- About the Audit
What happens during an Acterra High Energy Homes audit?- What kinds of recommendations will I receive?
- I've heard about other energy efficiency audits. How does Acterra High Energy Homes differ from those?
- Will someone come to my house?
- How much time does the audit take?
- Will my data be safe? Who else will see my information?
- What do I need to do to prepare for the audit?
- What happens if I need help?
- Who Can Get an Audit
- Who can get an audit?
- How do I apply?
- I don't use a computer, or I'm not comfortable using a web-based application. Can I participate?
- Who Pays for the Audit
- How much does the audit cost?
- Will I have to pay for anything?
- How is the project funded?
- Can you analyze my water use as well?
- Can the audit show me how I'm helping the environment?
Q. What happens during an Acterra High Energy Homes audit?
A. Unlike other audits where energy efficiency experts go to your house and investigate, most interactions for this audit will occur online, at a secure website managed by Acterra.
- Acterra's online tool collects basic information from resident:
- Detailed utility data (PG&E account number & password)
- Home size, age, occupants, thermostat settings, etc.
- Acterra's online tool analyzes that information to:
- Categorize energy use into different types (seasonal, base loads, variable loads)
- Compare yours with similar homes and identify usage patterns that provide no value
- Provide simple recommendations for reducing energy use
- Resident reviews results:
- You confirm and/or revise findings
- If significant energy remains unaccounted for, Acterra will request more information from you and conduct a secondary analysis based on additional data
- Resident selects recommendations to pursue
- Acterra monitors monthly PG&E data for next 12 months
- Acterra communicates with resident with reminders as needed
Q. What kinds of recommendations will I receive?
A. The energy-saving recommendations from Acterra will vary depending on your house and energy usage. Energy use varies considerably from home to home, based on many factors. A key benefit of the program is to provide you with a graph of your home energy use (also called an “energy balance”), so you'll know where your energy is going. 
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- Some homes may need help in managing electrical plug loads, and we will make recommendations on how to manage them more efficiency.
- Some homes may be identified as using an atypical amount of energy for heating or cooling and will need further analysis of their heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. If so, we will refer you to the county's Energy Upgrade program.
- Some homes may have features like pools, spas, fountains or whole-house systems that can be improved, and we will provide appropriate referrals.
Q. I've heard about other energy efficiency audits. How does Acterra High Energy Homes differ from those?
A. There are many kinds of energy efficiency audits available, and we know it can be confusing. They often differ by the emphasis of the audit. Research shows that a high proportion of energy use in high energy homes goes toward base loads. Your base load is typically from appliances and systems that are on and drawing power all the time, including some that aren't being used, like extra TVs and set-top boxes and hot water recirculation pumps. High energy homes also often have higher intermittent loads from refrigerators and pool pumps. The primary focus of Acterra High Energy Homes is to analyze energy use and identify simple cost effective opportunities to reduce energy use in these homes.
Other audits focus primarily on analyzing and identifying opportunities to improve heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems with in-home inspections and expensive diagnostics like blower-door tests, duct blasters and thermal imaging. These audits make sense if a majority of a home's energy goes toward heating and cooling, but because of our temperate climate, the majority of our usage in high energy homes goes into electrical plug loads.
Q. Will someone come to my house?
A. Not likely. Unlike other audits where energy efficiency experts need to explore your house from crawlspace to attic, most interactions for this audit will occur online, at a secure website managed by Acterra.
Q. How much time does the audit take?
A. The initial on-line survey will take about 15 minutes. Depending on the complexity of your home, more time may be required after the initial analysis. You will learn as you go, and there is no need to answer all questions in one sitting.
How much time is needed to act on any of the recommendations you receive depends on the action, of course. Many can be completed in just a few minutes, and you will be provided with a prioritized list of recommendations based on your own stated priorities. The recommendations will include links for where you can purchase any needed devices.
After you finish your audit, Acterra's online tool will monitor your monthly PG&E energy usage and may occasionally send you reminders and alerts.
Q. Will my data be safe? Who else will see my information?
A. Your data will be held in strict confidence on a secure server and will only be used to help you reduce your energy use. Only those directly involved in the audit process, such as technical support people you may call, will have access to your answers.
Because Federal Stimulus funds are being used to fund our program, the California Energy Commission (CEC) will receive summarized results at various stages. However, all personally identifiable information (name, address, etc.) will be kept confidential, per our agreement with the CEC.
Q. What do I need to do to prepare for the audit?
A. To begin the process, you will need to have an online account with PG&E. If you don't have one, it's easy to set up. Be sure to have your PG&E bill handy. Click here to be connected to the PG&E website. You'll see an orange box labeled "Log In." Click on "New User? Register Here" to create your account. Don't forget to read and accept the Terms of Use at the bottom of the form.
After you've entered your PG&E account number, you get a "My Account" page. From here you can verify that your SmartMeter data is available for the auditing software to download. Log in again (if needed) and click on the Usage tab below My Account on the left hand side. Then an Hourly/Daily Usage tab appears; click there. After answering the disclaimer screen, you come to the SmartMeter Usage screen. In the Service ID # box, choose "Electric" then toggle the Graph cell below to select "Hourly," and in the beige box below where it says "Period," click on the button that indicates Weekly. The data will download, and you will see a blue bar graph with dates on the bottom and kWh on the left side of the graph. This is the data the High Energy Homes software will use to create your energy-saving recommendations.
If you need help setting up your online account, Acterra's staff can assist if needed. Contact Davena Gentry at 650-962-9876 x305 during business hours or e-mail davenag*acterra.org.
Q. What happens if I need help?
A. You can get help from an Acterra staff member by phone, email or via a web-based conference where both parties can view your survey. Contact Acterra during business hours or leave a voice mail at 650-962-9876 x305 or email davenag*acterra.org
Q. Who can get an audit?
A. Residents of Atherton, Los Altos Hills, Monte Sereno, Portola Valley, or Woodside. This program is especially helpful for residents whose bills exceed an average of $500/month, but everyone can benefit from getting an energy assessment.
Additional requirements are:
- Have a PG&E SmartMeter installed
- Residence in current house for at least 12 months
- Agree to provide your PG&E bill information for 12 months before and after your audit
- Do not have a solar electric system
Q. How do I apply?
A. Fill out the simple application form online, email, or call Acterra at 650-962-9876 x305. We'll ask you to provide your name, address, contact information and approximate average monthly PG&E bill amount.
Q. I don't use a computer, or I'm not comfortable using a web-based application. Can I participate?
A. Acterra will provide a limited number of audits over the phone. Call us at Acterra at 650-962-9876 x305.
Q. How much does the audit cost?
A. The Acterra High Energy audit is free to qualifying residents.
Q. Will I have to pay for anything?
A. You won't have to pay for the audit. But you will have to pay for any recommended energy-saving measures that you decide to undertake. For example, you may decide to purchase a "smart" power strip to manage your entertainment center, or you may pay for parts and labor to install a timer on your hot water recirculation pump.
Q. How is the project funded?
A. The Acterra High Energy Homes project is a free service offered in partnership with the cities of Atherton, Los Altos Hills, Monte Sereno, Portola Valley and Woodside. It is funded primarily by Federal ARRA Stimulus funds directed toward energy efficiency projects and distributed through the California Energy Commission. Additional funds have been contributed by PG&E, San Jose's EnergyWatch Program, Atherton's Environmental Programs Committee, and a private foundation.
Q. Can you analyze my water use as well?
A. We are hoping to include an analysis of water use as well, but this effort is not covered by the Federal funds approved for the project. At least one local water company (Purissima Hills Water District in Los Altos Hills) has agreed to fund such an effort, to help educate their customers about their water use and what water conservation ideas might make sense for them. If you are interested in including a water analysis in this program, please encourage your water company to contact Acterra.
Q. Can the audit show me how I'm helping the environment?
A. In addition to an analysis of your energy use, each participant will also receive a confidential summary of your greenhouse gas emissions and how it compares with others.
By reducing energy use, you are burning less fossil fuels and therefore putting less carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
Reducing wasted energy also cuts down on our nation's dependence on foreign oil. Your participation in the High Energy Homes program makes positive change in so many ways: thank you!