D'Uva Energy Audit Case Study Final Draft WithChart

AIRE Energy Audit Case Study #1 Going to Town for Energy Savings SITUATION Andrew D’Uva wanted to make a difference with his home. A North Arlington resident in an 18-year old townhouse, he wanted to save money and help the environment with a new energy-efficient approach to home maintenance. The townhouse had the advantage of side-by-side insulation from neighboring units, but aging systems and air leaks led to high bills and wasted energy. For instance, the front door of his four-story unit seemed leaky, and the top floor was never quite comfortable— either too cold or too warm depending on the season. He felt a home energy audit would identify other potential areas for improvement. Earlier this year, Andrew applied for a County-sponsored energy audit through the Arlington Fresh AIRE program and was one of a handful of lucky townhouse residents to be selected at random to participate. THE AUDIT In April 2007, Andrew’s townhouse was the site of a three-hour audit that included an occupant interview, a visual inspection, and air leakage testing. The interview assessed Andrew’s comfort level and typical living patterns in the home, the number of occupants and other noticeable problems. Additionally, Andrew informed the audit team just how much he could invest in future improvements. An infrared camera helped capture temperature changes from leaks around windows, behind walls, where they are invisible, and at the front door where Andrew ...