Q. How do I request an Energy Audit from CenterPoint Energy?
A. CenterPoint Energy heating customers can request an audit online now or by telephone at 612-321-5011 (1-800-234-5800, ext. 5011).
Q. Who performs the Energy Audit?
A. CenterPoint Energy contracts with Enervision, a local company, to perform the Energy Audits. All auditors who perform audits for our customers are state-certified.
Q. What qualifies these auditors to perform the audit in my home?
A. The State of Minnesota certifies auditors who take a number of courses related to homes and home energy use and who pass an audit certification test administered by the Minnesota Department of Commerce.
Q. How long will my audit take?
A. The Standard Energy Audit takes between 1-1/2 to 2 hours, and the more in-depth Home Performance Audit takes between 2-1/2 to 3 hours.
Q. How long does it take from the time I request an audit until the time the audit is performed?
A. Customers are generally contacted within three to four weeks from the time they request an audit, and the audit is completed within four to six weeks of the request. At certain times of the year, the response time is shorter, and at other times, it may be longer. However, the average timeframe for completion of a residential audit is less than six weeks from the date of the request.
Q. How will my auditor contact me?
A. The auditor will contact you by telephone to schedule an audit (which is usually conducted during daylight hours) within the timeframe noted above. If the auditor is unable to contact you by telephone, you will receive a postcard with the name of the auditor assigned to your home, and giving you a number where you can reach them at your convenience to schedule an appointment.
Q. Why doesn't CenterPoint Energy schedule the audit at the same time that I request one?
A. CenterPoint Energy does not directly conduct Residential Energy Audits, but contracts with an outside vendor that performs them. The vendor assigns an auditor who will contact you to schedule your audit for a time convenient for you both.
Q. What is included in a Residential Energy Audit?
A. Our audit will analyze your home for space heating/furnace efficiency, general air leaks, water heating, refrigerator/freezer, laundry, lighting, and air conditioning.
Q. Why can't I get an audit if I've purchased products or services from Home Service Plus® of CenterPoint Energy, but am not a heating customer?
A. The audit program, as part of our Conservation Improvement Program, is funded by CenterPoint Energy ratepayers; therefore, only our natural gas heating customers are eligible.
Q. What types of weatherization materials are provided during the audit?
A. Typical materials include: weather stripping for windows and doors, plastic sheeting kits for windows, door sweeps, spray cans of insulating foam, and pipe insulation .The program calls for up to $25 of materials depending on the needs of your home, as determined by your auditor.
Q. How do I pay for the audit?
A. You will be billed on your CenterPoint Energy gas bill under "Other Charges." The charge will be equal to the co-payment required for the specific type of audit you have – either $25 for the Standard Energy Audit or $100 for the Home Performance Audit.
Q. Can the audit detect moisture?
A. The Home Performance Audit uses an infrared camera that can detect moisture by recording temperature differentials caused by the moisture.
Q. Can the audit find out why parts of my home are colder than others?
A. Yes. The auditors are trained to identify the location of and determine the causes of cold spots in your home.
Q. Can the audit find out why ice dams form on my roof?
A. The infrared scan that is part of the Home Performance Audit can help determine the causes of ice dams.
