Have you ever performed a double take when you took a look at your last energy bill? Although high energy bills can be the result of extreme weather events, consistently high bills can often signify an inefficient HVAC system or your home is misusing energy because of other means, such as drafty windows or inadequate insulation.

One of the simplest ways to identify whether your home is using too much energy is by calling a home service professional to perform a home energy audit, also called 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 custom inspection of how much energy your home uses and whether – and where – your home may be losing or wasting energy. An inspector will go through older energy bills in the course of 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 suggesting energy-efficient improvements, which may include swapping out your current HVAC system, putting in new insulation, closing up leaks, or replacing loose windows.

While completing the energy assessment, the auditor also completes an inspection of the outside and inside of your home. The auditor performs a blower door test on doorways, windows and fireplaces to figure out if there are air leaks in your home. They’ll also check your home’s HVAC system, which also includes the ductwork, the water heater, and the insulation in your attic. Comprehensive assessments could also include inspecting your current lighting system.

Benefits of a Home Energy Audit

It can be hard for the ordinary homeowner to be sure how efficient their home is compared to other similar homes in their community. 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 versus your neighbors’ homes. This could be a good starting point to figure out if you need an energy audit scheduled.

Several of the benefits of a home energy audit include:

Learning How Efficient Your Home Is

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

Making Energy-Efficient Updates

An energy audit will outline where you need to make energy-efficient upgrades to cut back on energy and reduce utility bills. This might include replacing worn weatherstripping or installing a new energy-efficient furnace.

Enhancing Health and Safety

Enabling air to slip into your home through doors and windows, or due to a lack of insulation can cause extra moisture to appear, which may negatively affect your home’s humidity levels or encourage mold. This can cause health conditions, particularly for people suffering from asthma or allergies.

Adding to Your Home’s Retail Value

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

How to Perform an Energy Audit of Your Home

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

  • Examine your HVAC system. Broken ducts can lose up to 20% of conditioned air, leading to steeper energy bills and greater wear and tear on HVAC equipment. If you notice 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 contact 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 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.
  • 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 working properly, and look for evidence of rot or moisture.

Contact Booneville Heating & Cooling for a Professional Energy Audit

If you would like professional help determining how energy efficient your heating and cooling equipment is, call the HVAC professionals at Booneville Heating & Cooling today. We’ve proudly supported the residents of Booneville with quality home services for a long time. Contact us today to request an appointment.