Have you ever performed a double take when you took a look at your last energy bill? Although high energy bills can be the result of severe weather events, repeatedly high bills can often suggest an inefficient HVAC system or your home is using too much energy through other means, including drafty windows or insufficient insulation.

One of the easiest ways to identify whether your home is using too much energy is by hiring a home service professional to perform a home energy audit, also called a home energy assessment. Keep reading to learn all about home energy audits, including what they are and their benefits.

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 might be losing or wasting energy. An inspector will go through past energy bills in the course of an energy audit to determine where energy is being used and how much.

The general goal of an energy audit is to help homeowners save money on their energy bills by identifying energy-efficient renovations, which can include replacing your existing HVAC system, putting in new insulation, plugging up leaks, or replacing old windows.

While completing the energy assessment, the auditor also completes 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, including the ductwork, the water heater, and the insulation in your attic. Comprehensive assessments might also include reviewing your current lighting system.

Benefits of a Home Energy Audit

It can be hard for the typical homeowner to know for sure how efficient their home is compared to other similar homes in their community. However, many energy companies often provide information about where your home stands 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 decide 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 good to learn more about how efficient your home is and where you’re using up the most energy. For example, if your ducts are leaking air, it will result in a large increase in your energy bills and excessive wear and tear on your HVAC system since it has to stay on longer to properly heat or cool your home.

Making Energy-Efficient Improvements

An energy audit will reveal where you need to make energy-efficient upgrades to cut back on energy and lower utility bills. This may include replacing worn weatherstripping or getting a new energy-efficient furnace.

Enhancing Health and Safety

Enabling air to seep into your home through doors and windows, or because of a lack of insulation can cause extra moisture to form, which could negatively influence your home’s humidity levels or lead to mold. This can lead to health issues, particularly 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 more quickly or for more money by showing potential buyers that it’s energy efficient.

How to Complete an Energy Audit of Your Home

Although performing an energy audit by yourself may not be as comprehensive as choosing a professional, it’ll offer a general understanding of how energy efficient your home is. If you don’t find any flaws during the DIY test, then you likely don’t need to call in a professional. Use this step-by-step checklist:

  • Review your HVAC system. Damaged ducts can lose up to 20% of conditioned air, leading to higher energy bills and excess strain on HVAC equipment. If you discover leaks, use duct tape to plug them. If your HVAC equipment is old and inefficient, upgrading to a new system can save you a significant amount on your energy bills. In some cases, it can be better to call a reputable HVAC company to inspect your system.
  • Watch for signs of air leaks. Air leaks on average can raise the energy bills by 10 to 20%. Inside, look for air leaks in areas where there is a draft, like 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. Check that all of your kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans are functioning properly, and look for evidence of rot or moisture.

Contact Heartland Heating & Cooling for a Professional Energy Audit

If you are interested in professional help determining how energy efficient your heating and cooling equipment is, contact the HVAC professionals at Heartland Heating & Cooling today. We’ve proudly supported the residents of Des Moines with quality home services for many years. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.