One of the best ways to see where your energy dollars are going each month, and where they may be wasted, is through a home energy audit. While you can certainly pay to have an auditor come to your home and do it for you, it is within your reach to perform a simpler version on your own. Here are some tips to guide you through a do-it-yourself home energy audit.
- Check for leaks. Clipboard in hand, work your way from one room to another checking window frames, electrical outlets, baseboards, switch plates, door frames, and any other potential breaks or gaps. Once you have covered your entire home, go back and seal with caulking, weather-stripping or any other appropriate materials.
- Perform a check and review of your HVAC equipment. Inspect exposed ductwork for any gaps or breaks. Check and change filters on both heating and cooling units if required, and consider upgrading to more efficient equipment if yours is older than 15 years.
- Inspect your insulation. There are a few places to check, starting with the attic. Begin with the hatch itself and ensure that it’s properly weather-stripped and insulated. Look under the insulation to see if there is a vapor barrier, as well as checking any venting or pipes in the attic for a proper seal. Inspecting the wall insulation is trickier, but if you have concerns or suspicions, you can create a small opening in the wall, in an out of the way spot and then patch. Another way to check wall insulation is by turning off the power in your home, opening an electrical outlet panel and assessing the insulation inside. However, the only definitive test is thermographic imaging, which is something a professional will need to do for you.
- Take a good look at your bulbs. The new compact fluorescent bulbs can have a big impact on your energy bill. Consider replacing any incandescent with these, as they burn out.
While a home energy audit can help you save substantially on your energy bills, it’s no replacement for a professional audit. Give us a call at Mowery Heating, Air Conditioning and Plumbing for help with your home energy-saving strategies. For over 40 years we have been providing top quality service to residents in the Indianapolis area.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).
Mowery services the Brownsburg, Indiana and the surrounding areas. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!
| Energy Evaluation image via Shutterstock |
