3 Problems An Auditor May Find When Doing A Home Energy Audit And The Fixes You Might Need To Make
Posted on: 20 January 2023
If you're wondering if your home needs upgrades to make it more energy efficient, start with a home energy audit. An auditor will check your entire house to find areas where you have air leaks and poor energy performance. They'll give you a report that shows where your home is wasting energy so you'll know what you need to fix and you won't have to guess at it. Here are three problems a home energy audit may uncover and fixes you may need to make.
1. Heat Loss Through Windows
If your windows are old and they feel cold in the winter, you may suspect they're not very energy efficient. A home energy auditor may confirm this with an infrared camera. The camera detects temperature differences, so it can tell if your windows allow excessive heat loss or if they are leaking around the edges.
A good fix for this problem is to get new energy-efficient windows. If you can't afford new windows, you might want to keep heavy curtains over the windows or apply DIY film around them to insulate the windows as best as you can until you can replace them.
2. Insulation Is Not Sufficient
A home energy audit can reveal if your home has enough insulation in the attic and walls. You may have to prepare for this thermal imaging test by moving things away from the walls that could act as insulation and setting your thermostat at a specific temperature a few hours before the test.
If the auditor finds your insulation is not sufficient, you may want new attic insulation and have insulation added between your exterior walls. Adding insulation to your exterior walls could make your living space more comfortable. A contractor can add insulation without having to open the walls if they use blown insulation.
3. Old Appliances Are Not Energy Efficient
Old appliances are economical to buy used, but they're not economical to operate. You might save money on your power bill by getting new appliances. The auditor might find your refrigerator, water heater, and your HVAC are old and not energy efficient. Newer appliances and equipment are made to a higher standard and are more efficient.
You may not be able to afford new appliances right away, but you may want to start planning for them. Buy appliances rated by Energy Star so you get an estimate of how much it will cost to operate them over the course of a year. Energy Star labels on appliances help you choose the most energy-efficient appliances you can afford.
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