There are many fuel options to choose from for heating a home. Natural gas, if available, is currently one of the cheapest. I’ve also seen fuel oil, propane, electric, wood, and even city produced steam systems heating homes in Northern Minnesota. They all have advantages and disadvantages. Today, I am going to discuss heating fuel costs and heat outputs. Continue reading “MECHANICALS-HEATING FUELS”
ENERGY AUDIT-A DISCRIPTION
As I stated in my previous post, I am a part time energy auditor. This is my favorite job, I wish I could audit full time, but living in a small community, there’s only a limited supply of people in need. I conducted my first audit, actually an energy assessment, in 2009. I’ve learned and seen a lot since then.
So, what’s the difference between an energy audit and an energy assessment? The assessment, sometimes called a home energy analysis, is a simple audit with limited or no testing of the home. There’s no blower door test, usually no thermal imaging scan, and of course, a lower cost. I review energy bills and ask questions of the homeowner to determine a solution. An energy audit will include the blower door test and thermal imaging scan. The full audit would typically be required when there is a heating issue with the home.
Continue reading “ENERGY AUDIT-A DISCRIPTION”
NORTHERN BUILT-AN INTRODUCTION
Hi, my name is Randy Williams, welcome to my first ever blog.
I spend a lot of my time thinking about and working in the construction industry. I started
in 1996 as an apprentice electrician working for my brother before becoming a state licensed journeyman electrician in 2000. In the late 1990’s, I helped my dad, who had built several homes and commercial buildings for himself, started a new home for his sister. In 2005, my dad, brother and I started a company called Willcon Inc, short for Williams Construction. We officially became a licensed building contractor. I learned a lot about the construction industry in those first few years.