Looking for ways to cut down your utility bills and improve your home’s energy efficiency? A home energy audit could be the right choice for you. Not only does it uncover areas where your home is losing energy, but it also gives you a roadmap for improvements. This means lower bills, a more comfortable home, and doing your part for the environment.
So, what exactly is a home energy audit? Let’s break it down and explore why it’s an investment that pays for itself in savings.
A home energy audit is a thorough inspection of your home's energy usage. It involves a professional energy auditor assessing your home to find where energy is being wasted and which areas can be improved. The goal? To create a more efficient home that requires less energy to heat, cool, and power.
This process includes inspecting everything from insulation and windows to heating and cooling systems. By the end of the audit, you'll have a detailed report outlining problem areas and giving recommendations to make your home more energy efficient.
During a typical home energy assessment, the auditor will:
These tests give an overview of how your home is performing energy-wise and which improvements need to be made.
The cost of a home energy audit usually ranges from $200 to $600, depending on the size of your home and the areas of inspection. While this may seem like an investment upfront, the savings you will gain from following the auditor's recommendations definitely outweigh the cost.
On average, homeowners can save anywhere from 5% to 30% on their energy bills after making energy efficiency upgrades. That means a return on investment within just a few years!
A home energy audit isn’t just about lowering your utility bills. It has other benefits too.
A home energy audit finds areas where energy is being wasted. By sealing leaks, adding insulation, or upgrading old appliances, you can save money on your bills over time.
If your home feels drafty in winter or too warm in summer, it could be a sign of poor energy efficiency. Fixing the issues found in the energy audit can help keep your home at a comfortable temperature all year.
Sealing air leaks and upgrading ventilation can improve the quality of air inside your home, making it healthier for you and your family.
A home energy audit shows you how to use less energy, which lowers your carbon footprint. This means you're saving money and helping the planet at the same time.
Some of the most common areas where homes waste energy include:
Once your audit is complete, you’ll receive a list of recommended upgrades. It will include things like:
You might think some of the things found in your energy audit won’t make a difference. I know I did.
I had a relentlessly hot bonus room above my garage. It was almost always 10 degrees warmer than the rest of the house in the summer. I had always chalked it up to a lack of insulation and the fact that it gets a lot of westward sun.
After my home’s energy audit, I was advised to add blackout curtains and to reseal the three windows in the room. I thought to myself “Okay sure maybe this will help a little bit, but probably not noticeable.”
I was dead wrong.
After that small fix, the room’s average temperature dropped 7 degrees. Still a little warmer than the rest of the house, but it's a huge improvement.
Homeowners can also benefit from federal tax incentives and utility company rebates after completing a home energy audit. Federal tax credits are available for energy-efficient upgrades, including up to $3,200 annually for improvements like better insulation, energy-efficient windows and doors, or installing a heat pump.
Many utility companies offer rebates to help offset the cost of these upgrades, including improving insulation or upgrading HVAC systems. Be sure to check both federal programs and your local utility provider for incentives—you may be able to save big.
A home energy audit is an incredibly helpful tool for homeowners looking to improve efficiency, lower costs, and make their homes more comfortable. Honestly, when I first looked into it, the cost of a home energy audit seemed a bit high, but after going through the process myself, I can tell you it was well worth it. Since doing the audit, I’ve saved hundreds on my energy bills and even qualified for some rebates. The long-term benefits definitely outweigh the cost, and it’s made my home feel more comfortable too. Trust me, it's a smart choice!
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