Did you perform a double take when you checked your last energy bill? Even though high energy bills can be the consequence of extreme weather events, persistently high bills can often indicate an inefficient HVAC system or your home is misusing energy by other means, including drafty windows or inadequate insulation.

An easy way to determine whether your home is consuming too much energy is by hiring a home service specialist to perform a home energy audit, also called a home energy assessment. Keep reading to learn more about home energy audits, including what they are and their advantages.

What Is a Home Energy Audit?

An energy audit is a thorough inspection of how much energy your home consumes and whether – and where – your home might be losing or wasting energy. An inspector will take a look at past energy bills in the course of an energy audit to figure out where energy is being wasted and how much.

The ultimate goal of an energy audit is to help homeowners save money on their energy bills by recommending energy-efficient updates, which can include exchanging your current HVAC system, installing new insulation, closing up leaks, or replacing drafty windows.

During the energy assessment, the auditor performs 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 inspect your home’s HVAC system, which also includes the ductwork, the water heater, and the insulation in your attic. Some assessments may also include inspecting your current lighting system.

Benefits of a Home Energy Audit

It can be tough for the ordinary homeowner to know for sure how efficient their home is compared to other similar homes in their neighborhood. However, local energy companies often supply information about where your home is ranked in comparison to similar homes and whether it’s more efficient, about average, or inefficient versus your neighbors’ homes. This could be a great starting point to figure out if you need an energy audit scheduled.

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

Recognizing How Efficient Your Home Is

It’s worthwhile to know how efficient your home is and where you’re consuming the most energy. For example, if your ducts are leaking air, it will result in a large increase in your energy bills and additional wear and tear on your HVAC system since it has to stay on longer to fully heat or cool your home.

Making Energy-Efficient Updates

An energy audit should outline where you need to make energy-efficient improvements to cut back on energy and lower utility bills. This may include replacing old weatherstripping or getting a new energy-efficient furnace.

Enhancing Health and Safety

Allowing air to seep into your home through doors and windows, or as a result of a lack of insulation can cause excessive moisture to appear, which could negatively impact your home’s humidity levels or encourage mold. This can cause health issues, particularly for people who have asthma or allergies.

Raising Your Home’s Retail Value

Energy-efficient homes are sought after by homebuyers. You can sell your home sooner or for more money by demonstrating to prospective buyers that it’s energy efficient.

How to Perform an Energy Audit of Your Home

Although performing an energy audit independently might not be as detailed as calling a professional, it’ll offer 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 call in a professional. Try this step-by-step checklist:

  • Examine your HVAC system. Damaged ducts can lose nearly 20% of conditioned air, resulting in higher energy bills and greater wear and tear on HVAC equipment. If you notice 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 significant amount on your energy bills. In some cases, it is better to call a reputable HVAC company to inspect your system.
  • Look for air leaks. Air leaks on average can increase your energy bills by 10 to 20%. Inside, look for air leaks in areas where there is a draft, like along the edge of flooring and along baseboards and electrical outlets. Outside, you can look for air leaks around the home’s foundation, siding and mortar. Plug, caulk or seal any air leaks to save money.
  • Inspect 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 inspect for evidence of rot or moisture.

Contact Mechanical Air Systems Co 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 Mechanical Air Systems Co today. We’ve proudly serviced the residents of Mason City with quality home services for years. Contact us today to request an appointment.