11 Spring Energy Savings Tips and How to Implement Them
Warmer weather gets us thinking about being outside and enjoying the sunshine. But, we also wonder how high our electricity bills will be when we’re cooling off inside. If you’re...
Read MoreMany homeowners shrug off the importance of home energy audits because they believe the common myth that the process is unnecessary or ineffective. However, that could not be further from the truth.
Energy audits are a great first step to increasing your home’s energy efficiency, saving you money and increasing the value of your property. And, a lesser-known fact is that home energy audits also uncover health and safety hazards that may be affecting you and your family.
A home energy audit can be a DIY project, or you can work with a certified professional. Regardless of who performs your energy audit, the idea is to use a series of tests to find and fix inefficiencies or hazards in your home, including:
A complete home energy audit will look carefully at the following areas of your home:
A home energy audit should look at your windows and doors for condensation and air leaks that may indicate poor sealing. Though you can visually see condensation, air leaks can be more difficult to detect. The most accurate way to find if air is escaping is by using a blower door, which is a piece of professional-grade equipment. Poor sealing translates into lost heating and cooling throughout the year. It’s also common to look at window coverings during a home energy audit. Did you know if your window coverings block UV rays, you can decrease cooling costs at your home?
Outlets are a common source of undetected air leaks. Visually inspect for gaps between the outlets and wall. Also, put your hand near the outlet and feel for air coming through. You can also use a specialized tool like a blower door for a more accurate assessment. Did you know that poorly installed or insulated outlets can increase your heating costs by letting air escape through your walls?
During a home energy audit, you should take a look at the setting of your thermostat. Do you need to recalibrate to a more energy-efficient temperature? What is your equipment’s functionality? Can you program your system to turn on or off automatically? If you don’t have one already, smart thermostats are a great way to cut energy costs.
Well-insulated homes reduce the exchange of heat, which means less warm air escapes during the winter, and less cool air escapes during the summer. You can know how well your home is insulated by looking for a number of signs. Does the temperature in your home fluctuate drastically? Does the drywall in your home feel cool or damp? Do you have a problem with mice or bugs in your home? If you answered yes to these questions, you might have a poorly insulated home. By adding more insulation in your home, you can improve its efficiency, save money on your energy bills, and ward off unwanted house pests.
When is the last time you examined your fireplace and chimney? Home energy audits look for air leakage, soot, scaling, and cracks and crevices that disrupt indoor temperatures. By keeping your chimney clean, and decreasing air leaks around your fireplace, your fire will burn more efficiently, reducing your energy consumption.
A home energy audit will examine the insulation, piping, furnace blower, filters and draft hood of your appliances to detect inefficiencies or fuel leaks that could be plaguing your water heaters and furnaces.
Energy Star estimates about 20% of the air that moves through the duct system is lost due to leaks, holes and poor connections, which is inefficient. During a home energy audit, professional auditors can conduct an air leak test, so you know if there is damage or inefficiencies in your system.
Many homeowners don’t realize that a home energy audit also looks for health and safety issues that can pose a risk to you and your family:
Though it is possible to conduct a home energy audit on your own, a professional inspector may have access to several tools that you don’t, such as:
Other tools used by professional home energy auditors include telescope ladders, industrial-grade tool kits, and specialty mirrors to gain visibility in hard to see areas. Each of these tools makes your home energy audit more accurate, thorough and reliable.
There are several reasons why you want to take the time to audit your home regularly.
According to the Energy Department, the average American spends roughly $2,060 per year on energy costs. Though it varies from home to home, on average, Santa Energy’s customers see an annual savings are $500 or more after a professional home audit.
If you’re a homeowner who is looking to save money, improve the value of their home, and improve the quality of life, you’re likely the right candidate for a home energy audit.