These Home Energy Challenges are designed to give prospective trainees hands-on experience with home energy auditing, a key part of the weatherization process. They provide an opportunity to explore the field and assess your interest in home energy and weatherization.
The challenges cover various topics; some involve using energy auditing tools like thermometers and power meters. These tools are available for loan through Clarkson University. To request them, please email cuheat@clarkson.edu. We recommend completing at least 2 challenges.
If you know others participating in the CUHeat program you are welcome to work together on these in a small team of 2-3 people. If you are working with others please indicate so on the forms and complete a minimum of 3 Home Energy Challenges.
Submitting Your Work: Please note that each challenge is published here as an online google form. This is for your convenience to allow you to complete and submit the challenges using a phone or a tablet. If you would like an alternative version in PDF format, please reach out to cuheat@clarkson.edu and we will provide copies and instructions on how to submit the completed challenges.
| Title (Google Form) | Devices Needed | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Home Documentation | Camera or Smartphone | Build a home profile. |
| Home Energy Systems | Camera or Smartphone | Identify & record visible energy-saving features of home. |
| Lighting Efficiency | Camera or Smartphone | Portable Power Meter, Camera or Smartphone |
| Washer & Dryer Data Collection | Camera or Smartphone | Record time & frequency of laundry loads to analyze energy usage. |
| Vent Temperature Difference | Thermometer | Measure temperature of vents to detect efficiency. |
| 24-Hour Appliance Power Play | Portable Power meter | Measure electricity usage over 24 hours. |
| Water Heater Data Collection | Thermometer, Camera or Smartphone | Track water temperature & usage timing for hot water. |
| Phantom Power Usage | Portable Power meter, Camera or Smartphone | Track electricity used by devices when they’re off or on standby. |
| Refrigerator and Freezer Efficiency | Thermometer, Camera or Smartphone | Measure & compare internal temperatures of fridge & freezer. |