A Comprehensive Energy Audit with HERS package is performed by a Certified energy auditor. Certification by the Building Science Institute (BPI) or the Residential Services Network (RESNET) assures that a professional trained in building science will be evaluating your home.

Eligibility:

To be eligible for this program, DTE Energy (MichCon gas) must be your primary heating fuel supplier, or you must have ALL ELECTRIC HEAT with DTE Energy (Detroit Edison). DTE Energy account must be a Residential rate account in good standing at time of audit/installation.

What's included?

1. Detailed Assessment of the Home and Systems
   A certified energy auditor, professionally trained in the field of building science will inspect and assess your home’s insulation, and air sealing (attic, walls, basements, crawlspaces, doors and windows) and mechanical systems (heating, cooling, domestic hot water).
   
   

2. Blower Door Test
   Airflow in/out of your home can significantly impact your comfort, air quality, and heating and cooling costs.  Building science research has shown the importance of air sealing a home before pursuing other energy efficiency upgrades. A blower door pre-test is a diagnostic test designed to accurately measure and locate those sources of air leakage.

    A blower door is a powerful fan that mounts into the frame of an exterior door. The fan pulls air out of the house, lowering the air pressure inside. The higher outside air pressure then flows in through all unsealed cracks, gaps and other openings. This test helps determine the air infiltration rate of a building while pinpointing those openings.

   A blower door post-test is conducted after any air sealing upgrades are installed to measure the level of air leakage reduction. NOTE: A blower door post-test is typically included as part of a Comprehensive Audit. Please discuss with your certified auditor.
   
   

   
   This illustration* shows common air leakage locations that are found in a typical home.
   
3. Thermal Imaging Analysis
   Your auditor uses an infrared thermograph, a camera-style device that shows the relative temperature of objects. The kaleidoscope-like image can show heat loss or gain, indicating whether a wall or floor is adequately and effectively insulated. The image can also highlight moisture problems.
   
4. Detailed Recommendations including Energy Savings and Payback Analysis
   Based upon the inspection and diagnostic test, a prioritized list of energy efficiency recommendations (including no-cost/low-cost Do-It-Yourself measures) is generated to serve as a guide for further action by the homeowner. Custom energy savings calculations will estimate potential energy savings based on your home’s current condition and equipment. Insulation levels and type; window type and condition; lighting; age, working condition, and efficiency of major systems and appliances like furnace/air conditioning, water heater and refrigerator all impact your home’s energy efficiency and household operating costs. In order to help prioritize the energy efficiency improvements, a payback analysis will show you approximately how long it will take the improvements to pay for themselves based on estimated energy savings.
   
5. Home Energy Rating System (HERS)
   Home energy ratings provide a standard measurement of a home's energy efficiency. The HERS Index is a scoring system established by the Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET). A home that just meets code has a HERS Index of 100. For every point above or below 100, the home is that many % less or more efficient than the same home built to code. 
   
   

   For example, a home with a HERS Index of 70 is 30% more efficient than its code-built counterpart. In other words, lower numbers are better. A HERS Index of zero means it’s a Net Zero Home (i.e., it produces as much energy as it uses each year). You can use the energy rating to upgrade your home's energy efficiency by pinpointing specific, cost-effective improvements, based on insulation, windows, space and water heating and cooling, solar orientation, etc.

   
   
6. Optional Services
   A combustion efficiency test (a calculated measurement of how well your heating equipment is converting fuel into usable energy).

View an informational video about Energy Audits and Blower Door Testing (see Your Energy Savings Videos, and then choose "Home Energy Audits").

How do I claim my rebate(s)?

Receive a $75 rebate on the cost of your Comprehensive Audit now and receive an additional $75 rebate on the Audit cost when you install qualifying insulation and weatherization upgrades within 12 months.

1. Select a certified Energy Auditor from our Energy Efficiency Directory
2. Complete your audit
3. Determine whether or not you will be installing any of the additional rebate-eligible upgrades*
4. Complete - or have your contractor complete - the rebate form*
5. Submit the form and required paperwork within 45 days from the date of the audit as indicated on your rebate application

Note:  You may still claim rebate credits for eligible insulation and weatherization upgrades you have installed, even if you have chosen not to complete an audit.  For more information, see Insulation and Weatherization rebates.

Questions?  Please call 866.796.0512 for more information. 

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