Home Energy Audit Checklist PDF
soumya GhorpadeHome energy audits are an effective way to increase home efficiency and lower energy bills. An energy auditor will look over past energy bills, research your lifestyle habits and perform an examination of each room of your thermal envelope for air leaks or energy drains.
An energy audit checklist can be easily downloaded and tailored to suit your specific needs, saving anywhere between 5-20% off energy costs! Make the effort today to save up to 30%!
1. Look for leaks
An energy audit is a comprehensive assessment of how a building uses and loses energy, with the purpose of saving both money and reducing carbon emissions. Many utility companies offer professional home energy assessments at reduced rates to their customers; alternatively you may conduct your own audit.
Start by checking for air leaks around doors and windows. Leaks can waste energy by letting heated or cooled air escape unnecessarily, so a professional home energy audit should employ techniques such as blower door tests and thermographic scans to find where air leaks exist. A professional audit will also inspect ductwork that needs cleaning/replacing as well as worn weatherstripping; furthermore it will suggest ways to maximize daylighting in your home – saving money on lighting costs during daytime hours!
2. Check the insulation
Home energy audits can uncover hidden sources of energy waste that may not be readily noticeable, potentially saving money, reducing environmental impacts, and improving comfort.
Professional energy inspections typically cost $200-$500 and offer detailed reports with HERS Index scores for your plumbing, insulation and HVAC systems. They also feature thorough room-by-room examination.
Fasullo emphasizes the value of performing a DIY energy audit as an economical, yet still thorough way of identifying air leaks and drafts, checking insulation levels and inspecting heating and cooling equipment. He recommends adding caulking, weather stripping or plastic sealant around doors and windows to seal gaps as well as increasing daylighting to reduce lighting needs and save both energy and money.
3. Look for air leaks
Professional home energy assessments provide the most accurate way of identifying areas requiring improvement; however, homeowners can conduct their own simple audit at home by inspecting windows, doors, wall junctures, baseboard gaps and electrical outlets and switches.
Inspection is key when performing a DIY home energy audit. Look out for missing weather stripping or caulking to seal gaps; install plastic window seals as air escapes out through gaps; check for air leaks outside with a blower door test or thermographic inspection; make necessary fixes to save energy in your home; this is a great way to increase its efficiency while decreasing utility bills!
4. Check the HVAC system
Household energy use can be cut in half simply by inspecting mechanical systems in your home. An examination may reveal areas in which these systems are using or wasting energy, such as needing to clean air ducts or replace worn window weatherstripping.
Check that thermostats are set correctly and that your HVAC system meets your home’s size needs, and inspect ductwork for holes or leakages; use only HVAC-grade tape when making repairs – general purpose tape won’t withstand hot and cold temperatures and moisture of an HVAC system.
Lighting accounts for a considerable portion of household energy usage, making it an integral component of an energy audit. Conducting a comprehensive inspection may reveal ways to increase lighting efficiency.
5. Check the lighting
An energy audit is beneficial not only to the planet but also your utility bills. It will demonstrate exactly how much electricity your house uses and identify ways in which your home could become more energy-efficient, leading to lower bills overall.
Professional home energy audits typically range between $200-500, providing a detailed report with HERS Index score for your home. If you prefer, performing your own energy audit with the help of a simple checklist may save money and hassle.
Review your recent utility bills to identify any irregular usage and seasonal spikes, then analyze your lighting, air leakage issues and HVAC system in order to identify ways you could save energy and conserve money – remember every bit counts!