How Home Energy Audits Work
Have you ever wondered if half your heating bill slips out the windows and under the doors? Do you suspect you’re not doing enough to save electricity? Are you looking at new ways to save on energy bills and lower your monthly expenses? No one likes to pay more than what they absolutely have to, so it makes sense that more and more Americans are asking about home energy audits. There are several approaches to assessing your homes energy consumption; either the do-it-yourself method or by calling a professional.
One type of energy audit for homeowners is conducted by professionals. An auditor will do a room-by-room inspection to assess your potential home energy savings. Most audits cost around $200 and utility companies may pay part of the tab. Within the first six months of renovating your home, you will gain this money back anyway. Professionals do what is called a “calibrated blower test,” which attaches a fan to the outside door to lower indoor air pressure and reveal where leaks might be occurring. Another test called a “thermographic inspection” uses infrared cameras to identify where heat is escaping. Auditors will look at heating and cooling systems, insulation, appliances, electronics and other areas where you may need to energy monitor a bit more closely. Before hiring a contractor, you should assemble your last 12 months of energy bills, make a list of suspected problems, ensure the contractor is licensed and insured, and check the Better Business Bureau for the company’s client satisfaction rating.
If you’d rather not pay for a home energy audit, you may be able to do a lot of the work yourself. First, search the following areas for leaks: the wall/ceiling seam, the baseboards, windows, door frames, caulking, weather stripping, mail slots, doggie doors, fireplace dampers, window-mounted air conditioners, electrical outlets and pipes. If you are unsure if there are any leaks, close the doors, windows and fireplace flues; turn off the water heater and the furnace; then, turn on exhaust fans to pull air from the outside, which will make drafts more noticeable and will show you where home sealing is needed. Some people use smoke from an incense stick to monitor airflow. Most of a home’s energy consumption comes from heating and cooling, so this is a good place to start looking if you want to save money on your energy bills.
If you decide to complete major home improvements following your home energy audit, be sure you consider all avenues of financing. You can visit www.energy.gov/taxbreaks.htm to learn about government programs to encourage energy conservation. The Weatherization Assistance Program has helped more than 64 million Americans protect their homes against the elements. In some cases, your energy company may cover the cost of the audit. Private companies like Clean Power Finance have also assisted consumers in paying for improvements.