Have you ever performed a double take when you viewed your last energy bill? Even though high energy bills can be the result of severe weather events, consistently high bills can quickly signify an inefficient HVAC system or your home is wasting energy because of other means, like drafty windows or insufficient insulation.

One of the easiest ways to determine whether your home is wasting energy is by hiring a home service specialist 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 custom 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 previous energy bills while completing an energy audit to determine 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 updates, which may include exchanging your existing HVAC system, installing new insulation, plugging up leaks, or replacing drafty windows.

During the energy assessment, the auditor carries out 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 check your home’s HVAC system, including the ductwork, the water heater, and the insulation in your attic. Exhaustive assessments might also include inspecting your current lighting system.

Benefits of a Home Energy Audit

It can be tough for the typical homeowner to know for certain how efficient their home is versus other similar homes in their area. However, lots of energy companies often provide information about where your home is ranked 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.

Some of the benefits of a home energy audit include:

Recognizing How Efficient Your Home Is

It’s beneficial to know 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 additional wear and tear on your HVAC system because it has to run longer to fully heat or cool your home.

Making Energy-Efficient Updates

An energy audit can reveal where you need to make energy-efficient upgrades to conserve energy and reduce utility bills. This might include replacing old weatherstripping or getting a new energy-efficient furnace.

Enhancing Health and Safety

Allowing air to leak into your home via doors and windows, or as a result of a lack of insulation can cause excessive moisture to appear, which may 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 desired by homebuyers. You can sell your home much faster or for more money by telling prospective buyers that it’s energy efficient.

How to Perform an Energy Audit of Your Home

Although performing an energy audit on your own might not be as detailed as calling a professional, it’ll offer you a broad idea of how energy efficient your home is. If you don’t discover any problems during the DIY test, then you likely don’t need to bring in a professional. Follow this step-by-step checklist:

  • Inspect your HVAC system. Leaky ducts can lose as much as 20% of conditioned air, contributing to more expensive energy bills and excess wear and tear on HVAC equipment. If you find leaks, use duct tape to close them. If your HVAC equipment is old and wearing down, upgrading to a new system can save you a significant amount on your energy bills. In some cases, it can be better to contact a reputable HVAC company to inspect your system.
  • Watch for signs of air leaks. Air leaks on average can increase the energy bills by 10 to 20%. Inside, look for air leaks in areas where there is a draft, like along the edge of flooring and close to baseboards and electrical outlets. Outside, you can inspect for air leaks in 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. Check that all of your kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans are spinning properly, and look for evidence of rot or moisture.

Contact Pratt Brothers 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 experts at Pratt Brothers today. We’ve proudly serviced the residents of Jefferson with quality home services for years. Contact us today to request an appointment.