Why You Need a Home Energy Audit
Does your home need a checkup? Just like your annual doctor’s visit helps you stay healthy, a home energy checkup can save you time and trouble when it comes to your energy costs. The U.S. Department of Energy has found that homeowners can lower their utility bills by up to 30 percent if they follow an auditor’s recommendations.
If you’d like to start saving energy, cutting your bills and living a greener life, call SESCOS to set up a home energy audit.
What Does an Auditor Do?
A home energy auditor will typically:
- check for leaks in your windows, doors, and ducts;
- look at your insulation;
- Inspect the electrical wiring;
- test your HVAC system;
- analyze your energy bills;
- conduct a room-by-room assessment of your home;
- inspect outlets and lighting fixtures for leaks;
- prepare a report with recommendations to make your home more energy-efficient.
Tooling Around
Energy auditors run specialized tests of your home energy system and often use specific tools to assess the situation.
Blower door test. This test uses a giant fan to suck pressure out of the house. It allows the auditor to check how much air is coming in through your doors. Gaps in door seals are one of the biggest causes of energy waste.
Thermographic scan. This tool picks up areas of warmth and helps the auditor determine if your insulation is working properly or if there are spots that need insulation.
CAZ (combustion appliance zone) testing. This helps the auditor determine if combustible fuels or gases are leaking from your appliances.
Watt meter. This device measures how much electricity the various fixtures and appliances in your house are using.
Infrared camera. This allows the auditor to spot leaking areas that the naked eye might not see.
Ready for Your Audit?
To get the most out of your energy audit, have the following items ready.
- A list of spots in the house where you’ve noticed uneven heating or cooling.
- Copies of your yearly energy bills (your utility companies can supply these).
- Notes about any electrical problems you’ve experienced.
Energy Offenders
Is your home wasting energy? If it’s like the average American home, it’s probably wasting about 20 percent of the energy you’re paying for. A SESCOS energy audit can help you recoup some of that loss and stop the waste.
You may not even be aware of how much energy you’re losing to these typical offenders.
Chimneys. An open chimney is a great way to lose heat in a room and make it inefficient to keep warm. If you regularly use a fireplace, it’s important to have the chimney inspected for leaks.
Recessed lights. If they’re not installed properly, they can be the source of leaks.
Inefficient windows. Metal-framed windows are particularly inefficient at helping your house maintain a steady temperature.
Your SESCOS energy auditor will check all doors, windows, vents, lighting fixtures, attic fans and electrical outlets and show you just how much energy you’re losing. You’ll also learn what steps you can take right now to fix the problem.
Get Set with SESCOS
Cooler weather is on the way, so this is a great time to give your home an energy assessment from top to bottom. Don’t let winter catch you with high bills and a damp, drafty house. Get a home energy audit from SESCOS and get ready to enjoy a warmer home, lower bills, and true energy efficiency.