Get matched with top energy efficiency auditors in Fife Lake, MI

There are several signs that your house might have poor ventilation, including lingering odors, condensation on your windows, or mold and mildew. Your home may also feel stale and stuffy, or you might have trouble maintaining a comfortable temperature in your home. On top of that, you might develop allergy symptoms, such as sneezing, coughing, or headaches.

Insulation is measured by R-value, which is the measure of a material's ability to resist heat transfer. The higher the number, the better the insulation. When installing insulation yourself, you need to determine the optimal R-value you need to keep your home warm in the wintertime, cool in the heat of summer, and energy-efficient all year long. Each inch of insulation provides between a 3 and an 8 R-value. The climate where you live plays a major role in what R-value you need and the price tag you might see in your insulation installation.

While parts of the appraisal are out of your control, there are some things you can do to potentially raise the home’s value. You can make necessary repairs and upgrades before the appraiser visits—an appraiser can only value what is currently part of the home, not its potential. You can also provide the appraiser with the cost of recent upgrades. The appraiser will likely increase the value of your home by about 50% or more of what you paid for those improvements.

The three levels of home energy audits include:

• Level 1: Review of your energy bills and home for signs of energy inefficiency and areas for improvement. The average cost range is $0.08 to $0.12 per square foot.

• Level 2: A level 2 ASHRAE energy audit costs $0.12 and $0.35 per square foot. In-depth analysis of your energy usage and provides a report of cost-saving changes.

• Level 3: Comprehensive analysis and detailed recommendations for ways to improve your home’s energy efficiency. A level 3 audit costs about $0.36 to $0.50 per square foot.