Ever done a double take when you viewed your last energy bill? While high energy bills can be the end result of extreme weather conditions, consistently 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 determine whether your home is consuming too much energy is by calling a home service specialist to carry out a home energy audit, also referred to as a home energy assessment. Keep reading to learn more about home energy audits, including what they are and their advantages.

What Is a Home Energy Audit?

An energy audit is a thorough inspection of how much energy your home uses up and whether – and where – your home could be losing or wasting energy. An inspector will go through older energy bills in the course of an energy audit to figure out where energy is being used and how much.

The overall goal of an energy audit is to help homeowners save money on their energy bills by identifying energy-efficient updates, which might include exchanging your existing HVAC system, putting in new insulation, sealing up leaks, or replacing loose windows.

During the energy assessment, the auditor carries out an inspection of the outside and inside of your home. The auditor will perform a blower door test on doorways, windows and fireplaces to determine 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. Comprehensive assessments might also include inspecting your current lighting system.

Benefits of a Home Energy Audit

It can be tough for the ordinary homeowner to know for sure how efficient their home is compared to other similar homes in their neighborhood. However, lots of energy companies often provide information about where your home ranks when compared with similar homes and whether it’s more efficient, about average, or inefficient versus your neighbors’ homes. This is a good starting point to determine if you need an energy audit completed.

Several of the benefits of a home energy audit include:

Understanding How Efficient Your Home Is

It’s worthwhile to understand how efficient your home is and where you’re using up the most energy. For example, if your ducts are leaking, it can result in a significant increase in your energy bills and additional wear and tear on your HVAC system because it has to work longer to properly heat or cool your home.

Making Energy-Efficient Upgrades

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

Improving Health and Safety

Allowing air to leak into your home via doors and windows, or because of a lack of insulation can cause excessive moisture to form, which may negatively impact your home’s humidity levels or encourage mold. This can cause health issues, especially for people who have 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 demonstrating to possible buyers that it’s energy efficient.

How to Do an Energy Audit of Your Home

Although performing an energy audit on your own might 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 potentially don’t need to hire a professional. Try this step-by-step checklist:

  • Inspect your HVAC system. Leaky ducts can lose nearly 20% of conditioned air, contributing to more expensive energy bills and excess strain on HVAC equipment. If you notice leaks, use duct tape to plug 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 call a reputable HVAC company to inspect your system.
  • Watch for signs of 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, such as along the edge of flooring and along 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 check for evidence of rot or moisture.

Contact Connolly Electric & Mechanical for a Professional Energy Audit

If you would like professional help finding out how energy efficient your heating and cooling equipment is, call the HVAC pros at Connolly Electric & Mechanical today. We’ve proudly supported the residents of Cottonwood & Prescott with quality home services for a long time. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.