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<v ->They say knowledge is power,</v>

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but how do you learn what you need to know

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about your home's energy use?

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You can get a professional energy audit

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to help make your home safer,

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more comfortable, and more efficient.

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(upbeat music)

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Energy efficiency at home lowers bills

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and improves comfort in indoor air quality.

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A professional home energy audit is an in-depth,

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scientific way of looking at all aspects

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of a home's energy use to make actionable recommendations

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for cost-effective efficiency improvements.

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The audit starts with a homeowner interview

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to gather the past year's energy bills

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and establish known problems,

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like high bills, uncomfortable rooms, or mold problems.

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Next, a visual inspection gathers data

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on things like the amount and type of insulation,

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the number and sizes of windows,

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and the age and type of furnace, among many other things.

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A health and safety inspection assesses things

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like combustion appliances and electrical systems

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and potential hazards like lead paint,

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asbestos, and radon gas.

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A blower door tests how leaky a home is.

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Lots of small leaks can add up to big energy losses

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and humidity problems.

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Air sealing those leaks helps the insulation work up

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to its full potential and can improve indoor air quality

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by controlling humidity

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and reducing infiltration to the walls and attic.

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Not all energy loss happens through air leaks.

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Infrared cameras can see where heat is conducted directly

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through building materials and identify places

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where insulation is lacking.

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A duct blaster tests how leaky HVAC ducts are.

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By sealing ducts, more of the air you pay

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to heat and cool gets to the rooms where it's needed.

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Energy assessment software crunches this data

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and provides a comprehensive energy report

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that shows homeowners

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which energy improvements have the biggest bang

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for the buck.

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A professional home energy audit can give you

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the powerful knowledge you need to save energy,

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helping to make your home safer,

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more comfortable, and more efficient.

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(upbeat music fades)