Energy Audit: What is it?
What is a Home Energy Audit?
It’s important that when looking for an energy auditing company, you select the right contractor or “auditor” that will be thorough and look at every aspect of your home. A good thorough home energy audit, or home energy check-up, typically takes about 2 to 3 hours to complete. An energy audit helps to find out how much energy your home is using, and where areas for improvement are.
A Complete Home Energy Analysis Includes the Following:
- Utility Bill Analysis– to determine your usage patterns and what type of user of energy you are in your home
- Combustion Appliance Testing– to determine that carbon monoxide levels in your gas appliance flues are within the acceptable range, and to ensure your gas appliances are venting properly
- Thermograph Scan (when applicable)– to determine if you have any insulation deficiencies or air leaks that are inaccessible, and to visualize moisture issues in your home
- Total Home Leakage Test– to measure how leaky your home is and to locate the leaks
- Duct Leakage Test– to measure how leaky your duct system is, and locate possible disconnects in your duct system
- Duct Design Evaluation– to determine that your duct system is properly designed, with proper placement and configuration of ductwork to ensure your home is achieving the maximum air flow it should be
- Static Pressure Test– to determine that the amount of air moving through your duct system is adequate and the pressures in that system are not too high, or too low
- Room Pressure Testing– to determine if your rooms have pressure imbalances when you shut the doors to individual bedrooms. These types of problems can create high bills, but also extremely dusty homes
- Equipment Efficiency Evaluation– to calculate the existing efficiency of your AC system
- Window Analysis– to determine if you have any solar heat gain issues that could be addressed through several shading options
- Water Heating– to evaluate your water heating system and temperature settings
- Insulation and Air Barrier Evaluation– to determine what type of insulation is in your attic, how much insulation is in your attic, but mainly to determine if that insulation is installed properly or not
- Lighting Efficiency Evaluation– to look for opportunities for you to replace your existing incandescent lighting with CFLs or LEDs
- Pool Efficiency Evaluation– to identify opportunities for you to reduce your pool run time costs