Home Environmental Audit Checklist – Energy Efficient Homes

Homeowners can help lower energy costs by conducting their own environmental audits. An energy audit can also cut back on wasted fossil fuel consumption and lower a home’s carbon footprint.

Professional energy audits typically involve conducting both a blower door test and thermographic scan, the former helping auditors locate any possible air leaks while the latter helps identify areas with inadequate insulation.

Insulation

Insulation levels play an integral part in determining energy efficiency in any home, especially older properties that tend to be under-insulated. There are some simple solutions available to increase insulation levels such as upgrading old insulation with more effective types.

Homeowners can conduct their own do it yourself energy audit. While this type of assessment is likely not as comprehensive, it still provides useful insights about their home’s energy efficiency.

Energy audits performed by professionals may include visual inspection and the use of specialized tools like thermal imaging and blower door. An energy auditor will review energy bills and recommend cost-cutting measures, potentially saving homeowners 5-30% on energy bills by taking their suggestions seriously; additionally, doing so helps protect the environment by decreasing carbon footprint while increasing resale value for homes that have energy efficient features.

Ductwork

Home energy audits should incorporate an examination of ductwork. Air leakage from leaky ducts can create comfort issues and drive up energy costs; depending on the situation, an auditor may suggest replacing them with insulation or conducting a blower door test to evaluate sealing and performance.

Ducts that run through an attic or crawlspace outside the thermal envelope will lose more energy than those inside conditioned living spaces, according to home energy audits. An energy audit will evaluate both your duct system and where supply registers are situated in order to make recommendations that reduce energy loss.

Make your house more energy efficient to save money and help protect the environment, while increasing resale value of your home. To conduct a do-it-yourself energy audit, you will require:

Windows

Drafts in your home can have a serious effect on heating and cooling costs. A draft detector helps homeowners pinpoint areas with problematic drafts – single-pane picture windows and poorly sealed door frames are just two areas where drafts may occur; others could include vent hoods, fireplaces, window-unit air conditioners or climate control ducts.

Visual inspection can be especially effective on windy or cold days. Or a homeowner could go around at night with their partner shining a flashlight over any potential trouble spots with air movement triggering flashes of light that indicate drafts.

Professional energy assessments provide more comprehensive inspections of insulation, appliances and heating and cooling systems; as well as being able to determine your household’s energy efficiency score. By contrast, DIY home energy evaluation is generally less comprehensive but still capable of improving energy efficiency and decreasing electricity bills; making this an excellent option for those considering purchasing their first home or trying to lower energy consumption.

Appliances

Energy efficient appliances and equipment can save money. By finding leaks and making simple changes like switching out incandescent light bulbs for CFLs or caulking windows and doors, you can further decrease electricity use.

Home energy assessments can be conducted both independently and professionally, providing you with the opportunity to identify issues and establish priorities. DIY home assessments allow homeowners to identify problems quickly while professional assessments offer more comprehensive analysis.

An energy audit will provide your house with ways to become more energy-efficient and cut utility costs. American homes waste nearly $300 billion annually through preventable factors – for instance, poorly insulated houses or lights left on when nobody is present can waste a great deal of money and contribute negatively to our planet. By following the recommendations of an energy auditor, you can save on utility costs while simultaneously helping preserve the environment.