Did you perform a double take when you viewed your last energy bill? Although high energy bills can be the result of intense weather conditions, persistently high bills can often suggest an inefficient HVAC system or your home is wasting energy through other means, like drafty windows or insufficient insulation.

One of the simplest ways to identify whether your home is consuming too much energy is by hiring a home service professional to carry out 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 benefits.

What Is a Home Energy Audit?

An energy audit is a comprehensive inspection of how much energy your home consumes and whether – and where – your home could be losing or wasting energy. An inspector will review older energy bills while completing an energy audit to determine 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 suggesting energy-efficient renovations, which can include swapping out your current HVAC system, putting in new insulation, sealing up leaks, or replacing old windows.

Over the course of 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, which also includes the ductwork, the water heater, and the insulation in your attic. Comprehensive assessments could also include reviewing your current lighting system.

Benefits of a Home Energy Audit

It can be tough for the ordinary homeowner to be sure how efficient their home is compared to other similar homes in their neighborhood. However, many energy companies often offer information about where your home stands 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 figure out if you need an energy audit completed.

Some 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 consuming the most energy. For example, if your ducts are damaged, it could 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 properly heat or cool your home.

Making Energy-Efficient Upgrades

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

Enhancing Health and Safety

Permitting air to leak into your home through doors and windows, or due to a lack of insulation can cause excessive moisture to build up, which could negatively impact your home’s humidity levels or lead to mold. This can lead to health conditions, 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 much faster or for more money by telling possible buyers that it’s energy efficient.

How to Perform an Energy Audit of Your Home

Although performing an energy audit by yourself will not be as comprehensive as hiring a professional, it’ll offer a broad sense of how energy efficient your home is. If you don’t discover any issues during the DIY test, then you likely don’t need to hire a professional. Use this step-by-step checklist:

  • Inspect your HVAC system. Leaky ducts can lose up to 20% of conditioned air, resulting in more expensive energy bills and greater strain 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 substantial amount on your energy bills. In some cases, it is 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 there could be a draft, including 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 ventilation. Make sure that all of your kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans are working properly, and check for evidence of rot or moisture.

Contact MPC Heating & Cooling for a Professional Energy Audit

If you want professional help determining how energy efficient your heating and cooling equipment is, call the HVAC professionals at MPC Heating & Cooling today. We’ve proudly supported the residents of Chadron with quality home services for a long time. Contact us today to set up an appointment.