Energy audit near me: picking an auditor in Denver

There are three kinds of auditor to choose from in Denver.

Xcel's Home Energy Squad

If Xcel is your gas or electric company, CLEAResult runs Xcel's visits. Squad Plus is the full audit: blower door, infrared, combustion safety and a written report. It is $100 for a limited time, normally $150, and takes about three hours. Book at xcelenergycores.clearesult.com or 303-446-7910, option 1.

An independent auditor

Use one when you're buying a house, Xcel isn't your utility, or you want your own auditor. Look for BPI's Energy Auditor certification or a RESNET rater.

For Xcel's rebate the auditor must be on Xcel's registered list. You pay first, then Xcel pays back 60%, up to $160 for a blower door audit or $200 with infrared, once every two years. The rebate tops out at a price of $267 for a blower door audit and $334 with infrared. The infrared rebate needs Xcel gas or Xcel electric heat.

A HERS rater

For a new home, an addition or a house you're selling. A RESNET-certified rater scores the house on the HERS Index: a typical home built to 2006 standards scores 100, and lower is better. Anyone can look up the score by address in RESNET's registry.

What happens at the visit

1. Walk-through. The auditor checks the outside, the insulation and the equipment.
2. Blower door test. A calibrated fan in an outside door pulls air out and measures how much leaks back in.
3. Infrared imaging. While the fan runs, a camera shows leaks and missing insulation.
4. Combustion safety. With fans and the dryer on, the auditor checks that the furnace and water heater still vent outside, and tests for carbon monoxide.
5. Direct installs. Squad visits add free LED bulbs, showerheads and aerators.

Before you book, ask

• Which certification do you hold? Check it on BPI's locator or RESNET's registry.
• Is your blower door calibrated? An uncalibrated one finds leaks but can't measure them.
• Will you test the furnace and water heater for combustion safety?
• When will I get the report?