Have you ever performed a double take when you checked your last energy bill? While high energy bills can be the end result of intense weather events, persistently high bills can also suggest an inefficient HVAC system or your home is using too much energy by other means, like drafty windows or insufficient insulation.

An easy way to figure out whether your home is wasting energy is by hiring a home service professional to carry out a home energy audit, also known 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 thorough inspection of how much energy your home uses up and whether – and where – your home could be losing or wasting energy. An inspector will review previous energy bills while completing an energy audit to figure out where energy is being used and how much.

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

Over the course of the energy assessment, the auditor also completes an inspection of the outside and inside of your home. The auditor will perform 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. Exhaustive assessments may also include reviewing your current lighting system.

Benefits of a Home Energy Audit

It can be difficult for the average homeowner to know for sure how efficient their home is in comparison to other similar homes in their community. However, many energy companies often offer 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 could 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 learn more about how efficient your home is and where you’re using the most energy. For example, if your ducts are leaking, it will cause a sizable increase in your energy bills and excessive wear and tear on your HVAC system as it has to stay on longer to fully heat or cool your home.

Making Energy-Efficient Upgrades

An energy audit should outline where you need to make energy-efficient changes to cut back on energy and lower utility bills. This might include replacing old weatherstripping or getting a new energy-efficient furnace.

Improving Health and Safety

Enabling air to slip into your home through doors and windows, or as a result of a lack of insulation can cause extra moisture to form, which could negatively impact your home’s humidity levels or produce mold. This can lead to health conditions, 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 sooner or for more money by showing potential buyers that it’s energy efficient.

How to Perform an Energy Audit of Your Home

Although handling an energy audit independently will not be as thorough as hiring a professional, it’ll offer a broad understanding of how energy efficient your home is. If you don’t find any problems during the DIY test, then you probably don’t need to call in a professional. Use this step-by-step checklist:

  • Review your HVAC system. Leaky ducts can lose nearly 20% of conditioned air, resulting in steeper energy bills and greater 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 substantial amount on your energy bills. In some cases, it might be better to call 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 could be a draft, such as along the edge of flooring and near 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.
  • 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. Ensure that all of your kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans are working properly, and inspect for evidence of rot or moisture.

Contact HCE Systems for a Professional Energy Audit

If you want professional help figuring out how energy efficient your heating and cooling equipment is, call the HVAC pros at HCE Systems today. We’ve proudly supported the residents of Norton with quality home services for a long time. Contact us today to set up an appointment.