Have you ever performed a double take when you checked your last energy bill? While high energy bills can be the consequence of extreme weather events, persistently high bills can often suggest an inefficient HVAC system or your home is using too much energy through other means, including drafty windows or inadequate insulation.

One of the easiest ways to determine whether your home is consuming too much energy is by calling a home service expert to carry out a home energy audit, also referred to as a home energy assessment. Keep reading to find out 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 consumes and whether – and where – your home may be losing or wasting energy. An inspector will review past energy bills while completing an energy audit to find 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 suggesting energy-efficient improvements, which may include swapping out your existing HVAC system, putting in new insulation, sealing 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 will perform 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, which also includes the ductwork, the water heater, and the insulation in your attic. Some assessments could also include reviewing your current lighting system.

Benefits of a Home Energy Audit

It can be difficult for the average homeowner to be sure how efficient their home is compared to other similar homes in their community. However, local energy companies often supply information about where your home ranks when compared with similar homes and whether it’s more efficient, about average, or inefficient versus your neighbors’ homes. This is a useful starting point to figure out if you need an energy audit scheduled.

Some of the benefits of a home energy audit include:

Learning 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 damaged, it will result in a sizable increase in your energy bills and excessive wear and tear on your HVAC system because it has to run longer to properly heat or cool your home.

Making Energy-Efficient Upgrades

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

Improving Health and Safety

Permitting air to slip into your home via doors and windows, or as a result of a lack of insulation can cause excessive moisture to build up, which can negatively impact your home’s humidity levels or lead to mold. This can lead to health issues, especially for people dealing with asthma or allergies.

Increasing Your Home’s Retail Value

Energy-efficient homes are desired by homebuyers. You can sell your home more quickly or for more money by demonstrating to potential buyers that it’s energy efficient.

How to Do an Energy Audit of Your Home

Although completing an energy audit independently might not be as comprehensive as calling a professional, it’ll give you a general understanding 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 hire a professional. Follow this step-by-step checklist:

  • Review your HVAC system. Damaged ducts can lose up to 20% of conditioned air, resulting in steeper energy bills and excess wear and tear on HVAC equipment. If you discover leaks, use duct tape to seal 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 might be better to contact a reputable HVAC company to inspect your system.
  • Check 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, such as 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.
  • 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. Make sure that all of your kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans are functioning properly, and inspect for evidence of rot or moisture.

Contact Childress Heating & AC for a Professional Energy Audit

If you want professional help determining how energy efficient your heating and cooling equipment is, contact the HVAC experts at Childress Heating & AC today. We’ve proudly serviced the residents of Fredericksburg with quality home services for many years. Contact us today to request an appointment.