Have you ever performed a double take when you checked your last energy bill? Although high energy bills can be the result of extreme weather events, consistently high bills can also indicate an inefficient HVAC system or your home is misusing energy through other means, including drafty windows or inadequate insulation.

One of the simplest ways to identify whether your home is using too much energy is by hiring a home service professional 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 benefits.

What Is a Home Energy Audit?

An energy audit is a comprehensive inspection of how much energy your home uses up and whether – and where – your home may be losing or wasting energy. An inspector will review older energy bills while completing 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 updates, which can include swapping out your current HVAC system, installing new insulation, plugging up leaks, or replacing drafty windows.

Over the course of the energy assessment, the auditor also completes an inspection of the outside and inside of your home. The auditor completes a blower door test on doorways, windows and fireplaces to figure out 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. Some assessments might also include checking your current lighting system.

Benefits of a Home Energy Audit

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

A few of the benefits of a home energy audit include:

Learning How Efficient Your Home Is

It’s good to know how efficient your home is and where you’re using up the most energy. For example, if your ducts are damaged, it will result in a significant increase in your energy bills and excessive wear and tear on your HVAC system because it has to stay on longer to properly heat or cool your home.

Making Energy-Efficient Updates

An energy audit can reveal where you need to make energy-efficient changes to cut back on energy and reduce utility bills. This can include replacing worn weatherstripping or buying a new energy-efficient furnace.

Improving Health and Safety

Permitting air to seep into your home via doors and windows, or due to a lack of insulation can cause unwanted moisture to build up, which can negatively impact your home’s humidity levels or produce mold. This can lead to health problems, especially for people who have asthma or allergies.

Increasing Your Home’s Retail Value

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

How to Perform an Energy Audit of Your Home

Although performing an energy audit by yourself may not be as thorough as hiring a professional, it’ll give you a generalized sense of how energy efficient your home is. If you don’t discover any issues during the DIY test, then you likely don’t need to call in a professional. Try this step-by-step checklist:

• Review your HVAC system. Leaky ducts can lose as much as 20% of conditioned air, leading to more expensive energy bills and increased strain on HVAC equipment. If you discover leaks, use duct tape to eliminate them. If your HVAC equipment is old and inefficient, upgrading to a new system can save you a considerable amount on your energy bills. In some cases, it can be better to contact a reputable HVAC company to inspect your system.
• Look for 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, including along the edge of flooring and close to 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. Ensure that all of your kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans are working properly, and look for evidence of rot or moisture.

Contact All Weather Heating & Air Conditioning Inc for a Professional Energy Audit

If you would like professional help figuring out how energy efficient your heating and cooling equipment is, call the HVAC experts at All Weather Heating & Air Conditioning Inc today. We’ve proudly serviced the residents of with quality home services for a long time. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.

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