WILTON – Home energy audits will be available starting June 1 through a program at Western Maine Community Action, said Judy Frost, energy and housing resources program manager.

“Energy and the cost of fuel affects everyone. We have a lot of expertise that we want to get out there to help folks,” she said.

Audits have been available for the 2,300 households that receive fuel assistance, but now with energy such an issue, people are seeing the need for audits, she said. Banks are starting to want an audit done before giving a house loan, she added.

Other state CAP agencies have also begun to offer the service and technical colleges are offering energy auditor jobs as a viable occupation, she said.

Audits done by Community Action’s Gary LaGrange and Randy Burguess, who each have more than 25 years experience, can be done in two ways, LaGrange said. A walk-through audit includes all testing, but the homeowner will be responsible for taking notes on recommendations.

The other way includes a full report complete with infrared camera photos, measurements of where problems exist, and written recommendations provided by the auditor.

“The audit provides what steps can be taken by the homeowner or a contractor to help control the situation of energy use and have a healthier home. The house is a system with everything working together. Helping the owner to know how their house works can make it tighter but also safer,” LaGrange said.

Attempts to insulate and tighten a home can be overdone, creating moisture and mold issues, he added.

The audit can take from 90 minutes to three or more hours depending on the style of home.

An audit costs $150 for a walk-through and $250 for the full report. Banks are starting to make loans for energy audits and Community Action also has a low-interest loan for households that fall under the 80 percent median income level, Frost said.

For more information or to schedule an audit, call 645-3764 to speak with LaGrange at extension 5270 or Burguess at extension 5231.