Mark quoted me a competitive price on the phone, so I agreed to an energy audit. The audit is $495 and is refunded with service. After locking me in with the audit, their second quote was much higher and outside the realm of the other 4 quotes. I worked with them and they brought the price down enough to make sure I got some of the refund on the $495 audit.The morning of the insulation, Mark called right before the team was supposed to be getting there and asked if Id checked my email to see that the worst case combustion test failed and I wouldnt get the $700 rebate unless I replaced my boiler and water heater within the next 30 days. I absolutely dont want back drafting or carbon monoxide poisoning, but I also would have liked to know the options prior to the morning the work was supposed to be completed. The audit was 2 weeks prior and Id spoken to Mark the day before so he had every chance to let me know, but he failed to mention this issue until the morning of. With those tactics Im not going to use them, especially because the two tests they performed during the audit would have to be run by any insulator in order to qualify for any state energy refund money. Im sure theyre nice guys, but they have poor estimation skills at best and predatory pricing tactics at worst.TL;DR: Dont get the energy audit its just a blower door and combustion test which some energy providers give for free, and other insulators will include in the price.

AES just insulated my attics and doors, and did a thorough, professional job. I got other quotes from businesses with very high Google ratings. But AES came in lower than others, likely because they recommended the insulation solution that was most appropriate for my house.I could understand how folks could get scared away by the $495 audit. But I found the audit report useful and actionable. One key example: the audit correctly identified a health hazard in my basement that needed to be remedied immediately.If youre questioning the point or cost of the audit, Id just recommend you hang in there and trust the process. The entire cost of the work (including the audit) is fair. And AESs approach is the correct one: You dont necessarily need foam insulation throughout your entire attic, as air generally leaks from specific parts of the wall and ceiling. What these guys propose--a targeted use of foam and plates, in addition to bio-friendly insulation throughout the attic--feels right to me.And the three guys that came to do the work were solid. They knew their stuff, answered all my questions, and paid special attention to some problem areas I identified. They also cleaned everything up well, and didnt even mention how hellish my attic is. (Its nearly impossible to move up there.)For folks that just want someone trustworthy to execute a sensible solution for their house, these guys are it.

Mike and Mark really know their stuff. What you get with AES is decades of building science and the professional commitment not to stop until you are comfortable and happy! Get your energy audit with AES today and stop complaining about being uncomfortable!