Have you ever performed a double take when you viewed your last energy bill? While high energy bills can be the consequence of severe weather conditions, persistently high bills can often suggest an inefficient HVAC system or your home is wasting energy by other means, including drafty windows or inadequate insulation.

One of the simplest ways to determine whether your home is using too much energy is by hiring a home service expert to perform a home energy audit, also called a home energy assessment. Keep reading to find out more about home energy audits, including what they are and their benefits.

What Is a Home Energy Audit?

An energy audit is a comprehensive inspection of how much energy your home consumes and whether – and where – your home could 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 ultimate goal of an energy audit is to help homeowners save money on their energy bills by identifying energy-efficient updates, which may include replacing your current HVAC system, adding new insulation, sealing up leaks, or replacing loose windows.

While completing the energy assessment, the auditor performs 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 evaluate your home’s HVAC system, which also includes the ductwork, the water heater, and the insulation in your attic. Some assessments might also include checking your current lighting system.

Benefits of a Home Energy Audit

It can be tough for the ordinary homeowner to know for sure how efficient their home is in comparison to other similar homes in their community. However, many energy companies often provide information about where your home stands in comparison to 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 performed.

Some of the benefits of a home energy audit include:

Understanding How Efficient Your Home Is

It’s good to know how efficient your home is and where you’re using up the most energy. For example, if your ducts are damaged, it can lead to a significant increase in your energy bills and excessive wear and tear on your HVAC system since it has to stay on longer to properly heat or cool your home.

Making Energy-Efficient Updates

An energy audit should reveal where you need to make energy-efficient changes to cut back on energy and reduce utility bills. This might include replacing old weatherstripping or buying a new energy-efficient furnace.

Improving Health and Safety

Allowing air to leak into your home via doors and windows, or because of a lack of insulation can cause extra moisture to build up, which could negatively impact your home’s humidity levels or produce mold. This can exacerbate health issues, especially for people dealing with asthma or allergies.

Raising Your Home’s Retail Value

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

How to Do an Energy Audit of Your Home

Although performing an energy audit on your own might not be as comprehensive as choosing a professional, it’ll give you a broad 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 bring in a professional. Use this step-by-step checklist:

  • Examine your HVAC system. Leaky ducts can lose as much as 20% of conditioned air, resulting in more expensive energy bills and increased wear and tear on HVAC equipment. If you notice leaks, use duct tape to eliminate them. If your HVAC equipment is old and inefficient, 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.
  • Look for 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, 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.
  • 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 the ventilation. Make sure that all of your kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans are spinning properly, and look for evidence of rot or moisture.

Contact HCE Systems for a Professional Energy Audit

If you would like professional help figuring out how energy efficient your heating and cooling equipment is, call the HVAC experts at HCE Systems today. We’ve proudly supported the residents of with quality home services for many years. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.