Whether it’s solar or utility customers, Sun Pacific Solar often fields phone calls from individuals wondering what’s using so much power in their home and driving up their bill. While we generally begin by reviewing a copy of the customer’s bill to see if anything stands out as a red flag, this can only give us very limited information. Our next recommendation, to answer this question as well as others about home energy usage, is performing a Home Energy Analysis.
What is a Home Energy Analysis?
To perform a Home Energy Analysis, we hook up a measurement device to the home’s main service panel, sub-panel or if there’s a battery backup system installed, sometimes on the backed up loads panel to record real time usage data. We generally begin by measuring the highest rated circuits and move the device in a decreasing order as needed. We leave the device attached for several weeks while the customer lives in the home normally to ensure we’re collecting data that accurately reflects the homeowner’s lifestyle.
What does the data from an Energy Analysis tell us?
- First, we can compare our usage data to the usage on your utility bill and verify that the utility is not over charging you. Though utilities “over measuring” your usage is rare, it has happened and customers have used the data from our Home Energy Analysis to dispute their billing charges.
- Secondly, the data is used to identify which home circuits or loads are drawing the most power. These results can sometimes be surprising to people and can either point to energy efficiency opportunities or inform on how loads can be run at more optimal times of day. Whether it’s upgrading an appliance, programming something to save you money or adjusting your habits to use electricity when utility rates are cheaper, the data allows customers to make data driven decisions. This is just as important for solar customers as it is for non-solar customers.
- Thirdly, in rare instances, it can uncover an appliance that was left on without the owner’s knowledge. (We had one customer discover that the contractor for her new construction home had left the ventilation fans running in her crawl space long past project completion!)
- Lastly, if we’re generating a battery backup quote for a customer who wants some very large loads backed up, we use this data to determine which type of battery would best fit the their needs.
Once we’ve fully reviewed the data, we put together a report with our findings for you. Whether you’re not sure what the utilities are billing you for, or you want to identify the energy vampires in your home, a Home Energy Analysis is a great way to get these questions answered.
If this interests you or you have questions about this service, please reach out to us!
