Did you perform a double take when you checked your last energy bill? Although high energy bills can be the end result of severe weather conditions, persistently high bills can quickly signify an inefficient HVAC system or your home is using too much energy through other means, including drafty windows or insufficient insulation.

One of the simplest ways to figure out whether your home is consuming too much energy is by hiring a home service professional to perform a home energy audit, also known as a home energy assessment. Keep reading to learn more 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 review previous energy bills while completing an energy audit to determine where energy is being consumed and how much.

The ultimate goal of an energy audit is to help homeowners save money on their energy bills by suggesting energy-efficient updates, which can include exchanging your current HVAC system, putting in new insulation, plugging up leaks, or replacing drafty 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 determine if there are air leaks in your home. They’ll also evaluate your home’s HVAC system, including the ductwork, the water heater, and the insulation in your attic. Some assessments could also include checking 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 versus other similar homes in their area. However, local energy companies often provide information about where your home ranks in comparison to similar homes and whether it’s more efficient, about average, or inefficient versus your neighbors’ homes. This can be a good starting point to figure out if you need an energy audit performed.

Some 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 using up the most energy. For example, if your ducts are leaking air, it will lead to a significant increase in your energy bills and additional wear and tear on your HVAC system because it has to work longer to completely heat or cool your home.

Making Energy-Efficient Updates

An energy audit will reveal where you need to make energy-efficient improvements to save on energy and reduce utility bills. This may include replacing worn weatherstripping or getting a new energy-efficient furnace.

Enhancing Health and Safety

Allowing air to leak into your home through doors and windows, or due to a lack of insulation can cause extra moisture to build up, which could negatively impact your home’s humidity levels or encourage mold. This can cause health issues, particularly for people suffering from asthma or allergies.

Adding to Your Home’s Retail Value

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

How to Perform an Energy Audit of Your Home

Although handling an energy audit by yourself might not be as thorough as calling a professional, it’ll give you a generalized understanding of how energy efficient your home is. If you don’t find any problems during the DIY test, then you potentially don’t need to call in a professional. Use this step-by-step checklist:

  • Examine your HVAC system. Damaged ducts can lose up to 20% of conditioned air, leading to higher energy bills and excess 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 significant amount on your energy bills. In some cases, it is better to hire a reputable HVAC company to inspect your system.
  • Check for air leaks. Air leaks on average can raise monthly energy bills by 10 to 20%. Inside, look for air leaks in areas where there could be a draft, including along the edge of flooring and along baseboards and electrical outlets. Outside, you can look 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 ventilation. Ensure that all of your kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans are functioning properly, and look for evidence of rot or moisture.

Contact Home Comfort Heating & Air 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 professionals at Home Comfort Heating & Air today. We’ve proudly serviced the residents of Elk River with quality home services for a long time. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.