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 intense weather events, repeatedly high bills can often indicate an inefficient HVAC system or your home is using too much energy through other means, like 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 professional to carry out 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 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 take a look at previous energy bills during 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 renovations, which might include replacing your existing HVAC system, installing new insulation, closing up leaks, or replacing loose windows.

Over the course of 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 determine if there are air leaks in your home. They’ll also inspect your home’s HVAC system, including the ductwork, the water heater, and the insulation in your attic. Some assessments may also include checking your current lighting system.

Benefits of a Home Energy Audit

It can be difficult for the average homeowner to know for sure how efficient their home is in comparison to other similar homes in their neighborhood. However, many energy companies often offer information about where your home stands when compared with similar homes and whether it’s more efficient, about average, or inefficient in contrast with your neighbors’ homes. This can be a good starting point to determine if you need an energy audit completed.

Some of the benefits of a home energy audit include:

Learning How Efficient Your Home Is

It’s beneficial to know how efficient your home is and where you’re using the most energy. For example, if your ducts are leaking air, it could result in a large increase in your energy bills and excessive wear and tear on your HVAC system as it has to stay on longer to fully heat or cool your home.

Making Energy-Efficient Improvements

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

Improving Health and Safety

Allowing 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 may negatively influence your home’s humidity levels or produce mold. This can lead to health issues, particularly for people dealing with asthma or allergies.

Increasing 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 Perform an Energy Audit of Your Home

Although completing an energy audit on your own may not be as comprehensive as calling a professional, it’ll offer you a broad idea of how energy efficient your home is. If you don’t discover any issues during the DIY test, then you probably don’t need to bring in a professional. Try this step-by-step checklist:

• Inspect your HVAC system. Leaky ducts can lose nearly 20% of conditioned air, leading to more expensive energy bills and greater strain on HVAC equipment. If you discover leaks, use duct tape to eliminate them. If your HVAC equipment is old and inefficient, upgrading to a new system can save you a significant amount on your energy bills. In some cases, it can be better to contact a reputable HVAC company to inspect your system.
• Watch for signs of air leaks. Air leaks on average can raise monthly 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 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. Check that all of your kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans are functioning properly, and inspect for evidence of rot or moisture.

Contact HCE Systems for a Professional Energy Audit

If you are interested in professional help finding out how energy efficient your heating and cooling equipment is, contact the HVAC professionals at HCE Systems today. We’ve proudly served the residents of with quality home services for years. Contact us today to set up an appointment.

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