Have you ever performed a double take when you took a look at your last energy bill? Even though high energy bills can be the end result of severe weather conditions, repeatedly high bills can also signify an inefficient HVAC system or your home is wasting energy because of other means, including drafty windows or insufficient insulation.

One of the easiest ways to figure out whether your home is consuming too much energy is by calling a home service professional to perform a home energy audit, also known as a home energy assessment. Keep reading to learn all about home energy audits, including what they are and their key elements.

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

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

During the energy assessment, the auditor performs an inspection of the outside and inside of your home. The auditor will perform a blower door test on doorways, windows and fireplaces to figure out if there are air leaks in your home. They’ll also evaluate your home’s HVAC system, including 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 difficult for the ordinary homeowner to know for sure how efficient their home is in comparison to other similar homes in their area. However, local 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 compared to your neighbors’ homes. This could be a great starting point to determine if you need an energy audit performed.

A few of the benefits of a home energy audit include:

Learning How Efficient Your Home Is

It’s worthwhile to understand how efficient your home is and where you’re consuming the most energy. For example, if your ducts are leaking, it will lead to a significant increase in your energy bills and excessive wear and tear on your HVAC system because it has to work longer to fully heat or cool your home.

Making Energy-Efficient Upgrades

An energy audit can outline where you need to make energy-efficient changes to cut back on energy and lower utility bills. This may include replacing worn weatherstripping or buying a new energy-efficient furnace.

Improving Health and Safety

Permitting air to seep into your home through doors and windows, or because of a lack of insulation can cause excessive moisture to build up, which could negatively influence your home’s humidity levels or produce mold. This can lead to health problems, particularly for people who have asthma or allergies.

Increasing Your Home’s Retail Value

Energy-efficient homes are desired by homebuyers. You can sell your home much faster or for more money by showing prospective buyers that it’s energy efficient.

How to Do an Energy Audit of Your Home

Although handling an energy audit by yourself may not be as detailed as calling a professional, it’ll offer a broad idea of how energy efficient your home is. If you don’t find any issues during the DIY test, then you likely don’t need to bring in a professional. Follow this step-by-step checklist:

  • Inspect your HVAC system. Broken ducts can lose as much as 20% of conditioned air, leading to steeper energy bills and excess strain on HVAC equipment. If you notice leaks, use duct tape to close them. If your HVAC equipment is old and wearing down, upgrading to a new system can save you a significant amount on your energy bills. In some cases, it might be better to hire a reputable HVAC company to inspect your system.
  • Check for 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 near baseboards and electrical outlets. Outside, you can look 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 functioning properly, and inspect for evidence of rot or moisture.

Contact Heartland 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 experts 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 request an appointment.