Did you perform a double take when you viewed your last energy bill? Although high energy bills can be the result of severe weather conditions, repeatedly high bills can quickly suggest an inefficient HVAC system or your home is using too much energy through other means, such as drafty windows or poor insulation.

One of the simplest ways to determine 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 find out more about home energy audits, including what they are and their key elements.

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 could be losing or wasting energy. An inspector will go through older energy bills in the course of an energy audit to figure 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 renovations, which may include replacing your existing HVAC system, adding new insulation, plugging up leaks, or replacing loose windows.

During the energy assessment, the auditor also completes an inspection of the outside and inside of your home. The auditor performs 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, which also includes the ductwork, the water heater, and the insulation in your attic. Exhaustive assessments might also include inspecting your current lighting system.

Benefits of a Home Energy Audit

It can be hard for the ordinary homeowner to know for sure how efficient their home is compared to other similar homes in their area. However, local energy companies often supply information about where your home stands in comparison to 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.

Several of the benefits of a home energy audit include:

Understanding How Efficient Your Home Is

It’s beneficial to learn more about how efficient your home is and where you’re consuming the most energy. For example, if your ducts are leaking, it could result in a sizable increase in your energy bills and excessive wear and tear on your HVAC system since it has to run longer to completely heat or cool your home.

Making Energy-Efficient Upgrades

An energy audit will reveal where you need to make energy-efficient improvements to conserve energy and lower utility bills. This may include replacing worn weatherstripping or buying a new energy-efficient furnace.

Improving Health and Safety

Enabling air to leak into your home via doors and windows, or due to a lack of insulation can cause excessive moisture to appear, which can negatively affect your home’s humidity levels or encourage mold. This can exacerbate health issues, especially 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 sooner or for more money by showing possible buyers that it’s energy efficient.

How to Complete an Energy Audit of Your Home

Although completing an energy audit by yourself may not be as detailed as calling a professional, it’ll offer you a general idea of how energy efficient your home is. If you don’t discover any flaws during the DIY test, then you probably don’t need to call in a professional. Follow this step-by-step checklist:

  • Review your HVAC system. Leaky ducts can lose as much as 20% of conditioned air, contributing to higher energy bills and excess strain on HVAC equipment. If you find leaks, use duct tape to seal them. If your HVAC equipment is old and wearing down, upgrading to a new system can save you a considerable amount on your energy bills. In some cases, it is better to hire a reputable HVAC company to inspect your system.
  • Watch for signs of air leaks. Air leaks on average can increase monthly energy bills by 10 to 20%. Inside, look for air leaks in areas where there could be a draft, like along the edge of flooring and near baseboards and electrical outlets. Outside, you can look for air leaks in 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. Make sure that all of your kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans are working properly, and look for evidence of rot or moisture.

Contact Gilray Heating and Cooling for a Professional Energy Audit

If you would like professional help figuring out how energy efficient your heating and cooling equipment is, call the HVAC pros at Gilray Heating and Cooling today. We’ve proudly serviced the residents of Wausau with quality home services for many years. Contact us today to request an appointment.