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 also signify 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 consuming 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 advantages.

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 review previous energy bills while completing an energy audit to determine 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 identifying energy-efficient renovations, which might include swapping out your existing HVAC system, installing new insulation, sealing up leaks, or replacing old windows.

While completing the energy assessment, the auditor carries out an inspection of the outside and inside of your home. The auditor completes 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. Exhaustive assessments might also include reviewing your current lighting system.

Benefits of a Home Energy Audit

It can be hard for the average homeowner to be sure how efficient their home is compared to other similar homes in their neighborhood. However, lots of 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 compared to your neighbors’ homes. This could be a useful starting point to determine 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 can cause a large increase in your energy bills and excessive wear and tear on your HVAC system because it has to work longer to completely heat or cool your home.

Making Energy-Efficient Updates

An energy audit should reveal where you need to make energy-efficient improvements to save on energy and decrease utility bills. This can include replacing worn weatherstripping or installing a new energy-efficient furnace.

Improving Health and Safety

Permitting air to seep into your home via doors and windows, or because of a lack of insulation can cause extra moisture to build up, which can negatively affect your home’s humidity levels or produce mold. This can lead to health problems, 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 more quickly or for more money by demonstrating to potential buyers that it’s energy efficient.

How to Complete an Energy Audit of Your Home

Although completing an energy audit independently may not be as comprehensive as hiring a professional, it’ll give you a general sense of how energy efficient your home is. If you don’t find any problems during the DIY test, then you potentially don’t need to bring in a professional. Follow this step-by-step checklist:

  • Inspect your HVAC system. Leaky ducts can lose nearly 20% of conditioned air, resulting in higher energy bills and excess wear and tear 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 might be better to hire a reputable HVAC company to inspect your system.
  • Watch for signs of air leaks. Air leaks on average can raise your 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.
  • 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 spinning properly, and check for evidence of rot or moisture.

Contact Service Max Heating & Air Conditioning for a Professional Energy Audit

If you want professional help figuring out how energy efficient your heating and cooling equipment is, contact the HVAC experts at Service Max Heating & Air Conditioning today. We’ve proudly supported the residents of Arlington with quality home services for years. Contact us today to request an appointment.