Did you perform a double take when you viewed your last energy bill? Although high energy bills can be the result of extreme weather conditions, persistently high bills can often indicate an inefficient HVAC system or your home is misusing energy through other means, like drafty windows or inadequate insulation.

An easy way to figure out whether your home is using too much energy is by getting a home service professional to carry out a home energy audit, also called a home energy assessment. Keep reading to learn all about home energy audits, including what they are and their advantages.

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 may be losing or wasting energy. An inspector will take a look at past energy bills during an energy audit to figure out where energy is being used and how much.

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

While completing the energy assessment, the auditor also completes an inspection of the outside and inside of your home. The auditor will perform 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. Comprehensive assessments could also include inspecting 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 compared to other similar homes in their area. However, many energy companies often supply information about where your home ranks when compared with similar homes and whether it’s more efficient, about average, or inefficient in contrast with your neighbors’ homes. This can be a useful starting point to decide if you need an energy audit scheduled.

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

Recognizing How Efficient Your Home Is

It’s beneficial to learn more about how efficient your home is and where you’re using up the most energy. For example, if your ducts are leaking, it can lead to a sizable increase in your energy bills and excessive wear and tear on your HVAC system because it has to run longer to completely heat or cool your home.

Making Energy-Efficient Updates

An energy audit will outline where you need to make energy-efficient upgrades to save on energy and lower utility bills. This may include replacing worn-down weatherstripping or buying a new energy-efficient furnace.

Enhancing Health and Safety

Allowing air to slip into your home via doors and windows, or due to a lack of insulation can cause unwanted moisture to form, which can negatively affect your home’s humidity levels or lead to mold. This can exacerbate health conditions, particularly for people suffering from asthma or allergies.

Adding to Your Home’s Retail Value

Energy-efficient homes are preferred by homebuyers. You can sell your home much faster or for more money by showing prospective buyers that it’s energy efficient.

How to Do an Energy Audit of Your Home

Although performing an energy audit by yourself might not be as thorough as choosing a professional, it’ll give you a generalized understanding of how energy efficient your home is. If you don’t find any problems during the DIY test, then you potentially don’t need to call in a professional. Follow this step-by-step checklist:

  • Examine your HVAC system. Broken ducts can lose nearly 20% of conditioned air, contributing to steeper energy bills and excess wear and tear 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 significant 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 your 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 near 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 spinning properly, and look for evidence of rot or moisture.

Contact Northwest Services for a Professional Energy Audit

If you would like professional help figuring out how energy efficient your heating and cooling equipment is, contact the HVAC professionals at Northwest Services today. We’ve proudly served the residents of Swanton with quality home services for years. Contact us today to set up an appointment.