If a doctor prescribed brain surgery for your headaches, would you just cheerfully go along with him. Of course not, you would start getting second, third and fourth opinions.

But a contractor will suggest a $40,000 solar panel system or a new green roof and siding and you cheerfully sign on the dotted line. Well there are qualified professionals available to give you second opinions and they should  be your very first step to take

Many home owners do not realize that a home energy audit is the most important  first step to take when addressing energy efficiency in a home. A qualified home energy professional will examine the energy your house is losing, where it is being lost, and what needs to be fixed in order to make the home more functional. With an average cost of between $250 and $500, most homeowners will recoup their money on energy bills within a year. They are equipped to advise you on the next step for energy savings before you install a solar panel or replace all your windows. They are also trained to addresss problems with water damage, mold, crawlspaces and insulation.

Here are certifications that an energy auditor needs to have to earn your business:
They need to be RESNET-HERs certified.
This means that the auditor has taken an intensive course given by The Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET) and has passed the test that will qualify him or her to rate a home on the Home Energy Rating System (HERs). If you are building a home, a RESNET-HERs rater can also verify that your home meets the standards of the EPA’s Energy Star program.

They need to be certified by BPI (Building Performance Institute)
This is especially important if you have any combustible appliances or if your home is not a new home. BPI Analysts look at safety and air quality, among other things, and combustible appliances may create hazards if you weatherize and tighten your home based on an energy audit. A BPI analyst understands how a home’s systems work together.

Good auditors come with the right equipment. They conduct a blower door test, work with the aid of an infrared camera as well as a duct blaster test. They are willing to go into your attic and crawl space to find out exactly what is going on in those areas. A good energy auditor will examine places where most homeowners are are afraid to go.

 Why are contractors not taking this first step? They are in the business of selling you a product, not telling you that you don’t need the product.