Step 1 - SERG Residential Thermal Efficiency Screen

We offer FREE, instantaneous feedback on how efficiently you are heating your home and how it compares with comparably sized efficient homes and it only takes a minute! This will let you know whether you need to take more action to increase your home's efficiency and save money. Fill in your square footage of heated space and residential fuel use and you will receive automatic feedback below.

Heated Space

Enter the total approximate square feet of heated space in your home. Count only area that is intentionally heated. For example do NOT include basement space unless there is a stove or heat registers there. Estimates of area size are close enough for this rough screen - house length X width X # floors.

Total approximate square feet of heated space:

Heating Fuels

Oil: Number of Gallons used per Year
Propane: Number of Gallons Used per Year
Wood: Number of Cords Used per Year
Kerosene: Number of Gallons Used per Year
Natural Gas: Number of Therms Used per Year
Wood Pellets: Tons Used per Year

Results: Click here to finalize the calculation. These next two fields are calculated for you based upon the fuel usage and square feet of heated space entered above. These calculations are accurate only if this above data is entered correctly.

Total MBTU Usage (Milliion BTUs):

BTUs per square foot of heated space:

Homes using 40,000 BTU per square foot of heated space or less are doing pretty well. Those using more probably have opportunities for improvement. The more BTUs you are using per square foot of heated space, the less efficiently you are heating and the more opportunities there are for you to save. If you are interested in professional review of your home's energy efficiency read over SERG's Home Performance Assessment. Then fill out and submit the SERG Residential Energy Survey.

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Step 2 - SERG Residential Energy Survey

Before beginning this survey, please complete the free SERG Residential Thermal Efficiency Screen, above. This Screen will provide automatic feedback and comparison of your home's heating efficiency and the information is required for this survey.

Step 2 of SERG's Residential Assessment Services involves filling out and submitting the following Residential Energy Survey. A residential energy specialist will then review your completed survey and provide you with specific feedback and advice to help you conserve energy and save money. You will receive a brief write-up of our findings from the survey review and you can call to discuss these findings and next steps with us.

We offer this service for $30, which can be applied toward our Home Performance Assessment, a more in-depth, on-site review of your home's health, comfort, safety and energy concerns. Completing both the free screen (Step 1) and this Residential Energy Survey (Step 2) are prerequisites to receiving a Home Performance Assessment. If you are interested in additional information about this service or have questions about this survey, please contact us at SERG@valley.net or 802-785-4126.

We prefer receiving electronic surveys. To do this, just fill out the following web-based survey and click "submit" at the end. Then mail a check for $30 made out to SERG and note "Residential Survey Review," with your contact information to us at SERG, 432 Ulman Rd., Thetford Center, VT 05075. We will then send you your survey review. You may also download and print the .pdf version [Residential Energy Survey 06-07 [pdf]] , fill it out by hand, and mail it with a $30 check made out to SERG.

Contact Information

First Name
Last name

Email

Mailing Address
Town
State Zip

 

Service Address (if different)

Town State Zip

Home Phone
Work Phone

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Did you purchase fuel through the SERG Energy Club in 2003/4? Yes

Did you purchase fuel through the SERG Energy Club in 2004/5? Yes

Miscellaneous Energy Symptoms (Please check all that apply.)

Ice-dams
Frozen pipes
Respiratory illness in the winter
High Expense
Sweaty windows in winter
Mold/mildew
Cold drafts

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Basic House Characteristics

Type of Home:

Single Family
Mobile Home
Condo/Townhouse
Duplex or Apartments

Own    Rent

If rent: Building Owner or Manager:
Phone

Number of heated stories: 1 2 3 4
Approximately what year was your house built?
Number of Household Residents

Occupied:     Year Round     Seasonal

Foundation
Full Basement
Crawlspace
Slab

House Insulation Level – High   Medium   Low

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Home Heating

Primary Heating System

System Type:
Warm air furnace (ducts distribute heated air)
Steam boiler (pipes carry steam)
Hot water boiler (Pipes carry heated water)
Space heater/room heaters/wood stove
Radiant

Heating Fuel Type:   Oil    LP Gas   Wood   Kerosene   Natural Gas   Electricity   Solar
Other:

System Age in Years:

Is it zoned?   Yes    No

Does it have a Programmable Thermostat?   Yes    No

Secondary Heating System

System Type:
Warm air furnace (ducts distribute heated air)
Steam boiler (pipes carry steam)
Hot water boiler (Pipes carry heated water)
Space heater/room heaters/wood stove
Radiant

Heating Fuel Type:   Oil    LP Gas   Wood   Kerosene   Natural Gas   Electricity   Solar
Other:

System Age in Years: Is it zoned?   Yes   No
Does it have a Programmable Thermostat?   Yes    No

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Water Heating System

Primary Hot Water System

Type:

Tankless coil direct inside boiler
Storage tank indirect from boiler
Storage tank with self-contained, vented burner
Solar hot water panels
On-demand or instantaneous system

Fuel: Heating Fuel Type:   Oil    LP Gas   Wood   Kerosene   Natural Gas   Electricity   Solar

System Age Tank Size
Tank Wrapped: Yes No
Pipes Wrapped: Yes No

Secondary Hot Water Heating System

Type:
Tankless coil direct inside boiler
Storage tank indirect from boiler
Storage tank with self-contained, vented burner
Solar hot water panels
On-demand or instantaneous system

Fuel: Heating Fuel Type:   Oil    LP Gas   Wood   Kerosene   Natural Gas   Electricity   Solar

System Age Tank Size
Tank Wrapped: Yes No
Pipes Wrapped: Yes No

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Household Electric Use

Please provide your electric use in kiloWatt hours (kWh) by month for the past year. These figures may be on your electric bill or you can contact your electric utility for them. Vermont utility customers do NOT have to fill monthly electric usage figures below as SERG can access this information automatically through our contractual agreement with Efficiency Vermont. Make sure the contact name and address on this survey are the same as those on your electric bills. This and all survey information is confidential.

Electric Utility
Account #

Number of Kilowatt-Hours Used per Month

Month January February March April May June july August September October November December Year 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
Month January February March April May June july August September October November December Year 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
Month January February March April May June july August September October November December Year 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
Month January February March April May June july August September October November December Year 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
Month January February March April May June july August September October November December Year 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
Month January February March April May June july August September October November December Year 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
Month January February March April May June july August September October November December Year 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
Month January February March April May June july August September October November December Year 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
Month January February March April May June july August September October November December Year 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
Month January February March April May June july August September October November December Year 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
Month January February March April May June july August September October November December Year 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
Month January February March April May June july August September October November December Year 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

These next two fields are calculated for you based upon the electric usage entered above. This calculation is accurate only if data from all 12 months is entered. Average residential usage in New England is about 500 to 600 kWh/month. Homes using less than 300 kWh of electricity per month are usually doing very well and those using close to or over 500 kWh per month often have cost-effective savings opportunities. Vermonters who have not filled in this section can find your average kWh usage on your monthly electric bills.

Total kWh per year:

Average kWh per month:

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List type and approximate age of each of your major appliances

Many new ENERGY STAR rated appliances use half the electricity of other models as recent as 15 years old. Click and scroll in each menu to list each of the major appliances that you have, and list the age for each. If you have more than one of any type appliance, list ages for each.

Major appliance 1: Refrigerator Freezer Air Conditioner Humidifier Dehumidifier Clothes Washer Clothes Dryer Age 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 15 20 25 30 Older
Major appliance 2: Refrigerator Freezer Air Conditioner Humidifier Dehumidifier Clothes Washer Clothes Dryer Age 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 15 20 25 30 Older
Major appliance 3: Refrigerator Freezer Air Conditioner Humidifier Dehumidifier Clothes Washer Clothes Dryer Age 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 15 20 25 30 Older
Major appliance 4: Refrigerator Freezer Air Conditioner Humidifier Dehumidifier Clothes Washer Clothes Dryer Age 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 15 20 25 30 Older
Major appliance 5: Refrigerator Freezer Air Conditioner Humidifier Dehumidifier Clothes Washer Clothes Dryer Age 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 15 20 25 30 Older
Major appliance 6: Refrigerator Freezer Air Conditioner Humidifier Dehumidifier Clothes Washer Clothes Dryer Age 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 15 20 25 30 Older
Major appliance 7: Refrigerator Freezer Air Conditioner Humidifier Dehumidifier Clothes Washer Clothes Dryer Age 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 15 20 25 30 Older
Major appliance 8: Refrigerator Freezer Air Conditioner Humidifier Dehumidifier Clothes Washer Clothes Dryer Age 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 15 20 25 30 Older

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For each of the following that you have, list your primary and, if applicable, secondary means of heating, and frequency of use

Cooking: Propane Electric Wood

Clothes Drying, primary method: Air dry Propane Electric Other
Other:
Loads per week 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 over 20   Year-round    Seasonal

Clothes Drying, secondary method: Air dry Propane Electric Other
Other:
Loads per week 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 over 20   Year-round    Seasonal

Sauna heating: Propane Electric Oil Solar Wood Other
Other:

Days used per week 1 2 3 4 5 6 7   Year-round   Seasonal

Hot tub/ Jacuzzi heating method: Propane Electric Oil Solar Wood Other
Other:
days used per week 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Year-round Seasonal

Swimming pool heating method: Propane Electric Oil Solar Wood Other
Other:   Year-round    Seasonal

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Household Lighting

Household lighting is one of the highest electric uses in the typical home. Compared with incandescent bulbs, new compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) use about 1/4 the electricity, last 8-10 times longer and save you $40 - $70 in electric usage over the lifetime of each bulb.

Approximately how many compact fluorescent light bulbs/fixtures are installed in your house?

Approximately how many incandescent bulbs are installed in your house that you use more than 1 hour per day?

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Renewable Energy Inventory

List installed kiloWatt (kW) rating for any renewable energy power systems you have:

kW Solar
kW Wind
kW Hydro

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2005 Energy Changes

Please list any changes that you may have made or begun in you house over the last year which should affect your energy use (ex. Air sealing work in attic, added 2" foam insulation in basement, installed new windows, bought new Energy Star refrigerator, energy audit conducted on house, etc.)

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Check here if you would like more information on SERG Energy Audit and Efficiency Services:

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Low Income Weatherization

Households meeting eligibility guidelines may qualify for free energy audit, retrofit, fuel and electric assistance. Please check here if you qualify.

# Household Occupants	Maximum Combined Household Income (Vermont)	Maximum Combined Household Income (New Hampshire)
1	$22,271	$18,889
2	$29,124	$25,327
3	$35,997	$31,765
4	$42,829	$38,203
5	$49,682	$44,641

These guidelines change annually.

Some of your income may not count toward these thresholds, so to see if you qualify, please check with the following agencies:

New Hampshire Office of Energy and Planning
Low income weatherization and fuel assistance programs, Andy Gray - 603-271-6359, http://www.nh.gov/oep/programs/fuelassistance/eligibility.htm

Vermont Office of Economic Opportunity
Low income weatherization and fuel assistance programs, Jules Junker, 802-241-2452, julesj@wpgate1.ahs.state.vt.us, http://www.ahs.state.vt.us/oeo/weather.htm

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The SERG Residential Energy Survey was produced by Sustainable Energy Resource Group. For more information on SERG and its energy saving programs, contact SERG at: 802-785-4126, SERG@valley.net or http://www.serg-info.org .

Your support for our efforts is greatly appreciated.

Please print out this page before clicking on the Submit button, to make sure that your printed copy corresponds with what you are submitting, and so that you have a record of this information in case it gets lost in transmission. Please contact SERG (SERG@valley.net or 802-785-4126) if you have not heard back from us within a week of submission.

Step 3 - Home Performance Assessment

After SERG gets back to you with recommendations based on your completed Thermal Efficiency Screen and Energy Survey (step 2 above) you can decide if you want to hire a SERG professional energy auditor to conduct an on-site Home Performance Assessment by a professional energy auditor. The Assessment includes a blower door thermal diagnostic test to measure how leaky your house is and identify areas of heat loss. We also conduct a combustion appliance zone test to make sure your combustion appliances are properly venting - an important safety measure. In addition, you will receive a written report with heat loss figures, recommended energy-saving measures, their costs to implement and estimated energy and energy-cost savings.

The cost of the Home Performance Assessment service varies with the size and complexity of your home. Following is a rate schedule for assessments with or without a written report. Those preferring the service without a written report should be prepared to follow the auditor around and take notes of recommended measures.

SERG Home Assessment Rates
For Single-Family Homes up to 2,500 sq ft	$400.00
For Single-Family Homes 2,501 to 3,500 sq ft	$425.00
For Single-Family Homes 3,501 to 4,500 sq ft	$450.00
For Single-Family Homes 4,501 to 5,500 sq ft	$475.00
For Single-Family Homes 5,501 to 7,500 sq ft	$500.00

The $30 fee for the Energy Survey review above will count toward the Home Performance Assessment Fee.

How much will I save?

Energy savings will vary depending upon how leaky your home is and on how extensively participants implement the suggested efficiency measures. Many inefficient homes can expect to achieve 25% to 50% savings or more in energy use through a comprehensive energy retrofit. Comparing the results of your Residential Thermal Screen against 46,000 BTUs/square foot of heated space for a relatively tight house will give you some sense of your potential savings.

Special Incentives For Vermont Residents Only

Thanks to Efficiency Vermont, residents of Vermont can receive several value-added features to their Home Performance Assessment. SERG will replace high-use screw-in incandescent bulbs with FREE compact fluorescent lightbulbs. This can save $40-$70 in electricity costs over each bulb's lifetime. We can also install free hot water tank insulation jackets, pipe wrap, low-flow showerheads, and faucet aerators for Vermont residents using electric hot water. On average, the savings generated from the installation of these energy-efficiency products alone offsets the cost of our assessment service.

Setting Up an Appointment

If you are interested in hiring SERG for a Home Performance Assessment, contact us at 802-785-4126 or SERG@valley.net to let us know what service you are interested in and to schedule a time. We prefer conducting the assessments while owners are at home so they can observe the process if interested and answer questions if needed.