Homeowners looking to reduce energy consumption have many strategies at their disposal for doing so, from investing in appliances that use less power, to having a professional perform an energy audit on their home.
An energy audit involves an auditor looking over utility bills for any apparent energy consumption issues and then performing tests like blower door testing and thermographic imaging to isolate them.
What is an Energy Audit? In order to find possible areas for improvement that might save energy and money, an energy audit evaluates how energy is being utilized in a building or system.
Appliances
Homeowners spend thousands on electricity to heat and power their appliances. Energy efficiency upgrades reduce the amount of power used, thus cutting utility bills significantly. Upgrades such as LED light bulbs, resealing windows to reduce drafts, adding eco-friendly insulation in the attic space and smart thermostat technology are some of the ways homeowners can reduce energy use at home and save money with utility costs.
An energy audit from a professional can pinpoint exactly where in a house excessive electricity usage occurs, with room-by-room inspection to identify where energy is wasted.
Energy efficiency upgrades increase a home's value and curb appeal while simultaneously lengthening equipment lifespan and decreasing costly repairs. Start with simple projects for maximum return: this could include replacing old heating/cooling units, upgrading to a more energy-efficient furnace model or making sure all air vents are adequately insulated.
Insulation
An energy audit can provide homeowners with valuable insights into the insulation levels in their home and whether it is adequate. An auditor may also check electrical outlets to see if they are properly sealed as well as look for air leakage around doors and windows.
An energy assessment can play a pivotal role in helping households reduce their carbon footprint. By identifying areas for improvement - like sealing air leaks and upgrading insulation - energy assessments help homeowners identify ways to reduce wasted natural gas or electricity use - saving on utility costs overall and saving money as a result.
Consumers must find a certified home energy auditor licensed in their state. Jones suggests asking potential auditors for references and investigating their credentials online before hiring one. BPI and RESNET are the two largest certifying organizations, both offering searchable directories of certified auditors on their websites.
Windows
At a time of rising energy costs, homeowners should strive to make sure their home is as energy efficient as possible. An energy audit is the ideal way of doing this.
Home energy audits should cover every area of a house, such as light bulbs, air ducts, windows and insulation. They will identify areas where air leakage exists and recommend changes that save money - for instance switching over to LED or CFL lightbulbs which use less energy will save money!
Homeowners looking for replacement windows should seek the ENERGY STAR label and an energy performance rating from the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC), which will give reliable information regarding U-factor, solar heat gain coefficient, air leakage rates and air tightness ratings of each window. An energy auditor can also help select windows appropriate to their home environment. Savings from Energy Efficient Windows Explained by your auditor can help ensure the home is as energy efficient as possible.
Savings from Energy Efficient Windows Explained by your auditor can help ensure the home is as energy efficient as possible.
Thermostats
Home energy audits involve conducting an in-depth examination of various elements in a home, such as its appliances and consumption habits. Energy auditors might recommend replacing old refrigerators with energy-saving models or switching over to LED bulbs as ways of cutting costs in electricity usage.
Homeowners can make numerous home improvement upgrades that will improve the energy efficiency of their household, such as adding eco-friendly insulation to the attic, sealing and replacing windows and doors, or installing smart thermostat technology to control heating and cooling costs. By taking these measures, homeowners can drastically decrease their home energy use - and lower power bills.
Home energy audit costs vary based on two key variables: square footage of your home and its geographic location. Both these elements play a factor, as different areas have differing average home sizes and cost-of-living rates that impact audit costs differently.
