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Energy Star Energy Audit Information                

An energy audit is often the first step in making your home or business more efficient. An audit can help you assess how much energy is used and evaluate what measures you can take to improve efficiency. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's  Energy Star Program provides helpful information on how you can perform your own home energy audit or gives guidance on how to select a professional contractor to perform a more in-depth audit for your business.

Do-It-Yourself Audits for Homeowners

If you have five minutes and your last 12 months of utility bills, use the ENERGY STAR Home Energy Yardstick to compare your home's energy efficiency to similar homes across the country and get recommendations for energy-saving home improvements from ENERGY STAR. You will also need to enter some basic information about your home (such as zip code, age, square footage, and number of occupants). If you don't have your bills, contact your utility for a 12-month summary.  Xcel Energy also provides energy conservation information for it's residential customers.

Some related links:

http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=home_improvement.hm_improvement_audits

http://e-star.com/homeperformance/

Businesses, Buildings and Plants all reap the benefits of Energy Audits

Improving the energy performance of buildings and plants requires managing energy strategically across the entire organization. EPA provides strategies, tools, professional assistance, and recognition opportunities to help you meet your goals and contribute to ENERGY STAR’s nationwide challenge to improve the energy efficiency of facilities by 10 percent or more!  Use the Energy Star Target Finder can help set “realistic” energy performance goals for your business, building or plant.

Xcel Energy's Commercial & Industrial  link provides several valuable conservation resources for its commercial and industrial customers.

Business related links:

http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=business.bus_index

http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=green_buildings.green_buildings_index