Green Sense: The Path to Zero Home Energy Bills with Energy Consultants

Today, most newly constructed and renovated homes have one common element: historically lower energy consumption. Many utility providers have shown their "green friendly" support by creating programs and incentives for energy efficient home improvements. Georgia Power is the largest utility provider in Georgia and has created an interesting home energy improvement program called EarthCents. This Georgia Power program promotes energy efficiency by offering various rebates to homeowners who take certain steps towards energy reduction. Part of the program is geared towards new homes that are built on a path to net zero (zero energy bills) where energy efficiency is the main selling point. The best part of the program is the Energy Checkup. This involves a third party Energy Consultant evaluating the existing home and then pointing out the areas that need the most improvement in order to lower your electric bill.
The best way to find out where your home weighs in on the energy efficiency scale is to book an appointment with a professional Energy Consultant. Most companies, such as Net Zero USA, will offer this as a free service. The trained Energy Consultant will come to your home and provide a proper evaluation by looking at your power bills and inspecting the level of your home's energy efficiency (or inefficiency). Energy Consultants will point out parts of the home that consume the most electricity and inform you of different ways to reduce your consumption, some that you can do yourself and some that should be handled by a professional. Keep in mind, there is much more to an energy audit than checking for drafts in the wall sockets and looking at the type of light bulbs you are using.
A true professional Energy Consultant will inspect your attic's insulation, the condition of your current windows and any drafts or leaks, electrical appliances in use, light bulbs, roof orientation for solar panels, and discuss your overall home energy usage. Some homeowners may think they can achieve the same thing by searching the internet, but this is not the case. An Energy Consultant will help guide and direct you to a more comfortable greener home.The challenge is to find an Energy Consultant who can provide you with all of the available options without vested interest in one particular category. Some companies have experience with insulation and windows but lack knowledge of available solar options, such as photovoltaic (PV) solar panels and solar thermal water heating systems. Others just want to reduce your electric bill by guiding you only toward Energy Star appliances, such as refrigerators and washer/dryer sets. You want an Energy Consultant who has a broad spectrum of knowledge and experience and can provide you with all of the right resources.Be cautious, and research a company before allowing them to send one of their Energy Consultants out to your home. Take a good look at their website and read reviews. Make sure the company is well-rounded and experienced. It is essential that you are provided with enough information to make the correct choices for your purchase of home energy reduction and an eventual path toward zero energy bills. Make sure you find a company that has consultants with professional knowledge to discuss ALL available options on energy reduction. Home window conditions should be just as important as the level of insulation in your attic.Interested in scheduling a FREE in-home consultation with a Net Zero USA Energy Consultant? Call (888) 326-2220 or click here to submit your contact information.www.netzero-usa.com