Have you ever performed a double take when you checked your last energy bill? Even though high energy bills can be the result of extreme weather events, persistently high bills can quickly indicate an inefficient HVAC system or your home is wasting energy through other means, such as drafty windows or insufficient insulation.

An easy way to determine whether your home is consuming too much energy is by hiring a home service expert 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 key elements.

What Is a Home Energy Audit?

An energy audit is a custom inspection of how much energy your home consumes and whether – and where – your home may be losing or wasting energy. An inspector will take a look at previous energy bills in the course of an energy audit to determine where energy is being used and how much.

The ultimate goal of an energy audit is to help homeowners save money on their energy bills by identifying energy-efficient improvements, which might include exchanging your current HVAC system, installing new insulation, plugging 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 completes 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 inspecting your current lighting system.

Benefits of a Home Energy Audit

It can be difficult for the average homeowner to know for sure how efficient their home is compared to other similar homes in their community. However, lots of 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 useful starting point to determine 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 beneficial to understand how efficient your home is and where you’re using the most energy. For example, if your ducts are leaking, it could cause a significant increase in your energy bills and additional wear and tear on your HVAC system as it has to stay on longer to fully heat or cool your home.

Making Energy-Efficient Upgrades

An energy audit will reveal where you need to make energy-efficient improvements to conserve energy and decrease utility bills. This can include replacing worn-down weatherstripping or buying 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 extra moisture to form, which can negatively affect your home’s humidity levels or lead to mold. This can exacerbate health issues, particularly for people dealing with 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 showing prospective 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 give you a general idea of how energy efficient your home is. If you don’t discover any problems during the DIY test, then you probably don’t need to hire a professional. Follow this step-by-step checklist:

  • Inspect your HVAC system. Damaged ducts can lose up to 20% of conditioned air, resulting in higher energy bills and excess wear and tear on HVAC equipment. If you notice leaks, use duct tape to close them. If your HVAC equipment is old and wearing down, upgrading to a new system can save you a substantial amount on your energy bills. In some cases, it is better to contact a reputable HVAC company to inspect your system.
  • Look for air leaks. Air leaks on average can increase monthly 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 along 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. Ensure that all of your kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans are spinning properly, and look for evidence of rot or moisture.

Contact Mayeuxs AC & Heating for a Professional Energy Audit

If you want professional help figuring out how energy efficient your heating and cooling equipment is, call the HVAC pros at Mayeuxs AC & Heating today. We’ve proudly served the residents of Norco and surrounding parishes with quality home services for many years. Contact us today to set up an appointment.