Randy,

I have been having the same thoughts as you, is there some way I can diversify my business, especially in this current real estate down turn. Also, giving the upward sprial in energy costs, you would think home owners (not necessarily home buyers) would want to find ways to save money on home heating costs. Even though the cost of gas BBL has dropped a bit in the past few weeks, I think that energy costs will still be major concern in the years ahead.

Bob gave the best and most thorough answer, HERS vs an informal energy audit. Here are some additional thoughts.

I'll let you decide on the merits of going through HERS certification, costs vs number of builders wanting HERS certs in your area. Even though like you, I live in a northern state (Montana) where you would think builders would want to become Energy STAR certified, at least in my area I have only seen one so far, so am not sure that the cost of HERS training would pay off. So, that would depend on the builders in your area.

My local gas utility does offer free energy audits, including a blower door test, so it would be stupid to try to compete against a free service. But you have to wait 3-5 months. If you have all electric heat (common for homes built in the 70's), then all you get is a do-it-yourself questionaire to fill out. If you are rural and have Propane, then you are on your own. Therefore, I keep thinking there might be *some* market for doing energy audits, how much is hard to guess. I suspect home owners would only be willing to pay somewhere in the $100 to $150 range maximum (less if the audit does not include a blower door test). There are many internet web sites that offer do-it-yourself lists on how to improve your homes energy efficiency.

If I want to provide a decent energy audit service, then I would have to purchase a blower door kit, and those start out at about $3000-$4000. While I am still debating the decision, I am increasingly doubtful that it would pay off, partly because of the population size of my area. If you live near a bigger population center, the numbers may differ.