Kill-A-Watt Power Meters are designed to show, in real time, what an electric device is costing you in dollars and watts. Courtesy/DPU
DPU News:
“Energy Audit” is the buzz word of the day. It’s true that Los Alamos County Department of Public Utilities (DPU) conducted energy audits for residential customers nearly 10 years ago. While we no longer offer this service, there are reasonable ways to audit your home or business on your own.
Why are you interested in an energy audit? Are you looking for ways to improve the efficiency of your space? Are you interested in an audit because it might ultimately save you money? Are you researching heating and cooling system options? (This last question warrants a quick side note. If you are considering a heating/cooling system installation, the HVAC specialist or contractor should complete a heating/cooling loading assessment or a Manual J load calculation. If they don’t, ask for one. If they won’t provide one, consider a different company. These assessments ensure systems are sized correctly for the spaces they’re in and are appropriate for high altitude.)
There are a lot of good resources out there to help complete a DIY energy audit that will help you understand what to focus on first. A couple of tools that are useful when completing audits are available through the Library of Things at the Mesa Public Library and White Rock Branch Library. DPU provided these tools—power meters and thermal imaging cameras—to enable Los Alamos citizens to investigate their own utility efficiencies.
Kill-A-Watt Power Meters are designed to show, in real time, what an electric device is costing you in dollars and watts. These units are preset to DPU residential electric rates but can be adjusted for other customer types. Curious to know what your TV is costing you while it’s on and off? What about that sound machine or humidifier? With the Kill-A-Watt, you can plug devices in to reveal if any are energy vampires driving up your utility bills.
Thermal imaging cameras perform thermal audits to detect differences in temperatures. Courtesy photo
Thermal imaging cameras are coming soon! With these thermal cameras, you’ll be able to perform a thermal audit to detect differences in temperature. The FLIR Home Inspect App will walk you through evaluating your windows, doors and walls to look for leaks in seals and for areas lacking insulation. Thermal inspections work best when there is a difference of 20 degrees or more between interior and exterior temperatures.
These tools coupled with additional resources found online can help you accomplish a reasonable, thorough and free energy audit on your own. EnergyStar and Energy.gov provide step-by-step assessments for consumers and suggestions for energy efficiency improvements based on results. DPU provides short browser links to these assessments at ladpu.com/estar-audit and ladpu.com/egov-DIY.
Lastly, if you need help interpreting any results or information from your efforts, give DPU a call at 505.662.8333. If you are instead interested in a professional energy audit completed by a Certified Energy Auditor, you can start by searching the internet for “energy auditor in my area.” The Inflation Reduction Act designates a $150 tax credit toward residential energy audits. However, your selected auditor must meet the certification requirements.
