Model energy audit procedure for the RCS Program

Conference · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1981

OSTI ID:5255251

Johnson, D R; Olsen, K O

A Model Energy Audit procedure was developed for the US DOE Residential Conservation Service (RCS) Program. The program requires that large gas and electric utilities offer on-site energy audits to their residential customers. The auditor must inspect the residence, calculate cost and saving estimates for region-specific conservation and renewable resource energy-saving measures, and present the estimates to the customer on site and in person. The measures include shell and furnace modifications, active and passive solar measures, and small wind machines. The model audit is a free technical assistance resource for voluntary use by utilities. The audit contains procedures for customer interviews, residence inspections, and cost and saving calculations. Data forms, calculation aids, weather data, and a booklet and form for presenting results to the customer are included. Other elements of the audit, such as behavior of the auditor, customer motivation, and safety considerations, are included in a companion document, RCS Auditor Trainee Manual. The model audit was developed from the following criteria: all conservation and solar measures are covered by a single integrated audit procedure; the audit can be completed in 2-1/2 h on site in most cases; and no computers, infrared viewers, or other costly or bulky equipment items are required. The cost and savings estimates for each measure are calculated independently of each other. Whenever possible, the customer's energy use data are employed to estimate building heating and cooling loads.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA); Solar Energy Research Inst., Golden, CO (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-77CH00178; W-7405-ENG-26
• OSTI ID: 5255251
• Report Number(s): CONF-810808-13-DRAFT; ON: DE84007596
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320101* -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Residential Buildings-- (-1987)
AUDITS
BUILDINGS
CALCULATION METHODS
ENERGY AUDITS
ENERGY SOURCES
FURNACES
MODIFICATIONS
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
WEATHERIZATION