What Happens During A Home Energy Efficiency Audit?
Posted on: 22 March 2021
Perhaps you have noticed your power bills climbing higher than usual. Maybe a recent weather change has you more concerned about losing home heat or cooled air. In either case, reaching out to an HVAC contractor who can perform a home energy efficiency audit can be a wise decision to make. During this in-depth assessment of your home, the professional will be using their insight to point out any areas that could be posing problems where energy use is concerned. Take a look at a few of the things that will happen during your home energy audit.
Any air leaks in the home will be tracked down.
Air leaks are one of the biggest culprits behind energy loss in a residential property. Numerous points in your home could be contributors to an air-loss issue, such as:
- Ill-installed or outdated windows
- Misaligned or unsealed doors
- Deteriorating chimneys
- Foundation issues
- Openings around drainage pipes
During the home energy audit, the contractor will be doing a careful walkthrough and using air temperature sensing equipment to pinpoint the exact areas that could be posing problems.
Insulation will be examined throughout your home.
Insulation is a valuable barrier between the interior of your home and the outside world. If insulation is lacking in the walls, in the attic, or even in your crawlspace, you can face major issues with energy loss. a thorough assessment of all of these points where insulation will be part of your home energy audit.
The HVAC system will be tested for efficiency.
Your home's HVAC system can consume more energy than anything else in the house. During the home energy efficiency audit, the professional will likely do an in-depth evaluation of your heating and cooling systems. The professional will look for proper functionality and determine if energy-saving potential could come from making changes.
Ventilation in your home will be assessed for proper functionality.
Even though often overlooked, ventilation is a big deal when it comes to home energy efficiency. When you hire a professional to do a home energy efficiency audit, the pro will take the time to examine the different points of ventilation that are present. A few examples include:
- Vents attached to a gas furnace for emissions exhaust
- Vents used to circulate air throughout your home with HVAC fans
- Vents attached directly to things like your stove, dryer, and other appliances
All ventilation points should be properly functioning, but the home energy auditor will be looking at if those points of ventilation are properly sealed so they are not causing heating or cooling loss.
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