Local CSU Extension Provides Do-It-Yourself Energy Assessment

South East Area Extension Offices Offer New Home Energy Audit Loan Program

The power is in your hands—CSU Southeast Area Extension Offices have a new set of tools to loan out to aid you in conducting an audit of energy use (and waste) in your home. Part of our Home Energy Audit Loan program (HEAL), these tools include:

• thermal leak detector that can help you find air leaks and gaps in insulation;
• Kill-a-wattTM power monitor to measure excessive appliance electricity use or find ‘phantom loads’ that use electricity even after the appliance is turned off;
• ‘flicker checker’ that detects the presence of inefficient magnetic ballasts in long fluorescent tube lighting (commonly found at commercial locations or in shops).
• These HEAL program kits can be borrowed for free for up to one week. Although the tools can be used individually, results will be even more powerful if used in conjunction with CSU Extension’s online Do-It-Yourself home energy audit worksheets and supporting online videos (www.ext.colostate.edu/energy/diy.html).

Other CSU Extension energy resources include decision tools to help you determine if your property is a good candidate for solar or wind energy, fact sheets, and other publications. For more information call your local CSU Extension Office in your county or visit us at www.extension.colostate.edu/SEA.

By Jennifer Wells
Southeast Area Director
Phone: (719) 254-7608