Did you perform a double take when you viewed your last energy bill? Even though high energy bills can be the consequence of extreme weather conditions, persistently high bills can quickly suggest an inefficient HVAC system or your home is using too much energy by other means, including drafty windows or inadequate insulation.

One of the simplest ways to identify whether your home is using too much energy is by getting 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 key elements.

What Is a Home Energy Audit?

An energy audit is a comprehensive inspection of how much energy your home uses up and whether – and where – your home may be losing or wasting energy. An inspector will take a look at past energy bills in the course of an energy audit to figure out where energy is being wasted 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 replacing your current HVAC system, putting in new insulation, plugging up leaks, or replacing drafty windows.

During 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 determine 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 may also include reviewing your current lighting system.

Benefits of a Home Energy Audit

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

Some of the benefits of a home energy audit include:

Learning How Efficient Your Home Is

It’s good to understand how efficient your home is and where you’re using up the most energy. For example, if your ducts are damaged, it will lead to a significant increase in your energy bills and increased wear and tear on your HVAC system as it has to work longer to completely heat or cool your home.

Making Energy-Efficient Improvements

An energy audit should reveal where you need to make energy-efficient improvements to conserve energy and lower utility bills. This might include replacing worn-down weatherstripping or buying a new energy-efficient furnace.

Enhancing Health and Safety

Allowing air to leak into your home via doors and windows, or due to a lack of insulation can cause unwanted moisture to build up, which could negatively affect your home’s humidity levels or lead to mold. This can exacerbate health problems, especially for people dealing with asthma or allergies.

Increasing Your Home’s Retail Value

Energy-efficient homes are sought after by homebuyers. You can sell your home more quickly or for more money by telling prospective buyers that it’s energy efficient.

How to Do an Energy Audit of Your Home

Although performing an energy audit on your own may 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 likely don’t need to bring in a professional. Follow this step-by-step checklist:

  • Review your HVAC system. Broken ducts can lose nearly 20% of conditioned air, contributing to steeper energy bills and excess strain on HVAC equipment. If you discover leaks, use duct tape to eliminate 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 might be 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 there is a draft, including along the edge of flooring and along baseboards and electrical outlets. Outside, you can look 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 ventilation. Check that all of your kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans are functioning properly, and look for evidence of rot or moisture.

Contact Home Furniture, Plumbing & Heating for a Professional Energy Audit

If you want professional help finding out how energy efficient your heating and cooling equipment is, contact the HVAC pros at Home Furniture, Plumbing & Heating today. We’ve proudly supported the residents of Kankakee with quality home services for a long time. Contact us today to set up an appointment.