We have so many ways to measure the efficiency of our work, our cars, and other areas of our lives. But how do you measure the efficiency of your home? The answer is simple: a home energy audit. Although it may sound daunting, conducting a home energy audit is pretty simple, and you can do much of it on your own. To help you get started, we’ll outline what a home energy audit is and how you can conduct one on your own.
What is a home energy audit?
Let’s start with the basics. A home energy audit is an assessment of your home’s energy use. This assessment will help you determine how much energy your home consumes, where inefficiencies exist, and which fixes you should prioritize to save energy and improve the comfort of your home. Here are the main items to include in your home energy audit checklist.
1. Check insulation
Proper insulation is critical to controlling your home’s temperature. Gaps in your insulation can be problematic in hot or cold weather, as outside air can creep into your home. If outside air gets in during the summer or winter months, your air conditioner and heating system will have to work harder, leading to higher electric bills.
To prevent energy from being wasted, check that the insulation in your walls is completely filled. If they’re showing signs of wear and tear or you’re living in an older home, you may need to replace your insulation. Make sure any attics or crawl spaces are insulated as well.
Pro Tip: “Before performing any insulation and air sealing improvements or upgrading HVAC systems, have a professional infrared/blower door energy audit performed,” says Flemming Lund of Infrared Diagnostic. “The windows are often blamed for comfort issues. However, attic air sealing and insulation issues are often the problems.”
2. Inspect heating and cooling systems
Heating and air conditioning are the most significant expenses on an energy bill, so no home energy audit is complete without looking…