Once you know what to look for, a preliminary home energy audit can be performed relatively easily. It is important, however, to know not only where to look but also the signs of energy inefficiency and how to test for them. Here are some of the main areas of the home and types of energy waste that you should examine.
Air leaks
Start by checking your windows, doors, outlets, and fixtures. These are external items on the perimeter of the house and the barriers between the temperature in your home and the outside environment. Get close and feel for any air leaks, and look for any damaged or missing weatherstripping.
Air leaks can result in elevated heating and cooling bills. The leaks can make it more difficult for your HVAC system to regulate temperature, requiring it to work much harder and expend much more energy to keep your home at a desired setting.
Insulation
Insulation is crucial to energy efficiency. The proper insulation can keep heat out in the summer while retaining it in the winter. When insulation is old or begins to wear down, it does not do its job as effectively, leading to elevated energy usage.
Take a look at the insulation in your attic. If it looks old, degraded, or worn down, it may be time to swap it out for something more current and efficient.
Ventilation
Like anything else, your ventilation system can become dirty and damaged over time. Preventative cleaning should be done each year to ensure that the system does not become clogged with dirt and debris.
Cracks or holes, meanwhile, allow air to escape instead of being distributed throughout the home. Look your vents and registers over thoroughly. Clean where necessary to ensure more thorough airflow, and for any that are damaged and need replacing.
Heating and cooling systems and thermostats
This is one of the most crucial aspects behind energy consumption. Inefficient and outdated heating and cooling systems can elevate heating and cooling costs substantially. While each of these factors comes into play, the HVAC system may be the most important one.
Old and outdated systems need to run more often to keep your home warm or cool. They also are typically less efficient at using the energy or fuel they consume. The more work required, the more energy used. That is why it is important the check the efficiency of your HVAC system and upgrade if necessary. Specifically, look for the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating (SEER) to help determine the efficiency of the system. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends looking for central air conditioners with a SEER of at least 15. New systems, specifically ones that are ENERGY STAR certified, are built to optimize energy usage and use less energy to achieve better results than older systems.
Additionally, upgrading to a smart thermostat can help you make your home more energy efficient. Read the EcoWatch review of the best smart thermostats for more details.
Lighting
The lighting in your home can play a multi-faceted role in energy consumption. In addition to the energy it uses to provide light, there is also the heat given off during use. Older bulbs not only require more energy to burn, but they give off much more heat. Both of these contribute towards elevated energy consumption.
New bulbs require less energy to provide brighter light and reduce the amount of heat given off at the same time. All of this equates to energy savings over those old, cheap, outdated lightbulbs. Plus, energy efficient LED bulbs last a lot longer, meaning you won’t have to replace them as often.
Appliances
Even your appliances can result in energy inefficiency. Like the other items on this list, older models tend to use more energy for the same tasks that a newer appliance could perform with a lot less energy.
Outdated refrigerators, dishwashers, and washing machines can use far more cold and hot water than is necessary, while old dryers can raise your energy costs significantly. Knowing your current usage levels versus what efficient appliances can offer today is key.