Conservation Program will be visited by a professional building specialist that will conduct a two to four hour home inspection.  The inspection includes a blower door test to check for house holes and energy leaks.  At the conclusion of the  home assessment, the homeowners will receive a written evaluation and recommendations on ways to improve energy efficiency at home.  After the professional building specialist explains recommendations for the home, the homeowner is responsible for acting on the recommendations made.  

Audits, valued at $500, will cost homeowners only $100 through the E-Conservation Program.  Homes of residents must be located in Durham County.  To qualify to receive a home energy assessment the home must meet the following conditions:

·         The home must be no larger than 2,000 square feet.

·         The home must have only one heating/air conditioning system.

·         The home must be five years old or older.

Homeowners must provide a copy of their most recent utility bill, provide a two-year year average of their utility bills, sign a consent form,  agree to be present at the home during the two to four hour home assessment, pay the building science specialist $100, and participate in surveys from Cooperative Extension after the energy assessment.   The homeowner must also attend an Extension energy conservation workshop.  The next workshop scheduled for  October 22, 2009, at 12 p.m.,  at the Durham Cooperative Extension Service, located at 721 Foster Street. 

To register for the home energy workshop and qualify for a home energy audit, contact Pana Jones at 919-560-0525 or e-mail prjones@co.durham.nc.us.