Energy Efficient Home-Building Experts Awarded Pro Energy Consultants Franchise for Des Moines

Pro Energy Consultant Franchise Owners Steve and Nick Herrick recently opened an energy auditing business in the Des Moines market. They say a home energy audit should always be the first step in making a home more energy efficient. Company's mission is to help homeowners save money, save energy and save the environment by going green and reducing their energy costs.

DES MOINES – Aug. 25, 2010 –Steve and Nick Herrick are no strangers to energy efficient homes, having built more than 500 of them in the Des Moines area. When the opportunity came along to become trained as professional energy auditors and own a Pro Energy Consultants energy auditing franchise, it seemed like a natural fit.

We’re excited to utilize our building science expertise to help our community save money and make their homes and offices more comfortable,” said Steve. He and his son Nick have more than 50 years experience in the home construction industry. “Our knowledge, training and problem solving skills can provide solutions to high utility bills.”

Pro Energy Consultants is the nation’s first home energy auditing franchise. As an unbiased, third party, it’s focused on diagnosing building performance issues — namely comfort, excessive energy usage and poor indoor air quality issues — for homes and light commercial buildings. The company, backed by more than 11,000 energy audits and 15 years’ experience, also offers a guarantee. If, at the end of the test, customers don’t feel they’ve received valuable information about their home or business office, then the energy audit is free. To successfully diagnose home performance issues, the company’s energy auditors first undergo extensive training from its building performance and business experts, followed by eight weeks of continuing education training.

“We were having hot and cold spots in several areas of our home and we weren't really sure how to tackle the problem,” said Charlie Larsen of Urbandale. “There were several solutions our consultants came up with. We hope to finish these improvements soon and reduce some energy consumption this winter.”

The energy audit starts with the homeowner explaining the specific home performance issues he or she has been experiencing. Next, an electronic blower door is installed in an exterior door. Once activated, the blower door pulls air out of the house. As air comes back into the house from elsewhere, the energy auditor uses an infrared camera to in essence take an “X-ray” of the building and identify all the hidden air leaks and failed or missing insulation — the real causes for excessive energy usage and major comfort complaints. The entire process takes approximately two to three hours.

“It really takes a comprehensive, diagnostic energy audit by a professional using sophisticated equipment to remove all the guesswork and pinpoint what’s causing excessive energy usage and major comfort complaints,” said Nick. “It can also save homeowners from making unnecessary costly repairs, such as replacing a furnace or installing new windows.”

A detailed report with prioritized recommendations for maximizing the energy efficiency and comfort of the home is delivered to the homeowner within days of the energy audit.

“It’s great to have Steve and Nick as part of our team,” said Pro Energy Consultants Managing Partner Derek Sola. “Homeowners are looking for affordable solutions for solving their comfort issues and reducing energy usage.”

According to Sola, his company has experienced considerable growth since being founded in 2008. He attributes this to the nation’s increased focus on fiscal responsibility and energy conservation. For example, several states are beginning to subsidize and reward homeowners who make their homes more energy efficient. One state, Nevada, has passed legislation making energy audits mandatory in the near future. Many more states are considering similar legislation. In addition, many states will receive millions of dollars this year in stimulus grants for energy-efficient projects, including weatherization of homes.

For more information, call (515)978-1732 or 888-9PROENERGY (1-888-977-6363), or visit: http://www.proenergyconsultants.com

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About Pro Energy Consultants
Pro Energy Consultants’ proven system for conducting energy audits is backed by more than 15 years’ experience and more than 11,000 energy audits. The company’s mission is to provide customized, comprehensive and diagnostic energy audits designed to maximize the comfort and energy efficiency of homes and “light” commercial buildings while reducing energy costs. This mission not only sets the worldwide standard for energy audits but also established Pro Energy as the world’s leading expert on the subject. In October 2008 Pro Energy began awarding franchises — making it the first national franchise in energy auditing. Being the ideal “green franchise” opportunity, it has quickly grown to more than 60 franchises nationwide. The company started in Cleveland, Ohio. For more information, call 888.9PROENERGY (1-888-977-6363) or visit www.proenergyconsultants.com.

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