Recently, people have begun to realize that their homes may have an effect on the environment. By reducing the amount of energy they are using, they are conserving for the future. Furthermore, they are able to save money by saving energy. But, it can be difficult to determine the best place to begin when you decide to reduce your energy usage. A home energy audit can help you see which of your home’s features is using the most energy, and prioritize your changes to reduce energy use.
What Is It?
A home energy audit can involve a variety of assessments. It will begin with an inspection involving your appliances and insulation, and then there will be an analysis of past energy bills. The goal of the audit is almost always to determine how best to reduce energy usage. There should be a balance between energy use and human comfort. So the goal of the audit is to determine how to create a comfortable lifestyle with minimum energy.
Typically a year’s worth of energy bills are reviewed, but some audits will include up to three years worth of information. After the audit, specific measures will be recommended to reduce energy costs. The findings may show that one appliance may be draining the energy supply and replacing it can make a big difference.
The audit may indicate a need to replace older appliances with Energy Star rated appliances. According to the Energy Star, the Energy Star rating is “… a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy helping us all save money and protect the environment through energy efficient products and practices.” Considering the number of Energy Star rated appliances and home upgrades available today, there should be no problem accessing materials to create a more energy efficient environment.
Who Needs It?
Anyone that has concerns about their energy use should consider a home energy audit. If you are considering upgrading any of the appliances in your home, but you are not yet sure where to begin, an energy audit can help you prioritize. You may live in an older home with its original windows, walls, and appliances. It can be overwhelming to consider everything that needs to be replaced. An energy audit will help homeowners understand which changes will have the biggest environmental impact and which will offer the biggest savings.
Those who are considering selling their home may find that an energy audit will persuade buyers. If you can claim your home is energy efficient and back it up with the results of an audit, it can be a selling point. Those considering purchasing a home may want to have their possible home choices audited. This will give you an indication as to the cost of your future energy bills and whether or not upgrades will be required once you have purchased the home. In either case, you may be able to use the results of an energy audit as a bargaining tool.
Benefits
A home energy audit is a relatively inexpensive investment, considering the amount of money it can help you save in the long run. Depending on the thoroughness of an audit it may cost $200 to $600. However, there are utility companies that perform general energy audits, so you may want to begin there. You could use a combination of a free general audit and a more thorough audit to determine the best upgrades to make in your home.
An audit can increase the value of your home. This will not only help if you are thinking of selling your home, it may help if you are thinking of refinancing. Once you know what upgrades to target, you can tackle them one at a time and slowly build the value of your home. Not to mention, those looking to buy a home would love to find a house that is not only energy efficient, but offers a variety of new, warrantied appliances.
According to Therma Check, a company that performs energy audits, following through with the findings of your audit may lower your energy by as much as 40%. Those that are suffering the effects of high heating and cooling bills may be surprised at just how much new windows and upgraded insulation can make.
Risks
Keep in mind that if you hire an HVAC contractor that offers other services, they are sure to find something in your home requiring an upgrade. This is not to say they will be trying to pull a fast one. Even the most energy-efficient home could stand one or two improvements. But if it is in the best interest for your auditor to find something that they may have the opportunity to upgrade, they are going to suggest it. This is why it is a good idea to consider combining a thorough audit by an HVAC contractor with a basic audit by your utility company. For no extra charge, you get a second opinion.
Also remember that just having the audit is not going to save you money, unless you are selling or buying. The results of the audit can be used as a bargaining tool when negotiating the cost of a new home. However, if you are auditing your home for your own well-being, you are going to have to follow through on the results to save energy and money.
The Bottom Line
Even if your utility company does not offer complimentary audits, consider paying for one. They can save you a money over time. If you are seeking a way to lessen the impact of your home and lifestyle on the environment, and you want to save money on your monthly utility bill, an energy audit is a great place to start.
