Did you perform a double take when you viewed your last energy bill? Even though high energy bills can be the result of extreme weather events, persistently high bills can also suggest an inefficient HVAC system or your home is using too much energy by other means, such as drafty windows or inadequate insulation.

One of the easiest ways to determine whether your home is wasting energy is by getting a home service specialist to complete a home energy audit, also known as a home energy assessment. Keep reading to find out 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 and whether – and where – your home may be losing or wasting energy. An inspector will take a look at past energy bills during an energy audit to determine where energy is being used and how much.

The general goal of an energy audit is to help homeowners save money on their energy bills by identifying energy-efficient updates, which might include exchanging your existing HVAC system, putting in new insulation, plugging up leaks, or replacing old 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, which also includes the ductwork, the water heater, and the insulation in your attic. Some assessments might also include inspecting your current lighting system.

Benefits of a Home Energy Audit

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

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 will result in a large increase in your energy bills and increased 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 will outline where you need to make energy-efficient changes to cut back on energy and reduce utility bills. This can include replacing old weatherstripping or buying a new energy-efficient furnace.

Improving Health and Safety

Allowing air to seep into your home through doors and windows, or because of a lack of insulation can cause unwanted moisture to appear, which can negatively influence your home’s humidity levels or lead to mold. This can cause health problems, particularly for people dealing with asthma or allergies.

Raising 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 potential buyers that it’s energy efficient.

How to Perform an Energy Audit of Your Home

Although performing an energy audit independently might not be as detailed as choosing a professional, it’ll give you a broad sense 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 call in a professional. Try this step-by-step checklist:

  • Review your HVAC system. Broken ducts can lose up to 20% of conditioned air, resulting in steeper energy bills and greater wear and tear on HVAC equipment. If you discover 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 can be better to contact a reputable HVAC company to inspect your system.
  • Look for air leaks. Air leaks on average can raise your energy bills by 10 to 20%. Inside, look for air leaks in areas where there is a draft, including along the edge of flooring and along baseboards and electrical outlets. Outside, you can look 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. Check that all of your kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans are working properly, and check for evidence of rot or moisture.

Contact Covington Air Systems for a Professional Energy Audit

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