What Happens During A Home Energy Audit?
If you truly want to get the most out of your home, a home energy audit should be high on your priority list to get accomplished in the next year. Although the auditor won't actually repair anything inside your home, they will give you a professional analysis of areas by which you can improve on in your home's energy efficiency, saving you hundreds or even thousands of dollars in the process.
Still, many homeowners choose to avoid these types of inspections out of fear of spotting potential problems; if they do exist though, you'll be glad you noticed it before it turned into a bigger issue. Here are a few things you can expect when the auditor shows up at your home.
Exterior Inspection
Before coming into your house, a home energy efficiency auditor will walk around the outside and spot any potential problem areas, such as gaps in your windows, underneath your doors, or eaves that are misaligned. These seemingly imperceptible locations can leak air constantly year-round, causing your bill to increase significantly. If they spot any issues, they'll be noted and will give you ideas on how you can have it fixed by your local HVAC company.
Upstairs Inspection
Depending on how many floors you have in your home, an auditor will then inspect the second floor in the attic to spot any areas that may be under-insulated. Your attic especially is a haven for energy leaks, as rodents can chew their way into your home and untreated water damage can leave areas that are weaker than others. They will also investigate your electrical lines to make sure that the holes surrounding the wires are insulated correctly, and inspect the rest of the insulation in your attic as well. If they find that it's deficient, your home energy audit report will include suggestions on newer technologies and applications to make it more secure.
Unit Inspection
After they've investigated the outside and the upstairs of your home, the auditor will take a look at your water heater, furnace, and air conditioning units to see how efficiently they operate. If any of them are approaching the end of their expected lifespan, they'll suggest possible replacements with which to upgrade your systems. They'll also look at your ductwork to see if the connections are stable and if there are any holes that air could be escaping through. The total timeline for this type of inspection shouldn't last more than a few hours, but a thorough and yearly home energy efficiency audit is the best way to ensure that you're saving as much money as possible on your utility bills.
To learn more about home energy audits, reach out to a local auditor service.
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