Home Energy Services - Why Every Home Should Have an Energy Audit

Regardless of the type of home you live in, there are ways to improve your home to make it more efficient. With a few tweaks here and there, houses, both new and old, can be improved and can save homeowners a considerable amount of money each year. Think about how much money you spend on energy services each year:

? Do you think there are actions you could take to reduce energy consumption and your electricity bill?

? Do you know of any issues related to your home that you need to address but have yet to?

? Do you know how much money per year you could save by simply making a few small changes in your home?

? Do you know what steps to take to make your home more efficient?

Homeowners can easily find all the answers to these questions through a home energy audit. While some will advocate that you can do it yourself, it is best to leave it to the professionals. You may be able to do the basic quick fixes around the house, but the professionals will find the best methods to improve your homes efficiency.

For most homes, an energy audit will be the first step in the sustainability journey. And, the truth is that every home should have an energy audit. The results of the audit could make a huge difference in your utility bills.

How does an energy audit work?

An energy audit on your home involves going over it in detail in search of energy inefficiencies. Home energy service companies will conduct a comprehensive assessment with the aid of diagnostic instruments to identify potential areas for improvement. An energy audit can take between 2-6 hours depending on the size of your home and the issues that are discovered. Some of the assessments include:

? An inspection of all relevant equipment and appliances

? An analysis of your utility bills

? An Assessment of the building envelope's heat transfer and air flow

? An Analysis of the impact of occupancy, use, and weather on the building

? An Inspection of all windows, doors, and other fenestration

Once the assessment is completed, home energy service companies will perform an analysis of the data they have collected and create a report of their findings. Based on these findings, a customized

sustainability project plan will be developed for your home. This plan will take into account your budget, needs, and specifics related to your home.

Advantages of getting a home energy audit

There are a number of advantages to having an energy audit performed on your home:

? You could become eligible for tax rebates and financial incentives to aid with installation of green solutions for your home.

? You could considerably decrease your energy bill

? You'll receive professional recommendations on how to increase your home's efficiency

? Improving your home's energy inefficiencies will pay for itself relatively quickly

For more great information and tips on Home Energy Services, please visit http://www.ecosmartsolutionsltd.com.

EcoSmart Solutions is a one-stop-shop for your green building needs. Whether you're interested in inexpensive measures like having your attic insulated or you're considering generating your own electricity with solar panels, we have you covered.

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What Every Employee Should Know Before a Safety Audit

Every employee in an organization should know how safety audits are to be conducted. The result of the audit affects everyone in an organization and it is imperative for every employee to be an integral part of the process to have the best possible outcome. Here several points that every employee should understand before starting an audit.

The goals of the process and how each employee will be part of the process should be the first part of every safety audit. Make sure that your employees know what is expected of them and how they will benefit from the process. It is important to put them at ease and get them on board.

Both administrative and engineering controls are used in a properly conducted safety audit. Administrative controls are the rules and guidelines set up in an organizations safety policy and they should be checked first. Engineering controls are the actually safety devices and procedures that are conducted at the work station and they are the second thing to be checked.

Understanding the need and use of Personal Protective Equipment is part of every safety audit. They need for the protection is explained and a check of how the protection is working in the each specific work area should be examined. Many times Additional PPE is needed.

Fixing tools and equipment on a regular basis and recognizing safety problems before they happen is next. Every employee should be trained on how the equipment breaks down and what to look for.

Emergency response procedures should be examined during an audit. Every employee should be intimately acquainted with the procedures. They should be examined to make sure the procedures are as efficient and appropriate as possible.

The safety training procedures should be examined next. Regulatory compliance, safety and health training is imperative to preventing workplace accidents. All training is examined to make sure everything is included and covered.

Understanding the importance of "Near-Miss" accident investigations should be covered. They are crucial to understanding and preventing future accidents. Every near miss should be reported and examined.

A safety self assessment is next. Every employee should conduct one on a regular basis. This self-assessment should involve their work area and work practices to determine if a problem exists or a procedure could be added to make things safer.

Everyone is an important part of a safety audit and every employee should know their part in the process and how it will be conducted. Everyone benefits from the information garnered in an audit. Safety audits are one of the most important ways to ensure a safe workplace.

Charlie Bentson King is a Vice President for Workplace Safety Videos - a distributor of safety videos and safety DVDs