Published by Austin Daily Herald staff, December 23, 2008

The Austin Coalition for Environmental Sustainability (ACES) recently awarded a free energy audit from Austin Utilities for an Austin couple.

The Allen and Kathy Toov household is saving more energy now, according to ACES.

They recently completed the Austin Utilities energy audit, which verified how they could save energy expenses.  The Toovs were selected from about 200 people who completed an ACES survey of energy-saving ideas.

Allen was concerned that the audit would show they needed to spend several hundred dollars replacing their windows, the homeowner admitted.  To their surprise, the windows were excellent, the audit revealed.

“Don’t let anyone tell you you need new ones,” the Austin Utilities auditor said. “These are very efficient.”

The Toovs did have their furnace checked and adjusted by a professional and they also replaced their old water heater.

The Toovs said they were pleased they could lower the temperature setting and still have rapid, sufficiently hot water. “Energy saving showers are more satisfying,” Allen said.

The Toovs had recently upgraded their front entrance with new, more efficient doors.

“We needed these even before we knew the audit results,” Kathy said.

The audit suggested these other savings on which the Toovs will be acting:  more insulation above their family room, CFL bulbs to replace the more-often used incandescent bulbs, a programmable thermostat and, perhaps, an air conditioner upgrade.

“The savings from the thermostat should pay for itself in a short time.  I now know how to connect it and will be doing so soon,” Allen said.

ACES organizational goals can be found at http://co.net/becoolgogreen.

Recycling, energy rebates and links to the energy audit can also be found there.

For more information about energy audits, contact Austin Utilities.