Ever done a double take when you viewed your last energy bill? While high energy bills can be the result of intense weather conditions, consistently high bills can also suggest an inefficient HVAC system or your home is using too much energy because of other means, like drafty windows or poor insulation.

An easy way to identify whether your home is consuming too much energy is by hiring a home service specialist to perform 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 advantages.

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 may be losing or wasting energy. An inspector will review previous energy bills in the course of an energy audit to determine where energy is being wasted and how much.

The overall goal of an energy audit is to help homeowners save money on their energy bills by suggesting energy-efficient improvements, which may include swapping out your current HVAC system, putting in new insulation, sealing up leaks, or replacing drafty windows.

Over the course of the energy assessment, the auditor performs an inspection of the outside and inside of your home. The auditor completes 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, including the ductwork, the water heater, and the insulation in your attic. Comprehensive assessments may also include checking 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 compared to other similar homes in their neighborhood. However, lots of energy companies often supply information about where your home is ranked when compared with similar homes and whether it’s more efficient, about average, or inefficient in contrast with your neighbors’ homes. This is a great starting point to determine 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 beneficial to understand how efficient your home is and where you’re using up the most energy. For example, if your ducts are leaking air, it can result in a sizable increase in your energy bills and additional wear and tear on your HVAC system as it has to run longer to properly heat or cool your home.

Making Energy-Efficient Updates

An energy audit can outline where you need to make energy-efficient improvements to cut back on energy and lower utility bills. This can include replacing worn-down 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 extra moisture to form, which may negatively impact your home’s humidity levels or produce mold. This can lead to health problems, especially for people suffering from asthma or allergies.

Increasing Your Home’s Retail Value

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

How to Complete an Energy Audit of Your Home

Although handling an energy audit by yourself 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 issues during the DIY test, then you potentially don’t need to bring in a professional. Follow this step-by-step checklist:

  • Review your HVAC system. Leaky ducts can lose nearly 20% of conditioned air, contributing to more expensive energy bills and greater wear and tear on HVAC equipment. If you discover leaks, use duct tape to eliminate them. If your HVAC equipment is old and inefficient, upgrading to a new system can save you a substantial amount on your energy bills. In some cases, it can be better to hire a reputable HVAC company to inspect your system.
  • Check 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, including 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 spinning properly, and look for evidence of rot or moisture.

Contact Morgner Inc. Air Conditioning & Heating for a Professional Energy Audit

If you are interested in professional help figuring out how energy efficient your heating and cooling equipment is, contact the HVAC experts at Morgner Inc. Air Conditioning & Heating today. We’ve proudly served the residents of Saint Louis with quality home services for a long time. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.