A drafty room, rooms that are too hot or too cold, and high energy bills are common issues for homeowners.  A home energy audit is often the first step in making your home more efficient.  It can help you assess how much energy your home uses and evaluate what steps you can take to lower your energy bills and make your home more comfortable.  You can perform an energy audit yourself, or hire a professional energy auditor to perform a more thorough audit.

• Do it Yourself Audit - The ENERGY STAR Home Energy Yardstick will help you compare your home's energy usage to similar homes across the country.  You will need to enter some basic information about your home, such as age, square footage, number of occupants, etc.  It also is helpful to enter your last 12 months of energy bills.  If you don't have that information, contact your utility for a 12-month summary.
   
• Professional Home Energy Audit - If you are looking for specific recommendations, consider contacting a local professional auditor who will use a variety of techniques and equipment to survey your home. This video will help you understand what to expect during a home energy audit.

Other Resources

• ENERGY STAR Appliances - find out about incentives offered in Delaware.
• Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency - tax credits are offered through 2010 - don't miss out!
• Energy Saving Tips - low cost, no cost tips for saving energy.
• ENERGY STAR Homes - builders throughout Delaware are taking energy efficiency seriously, and are offering homes with the ENERGY STAR label.  These homes can help you save thousands of dollars on utility bills over the years.  Find a builder in your area, and take a room-by-room tour of an ENERGY STAR home below to help you better understand the benefits of building an energy efficient home.