How to Perform Your Own Home Energy Audits

by

SelJones

Your modest home has one thing in common with a castle: it leaks energy. Unlike buildings constructed in the middle ages, your home is of more recent construction, one that should employ newer energy saving methods. Still, your home may benefit from an energy audit, one that you can do yourself effectively, resulting in a clear mandate on what updates are needed.

1. Hunt down drafts. A drafty home is a sure sign that it is leaking energy. Those signs, however, are not always evident. Look for gaps between window frames and walls as well as doors and door frames. You can find leaks by placing your hand around areas of the home where two different building materials connect. Find smaller leaks by lighting a candle and holding it in the area where leaks are suspected. A flickering flame is a clear indication that your home leaks air.

2. Check out your HVAC system. If you have a heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system, you got the makings of a large energy user for your home. For other homes a furnace or an air-conditioning unit may provide similar service. Make sure that filters are clean and changed regularly. Usually, this means swapping out filters every two to three months. Check connections and look for leaks — if your system is at least 10 to 12 years old, it may be time for a replacement. Installing a new system will provide an HVAC system that is more efficient, one that has been designed to use less energy.

3. Your major appliances. Beyond your energy eating HVAC system, your major appliances may be draining much energy too. Attempt to determine how much energy each appliance uses. Your energy service provider may be able to help you here, by serving up detailed reports or averages. Look for ways to run your important appliances on the most efficient cycle. Unplug an appliance when it is not needed and when it comes time to replace it, familiarize yourself with EnergyStar ratings to buy the most efficient unit possible.

4. Inspect existing insulation. Your home makes use of insulation throughout, including in the attic, crawl spaces, walls and in your basement. Smaller strips of insulation may be found between windows and doors, and around a wall air-conditioning unit. If you can gain entrance to the attic or a crawl space, bring a flashlight with you. Find out where insulation is used and whether it has been disturbed or if it is missing.

5. Let there be light. Lighting is an area easy to overlook when it comes to energy loss. Still, if you have a habit of leaving lights on when a room is unoccupied, you can quickly remedy that energy loss by hitting the off switch. Beyond the light usage are the light bulbs chosen. Compact fluorescent lamps and light-emitting diodes are better choices than traditional incandescent bulbs. You will pay more up front, but you will get bulbs that last much longer, use less energy and provider overall environmental benefits.

Professional Audits

Following your own audit you can handle most updates and repairs, using a handyman to do tasks you re unable to perform. If following these updates your energy consumption still seems too high, then consider hiring a professional energy auditor to pick up where you left off.

Sam Jones

regularly writes and reports on the energy market. He recommends checking energy prices using the site

uSwitch.com

to make sure you are getting the best tariffs and money saving offers available.

Article Source:

ArticleRich.com