Ever done a double take when you viewed your last energy bill? Although high energy bills can be the result of extreme weather events, repeatedly high bills can also signify an inefficient HVAC system or your home is misusing energy because of other means, such as drafty windows or inadequate insulation.

One of the simplest ways to figure out whether your home is using too much energy is by calling a home service specialist to perform a home energy audit, also called 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 consumes and whether – and where – your home could be losing or wasting energy. An inspector will take a look at older energy bills in the course of 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 suggesting energy-efficient improvements, which might include swapping out your existing HVAC system, installing new insulation, closing up leaks, or replacing drafty windows.

During the energy assessment, the auditor performs an inspection of the outside and inside of your home. The auditor will perform a blower door test on doorways, windows and fireplaces to figure out if there are air leaks in your home. They’ll also inspect your home’s HVAC system, as well as the ductwork, the water heater, and the insulation in your attic. Comprehensive assessments might also include reviewing your current lighting system.

Benefits of a Home Energy Audit

It can be hard for the typical homeowner to know for sure how efficient their home is versus other similar homes in their area. However, local energy companies often supply information about where your home ranks when compared with similar homes and whether it’s more efficient, about average, or inefficient versus 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:

Recognizing How Efficient Your Home Is

It’s good to learn more about how efficient your home is and where you’re using up the most energy. For example, if your ducts are damaged, it can cause a significant increase in your energy bills and excessive wear and tear on your HVAC system as it has to work longer to completely heat or cool your home.

Making Energy-Efficient Improvements

An energy audit can reveal where you need to make energy-efficient improvements to cut back on energy and decrease utility bills. This can include replacing worn weatherstripping or installing a new energy-efficient furnace.

Enhancing Health and Safety

Enabling air to slip into your home via doors and windows, or as a result of a lack of insulation can cause unwanted moisture to form, which may negatively impact your home’s humidity levels or lead to mold. This can exacerbate health problems, particularly for people suffering from asthma or allergies.

Increasing Your Home’s Retail Value

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

How to Do an Energy Audit of Your Home

Although handling an energy audit independently may not be as thorough as calling a professional, it’ll offer a broad idea of how energy efficient your home is. If you don’t find any flaws during the DIY test, then you potentially don’t need to hire a professional. Try this step-by-step checklist:

  • Examine your HVAC system. Broken ducts can lose as much as 20% of conditioned air, resulting in higher energy bills and excess wear and tear on HVAC equipment. If you discover leaks, use duct tape to close 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 might be better to hire a reputable HVAC company to inspect your system.
  • Watch for signs of air leaks. Air leaks on average can increase the 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 close to 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.
  • 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 the ventilation. Check that all of your kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans are working properly, and inspect for evidence of rot or moisture.

Contact Just Komfort Heating & Cooling for a Professional Energy Audit

If you want professional help figuring out how energy efficient your heating and cooling equipment is, contact the HVAC pros at Just Komfort Heating & Cooling today. We’ve proudly served the residents of Redmond with quality home services for years. Contact us today to request an appointment.