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The Residential Energy Audit Program (REAP) is a collaborative effort between the Center for ReSource Conservation (CRC), Boulder County, the City of Boulder, Longmont Power and Communications, the Town of Superior, and the cities of Louisville, Lafayette, Nederland and Jamestown. |
WHY SHOULD I GET AN ENERGY AUDIT?
Every year, the average American spends $450 on energy wasted through holes and cracks in their home. A REAP home energy analysis will help you understand your energy usage and give you a personalized set of recommendations to lower your energy bill.
Did you know?
Insulation. Sixty percent of US homes are under-insulated or uninsulated. If your home was built before 1980, it may fall into this category. |
Air leakage is one of the leading causes of energy waste in homes. Plugging those leaks can save 5% to 30% on home heating bills. |
Heating & Cooling equipment is a home’s largest energy consumer. Installing high-efficiency equipment and ensuring the delivery system is working efficiently can cut your heating and cooling costs by up to half. |
Appliances & Lighting offer significant opportunities to increase electrical efficiency. In the last 15 years alone, refrigerator efficiency has improved 60%. Compact fluorescent lighting, which is 75% more efficient than incandescent, has seen dramatic improvements in quality and price. |
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HOW DO I GET AN ENERGY AUDIT?
STEP 1: REVIEW ELIGIBILITY
You are eligible to participate in REAP if:
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Homeowners or renters in Boulder, Longmont, Superior, Louisville, Lafayette, Nederland, Jamestown, and Unicorporated Boulder County (including Gunbarrel, Niwot, and Allenspark) are elligible. Additional charges apply to non-participating cities (Erie, Ward, and Lyons).
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You are willing and able to sign a Liability Waiver and Utility Release Form and an Affidavit of Citizenship which requires proof that you are a citizen or lawful resident of the United States. You must provide your electric and gas account numbers so that we can track our program and the potential reduction in energy consumption.
STEP 2: APPLY FOR A REAP AUDIT
Download an application online and submit by email or mail (2639 Spruce Street, Boulder, CO 80302). For questions contact the CRC at 303.999.3820 ext. 224. You will be asked to provide general information about your home, including data from you utility bills for the past 12 months. If you have questions on how to do this, please call the CRC at the number listed above.
Audit Forms Required:
- REAP application
- Utility Release Form
- Affidavit of Citizenship
- Feedback Form
Note: We require twelve months of utility bill information so that our auditors can understand your household energy consumption
Audit Cost
The market value of an audit is $400-$1,000. With subsidies from the City and County we are able to offer audits at these affordable prices:
Home Size |
Fee |
Under 2500 square feet |
$100 |
2501 to 3500 square feet |
$150 |
3501 to 4500 square feet |
$200 |
Over 4500 square feet |
$250 |
STEP 3: COMPLETE THE AUDIT
Your application is assigned to an energy auditor who will then contact you to schedule a technical energy audit. The auditor will spend approximately 2 hours evaluating your home's energy efficiency by completing the following tests and inspections:
Blower Door Test
The auditor installs a blower door to evaluate and pinpoint areas that may be leaking hot or cold air through gaps or cracks in your home.
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Building Envelope/Shell Inspection
The home's exterior walls, windows, doors, attic, and basement or crawlspace are inspected to identify air leakage points.
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Insulation Assessment
The auditor checks insulation levels in attic, walls and crawlspace.
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Heating, Cooling & Hot Water Assessment
The auditor inspects and tests the efficiency and settings of the furnace, boiler, air conditioning and hot water equipment, ducts and pipes.
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Appliance Check
The auditor evaluates the efficiency of lighting, refrigerator, clothes dryer, freezer, and other major appliances.
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STEP 4: REVIEW TECHNICAL REPORT & RECOMMENDATIONS
Within two weeks, the REAP Program Manager will send a complete report that outlines the findings of the technical audit and recommended cost-effective energy efficiency investments for your home. At this time, you will be asked to complete a feedback form, which helps us identify ways to improve the program and track results
STEP 5: FOLLOW-UP
The CRC will follow up with participants by phone within one week of sending the report. During this call, the coordinator will review the report with the homeowner and ask specific feedback questions concerning the report.
*REAP Audits qualify for the city of Boulder's Green Points home energy audit requirements. A certificate validating the audit must be submitted with the Green Points and building permit applications. For more information on the Green Points program requirements visit www.bouldergreenpoints.com.
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