Did you perform a double take when you took a look at your last energy bill? While high energy bills can be the end result of severe weather conditions, repeatedly high bills can also signify an inefficient HVAC system or your home is wasting energy by other means, like drafty windows or poor insulation.

An easy way to determine whether your home is wasting energy is by hiring a home service specialist to carry out 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 benefits.

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 past energy bills in the course of an energy audit to find out where energy is being wasted and how much.

The general goal of an energy audit is to help homeowners save money on their energy bills by identifying energy-efficient updates, which might include exchanging your existing HVAC system, adding new insulation, closing up leaks, or replacing old windows.

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

Benefits of a Home Energy Audit

It can be difficult for the ordinary homeowner to know for certain how efficient their home is versus other similar homes in their community. However, many energy companies often offer information about where your home ranks in comparison to similar homes and whether it’s more efficient, about average, or inefficient in contrast with your neighbors’ homes. This is a useful starting point to decide if you need an energy audit performed.

Several of the benefits of a home energy audit include:

Learning How Efficient Your Home Is

It’s worthwhile to know how efficient your home is and where you’re using the most energy. For example, if your ducts are damaged, it can lead to a significant increase in your energy bills and excessive wear and tear on your HVAC system since it has to work longer to properly 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 lower utility bills. This can include replacing worn weatherstripping or installing a new energy-efficient furnace.

Improving Health and Safety

Permitting air to seep into your home via doors and windows, or because of a lack of insulation can cause extra moisture to form, which can negatively impact your home’s humidity levels or encourage mold. This can cause health issues, particularly for people dealing with asthma or allergies.

Increasing Your Home’s Retail Value

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

How to Perform an Energy Audit of Your Home

Although handling an energy audit independently might not be as detailed as hiring a professional, it’ll offer a generalized understanding of how energy efficient your home is. If you don’t discover any issues during the DIY test, then you likely don’t need to bring in a professional. Follow this step-by-step checklist:

  • Examine your HVAC system. Leaky ducts can lose nearly 20% of conditioned air, leading to steeper 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 might be better to call a reputable HVAC company to inspect your system.
  • Watch for signs of air leaks. Air leaks on average can raise the 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 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.
  • 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. Ensure that all of your kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans are functioning properly, and check for evidence of rot or moisture.

Contact Desert Husky HVAC/R Services for a Professional Energy Audit

If you would like professional help finding out how energy efficient your heating and cooling equipment is, call the HVAC pros at Desert Husky HVAC/R Services today. We’ve proudly serviced the residents of Tucson and Phoenix with quality home services for years. Contact us today to request an appointment.