Are you looking for a way to improve your home this year? Get a home energy audit. A home energy audit is an easy, but effective way to make your home more energy efficient and keep your home comfortable.
According to the Department of Energy, heating and cooling costs makes up about 48% of the energy in the average U.S home. With the rough winter we had and still unseasonable cool temperatures we’re still experiencing in April, it wouldn’t be a surprise if that number was higher.
While there isn’t much we can do about cold weather or hot summers, you can prepare your house to perform in its peak efficiency no matter what the weather is like outside.
Preparing your home starts with a professional home energy audit. Every homeowner should consider a professional home energy audit or analysis.
Benefits of a Home Energy and Comfort Analysis
A good energy audit reveals where you are losing energy/comfort and gives your home contractor a solid foundation to build a plan. There are many ways your home can be inefficient. An inefficient home loses money by not performing at its best. What does this mean? For example, a common problem with homeowners is their furnace or A/C unit is oversized for their home.
At first thought, you might presume a bigger unit will heat and cool your home better. This is a HVAC myth. An oversized system short cycles meaning they turn on and off more often. This takes more energy to run and keep your home comfortable. An oversized unit that short cycles is more prone to frequent breakdowns and shorter system lifespan.
An energy audit or analysis checks your current equipment and compares it to the size you need for your home. The proper benchmark is the is based on Manual J load calculations. Manual J is the approved methodology from the Air Conditioner Contractors of America (ACCA). Having your current furnace or A/C replaced with a properly fitted one can save you as much as a ⅓ on your energy bills.
Along with reduced energy bills, the solutions outline after an energy audit provide:
Improved Comfort
Less Outside Noise
Better Indoor Air Quality
What to Expect During Your Audit
Not all audits are created equal. Some companies may charge you for a room by room walk through. The Energy Stars Heating & Cooling Co Home Comfort and Energy Assessment includes examining equipment age, condition, and efficiency. Our team does not stop there. We sit down with you to learn where the biggest problems are in home.
Your home is a system. If one part of that system is out of whack, it will affect the whole home’s performance. This is why the Energy Stars team is so thorough. If we miss one area, that could mean a severe loss in home performance.
Our home analysis includes:
Examining current insulation levels
Inspecting current A/C, furnace, or heat pump
Blower door testing to check ventilation in home and help locate air leaks
Getting a history of the home including age, type of material
Ductwork system inspection
Our step by step process finds all the ways your home is wasting energy and losing comfort. Then we provide a customized plan to fix these solutions.
Signs You Need an Audit
If your home has any of these signs, it is time to call us:
Your energy bills have been higher than normal –
If your home just had a one or two month spike, then you’re probably doing ok. However, if your bills have been dramatically higher for several months or if your energy bills are always higher than your neighbors, it is time to get a home comfort analysis.
Cold and drafty or extra hot, humid rooms –
Many homeowners get accustomed to hot, humid second floor like it is normal. You don’t have to! There are many ways you can enjoy your home, on every floor, during the hottest summers. An home energy audit can help outline the ways to fix this problem. The same home energy analysis will uncover the root causes of consistently drafty areas of your home.
You have aging equipment –
If your furnace or A/C keeps breaking down and you have to spend money on costly repairs; it might be time to replace. Well-maintained HVAC equipment can last over 10 – 15 years. But if that period is coming up, consider getting a home energy analysis first. Your home heating and cooling system is a major investment, and the right assessment will measure exactly how much energy your home needs. Many units are oversized which results in more energy usage to run correctly.
Energy Stars Heating & Cooling Co in Madison, IL is your first choice for a home energy audit. We go beyond with our Home Comfort Assessment to find all the ways you can make your home more comfortable and save you money. To schedule your appointment, call us at 618-477-8337 or contact us.