Have you ever performed a double take when you checked your last energy bill? Even though high energy bills can be the end result of intense weather conditions, consistently high bills can quickly indicate an inefficient HVAC system or your home is misusing energy because of other means, like drafty windows or insufficient insulation.

An easy way to determine whether your home is wasting energy is by hiring a home service specialist 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 benefits.

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 could be losing or wasting energy. An inspector will take a look at previous energy bills in the course of an energy audit to figure 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 exchanging your current HVAC system, installing new insulation, sealing up leaks, or replacing loose windows.

While completing the energy assessment, the auditor also completes 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 evaluate your home’s HVAC system, as well as the ductwork, the water heater, and the insulation in your attic. Some assessments may also include checking your current lighting system.

Benefits of a Home Energy Audit

It can be difficult for the average homeowner to be sure how efficient their home is compared to other similar homes in their community. 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 in contrast with your neighbors’ homes. This is a good starting point to decide if you need an energy audit completed.

Some of the benefits of a home energy audit include:

Recognizing How Efficient Your Home Is

It’s beneficial to understand how efficient your home is and where you’re using up the most energy. For example, if your ducts are leaking air, it could cause a sizable increase in your energy bills and increased wear and tear on your HVAC system as it has to run longer to fully heat or cool your home.

Making Energy-Efficient Improvements

An energy audit will outline where you need to make energy-efficient changes to save on energy and reduce utility bills. This can include replacing old weatherstripping or buying a new energy-efficient furnace.

Enhancing Health and Safety

Allowing air to seep into your home via doors and windows, or due to a lack of insulation can cause extra moisture to build up, which could negatively affect your home’s humidity levels or encourage mold. This can exacerbate health conditions, particularly for people dealing with asthma or allergies.

Increasing Your Home’s Retail Value

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

How to Do an Energy Audit of Your Home

Although completing an energy audit on your own may not be as comprehensive as hiring a professional, it’ll offer you a generalized understanding of how energy efficient your home is. If you don’t find any problems during the DIY test, then you likely don’t need to bring in a professional. Use this step-by-step checklist:

• Review your HVAC system. Damaged ducts can lose as much as 20% of conditioned air, contributing to steeper energy bills and greater strain 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 substantial amount on your energy bills. In some cases, it might be better to call a reputable HVAC company to inspect your system.
• Look for air leaks. Air leaks on average can raise monthly 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 inspect 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 functioning properly, and inspect for evidence of rot or moisture.

Contact Watts Electric & AC for a Professional Energy Audit

If you want professional help figuring out how energy efficient your heating and cooling equipment is, contact the HVAC pros at Watts Electric & AC today. We’ve proudly serviced the residents of Columbia with quality home services for a long time. Contact us today to request an appointment.