Best energy efficiency auditors near Horace, ND

Smart glass doesn’t use a lot of electricity, and you can expect a standard window to add between $1 and $2 per year to your electric bills. Smart glass is proof that energy-efficient windows work. Although your smart windows may consume a little energy to operate, they can save enough energy to offset the costs. If you’re concerned about the minimal bump to your electricity consumption, you can opt for smart tint, which doesn’t require electricity to work.

To determine the right size generator for your house, you should calculate the total wattage of the appliances and devices you want to power during an outage. List all essential items, note their start-up wattages, and add them together.

Here are some typical wattage requirements for common appliances:

• Refrigerator: 600 watts

• Large dehumidifier: 700 watts

• Large window air conditioner: 1,400 watts

• Water heater: 3,000 to 4,500 watts

• Electric furnace: 5,000 to 25,000 watts

A 7,500-watt generator might be sufficient for essentials like a refrigerator, freezer, well pump, and lighting circuits. However, for high-demand items like a water heater or furnace, a whole-home generator is a better choice. A portable generator may be enough if you only need to power a few critical items.

While home square footage can offer a rough estimate, it is not always a reliable indicator. For reference, here are some typical generator sizes based on square footage:

• 1,000 sq ft: 6–9 kW

• 1,500 sq ft: 7–10 kW

• 2,000 sq ft: 10–14 kW

• 2,500 sq ft: 12–16 kW

• 3,000 sq ft: 16–20 kW+

For the most accurate sizing, consult a professional who can calculate your home's peak and average power consumption and recommend the optimal generator.

Audits typically take 2-4 hours, depending on the property size and energy systems.

After you receive your audit and report, review the findings and determine which of the prescribed changes you want to make to improve your home’s energy efficiency. Start by contacting the type of professionals recommended by the auditor who can help you remedy the issues discovered during the audit. Prioritize the projects by urgency, importance, and budget. Then, gather estimates from several professionals, remembering to verify any necessary licensing and experience information.