As a homeowner, you're probably familiar with the idea of an energy audit. But do you know what to expect from one? A home energy audit is like a checkup for your home's energy efficiency – and it can be an eye-opening experience! As Benjamin Franklin famously said, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure," and this couldn't be more true when it comes to maximizing your home's energy efficiency. An audit will provide invaluable information on how to make improvements that can save you money in the long run. So let's take a look at what homeowners should expect from a home energy audit.
Every Home Owner Should Conduct A Home Energy Audit
As a homeowner, you should consider conducting an energy audit of your property to maximize efficiency and minimize costs. An energy audit is an important step toward understanding the benefits and cost-effectiveness of making energy-efficient upgrades to your home. It can help identify areas that are wasting energy - such as drafty windows or inefficient insulation - and provide useful steps for improving the overall efficiency of your home. With professional guidance, homeowners can gain insight into reducing their carbon footprint and saving money on their utility bills over time. The results of a home energy audit can provide valuable information about potential upgrades that will result in long-term savings. By taking the necessary steps to make energy-efficient improvements, homeowners are investing in their own comfort, safety, and financial security.
While there are professional services - often subsidized by local utility companies or where government grants and other incentives offset the cost, you don't have to seek professional help to get started. This is something that you should look at as a way to be more invested in making smart decisions on a daily basis and the seek professional assistance to take things to the next level!
DIY Home Energy Audits
DIY home energy audits can provide cost-effective solutions to energy efficiency issues. For example, replacing inefficient light bulbs with ENERGYSTAR or LED bulbs could reduce lighting costs by up to 85%. DIY audits involve using simple tools such as installing a smart thermostat or temperature sensors to see what the actual temperature is in various rooms - compared to what your heater is set to. Likewise, simply doing an inventory or all the bulbs in your home and replacing inefficient older lights with newer ones is something that anyone can do.
Additionally, using the right tools such as a simple thermometer or infrared camera can help you locate air leaks around windows and doors.
Once you have all that data, it is time to put together a game plan of what you can do and what you need help with. For instance, you can probably replace your own bulbs, move furniture away from vents, and tighten faucets that might be leaking. However, some things such as replacing old wires and fuse boxes require a professional. Likewise, you should never attempt to change your windows on your own, so you should contact a professional like Renewal by Andersen Windows to help you out here.
With the money saved through these cost savings measures, homeowners can invest in other upgrades, such as smart thermostats or ENERGY STAR appliances, which are more efficient than their standard counterparts. Completing a DIY home energy audit is an excellent way to reduce your carbon footprint while saving money in the process.
Professional Home Energy Audits
Professional assessments provide an in-depth analysis of a home's energy use, utilizing industry-accepted credentials and tools to identify areas needing improvement.
An auditor will inspect each residence room, review past utility bills, and perform blower door tests and thermographic scans. The audit includes specialized tools such as infrared cameras, furnace efficiency meters, and surface thermometers which help pinpoint problem areas that require upgrades or repairs. The scope of the audit depends on current equipment, climate conditions, and desired energy savings goals.
The cost factors vary depending on the size of your property and the company you hire to do the assessment.
Homeowners can make their homes more efficient by taking suggested measures from professionals after completing a comprehensive assessment. Upgrades could include smart thermostats, ENERGY STAR appliances, adding more insulation, replacing windows or upgrading to heat pumps - all with potential energy savings up to 30%. Many utilities or local governments offer low-cost financing options for completing these updates.
Incentives and Assistance For Upgrades and Replacements
You can save money on energy costs with various incentives and assistance available for upgrades and replacements.
Federal income tax credits, rebates, financing programs, and utility company incentives are all available to help make energy efficiency updates more affordable. To find out what is available in your area, you can search the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency or contact your local utility company.
You may be eligible for low-cost upgrades such as ENERGYSTAR appliances or LED bulbs which use less electricity than their standard counterparts.
Additionally, renewable energy options allow you to tap into solar or wind power sources. Financing options are also available through Energy Saver, that offer low-interest loans for home improvements including upgrading furnaces, water heaters, and appliances. Investing in these updates will likely result in long-term savings on energy bills over time while helping reduce your carbon footprint.
Now Is A Great Time To Focus On Efficiency
You should seriously consider doing a home energy audit as soon as possible!
Not only will it help you save money on your energy bills, but it'll also make your home much more efficient and comfortable. You can choose to do the audit yourself or have a professional come in- either way, you won't regret it! The results of an audit are absolutely mind-blowing—it's almost like having a brand new house! Plus, there may even be incentives and assistance available to help you upgrade or replace items that need improvement. Don't wait any longer—start saving money today!
