Ever done a double take when you checked your last energy bill? While high energy bills can be the result of severe weather conditions, consistently high bills can often indicate an inefficient HVAC system or your home is using too much energy by other means, including drafty windows or inadequate insulation.

One of the easiest ways to identify whether your home is consuming too much energy is by hiring a home service specialist to carry out a home energy audit, also known as a home energy assessment. Keep reading to learn more about home energy audits, including what they are and their benefits.

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 might be losing or wasting energy. An inspector will go through past energy bills during an energy audit to find out where energy is being used and how much.

The ultimate goal of an energy audit is to help homeowners save money on their energy bills by recommending energy-efficient updates, which may include replacing your current HVAC system, installing new insulation, closing 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 completes 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, as well as 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 difficult 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 offer 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 can be a useful starting point to decide if you need an energy audit performed.

A few 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 up the most energy. For example, if your ducts are leaking, it can result in a significant increase in your energy bills and increased wear and tear on your HVAC system since it has to stay on longer to completely heat or cool your home.

Making Energy-Efficient Upgrades

An energy audit can outline where you need to make energy-efficient improvements to save on energy and reduce utility bills. This can include replacing worn-down weatherstripping or getting a new energy-efficient furnace.

Enhancing Health and Safety

Permitting air to leak into your home through doors and windows, or because of a lack of insulation can cause unwanted moisture to appear, which may negatively impact your home’s humidity levels or produce mold. This can cause health issues, particularly for people dealing with 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 showing possible buyers that it’s energy efficient.

How to Do an Energy Audit of Your Home

Although performing an energy audit by yourself may not be as detailed as hiring 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 bring in a professional. Try this step-by-step checklist:

  • Examine your HVAC system. Broken ducts can lose as much as 20% of conditioned air, contributing to steeper energy bills and increased wear and tear on HVAC equipment. If you notice leaks, use duct tape to seal 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 is better to call a reputable HVAC company to inspect your system.
  • Look for air leaks. Air leaks on average can raise monthly energy bills by 10 to 20%. Inside, look for air leaks in areas where there is a draft, like along the edge of flooring and along 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. Ensure that all of your kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans are working properly, and check for evidence of rot or moisture.

Contact Comfort Concepts Heating & Air Conditioning for a Professional Energy Audit

If you want professional help determining how energy efficient your heating and cooling equipment is, contact the HVAC experts at Comfort Concepts Heating & Air Conditioning today. We’ve proudly supported the residents of Yukon with quality home services for many years. Contact us today to request an appointment.