It’s a brand-new year and the perfect time to look around your home to see how it performs energy-wise. We often reflect on ourselves during January by starting new diets and joining a gym, but what about looking at the health of your house? Don’t wait until a large bill comes in the mail; take stock of your energy usage now.
Whether you are a DIYer or prefer to leave it to the professionals, a home energy audit is an excellent way to start the year. A home energy audit determines how energy efficient your home is and can help inform you on ways to improve.
But how and where do you start?...........
For the DIYers:
It could be as simple as taking a walk around your house and noting where the temperature changes, or where you might feel a draft. Is one room of your home always freezing in the winter? Have you noticed condensation building up between your windows? These could be signs of dollars leaking out of your house caused by improperly sealed windows or doors.
Things to Look For:
For those that prefer a Professional:
A professional energy audit will cover the same things in our DIY list, but your auditor will have specialized tools and software as well as a keen eye for noticing trouble spots. According to energy.gov, it is estimated that you could save between 5-30% on your energy bill by making the efficiency upgrades identified in your energy audit!
Your auditor will start by reviewing your energy usage for the past year to get a baseline of what you regularly use. They will conduct a thorough inspection of the inside and outside structure of your house. Then, they will check each room, including any attic and basement space that is accessible to them.
Your Auditor Will (Most Likely):
Make sure that you look for a highly rated auditor and depending on your area they may be required to have certain certifications. Websites such as Angi, HomeAdvisor.com, and Nextdoor are good starting points to search for a Professional Home Energy Auditor.
Whether now or later in the year, an energy audit is worth your time!
Jun 10, 2022 12:58:12 PM
Oct 22, 2018 1:11:31 PM
Jul 27, 2022 1:26:32 PM