Have you ever performed a double take when you viewed your last energy bill? While high energy bills can be the consequence of intense weather events, repeatedly high bills can also indicate an inefficient HVAC system or your home is misusing energy because of other means, including drafty windows or insufficient insulation.

An easy way to figure out whether your home is using too much energy is by calling a home service professional to perform a home energy audit, also known as a home energy assessment. Keep reading to learn all 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 uses up and whether – and where – your home might be losing or wasting energy. An inspector will take a look at past energy bills in the course of an energy audit to find out 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 suggesting energy-efficient updates, which might include replacing your current HVAC system, adding new insulation, sealing up leaks, or replacing loose windows.

While completing 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 find out if there are air leaks in your home. They’ll also check your home’s HVAC system, including the ductwork, the water heater, and the insulation in your attic. Comprehensive assessments may also include inspecting your current lighting system.

Benefits of a Home Energy Audit

It can be difficult for the typical homeowner to know for sure how efficient their home is compared to other similar homes in their community. However, local energy companies often supply information about where your home stands 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 good starting point to decide if you need an energy audit scheduled.

Several of the benefits of a home energy audit include:

Understanding How Efficient Your Home Is

It’s good to understand how efficient your home is and where you’re using the most energy. For example, if your ducts are leaking air, it will result in a significant increase in your energy bills and excessive wear and tear on your HVAC system because it has to run longer to fully heat or cool your home.

Making Energy-Efficient Improvements

An energy audit will outline where you need to make energy-efficient upgrades to save on energy and reduce utility bills. This can include replacing old weatherstripping or buying a new energy-efficient furnace.

Enhancing Health and Safety

Allowing air to seep into your home through doors and windows, or due to a lack of insulation can cause excessive moisture to appear, which could negatively influence your home’s humidity levels or lead to mold. This can cause health conditions, especially for people suffering from asthma or allergies.

Raising Your Home’s Retail Value

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

How to Perform an Energy Audit of Your Home

Although completing an energy audit on your own might not be as thorough as hiring a professional, it’ll offer a general idea of how energy efficient your home is. If you don’t discover any problems during the DIY test, then you probably 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 higher energy bills and increased strain 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 considerable amount on your energy bills. In some cases, it might be better to call a reputable HVAC company to inspect your system.
  • Check 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 inspect for air leaks along 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 Hix Air Conditioning Service, Inc. for a Professional Energy Audit

If you are interested in professional help determining how energy efficient your heating and cooling equipment is, call the HVAC pros at Hix Air Conditioning Service, Inc. today. We’ve proudly serviced the residents of Muskogee with quality home services for a long time. Contact us today to request an appointment.