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Where Do You Stand?

Lori Segall, Byggmeister Energy Auditor

Have you ever wondered how energy efficient your home is compared to other homes of in the Boston area? You can easily calculate your home's energy intensity and compare it to the ranges below. All you need is a year's worth of heating bills that include the fuel usage, your electric bills and the square footage of the heated living space of your house.

If you heat with gas, your fuel usage will be measured in 'therms.' Total the therms used for 12 months, ideally in a calendar year. Your gas bill will have your usage history. Multiply by 100,000 to convert to BTU.

If you heat with oil, add up the number of gallons used in a year (you might want to use the average of gallons used in 2 years to reduce possible errors with fuel already in the tank). Multiply by 13900 to convert to BTU.

Then add your electric usage, as it adds to the heat load. Total your kwh for the same 12 months and multiply by 3413 to convert to BTU. Then add this figure to your heating BTU total.

Month Therms/gas kWh/electricity Gals./fuel oil
TOTALS 3427 1252
January 425 145
February 250 209
March 269 121
April 201 111
May 212 0
June 273 0
July 471 9
August 403 163
September 233 0
October 199 127
November 235 136
December 256 231

Total BTU =
[(3427 x 3413) + (1252 x 139000)]/2850 = 65,166 BTU/sq. ft./year

BTU/sq.ft./year
Under 25,000 Very good!
Between 25,000 - 50,000 Below average energy use - probably some air leakage
Between 50,000 Average range - probably could improve substantially
Over 75,000 Very inefficient house


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