Have you ever performed a double take when you viewed your last energy bill? Even though high energy bills can be the result of intense weather conditions, consistently high bills can often suggest an inefficient HVAC system or your home is wasting energy because of other means, like drafty windows or inadequate insulation.

One of the simplest ways to identify whether your home is using too much energy is by calling a home service professional to carry out a home energy audit, also referred to as a home energy assessment. Keep reading to find out more about home energy audits, including what they are and their key elements.

What Is a Home Energy Audit?

An energy audit is a thorough inspection of how much energy your home uses and whether – and where – your home might be losing or wasting energy. An inspector will take a look at past energy bills in the course of an energy audit to find out where energy is being used and how much.

The overall goal of an energy audit is to help homeowners save money on their energy bills by identifying energy-efficient updates, which may include replacing your current HVAC system, installing new insulation, closing up leaks, or replacing drafty windows.

While completing the energy assessment, the auditor carries out an inspection of the outside and inside of your home. The auditor performs a blower door test on doorways, windows and fireplaces to figure out if there are air leaks in your home. They’ll also check your home’s HVAC system, as well as the ductwork, the water heater, and the insulation in your attic. Comprehensive assessments could also include checking your current lighting system.

Benefits of a Home Energy Audit

It can be tough for the average homeowner to know for sure how efficient their home is compared to other similar homes in their neighborhood. However, local energy companies often provide information about where your home ranks in comparison to similar homes and whether it’s more efficient, about average, or inefficient versus your neighbors’ homes. This could be a good starting point to figure out if you need an energy audit performed.

Some of the benefits of a home energy audit include:

Learning How Efficient Your Home Is

It’s beneficial to understand how efficient your home is and where you’re using the most energy. For example, if your ducts are damaged, it can cause a sizable increase in your energy bills and increased wear and tear on your HVAC system because it has to stay on longer to completely heat or cool your home.

Making Energy-Efficient Improvements

An energy audit should outline where you need to make energy-efficient changes to save on energy and lower utility bills. This might include replacing worn weatherstripping or installing a new energy-efficient furnace.

Enhancing Health and Safety

Allowing air to leak into your home through doors and windows, or as a result of a lack of insulation can cause unwanted moisture to form, which may negatively affect your home’s humidity levels or encourage mold. This can exacerbate health problems, particularly for people suffering from asthma or allergies.

Raising Your Home’s Retail Value

Energy-efficient homes are desired by homebuyers. You can sell your home sooner or for more money by showing potential buyers that it’s energy efficient.

How to Perform an Energy Audit of Your Home

Although performing an energy audit on your own might not be as comprehensive as calling a professional, it’ll offer a generalized idea of how energy efficient your home is. If you don’t discover any issues during the DIY test, then you potentially don’t need to bring in a professional. Use this step-by-step checklist:

• Review your HVAC system. Broken ducts can lose up to 20% of conditioned air, leading to more expensive energy bills and greater wear and tear on HVAC equipment. If you notice leaks, use duct tape to eliminate them. If your HVAC equipment is old and wearing down, upgrading to a new system can save you a substantial amount on your energy bills. In some cases, it might be better to contact a reputable HVAC company to inspect your system.
• Watch for signs of air leaks. Air leaks on average can increase the energy bills by 10 to 20%. Inside, look for air leaks in areas where there is a draft, such as along the edge of flooring and near baseboards and electrical outlets. Outside, you can look for air leaks around 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. Make sure that all of your kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans are spinning properly, and inspect for evidence of rot or moisture.

Contact Durable Service for a Professional Energy Audit

If you would like professional help determining how energy efficient your heating and cooling equipment is, contact the HVAC professionals at Durable Service today. We’ve proudly serviced the residents of with quality home services for years. Contact us today to request an appointment.

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