Did you perform a double take when you checked your last energy bill? Even though high energy bills can be the consequence of intense weather conditions, repeatedly high bills can quickly suggest an inefficient HVAC system or your home is wasting energy because of other means, such as drafty windows or insufficient insulation.

One of the simplest ways to identify whether your home is using too much energy is by calling a home service specialist to carry out 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 thorough inspection of how much energy your home uses and whether – and where – your home may 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 overall goal of an energy audit is to help homeowners save money on their energy bills by suggesting energy-efficient updates, which can include swapping out your current HVAC system, installing new insulation, plugging up leaks, or replacing old windows.

While completing 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 evaluate your home’s HVAC system, which also includes the ductwork, the water heater, and the insulation in your attic. Some assessments may also include reviewing your current lighting system.

Benefits of a Home Energy Audit

It can be hard for the ordinary homeowner to know for certain how efficient their home is compared to other similar homes in their community. However, lots of energy companies often supply information about where your home is ranked when compared with similar homes and whether it’s more efficient, about average, or inefficient compared to your neighbors’ homes. This is a great starting point to determine if you need an energy audit completed.

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

Understanding How Efficient Your Home Is

It’s beneficial to understand how efficient your home is and where you’re consuming the most energy. For example, if your ducts are damaged, it will cause a significant increase in your energy bills and increased wear and tear on your HVAC system because it has to stay on longer to fully heat or cool your home.

Making Energy-Efficient Improvements

An energy audit can expose where you need to make energy-efficient improvements to save on energy and lower utility bills. This might include replacing old weatherstripping or buying a new energy-efficient furnace.

Enhancing Health and Safety

Enabling air to slip into your home via doors and windows, or due to a lack of insulation can cause extra moisture to appear, which could negatively impact your home’s humidity levels or encourage mold. This can lead to health conditions, especially for people dealing with asthma or allergies.

Adding to Your Home’s Retail Value

Energy-efficient homes are preferred by homebuyers. You can sell your home much faster or for more money by demonstrating to potential buyers that it’s energy efficient.

How to Complete 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 offer you a generalized understanding 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:

  • Review your HVAC system. Damaged ducts can lose as much as 20% of conditioned air, resulting in more expensive energy bills and greater wear and tear on HVAC equipment. If you find 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 raise your energy bills by 10 to 20%. Inside, look for air leaks in areas where you can find 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. Make sure that all of your kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans are functioning properly, and check for evidence of rot or moisture.

Contact ACE Solutions 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 ACE Solutions today. We’ve proudly supported the residents of Hasbrouck Heights with quality home services for many years. Contact us today to set up an appointment.