Have you ever performed a double take when you viewed your last energy bill? While high energy bills can be the result of intense weather conditions, consistently high bills can also indicate an inefficient HVAC system or your home is misusing energy through other means, such as drafty windows or inadequate insulation.

One of the simplest ways to determine whether your home is wasting energy is by hiring a home service professional to complete a home energy audit, also called a home energy assessment. Keep reading to learn all about home energy audits, including what they are and their benefits.

What Is a Home Energy Audit?

An energy audit is a thorough inspection of how much energy your home uses and whether – and where – your home could be losing or wasting energy. An inspector will review older energy bills in the course of an energy audit to determine where energy is being wasted and how much.

The ultimate goal of an energy audit is to help homeowners save money on their energy bills by recommending energy-efficient improvements, which can include swapping out your existing HVAC system, putting in new insulation, closing up leaks, or replacing loose windows.

During the energy assessment, the auditor carries out an inspection of the outside and inside of your home. The auditor performs a blower door test on doorways, windows and fireplaces to determine 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. Some assessments might also include reviewing your current lighting system.

Benefits of a Home Energy Audit

It can be difficult for the ordinary homeowner to be sure how efficient their home is compared to other similar homes in their neighborhood. However, lots of energy companies often offer 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 is a great starting point to figure out if you need an energy audit completed.

Several of the benefits of a home energy audit include:

Understanding How Efficient Your Home Is

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

Making Energy-Efficient Upgrades

An energy audit can outline where you need to make energy-efficient changes to save on energy and decrease utility bills. This might include replacing old weatherstripping or installing a new energy-efficient furnace.

Improving Health and Safety

Permitting air to seep into your home through doors and windows, or due to a lack of insulation can cause unwanted moisture to appear, which could negatively impact your home’s humidity levels or encourage mold. This can lead to health conditions, especially for people who have asthma or allergies.

Adding to Your Home’s Retail Value

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

How to Do an Energy Audit of Your Home

Although performing an energy audit by yourself will not be as detailed as calling a professional, it’ll offer a generalized understanding of how energy efficient your home is. If you don’t discover any flaws during the DIY test, then you potentially don’t need to hire a professional. Use this step-by-step checklist:

  • Examine your HVAC system. Broken ducts can lose up to 20% of conditioned air, contributing to higher energy bills and increased strain on HVAC equipment. If you find 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 considerable amount on your energy bills. In some cases, it might be better to contact a reputable HVAC company to inspect your system.
  • Watch for signs of 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, like along the edge of flooring and along baseboards and electrical outlets. Outside, you can inspect 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 the ventilation. Ensure that all of your kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans are spinning properly, and check for evidence of rot or moisture.

Contact Booneville Heating & Cooling for a Professional Energy Audit

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