Ever done a double take when you took a look at your last energy bill? While high energy bills can be the result of extreme weather events, persistently high bills can also suggest an inefficient HVAC system or your home is misusing energy by other means, such as drafty windows or insufficient insulation.

An easy way to identify whether your home is using too much energy is by calling a home service expert to complete 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 consumes and whether – and where – your home may be losing or wasting energy. An inspector will review past energy bills in the course of an energy audit to figure 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 identifying energy-efficient renovations, which can include swapping out your existing HVAC system, putting in new insulation, closing up leaks, or replacing drafty windows.

While completing the energy assessment, the auditor also completes an inspection of the outside and inside of your home. The auditor will perform a blower door test on doorways, windows and fireplaces to find out if there are air leaks in your home. They’ll also inspect your home’s HVAC system, including the ductwork, the water heater, and the insulation in your attic. Exhaustive assessments may also include reviewing your current lighting system.

Benefits of a Home Energy Audit

It can be hard for the typical homeowner to be sure how efficient their home is in comparison to other similar homes in their neighborhood. However, many energy companies often provide information about where your home ranks 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 figure out if you need an energy audit scheduled.

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

Recognizing How Efficient Your Home Is

It’s worthwhile to know how efficient your home is and where you’re consuming the most energy. For example, if your ducts are leaking, it will lead to a sizable increase in your energy bills and increased wear and tear on your HVAC system as it has to stay on longer to completely heat or cool your home.

Making Energy-Efficient Improvements

An energy audit should expose where you need to make energy-efficient changes to cut back on energy and decrease utility bills. This might include replacing old weatherstripping or getting a new energy-efficient furnace.

Improving Health and Safety

Permitting air to leak into your home via doors and windows, or as a result of a lack of insulation can cause unwanted moisture to appear, which could negatively influence your home’s humidity levels or lead to mold. This can lead to health conditions, especially for people who have asthma or allergies.

Adding to Your Home’s Retail Value

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

How to Do an Energy Audit of Your Home

Although completing an energy audit on your own might not be as thorough as choosing a professional, it’ll give you a general idea of how energy efficient your home is. If you don’t find any issues during the DIY test, then you probably don’t need to call in a professional. Try this step-by-step checklist:

  • Examine your HVAC system. Leaky ducts can lose nearly 20% of conditioned air, leading to more expensive energy bills and increased strain on HVAC equipment. If you notice leaks, use duct tape to plug 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 call a reputable HVAC company to inspect your system.
  • Check for air leaks. Air leaks on average can increase the energy bills by 10 to 20%. Inside, look for air leaks in areas where you can find a draft, such as along the edge of flooring and near baseboards and electrical outlets. Outside, you can inspect for air leaks in 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. Check that all of your kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans are spinning properly, and look for evidence of rot or moisture.

Contact Rapids Sheet Metal Works Inc for a Professional Energy Audit

If you want professional help figuring out how energy efficient your heating and cooling equipment is, contact the HVAC experts at Rapids Sheet Metal Works Inc today. We’ve proudly serviced the residents of Wisconsin Rapids with quality home services for years. Contact us today to request an appointment.