
Next presenter was Darcie Lanthier who provided an overview of an energy audit, noting the importance as a first step in any new energy diet or review.
The review covered everything from your insulation using blower door testing, infrared red imaging to see your cold spots or where the wind blows in, electricity usage, water usage and recommendations to improve those areas to save you money. Interestingly she noted that the age of your house has a huge impact on its insulation value depending on 2x4 studs, 2.x6 studs etc and how well they insulated.
A energy modeling software she recommended is free from Natural Resources called HOT2000 and a ton of other software you might be interested in.
Interested in having someone else do your energy audit: The Office of Energy Efficiency
31 Gordon Drive, PO Box 2000
Charlottetown, PE C1A 7N8
Ph: (902) 620-3690; toll-free: 1-877-734-6336
Fax: (902) 620-3796
Grant MacDonald of www.solarenergyworks.ca spoke next on both the solar hot air heater that he built himself for his house - see pictures at the right. It worked great for this winter. Then he gave an overview of each of his solar hot water systems that he sells and how they worked.
Great presentations all around and lots of information to consider in reducing your housing energy costs.