The first step to take towards a more energy efficient home is to have a professional energy audit performed. An energy audit is an assessment of how energy is used (or wasted) within the home. There are several factors that can contribute to wasted energy, but the top three causes of energy waste are air leaks, lack of insulation, and inefficient appliances. The pro will use a couple methods for determining where in your home you have the most trouble.
Energy Consumption and Your Family
The way that your family consumes energy is another important factor that your auditor will take into consideration. If there are areas where you are being unnecessarily wasteful, your auditor will be able to offer advice that will make saving energy instead of wasting energy easier on the whole family. He may suggest anything from installing a programmable thermostat to plugging appliances into easily turned off power strips. Applying any one of his suggestions in your home will help you save even more.
Air Leaks and Insulation Assessment
The combination of a blower door test and a thermographic scan is the best way to detect air leaks in the home. Air leaks can be found all over the home and in several places that you may not expect. These leaks could be costing you extra to heat and cool your home every month. The air from outside could be getting into the home, and the conditioned air inside could be leaking out as well depending on where the air leak is located.
- Blower Door Test: A blower door test will create a pressure imbalance between the indoors and outdoors. By lowering the pressure inside the home, the auditor is able to see where the high pressure from the outdoors is leaking in.
- Thermographic Scan: The thermographic scan helps the auditor see these leaks. The temperature difference between the air inside and the air outside will appear on the scan, and therefore highlight the leaks.
The thermographic scan also shows the auditor areas that lack insulation. During the winter, cold areas will appear blue or black on the scan, and areas that are heated will appear red or white. When scanning the inside of the home, blue areas may indicate an air leak or a lack of insulation. Once a cold area is found, the auditor will figure out which areas are in the most need of improvement.
Energy Efficiency Assessment
The major appliances in your home use a lot of the energy that you pay for every month. The furnace and air conditioner alone can account for up to half of the energy use. So, it is important that these units are efficient. Your auditor should assess their efficiency, and make recommendations for replacements where necessary. The refrigerator, hot water tank, washer, dryer, and dishwasher are all common appliances checked by energy audits.
The Verdict
Once all data is collected, the auditor will then prioritize the repairs your home needs to improve its energy efficiency. With this list you will be able to apply your budget more effectively to the areas that need the most help. Performing a high priority repair or two could save you big bucks on your energy bills, so find an energy auditor today!
