Is your home as energy efficient as possible? Would you like to lower your monthly energy costs? Are you interested in reducing your carbon footprint? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you should consider hiring a professional to conduct an energy audit on your home. An audit can help you develop a deeper understanding of how your home utilizes energy and how you can make it more energy efficient.
What Is a Home Energy Audit?
Energy audits are carried out for residential buildings to determine if they are energy efficient. An audit can provide building owners with information about their home’s electricity consumption and energy efficiency assessment. Most people will also receive an Energy Star rating for their homes.
An energy auditory or registered energy advisor usually conducts home energy audits. These professionals are also responsible for filling out energy efficiency assessments during their visit.
Parts of a Home Energy Audit
There are generally three parts to an energy audit – evaluation, testing, and recommendations for efficiency. Once the audit report is compiled, the auditor will provide you with a copy outlining your home’s energy consumption, an energy grade, and home improvement suggestions.
Evaluation
The energy auditor will come to your home and perform a walk-through of the inside and outside of your building to identify problem areas and determine your total energy usage. During the walk-through, they will analyze specific fixtures and systems that contribute to your home’s energy efficiency, such as your HVAC system and insulation in your basement or attic. They will also examine the windows of your building and take measurements.
Testing
Many energy auditors are trained to perform an airtightness test, which is sometimes referred to as a blower door test. During the test, the auditor will determine how tight your home or business’s envelope is by checking for air leaks. This is usually done by placing a large fan inside and sealing the front door of the building.
The testing fan sucks the interior air outside the building, which forces outside air to seep through any holes or cracks. You may be able to feel these leaks with your hand, but most auditors use other tools to accurately identify where the holes or cracks are.
In addition to this test, auditors will assess your home’s energy use by performing a thermographic scan. They will use a variety of energy usage equipment items, such as infrared cameras, surface thermometers, and furnace efficiency meters to do this. Lastly, they will examine your previous utility bills.
Recommendations
Once your audit is done and thorough testing has been completed, an auditor will offer you a list of recommendations for improving your home’s energy usage. If you implement these recommendations, you can save money on your energy bill.
Why Should Homeowners Schedule a Home Energy Audit?
It is important to conduct an energy audit if you want to reduce your home’s carbon footprint or save money on your electricity bill. You may want to schedule an energy audit if you need to:
- Better understand your energy usage
- Learn how to use energy more efficiently
- Identify energy-saving opportunities
- Increase the resale value of your home
- Learn how to reduce carbon monoxide production
- Identify safety concerns with wiring, ventilation, or electrical systems
In short, scheduling a home energy audit can help you save money and treat the environment better. It can also ensure your home is safe.
Types of Home Energy Audits
There are two primary types of energy audits – preliminary energy audits and detailed energy audits.
Preliminary energy audits are conducted to collect data and provide a preliminary analysis. During a preliminary audit, an auditor will walk through the building and use diagnostic equipment and data to complete the audit.
Detailed energy audits are performed by auditors who monitor, analyze, and verify energy usage. This method identifies potential problem areas and finds ways to help building owners use less energy. Auditors present their reports and suggestions, and during the audit, more sophisticated tools, such as scanners, gas analyzers, and flow meters may be used.
DIY vs. Professional Home Energy Audits
A DIY home energy audit can help you identify basic problems and implement basic improvements, such as adding weather stripping to doors or changing light bulbs. However, if you really want to save money and identify more complex problems, you should hire a professional to perform an audit for you. Hiring a professional is especially important if you want to sell your home. It is also important if you just purchased a home.
Learn More About Our HVAC Services
George’s Air Conditioning offers premier HVAC services to Galveston and the surrounding area. If you need a home energy audit or you need your HVAC system inspected, repaired, or replaced, we can help. Ask us about our indoor air quality solutions too! Contact George’s Air Conditioning today to learn more about your HVAC services.
