The $99 in-home energy audit (Arizona Home Performance with Energy Star), funded by APS is well underway in the valley.  This guide will shed some light on aspects of the program that homeowners should be aware of if they are even thinking about having an APS energy audit done on their.

Rebates:

Rebates include 75% off the cost of air sealing, duct sealing, insulation and shade screens up to $250.  An important issue to be aware of is that the duct sealing rebate is per unit, so you can receive the sealing rebate multiple times if you have more than one furnace or AC unit.  Air sealing on the other hand, is only a one-time rebate regardless of the size of the home.  The rebates are submitted after the post test is complete and take about 6 weeks to come back to you in the mail.

Quality Assurance:

The APS energy audit is a very well-put-together program.  APS has built-in a quality assurance for all homeowners participating in the program.  That quality assurance comes in several forms.  To qualify for the rebates an APS Home Performance with Energy Star Certified Contractor must perform the work.  This ensures that the contractor has been trained and certified in building performance and uses the house-as-a-system approach.   Quality assurance also comes in the form of a free post-audit test after air sealing or duct sealing is performed.  The APS post audit will verify that the work was performed to APS Home Performance with Energy Star standards and that real results were achieved i.e. post air leakage numbers are lower than initial results.  There is also a post-post audit performed on a random selection of houses by the agency that oversees the APS Home Performance program itself, the Foundation for Senior Living.  These energy efficiency experts will perform a modified APS energy audit on your home again to verify the contractors’ results.  Whew!  And then if you have a refrigerator in the garage there may be another post-post-post audit done on your home… just kidding on that one.

The Program Itself:

The Arizona Home Performance with Energy Star program has a prescribed set of test that the energy auditor will perform.  A blower door will be set up to measure air leakage and duct leakage.  An attic inspection is done to check your insulation levels and see how it was installed.  Building measurements, HVAC information and water heater specifications are taken and entered into the building model done for each home.  Your home is also tested for combustion safety and check for potential back-drafting of gas appliances.  Those test listed above are required by the program.  What is not required but may be performed depending on your reasons for the audit and on the energy auditor you use is a utility bills analysis, renewable energy consultation (from a third party), an in-home discussion, a customized report, or additional energy modeling.  Some homeowners are looking for reasons why their utility bills have increased and a utility bill analysis is essential.  Other clients find valuable a general discussion on how to reduce their bills immediately after the audit is complete.  A customized report may also be created for the homeowner and can vary on levels of quality.
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With the announcement of the reduction of utility-backed rebates for solar panels and solar hot water, APS is ramping up its energy efficiency package in a big way.  The first step is to have an energy audit performed by a BPI certified auditor for only $99.  The audit includes a blower door test which depressurizes the home to test for air and duct leakage.  A blower door works by removing all the air inside and replacing it through air leaks occurring around cracks and holes in the ductwork, electrical and plumbing penetrations, and windows and doors.  Pressure diagnostics will also reveal where the leaks are occurring and help define the all important thermal boundary of your home.  Sealing up holes in your home is the typically the most cost effective recommendation and the first step to a more comfortable and energy efficient home.

As part of the program your auditor will provide 10 CFL bulbs, low-flow aerators and a low-flow showerhead.  After the audit is performed you will receive a prioritized roadmap which lays out recommended upgrades, payback and initial costs. 

APS is helping finance energy efficiency packages from start to finish.   APS provides rebates of 75% for duct and air sealing, insulation, shade screens and HVAC upgrades up to $1,000. SRP customers also have their own energy audit program similar to APS's.  

APS and SRP Energy Audits also include:

- HVAC inspection
- Attic inspection of insulation and ductwork
- Blower door test
- Building model of your home
- Prioritized cost-effective solutions and report

Giveaways include:

- 10 free CFLs
- 2 free low flow faucet aerators
- 1 free low flow showerhead
- 1 free low flow kitchen sink aerator

Rebates can be taken off the initial cost or can be mailed directly to the homeowner upon 6-8 weeks of completion of install.  Rebates include the following:

- Home energy audit - Discounted to $99

- Duct sealing - 75% off net costs up to $250 rebate per HVAC system from APS / $175 for SRP

- Air sealing - $250 rebate from APS

- R-38 insulation - 75% off net costs up to $250 rebate from APS

- Shade screens - $1 per sq ft rebate up to $250 from APS / $0.50 per sq ft up to $250 for SRP

- High efficiency AC units and furnaces - $175 to $525 rebate from APS

For more information take our online Energy Efficiency Tool, conduct your own Energy Audit and visit APS and SRP Home Performance With Energy Star website.

Visit previous posts on the APS energy audits and the most common recommendations we give.
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