Ever done a double take when you took a look at your last energy bill? While high energy bills can be the result of extreme weather events, persistently high bills can quickly signify an inefficient HVAC system or your home is misusing energy through other means, such as drafty windows or poor insulation.

One of the easiest ways to figure out whether your home is using too much energy is by getting a home service expert 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 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 go through past energy bills while completing an energy audit to find out where energy is being consumed and how much.

The overall goal of an energy audit is to help homeowners save money on their energy bills by recommending energy-efficient updates, which may include swapping out your current HVAC system, putting in new insulation, closing 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 will perform a blower door test on doorways, windows and fireplaces to find out if there are air leaks in your home. They’ll also check your home’s HVAC system, including the ductwork, the water heater, and the insulation in your attic. Comprehensive assessments may also include checking your current lighting system.

Benefits of a Home Energy Audit

It can be tough for the ordinary homeowner to know for certain how efficient their home is compared to other similar homes in their community. However, many energy companies often provide 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 can be a good starting point to determine if you need an energy audit performed.

Several of the benefits of a home energy audit include:

Recognizing How Efficient Your Home Is

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

Making Energy-Efficient Updates

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

Improving Health and Safety

Enabling air to seep into your home through doors and windows, or due to a lack of insulation can cause excessive moisture to form, which could negatively influence your home’s humidity levels or produce mold. This can cause health issues, particularly for people who have asthma or allergies.

Raising Your Home’s Retail Value

Energy-efficient homes are sought after by homebuyers. You can sell your home much faster or for more money by showing possible buyers that it’s energy efficient.

How to Complete an Energy Audit of Your Home

Although handling an energy audit by yourself may not be as comprehensive as hiring a professional, it’ll offer you a broad understanding of how energy efficient your home is. If you don’t discover any issues during the DIY test, then you likely don’t need to bring in a professional. Use this step-by-step checklist:

  • Inspect your HVAC system. Damaged ducts can lose as much as 20% of conditioned air, resulting in more expensive energy bills and increased strain on HVAC equipment. If you discover 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 is better to hire a reputable HVAC company to inspect your system.
  • Watch for signs of air leaks. Air leaks on average can increase the energy bills by 10 to 20%. Inside, look for air leaks in areas where there is a draft, such as along the edge of flooring and close to 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. Check that all of your kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans are spinning properly, and check for evidence of rot or moisture.

Contact Appalachian Heating for a Professional Energy Audit

If you would like professional help determining how energy efficient your heating and cooling equipment is, call the HVAC experts at Appalachian Heating today. We’ve proudly supported the residents of Beckley with quality home services for years. Contact us today to request an appointment.