Ever done a double take when you checked your last energy bill? Although high energy bills can be the result of intense weather events, consistently high bills can also signify an inefficient HVAC system or your home is misusing energy through other means, like drafty windows or insufficient insulation.

One of the easiest ways to identify whether your home is wasting energy is by getting a home service professional to carry out a home energy audit, also known as a home energy assessment. Keep reading to find out more 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 older energy bills in the course of an energy audit to find out where energy is being used and how much.

The general goal of an energy audit is to help homeowners save money on their energy bills by recommending energy-efficient renovations, which can include replacing your current HVAC system, installing new insulation, sealing up leaks, or replacing loose windows.

While completing the energy assessment, the auditor also completes an inspection of the outside and inside of your home. The auditor performs 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, including the ductwork, the water heater, and the insulation in your attic. Comprehensive assessments may also include inspecting 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, local energy companies often provide information about where your home stands when compared with similar homes and whether it’s more efficient, about average, or inefficient compared to your neighbors’ homes. This can be a useful starting point to figure out if you need an energy audit completed.

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

Understanding How Efficient Your Home Is

It’s good to know how efficient your home is and where you’re using the most energy. For example, if your ducts are leaking, it can cause a large increase in your energy bills and excessive wear and tear on your HVAC system since it has to run longer to properly heat or cool your home.

Making Energy-Efficient Updates

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

Enhancing Health and Safety

Allowing air to slip into your home via doors and windows, or as a result of 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 lead to health conditions, particularly 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 more quickly or for more money by showing prospective buyers that it’s energy efficient.

How to Perform 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 general sense of how energy efficient your home is. If you don’t discover any issues during the DIY test, then you potentially don’t need to bring in a professional. Follow this step-by-step checklist:

  • Review your HVAC system. Leaky ducts can lose nearly 20% of conditioned air, resulting in higher energy bills and greater wear and tear on HVAC equipment. If you find leaks, use duct tape to eliminate them. If your HVAC equipment is old and inefficient, upgrading to a new system can save you a considerable amount on your energy bills. In some cases, it is better to hire a reputable HVAC company to inspect your system.
  • Look for air leaks. Air leaks on average can increase monthly 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 close to 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.
  • 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. Make sure that all of your kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans are spinning properly, and inspect for evidence of rot or moisture.

Contact SKC AC LLC 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 SKC AC LLC today. We’ve proudly serviced the residents of Big Spring with quality home services for years. Contact us today to set up an appointment.