Have you ever performed a double take when you checked your last energy bill? While high energy bills can be the result of severe weather conditions, persistently high bills can also suggest an inefficient HVAC system or your home is wasting energy because of other means, such as drafty windows or insufficient insulation.

One of the easiest ways to figure out whether your home is wasting energy is by hiring a home service specialist to carry out a home energy audit, also known as a home energy assessment. Keep reading to learn all about home energy audits, including what they are and their key elements.

What Is a Home Energy Audit?

An energy audit is a comprehensive inspection of how much energy your home uses and whether – and where – your home may be losing or wasting energy. An inspector will take a look at older energy bills during an energy audit to find out where energy is being wasted and how much.

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

While completing the energy assessment, the auditor performs an inspection of the outside and inside of your home. The auditor completes 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, which also includes the ductwork, the water heater, and the insulation in your attic. Some assessments may also include reviewing 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 in comparison to other similar homes in their community. However, local energy companies often supply information about where your home is ranked 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 decide 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 consuming the most energy. For example, if your ducts are damaged, it can cause a large increase in your energy bills and increased wear and tear on your HVAC system because it has to work longer to completely heat or cool your home.

Making Energy-Efficient Improvements

An energy audit will outline where you need to make energy-efficient upgrades to conserve energy and decrease utility bills. This can include replacing worn weatherstripping or getting a new energy-efficient furnace.

Improving Health and Safety

Permitting air to slip into your home through doors and windows, or due to a lack of insulation can cause excessive moisture to appear, which can negatively affect your home’s humidity levels or encourage mold. This can lead to health problems, particularly for people who have asthma or allergies.

Adding to Your Home’s Retail Value

Energy-efficient homes are desired by homebuyers. You can sell your home much faster or for more money by showing potential 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 detailed as calling a professional, it’ll give you a generalized understanding of how energy efficient your home is. If you don’t find any flaws during the DIY test, then you probably don’t need to hire a professional. Follow this step-by-step checklist:

  • Examine your HVAC system. Leaky ducts can lose up to 20% of conditioned air, resulting in steeper energy bills and greater strain on HVAC equipment. If you find leaks, use duct tape to close 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.
  • 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 there could be a draft, such as 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. Ensure that all of your kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans are working properly, and check for evidence of rot or moisture.

Contact Central Air LLC for a Professional Energy Audit

If you are interested in professional help finding out how energy efficient your heating and cooling equipment is, contact the HVAC pros at Central Air LLC today. We’ve proudly serviced the residents of Brookfield with quality home services for a long time. Contact us today to request an appointment.