You Asked, We Answer: What Makes a Home Energy Audit A Good Idea

Did you perform a double take when you took a look at your last energy bill? Although high energy bills can be the result of severe weather conditions, repeatedly high bills can also signify an inefficient HVAC system or your home is using too much energy through other means, such as drafty windows or inadequate insulation.

An easy way to identify whether your home is using too much energy is by hiring a home service specialist to carry out a home energy audit, also called a home energy assessment. Keep reading to find out more about home energy audits, including what they are and their advantages.

What Is a Home Energy Audit?

An energy audit is a comprehensive inspection of how much energy your home consumes and whether – and where – your home might be losing or wasting energy. An inspector will review past energy bills during an energy audit to determine where energy is being consumed and how much.

The overall goal of an energy audit is to help homeowners save money on their energy bills by recommending energy-efficient improvements, which might include exchanging your existing HVAC system, putting in new insulation, sealing up leaks, or replacing loose windows.

During the energy assessment, the auditor performs an inspection of the outside and inside of your home. The auditor will perform a blower door test on doorways, windows and fireplaces to determine if there are air leaks in your home. They’ll also inspect your home’s HVAC system, which also includes the ductwork, the water heater, and the insulation in your attic. Comprehensive assessments could also include inspecting your current lighting system.

Benefits of a Home Energy Audit

It can be hard for the ordinary homeowner to be sure how efficient their home is compared to other similar homes in their area. However, local energy companies often supply information about where your home is ranked when compared with similar homes and whether it’s more efficient, about average, or inefficient compared to your neighbors’ homes. This is a great starting point to determine if you need an energy audit scheduled.

Several of the benefits of a home energy audit include:

Learning How Efficient Your Home Is

It’s worthwhile to understand how efficient your home is and where you’re using the most energy. For example, if your ducts are leaking air, it could lead to a large increase in your energy bills and excessive wear and tear on your HVAC system since it has to work longer to fully heat or cool your home.

Making Energy-Efficient Upgrades

An energy audit will reveal where you need to make energy-efficient upgrades to cut back on energy and lower utility bills. This may include replacing old weatherstripping or getting a new energy-efficient furnace.

Enhancing Health and Safety

Allowing air to leak into your home via doors and windows, or due to a lack of insulation can cause excessive moisture to build up, which could negatively impact your home’s humidity levels or lead to mold. This can exacerbate health issues, particularly for people suffering from asthma or allergies.

Raising Your Home’s Retail Value

Energy-efficient homes are preferred by homebuyers. You can sell your home much faster or for more money by telling possible buyers that it’s energy efficient.

How to Complete an Energy Audit of Your Home

Although handling an energy audit independently may not be as thorough as choosing a professional, it’ll offer you a generalized sense of how energy efficient your home is. If you don’t find any flaws during the DIY test, then you potentially don’t need to hire a professional. Follow this step-by-step checklist:

• Review your HVAC system. Broken ducts can lose nearly 20% of conditioned air, resulting in steeper energy bills and excess wear and tear on HVAC equipment. If you find leaks, use duct tape to plug them. If your HVAC equipment is old and inefficient, upgrading to a new system can save you a significant amount on your energy bills. In some cases, it can be better to hire a reputable HVAC company to inspect your system.

• Look for air leaks. Air leaks on average can raise the energy bills by 10 to 20%. Inside, look for air leaks in areas where you can find a draft, like along the edge of flooring and near baseboards and electrical outlets. Outside, you can look for air leaks along the home’s foundation, siding and mortar. Plug, caulk or seal any air leaks to save money.

• Examine insulation. If your home is older, it could mean your insulation is too. If you can see the joists, you likely need more insulation.

• Check the ventilation. Check that all of your kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans are spinning properly, and check for evidence of rot or moisture.

Contact Schraer Heating & Air Conditioning for a Professional Energy Audit

If you would like professional help determining how energy efficient your heating and cooling equipment is, call the HVAC experts at Schraer Heating & Air Conditioning today. We’ve proudly supported the residents of with quality home services for years. Contact us today to set up an appointment.