Did you perform a double take when you checked your last energy bill? Even though high energy bills can be the result of severe weather events, repeatedly high bills can quickly suggest an inefficient HVAC system or your home is using too much energy through 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 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 thorough inspection of how much energy your home uses up and whether – and where – your home may be losing or wasting energy. An inspector will review previous energy bills while completing an energy audit to find out where energy is being consumed 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 current HVAC system, adding 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 completes a blower door test on doorways, windows and fireplaces to determine if there are air leaks in your home. They’ll also evaluate your home’s HVAC system, which also includes the ductwork, the water heater, and the insulation in your attic. Exhaustive assessments could also include reviewing your current lighting system.

Benefits of a Home Energy Audit

It can be difficult for the typical homeowner to be sure how efficient their home is versus other similar homes in their neighborhood. However, lots of energy companies often offer information about where your home is ranked in comparison to similar homes and whether it’s more efficient, about average, or inefficient versus your neighbors’ homes. This could be a useful starting point to decide if you need an energy audit performed.

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

Recognizing How Efficient Your Home Is

It’s worthwhile to learn more about how efficient your home is and where you’re using up the most energy. For example, if your ducts are damaged, it will cause a sizable increase in your energy bills and additional wear and tear on your HVAC system because it has to run longer to properly heat or cool your home.

Making Energy-Efficient Improvements

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

Improving Health and Safety

Enabling air to leak into your home through doors and windows, or because of a lack of insulation can cause excessive moisture to form, which can negatively affect your home’s humidity levels or encourage mold. This can lead to health problems, 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 more quickly or for more money by showing potential buyers that it’s energy efficient.

How to Complete an Energy Audit of Your Home

Although performing an energy audit on your own may not be as detailed as calling a professional, it’ll offer a general understanding of how energy efficient your home is. If you don’t discover any flaws during the DIY test, then you potentially don’t need to bring in a professional. Use this step-by-step checklist:

  • Review your HVAC system. Broken ducts can lose nearly 20% of conditioned air, leading to steeper energy bills and excess wear and tear on HVAC equipment. If you find leaks, use duct tape to plug 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 contact a reputable HVAC company to inspect your system.
  • Watch for signs of air leaks. Air leaks on average can raise the 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 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.
  • 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 working properly, and look for evidence of rot or moisture.

Contact Western Mechanical, Inc. for a Professional Energy Audit

If you would like professional help determining how energy efficient your heating and cooling equipment is, contact the HVAC professionals at Western Mechanical, Inc. today. We’ve proudly supported the residents of Cache Valley with quality home services for a long time. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.