This Home Heat Loss Quiz was adapted for use by
the Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities, its member utilities and
their customers. It is intended to give you and idea of how well your home
is weatherized and insulated. You simply answer a series of questions, and
then assign points for each answer. The quiz should take less that 30
minutes to complete. If you take the time, you may just find a way to
lower your energy bill by 25% or more.
Once you've tallied the point for each answer, you can easily "grade" your home to see how energy efficient you really are. But a note of caution is warranted. A worksheet such as this can provide only a rough indication of home energy efficiency. If you are interested in having work done on your home, you should contact your local municipality and ask for information about a residential energy audit. An audit can provide you with more detailed recommendations about a residential energy audit. An audit can provide you with more detailed recommendation about which efficiency improvements make sense for your specific home.
What is your Thermostat Setting? If your
thermostat is set at 68 degrees or less during the
daytime in winter, score 6 points; 5 points for
69 degrees;
4 points for 70 degrees. If your thermostat is
set above
70 degrees, score
0.
Score:_________
If you have whole-house
air conditioning and you keep
your temperature at 78 degrees in the summer,
score 5
points; 4 points for 77 degrees; 3 points for 76
degree.
If you have no air conditioning, score 7 points.
If your
thermostat is below 76 degrees score 0
points.
Score: _________
In winter, if you have
your thermostat back to 60 degrees
or less at night, score 10 points; 9 points for
61 degrees;
8 points for 62 degrees; 7 points for 63 degrees;
6 points
for 64 degrees; 5 points for 65 degrees. If your
thermostat
is set above 65 degrees at night, score
0.
Score:_________
Is Your House Drafty? To check for drafts,
hold a flame (candle or match) about
one inch from where windows and doors meet their
frames
If the flame doesn't move, there is no draft
around your
windows, and you score 10 points. If the flame
moves,
score
0.
Score:_________
If there is no draft
around your doors, add 5 points. If
There is a draft, score
0.
Score:_________
If you have a fireplace
and keep the damper closed or
Block the air flow when it is not in use, add 4
points.
Score:_________
If you do not have a fireplace, add 4 points.
Score:_________
If you leave the damper
open when the fireplace is not
Being used, score
0.
Score:_________
How Well Is Your Attic Insulated? Currently, it is
recommended that Iowa homes have about
12 inches of ceiling insulation in the attic.
If you already have the recommended 12 inches of
insulation, score 30
points
Score:_________
If you have 3 inches less than you should, score 20 points.
Score:_________
If you have 6 inches less than you should, score 10 points.
Score:_________
If you have 9 inches less than you should, score 5 points.
Score:_________
If you have less than 3
inches of insulation in your attic,
score
0.
Score:_________
Is Your Wall Insulated?If you have insulation in your walls, score 10 points.
Score:_________
If you have no insulation in your walls, score 0.
Score:_________
Is Your Floor Insulated?
If you have unheated
space under your house and there
is insulation under your floor, add 10 points; if
there is no
insulation, score
0.
Score:_________
If you have a heated or
air-conditioned basement, or if
there is no space under your house, score
10.
Score:_________
Do You Use Storm Window?Score:_________
Your Energy Quotient Total:
Total Score:_________
*************************
How Well Did You Do?
If you score 100 or above: Congratulations! You are already an energy saver. By keeping your home well insulated and draft-free, you are using energy more efficiently than 90 percent of your neighbors. Despite your high score, there still may be a chance to save even more energy in a way that saves you money. Check with your municipal utility for more information.
If you score under 100: You're probably spending more money that you need to in order to keep you home comfortable through an Iowa winter. Check the quiz again to see where you lost the most points. That's where you can make the greatest savings in your annual fuel bill. Those are also areas where you can improve the comfort, appearance and resale value of your home.
How Much Money Can Be Saved?
As mentioned in the opening paragraphs of this quiz, you should contact you municipal utility for more information on specific costs and savings associated with home energy improvements. For comparison purposes, however, if you scored less than 100 points on the quiz, a saving of 25% or more is not uncommon.
For information on how much you can save in your home, visit the Energy Savings Estimate Page.