Did you perform a double take when you viewed your last energy bill? While high energy bills can be the end result of severe weather events, repeatedly high bills can often signify an inefficient HVAC system or your home is misusing energy because of other means, including drafty windows or insufficient insulation.

One of the easiest ways to identify whether your home is consuming too much energy is by getting a home service specialist to complete 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 thorough inspection of how much energy your home uses up and whether – and where – your home might be losing or wasting energy. An inspector will go through previous energy bills in the course of an energy audit to determine 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 might include replacing your current HVAC system, installing new insulation, closing up leaks, or replacing drafty windows.

While completing the energy assessment, the auditor carries out an inspection of the outside and inside of your home. The auditor will perform a blower door test on doorways, windows and fireplaces to determine 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. Comprehensive assessments might also include checking your current lighting system.

Benefits of a Home Energy Audit

It can be tough for the typical homeowner to know for sure how efficient their home is in comparison to other similar homes in their area. 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 compared to your neighbors’ homes. This is a great starting point to figure out 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 worthwhile to learn more about how efficient your home is and where you’re consuming the most energy. For example, if your ducts are leaking air, it could cause a significant 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 will outline where you need to make energy-efficient upgrades to conserve energy and reduce utility bills. This may include replacing worn-down weatherstripping or buying a new energy-efficient furnace.

Improving Health and Safety

Permitting air to leak into your home through doors and windows, or because of a lack of insulation can cause excessive moisture to form, which could negatively influence your home’s humidity levels or produce 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 sought after by homebuyers. You can sell your home sooner or for more money by telling prospective buyers that it’s energy efficient.

How to Do an Energy Audit of Your Home

Although completing an energy audit independently will not be as comprehensive as hiring a professional, it’ll offer a generalized understanding of how energy efficient your home is. If you don’t discover any problems during the DIY test, then you potentially don’t need to hire a professional. Use this step-by-step checklist:

  • Inspect your HVAC system. Damaged ducts can lose nearly 20% of conditioned air, leading to more expensive energy bills and excess wear and tear 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 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 is a draft, including 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.
  • 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. Make sure that all of your kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans are working properly, and check for evidence of rot or moisture.

Contact Cytech Heating & Cooling L.C. for a Professional Energy Audit

If you are interested in professional help figuring out how energy efficient your heating and cooling equipment is, call the HVAC pros at Cytech Heating & Cooling L.C. today. We’ve proudly serviced the residents of McAllen with quality home services for many years. Contact us today to set up an appointment.