Have you ever performed a double take when you checked your last energy bill? Even though high energy bills can be the end result of intense weather conditions, persistently high bills can also indicate an inefficient HVAC system or your home is misusing energy through other means, such as drafty windows or poor insulation.

One of the simplest ways to identify whether your home is consuming too much energy is by hiring a home service expert 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 comprehensive inspection of how much energy your home uses up and whether – and where – your home may be losing or wasting energy. An inspector will review previous energy bills while completing an energy audit to find out where energy is being consumed and how much.

The general goal of an energy audit is to help homeowners save money on their energy bills by identifying energy-efficient renovations, which can 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 performs a blower door test on doorways, windows and fireplaces to find out if there are air leaks in your home. They’ll also check your home’s HVAC system, including the ductwork, the water heater, and the insulation in your attic. Comprehensive assessments might also include reviewing 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 in comparison to other similar homes in their neighborhood. However, lots of energy companies often provide 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 is a useful starting point to figure out if you need an energy audit completed.

Several of the benefits of a home energy audit include:

Learning How Efficient Your Home Is

It’s good to learn more about how efficient your home is and where you’re using up the most energy. For example, if your ducts are damaged, it will lead to a large increase in your energy bills and increased wear and tear on your HVAC system because it has to stay on longer to completely heat or cool your home.

Making Energy-Efficient Improvements

An energy audit can expose where you need to make energy-efficient changes to cut back on energy and decrease utility bills. This might include replacing worn-down weatherstripping or getting a new energy-efficient furnace.

Improving Health and Safety

Allowing air to slip into your home through doors and windows, or because of a lack of insulation can cause unwanted moisture to appear, which can negatively influence your home’s humidity levels or lead to mold. This can cause health problems, especially for people who have asthma or allergies.

Adding to Your Home’s Retail Value

Energy-efficient homes are desired by homebuyers. You can sell your home sooner or for more money by showing potential buyers that it’s energy efficient.

How to Perform an Energy Audit of Your Home

Although handling an energy audit independently may not be as comprehensive as calling a professional, it’ll offer you a generalized sense of how energy efficient your home is. If you don’t find any issues during the DIY test, then you probably don’t need to bring in a professional. Use this step-by-step checklist:

  • Inspect your HVAC system. Broken ducts can lose as much as 20% of conditioned air, contributing to steeper energy bills and excess strain on HVAC equipment. If you discover 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 might be better to contact a reputable HVAC company to inspect your system.
  • Watch for signs of air leaks. Air leaks on average can increase 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 close to baseboards and electrical outlets. Outside, you can look 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 the ventilation. Check that all of your kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans are spinning properly, and look for evidence of rot or moisture.

Contact Superior Comfort Systems for a Professional Energy Audit

If you want professional help determining how energy efficient your heating and cooling equipment is, call the HVAC pros at Superior Comfort Systems today. We’ve proudly serviced the residents of Hendersonville with quality home services for a long time. Contact us today to set up an appointment.