If you’re looking to save money on your energy bills, a home energy audit may be the solution for you. During a home energy audit, an inspector will come to your house and check for leaks, insulation deficiencies and other problems that could be causing you to lose energy.
They will then give you a report with recommendations on how to fix these issues. Homeowners who have had an energy audit done often see a reduction in their energy bills after making changes based on the recommendations.
What Is a Home Energy Audit?
The best way to save money on your electric bill is by making sure that the energy in your home is being used efficiently. That’s why we offer an energy audit at Aztec Solar. When you work with us, you automatically gain access to our Produce and Reduce package. As part of our whole-home approach, you get a complimentary energy efficiency audit and upgrades to further enhance your home’s comfort and performance, lower your energy expenses, increase the value of your home and reduce your carbon footprint. Our BPI GoldStar Certified team will identify your home’s inefficiencies through diagnostic testing and provide you with a Pearl Certification Report outlining the audit in detail!
We will identify places where customers might need improvement when it comes down to how much electricity they are using each month. During our home energy audit, our certified inspectors will review any issues there may be with efficiency (such as air and duct sealing, attic insulation, lightbulbs, air quality, thermostats, etc.), then propose changes that should result in lower utility costs and higher comfort levels throughout one’s residence.
Professional energy audits can take 30 minutes to four hours, depending on the size of your home and what needs fixing; but they’re worth every minute.
Our inspectors will come in with their tools ready, so that you know exactly where improvements need to be done and just as importantly, how best to go about doing them yourself at an affordable price point.
Steps of a Home Energy Audit
There are different steps to a home energy audit, and each one is important to make your home more energy efficient.
- An expert in energy efficiency will survey your property to determine if any leaks could be causing major issues with temperature control. They’ll check windows, walls and eaves for gaps or cracked sections that might allow cold air into the house as well hot air escaping outward creating unnecessary costs on your end.
- The auditor will make sure you have an intact roof and a well-insulated home. They’ll check out any leaks in the electrical system and seal them before moving on to other things like insulation, which is important for keeping your house warm during winter months.
- Your heating and cooling system is a vital part of your home. The inspector will make sure that everything is running smoothly, from the furnace to water heaters to detect any possible issues before they become major problems for you.
- Professional home inspectors will test for air leaks in your house. The windows and doors are all closed during this procedure.
- If your home is lacking the proper lighting to make it feel warm and inviting, you should consider switching over from incandescent bulbs. Installing LED or CFL lights in areas where they’re needed most — like near windowsills during daylight hours — can reduce energy consumption.
Can You Conduct an Audit Yourself?
The answer is yes, you can do a lot of the smaller things yourself when it comes to making your home more energy efficient, but for anything major, we always recommend consulting with a professional.
That being said, there are some simple and affordable measures that you can take on your own:
- If you find an area in your house that is draughty and smells like old air, check for leaks. Leaks are common in places where walls meet ceilings or doors/windows and electrical outlets. Seal them with weather stripping or caulk if needed.
- The same goes for appliances. Replacing appliances with energy-efficient ones that consumes less electricity will be saving money in the long run.
- One of the easiest ways to start making your home more energy efficient is by upgrading your thermostat. If you have an older model, consider replacing it with a programmable one that will automatically adjust the temperature when no one is home.
- Switching out lighting for more efficient options (LEDs, CFLs or energy-saving incandescent) is a quick way to cut your electric bill and environmental impact.
FAQs
How often should I conduct a home energy audit?
You should do a full home energy audit every two years, but you can do smaller audits more frequently, such as checking your utility bills for unusual spikes that could indicate an issue.
What are the benefits of a home energy audit?
The benefits of a home energy audit are many, but the most important is that it can save you money. Other benefits include reducing your carbon footprint and making your home more comfortable.
Do I need to be home for the audit?
No, you don’t need to be home for the audit. However, it’s a good idea to be there so you can ask questions and get the most out of the audit.
What can I do to save the most money on my electricity bill?
Add solar panels combined with solar battery storage so you can create your own energy and store it. This will allow for the maximum amount of control over your energy generation and consumption.
Conclusion
A home energy audit is the first step to identify where your home is losing energy and money. You may be surprised at what an inspector finds, such as air leaks in your windows or insulation that has worn down over time. After the audit, you will have a prioritized list of recommended improvements to make your home more energy efficient. Making these simple changes can save you hundreds of dollars each year on your utility bill. Our service is some of the best in the business, so call us today to schedule your home energy audit.
Start saving today by using one of our professional audit services. We can help you make your home more comfortable and save you money.
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