Did you perform a double take when you checked your last energy bill? While high energy bills can be the end result of extreme weather events, repeatedly high bills can also indicate an inefficient HVAC system or your home is misusing energy because of other means, such as drafty windows or insufficient insulation.

One of the simplest ways to identify whether your home is consuming too much energy is by hiring a home service professional to perform a home energy audit, also referred to 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 custom inspection of how much energy your home uses up and whether – and where – your home might be losing or wasting energy. An inspector will review previous energy bills while completing 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 suggesting energy-efficient renovations, which may include exchanging your existing HVAC system, installing new insulation, sealing up leaks, or replacing old windows.

During 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 find out if there are air leaks in your home. They’ll also evaluate your home’s HVAC system, as well as the ductwork, the water heater, and the insulation in your attic. Exhaustive assessments might also include checking your current lighting system.

Benefits of a Home Energy Audit

It can be hard for the average homeowner to be sure how efficient their home is compared to other similar homes in their community. However, local energy companies often provide information about where your home is ranked when compared with similar homes and whether it’s more efficient, about average, or inefficient in contrast with your neighbors’ homes. This could be a good starting point to decide if you need an energy audit performed.

A few of the benefits of a home energy audit include:

Understanding 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 leaking, it could result in a significant increase in your energy bills and increased wear and tear on your HVAC system because it has to run longer to fully heat or cool your home.

Making Energy-Efficient Updates

An energy audit can outline where you need to make energy-efficient changes to conserve energy and lower utility bills. This can include replacing old weatherstripping or buying a new energy-efficient furnace.

Enhancing Health and Safety

Enabling air to leak into your home via doors and windows, or because of a lack of insulation can cause excessive moisture to form, which can negatively influence your home’s humidity levels or lead to 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 demonstrating to prospective buyers that it’s energy efficient.

How to Do an Energy Audit of Your Home

Although handling an energy audit by yourself might not be as detailed as calling a professional, it’ll give you a generalized understanding of how energy efficient your home is. If you don’t find any issues during the DIY test, then you likely don’t need to hire a professional. Try this step-by-step checklist:

  • Review your HVAC system. Leaky ducts can lose up to 20% of conditioned air, contributing to more expensive energy bills and excess strain on HVAC equipment. If you discover leaks, use duct tape to seal them. If your HVAC equipment is old and inefficient, upgrading to a new system can save you a considerable amount on your energy bills. In some cases, it might be better to hire a reputable HVAC company to inspect your system.
  • Look for air leaks. Air leaks on average can raise the energy bills by 10 to 20%. Inside, look for air leaks in areas where there is a draft, such as along the edge of flooring and close to 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. Ensure that all of your kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans are working properly, and inspect for evidence of rot or moisture.

Contact AW Heating & Air Conditioning 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 pros at AW Heating & Air Conditioning today. We’ve proudly supported the residents of Lincoln with quality home services for many years. Contact us today to request an appointment.