Ever done a double take when you took a look at your last energy bill? Even though high energy bills can be the consequence of intense weather conditions, consistently high bills can quickly signify an inefficient HVAC system or your home is using too much energy by other means, including drafty windows or poor insulation.

One of the simplest ways to determine whether your home is consuming too much energy is by calling a home service expert to complete a home energy audit, also referred to as 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 thorough inspection of how much energy your home consumes and whether – and where – your home may be losing or wasting energy. An inspector will go through previous energy bills while completing an energy audit to determine 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 renovations, which may include replacing your current HVAC system, putting in new insulation, closing up leaks, or replacing old windows.

Over the course of the energy assessment, the auditor also completes an inspection of the outside and inside of your home. The auditor completes a blower door test on doorways, windows and fireplaces to figure out if there are air leaks in your home. They’ll also inspect your home’s HVAC system, including the ductwork, the water heater, and the insulation in your attic. Comprehensive assessments might also include checking your current lighting system.

Benefits of a Home Energy Audit

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

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

Learning 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 air, it could result in a significant increase in your energy bills and excessive wear and tear on your HVAC system as it has to run longer to properly heat or cool your home.

Making Energy-Efficient Updates

An energy audit should expose where you need to make energy-efficient changes to cut back on energy and decrease utility bills. This may include replacing old weatherstripping or buying a new energy-efficient furnace.

Enhancing Health and Safety

Allowing air to seep into your home through doors and windows, or as a result of a lack of insulation can cause excessive moisture to form, which could negatively influence your home’s humidity levels or encourage mold. This can cause health problems, especially for people who have asthma or allergies.

Raising Your Home’s Retail Value

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

How to Do an Energy Audit of Your Home

Although completing an energy audit by yourself might not be as comprehensive as hiring a professional, it’ll offer you a general sense of how energy efficient your home is. If you don’t find any issues during the DIY test, then you likely don’t need to hire a professional. Try this step-by-step checklist:

  • Review your HVAC system. Damaged ducts can lose up to 20% of conditioned air, resulting in more expensive 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 wearing down, upgrading to a new system can save you a substantial amount on your energy bills. In some cases, it can be better to hire a reputable HVAC company to inspect your system.
  • Check for air leaks. Air leaks on average can raise your energy bills by 10 to 20%. Inside, look for air leaks in areas where there could be a draft, including along the edge of flooring and along 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.
  • Inspect 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 ventilation. Ensure that all of your kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans are spinning properly, and look for evidence of rot or moisture.

Contact Rescue Heating & Air for a Professional Energy Audit

If you want professional help determining how energy efficient your heating and cooling equipment is, contact the HVAC professionals at Rescue Heating & Air today. We’ve proudly supported the residents of Alice with quality home services for years. Contact us today to set up an appointment.