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Achieving Energy Independence with Audits Energy audits or surveys, as we prefer to call them, are the stepping-off point for personal energy independence. In our opinion, energy surveys should, in most cases, be the only business of the company you hire for those audits. Starting with an interview of you and your family, a team should do a complete survey of your home, lifestyle, and property. From this they prepare a complete plan for energy and water conservation, energy efficiency, renewable energy, family food production, and rainwater harvesting for your home. Do you have to do this all at one time? No, the plan should be done for your budget and timeframe. The firm might prioritize the work, however. Does the company do the actual work? We think energy consultants, not contractors. are often best. Electricity Usage Remember that we have been enjoying a lull in rising electricity rates because of a recession we are not enjoying. Since electricity consumption was lower during the recession, rates did not go up and in some cases, even fell. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, that will not continue. Rising rates will almost certainly follow rising consumption. Do you have time to do this before rates go up again? Probably, but time might be limited. At least, start your plan. There are simple and inexpensive retrofits that will save fuel, both electricity and fossil fuels. Now is the time to start on this. And remember, not all homes can be energy retrofitted with a reasonable cost. Sometimes it is better to bail out and start over.
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Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, North Texas |
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fedfw.com |
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