A home energy audit is the process whereby you evaluate all of your home energy usage to find out whether and where you are losing energy. The goal is to improve energy efficiency in your home. Experts advise you perform a home energy audit every two to three years. You can carry out home energy audits on your own or hire a professional to perform the service for you.
The average American household spends a considerable amount of money on energy to light and heat their homes and power their appliances. Given the high costs of energy inefficiency, it is necessary that you learn how to carry out energy audits to ensure you are optimizing the use of energy in your home.
If you don’t want to go through the process, or the expense, of hiring a professional to do the job for you, you can try to do it yourself. If you have your previous bills available, you can make the task a bit simpler and get a decent idea of where your biggest energy expenditures are coming from.
However, If doing a home energy audit yourself would be too time-consuming or you aren’t sure where to start, you may want to hire a professional to do it for you. A professional will of course also do a more professional job than if you do it yourself. In this article, you will learn some of the benefits of getting a home energy audit.
Save Money
The first benefit of carrying out a home energy audit is that it will help you to save money on your utility bills. When you make upgrades based on your home energy audit, you could save between 5% and 30% on your electricity bill by increasing your energy efficiency.
Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
When your energy needs are reduced, your carbon footprint will automatically be reduced. This can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, which is good for the environment.
Save Energy
By fixing improper insulation and leaky windows, you will be reducing your energy requirements considerably. Sealing leaks helps your HVAC unit work more efficiently.
Ensure Safety and Health
During a home energy audit, evaluations are performed to discover if there are any electrical or other hazards that can harm your family. Tests are carried out to check the wiring system, fuel leaks in the furnace, and other health and safety hazards.
Increase Market Value of Your Home
An energy audit can also increase the market value of your home. When the yearly energy cost for your home decreases, the market value increases. Potential buyers will begin to consider the property’s operating expenses, and will be more likely to buy a home that is well maintained.
In summary, a home energy audit evaluates energy intake and costs in your home. A good audit can help you make changes and develop measures to eliminate waste and maximize efficiency, thus saving you money. A proper home energy audit will always bring maximum returns on your investment.