A Home Energy Audit can save a homeowner hundreds of dollars with tips on improving energy use and making a home more efficient. Whether the homeowner chooses a professional audit service or completes an online survey this is an important step towards energy efficiency.
Professional Home Energy Analysis
A Residential Energy Audit involves a thorough inspection of multiple parts of a home. This inspection can take upwards of an hour and should cover the following:
- Heating and cooling systems
- Lighting
- Insulation of exterior walls, attic, basement or crawlspaces, ceilings, floors and interior walls
- Major Appliances – such as refrigerator, oven/stove, washer and dryer
- Windows and window coverings
- Existing utility bills
This professional audit will include individual tips and suggestions to improve the home’s overall energy efficiency. If done in conjunction with the homeowner’s electric or gas company rebates may be available to upgrade to Energy Star rated appliances, or for HVAC (Heating, Venting and Air Conditioning) equipment replacements.
Finding a Professional Residential Energy Auditor
A homeowner or landlord will want to start with their local electric or gas companies to see if this service is provided to customers. Other sources for low cost to free energy audits may be with local or state government energy offices.
These low cost or free energy audits do not compare to the extensive audit to that of a professional one hires though. Local contractors and builders may be good leads to a professional service that performs comprehensive energy inspections and may be able to help with necessary home improvements to improve energy efficiency.
Online Energy Audit Programs
The power of the internet can be a great thing for homeowners or renters looking to save some money on heating and electric bills. Here are some websites that offer various features to walk a user through a do-it-yourself home energy audit:
The Home Energy Saver – sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy for the Energy Star program The Home Energy Saver is a very comprehensive online software audit. Helps users to calculate energy costs, probable savings and to research options to improve the home’s energy efficiency, especially with Energy Start rated appliances and systems.
In Helen Hunter’s article, Home Energy Audits Only a Website Away, published by Home Energy Magazine Online November/December 1998, she outlines various websites available.
Do It Yourself – Without the Software
Someone who is handy around the house can conduct their own home energy audit. Basic steps to include are:
Checking the home’s insulation – from the attic to basement or crawlspace. Inspecting a wall’s insulation may be possible during renovations where drywall has already been cut and access is easy. Other options may include removing an electric outlet when the power has been turned off and checking the insulation with a flashlight and tape measure.
Heating and Cooling – upgrading to equipment newer than 15 years is recommended by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) program. Annual inspections are a good idea for furnaces, whole house cooling systems and other heating and cooling equipment.
Airtight Homes – checking on draft locations is important – look not only at obvious sights such as around doors and windows but also electrical outlets and switchplates, access doors or hatches to the attic and wall or window-mounted air conditioners.
Local hardware supply stores can provide general advice on ways homeowners can improve their home’s energy efficiency by installing weatherstripping, various forms of insulation and replacing energy-hogs such as older appliances.
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