Ever done a double take when you viewed your last energy bill? Although high energy bills can be the result of intense weather events, repeatedly high bills can often indicate an inefficient HVAC system or your home is wasting energy by other means, like drafty windows or poor insulation.
One of the easiest ways to identify whether your home is wasting energy is by calling a home service professional to complete 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 key elements.
What Is a Home Energy Audit?
An energy audit is a custom inspection of how much energy your home consumes and whether – and where – your home might be losing or wasting energy. An inspector will review older energy bills in the course of an energy audit to find out where energy is being wasted and how much.
The general goal of an energy audit is to help homeowners save money on their energy bills by recommending energy-efficient improvements, which may include replacing your existing HVAC system, adding new insulation, plugging up leaks, or replacing loose windows.
Over the course of the energy assessment, the auditor performs an inspection of the outside and inside of your home. The auditor performs a blower door test on doorways, windows and fireplaces to find out if there are air leaks in your home. They’ll also check your home’s HVAC system, including the ductwork, the water heater, and the insulation in your attic. Comprehensive assessments might also include reviewing your current lighting system.
Benefits of a Home Energy Audit
It can be hard for the typical homeowner to be sure how efficient their home is versus other similar homes in their neighborhood. However, lots of energy companies often supply information about where your home ranks in comparison to similar homes and whether it’s more efficient, about average, or inefficient compared to your neighbors’ homes. This can be a great starting point to determine if you need an energy audit completed.
Some of the benefits of a home energy audit include:
Learning How Efficient Your Home Is
It’s worthwhile to know how efficient your home is and where you’re using the most energy. For example, if your ducts are leaking, it can result in a sizable increase in your energy bills and additional wear and tear on your HVAC system as it has to work longer to fully heat or cool your home.
Making Energy-Efficient Upgrades
An energy audit will outline where you need to make energy-efficient upgrades to save on energy and lower utility bills. This might include replacing worn-down weatherstripping or installing a new energy-efficient furnace.
Enhancing Health and Safety
Allowing air to slip into your home through doors and windows, or due to a lack of insulation can cause excessive moisture to form, which can negatively influence your home’s humidity levels or encourage mold. This can lead to health conditions, particularly for people suffering from asthma or allergies.
Raising Your Home’s Retail Value
Energy-efficient homes are sought after by homebuyers. You can sell your home more quickly or for more money by telling prospective buyers that it’s energy efficient.
How to Perform an Energy Audit of Your Home
Although handling an energy audit by yourself might not be as comprehensive as choosing a professional, it’ll give you a generalized idea of how energy efficient your home is. If you don’t find any issues during the DIY test, then you probably don’t need to hire a professional. Try this step-by-step checklist:
- Examine your HVAC system. Broken ducts can lose up to 20% of conditioned air, leading to steeper energy bills and excess strain on HVAC equipment. If you notice leaks, use duct tape to seal them. If your HVAC equipment is old and inefficient, upgrading to a new system can save you a substantial amount on your energy bills. In some cases, it is better to contact a reputable HVAC company to inspect your system.
- Check for air leaks. Air leaks on average can raise monthly 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 close to 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 working properly, and check for evidence of rot or moisture.
Contact JTech Mechanical for a Professional Energy Audit
If you want professional help figuring out how energy efficient your heating and cooling equipment is, contact the HVAC professionals at JTech Mechanical today. We’ve proudly supported the residents of Magnolia with quality home services for years. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.