New Mobile App Facilitates Home Energy Audits

Dec. 8, 2010 - PRLog -- A new, free mobile phone app, Light Bulb Finder, empowers community groups and home energy auditors to help residents switch to energy-efficient lighting. Based on simple inputs about a home’s current lighting fixtures and bulb types, the app instantly recommends energy-efficient bulbs with the right fit, features and light quality.

“The interface is intuitive and requires no training, so auditors, weatherization professionals and community groups can service more homes faster,” said Adam Borut, president of Eco Hatchery, the sustainability consulting and software firm that created the app. “Light Bulb Finder also is a great tool for engaging homeowners and driving commitment to action.”

Together, auditors and residents can walk through the home and get on-the-spot recommendations with bulb images, specifications, prices, savings, payback period, and environmental impact. The app enables users to easily prioritize bulbs for replacement and create customized shopping lists.

Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFLs) and LEDs can be ordered directly through the app, online or at local retailers. Users also can generate customized Room-by-Room Replacement Guides reminding them where to install their new energy-saving bulbs.

“Users can see how much they will save before they invest in energy-efficient bulbs and feel confident that they are getting the light quality and features they demand,” said Borut. “Going mobile with lighting retrofits not only is practical, it also is a huge time-saver for homeowners, weatherization contractors, utility companies, municipalities, and community organizations.”

After using the app to do a quick audit of her home lighting fixtures, California resident Debbie Pappalau found that she could save $325 simply by replacing her most frequently used incandescent bulbs. Her savings over the lifetime of the energy-saving bulbs would be $2,300, and her investment would pay for itself in just over one year.

“An extra $325 a year is a nice return. I’ll take it,” said Debbie who was excited to learn making the switch would reduce her family’s carbon footprint by 3900 pounds annually.

Light Bulb Finder Features

•   Get on-the-spot bulb recommendations while walking through the home.
•   Use simple image screens to enter current bulb and fixture types.
•   Choose which bulbs to replace based on financial payback and environmental impact. View savings based on individual electricity rate and lighting usage.
•   Create a shopping list and purchase bulbs directly through the app or refer to the list when shopping online or at local retailers.
•   Refer to the emailed Room-by-Room Guide when installing the new energy-saving bulbs.
•   Share energy and environmental savings on Facebook to encourage others to save energy, money and the environment.

Eco Hatchery also offers organizations reports on aggregate energy savings and greenhouse gas emissions reductions by zip code or auditor.

Tips for Home Energy Auditors and Sustainability Leaders: http://www.ecohatchery.com/files/pg66/Energy_Auditor_Tips...

The app is available for Android phones via the Google Android Market. Please visit www.lightbulbfinder.net for an app tour and additional resources.

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About Eco Hatchery: The Light Bulb Finder mobile application was developed by Eco Hatchery, a sustainability software and services firm that hatches community energy efficiency programs. Programs integrate personal engagement with tracking and reporting of aggregate energy savings and greenhouse gas emissions reductions: www.ecohatchery.com