A whole house approach to energy efficiency will pinpoint problem areas

Feb. 17, 2012 - PRLog -- Tonawanda, NY - A whole house approach to energy efficiency will not only pinpoint energy use areas of your home that need improvement, but will also tell you which part of your home uses the most energy, according to Brian Paterson, vice president, New Buffalo Impact, a Tonawanda, NY based home energy improvement contractor.

“A lot of folks make the mistake of assuming that a single improvement, such as insulation, is all that is needed to reduce their energy bills, “ Paterson said.

He continued, “Although making sure that your home has the proper levels, and application, of insulation is a key factor, it isn’t the only one.”

“In fact,” he added, “it may not be the major issue a homeowner may face.”

Paterson recommends starting with a comprehensive energy assessment which will analyze a house as a complete unit.  The results, according to Paterson, will let a home owner know where specific issues exist, and what can be done to correct them.

Paterson added that the energy usage in a home varies from home to home, but “patterns do exist.”  A chart on www.energysavers.gov points out that “heating accounts for the most usage.”  

The chart depicts average usage:  heating 31%; water heating 12%; cooling 12%, lighting 11%, appliances 9 %; computers and electronics 9%; refregeration 8%; and other 8%.

“Inefficient home heating and cooling can be caused by a lot of factors including air sealing and insulation.  A comprehensive home energy assessment will pinpoint the root cause of any problem,” Paterson said.

He continued, “Once the underlying problems are identified, then action can be taken to make a home more energy efficient; less costly to heat or cool; and feel more comfortable as well.”

Paterson recommends having an accredited professional conduct a high tech comprehensive home energy audit to provide details on any energy saving measures a home owner should take including: insulation, doors, windows, air sealing, and energy efficient heating and cooling systems.  

NBI is an BPI Accredited Contractor and an ENERGY STAR partner.  

Paterson said, “Developing a home energy improvement plan based upon the results of a comprehensive audit and following it will save you money each day you reside in your home by reducing heating and cooling costs.  An energy efficient home can save 35% or more in energy costs each year.”

New Buffalo Impact is a nonprofit corporation established in 1998 to assist homeowners, both single and multi-family, to achieve energy savings in their homes. NBI provides homeowners with a complete assessment of suggested energy related improvements and solutions.

In addition to conducting Comprehensive Home Energy Assessment, New Buffalo Impact performs the necessary home energy improvement work as well, including insulation, air sealing, windows and doors, furnaces, air conditioners, and energy efficiency appliances.


Paterson also pointed out that NBI works with home owners to identify, and apply for, other various financial assistance programs.  


More information on New Buffalo Impact is available online at http://www.newbuffaloimpact.com, by e-mailing inquiry@newbuffaloimpact.com, or by calling NBI at (716) 881-1477. 



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New Buffalo Impact is a nonprofit corporation established in 1998 to assist homeowners, both single and multi-family, to achieve energy savings in their homes. NBI provides homeowners with a complete assessment of suggested energy related improvements and solutions.