FAQs About Home Energy Efficiency Audits

What is a home energy efficiency audit and how can it help you to save money on HVAC-related costs? Your summer-time cooling and winter-season heating bills have spiked in the past year. But you're not sure why. If you think your home and its HVAC system are at fault, take a look at what you need to know about an energy efficiency assessment.

Why Would A Homeowner Need An Energy Audit?   

There isn't one reason to choose this valuable HVAC service. An energy audit is exactly what the name implies. An auditor assesses or evaluates how your home (and household members) use energy. This can create a full picture of energy losses, efficiency issues, and potential problem areas that you may need to correct.

The most common reasons to choose this service include:

• Personal preference. Are you curious about your home's energy efficiency? Some homeowners just want to know more about their home, the HVAC system, and energy uses/misuses.

• High utility bills. Do your electricity or natural gas bills seem unreasonably high? Excessively high energy bills can result from energy losses. An audit helps to find these losses and correct them. 

• Poor cooling or heating. Is your home hot in the summer and cold in the winter? Uncomfortable interior space isn't something you have to settle for. An audit can find sources of air leaks and other issues that affect cooling/heating.

Along with these reasons, you may also want to explore this service if you are selling your home (before you make improvements) after you buy a new home, or before you invest in a new HVAC system.

What Are the Benefits Of An Energy Efficiency Audit?

Cost savings are a primary benefit of a home energy audit. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, this type of assessment can save homeowners between five and 30 percent per month on energy-related bills. These include home cooling and heating costs.

Along with savings, an energy audit can improve indoor air comfort, maximize your HVAC system's use, increase the lifespan of your air conditioner or heater, and potentially make your home a healthier or safer space. 

Who Should Conduct A Home Energy Efficiency Audit?

While it is possible for homeowners to conduct their own audits, this is a job best left to a professional. An energy audit often requires specialized equipment, such as an infrared imaging camera, digital probe thermometer, combustion analyzer, watt meter, moisture meter, or daft gauge. If you don't have these items or don't know how to use them correctly, the audit may fail.