A home energy audit is an assessment of the energy efficiency of your HVAC system. It determines where and how your home is using and losing energy. The goal of the energy auditor is to pinpoint excessive energy consumption by appliances, systems and/or occupants, or by heat gain/loss through the home shell.
Then, the auditor may determine and detail energy-efficiency upgrades to implement for a substantial net gain for the pocketbook, a more healthful and safe home, and a greater home-comfort experience for the occupants.
The Home Energy Audit
You may prepare for the home energy audit by gathering the energy bills for the previous year, and expect to answer questions regarding the energy usage habits of the occupants, as well as their age, schedules and comfort preferences.
The energy audit involves three primary areas of assessment for energy loss, inefficiencies and energy usage:
- Sophisticated equipment is used to determine air leakage and heat gain/loss rates through the home shell.
- Utility bills for the previous year are analyzed and details of occupant energy usage history are scrutinized.
- Appliances and systems are inspected for efficiency, age, condition and Energy Star certification.
Whole-Home Approach
The best approach to home efficiency and energy savings is a whole-home approach. The energy auditor performs a walk-through with an eye for interior layout and floor plan, noting areas, systems and devices that commonly waste energy. These are some of the inspection steps:
- Inspects lighting for wattage and dimmers.
- Notes location of thermostats and types used (programmable thermostats?)
- Inspects the fireplace.
- Inspects air supply and return grilles (Do they rattle? Are they obstructed by furniture?).
- Inspects hot water pipes for insulation.
- Determines building and framing materials used in home construction.
Testing: Heat Gain/Loss
Heat energy is exchanged through the home shell by air leaks (inadequate sealing) or conduction (insulation deficiencies). The typical home is quite leaky, which increases energy bills, reduces comfort, taxes the heating and cooling systems, and compromises indoor air quality by introducing contaminants into the indoor air.
The good news is that simple home efficiency upgrades of air sealing and adding insulation are typically not major expenses, but, rather, reasonable investments in comfort, savings, health and home safety that are generally good for the life of the home.
- One important test your energy auditor performs is the blower door test. This test involves affixing a very large fan to an entry door to pressurize or depressurize (depending on outside temperatures) the home to reveal air leaks around windows, electrical plates, doors, apertures for piping and cables, and any other location air may exchange.
- The insulation values of the home are tested using infrared imaging. Thermographic video and/or pictures are taken that show where heat gain/loss occurs through the shell by heat conduction. This test is key for locating areas where insulation deficiencies occur, either by a lack of quality installation installed or perhaps damaged insulation.
- Your energy auditor also visually assesses the attic and basement/crawl space for issues, such as damaged insulation (moldy, wet, falling down, etc.). The ductwork system is evaluated for leaks, other damage, and design that promotes free airflow. Poor duct design contributes to as much as 30 percent higher heating and cooling bills in the typical home, according to Energy.gov.
Comfort, Efficiency and Health
The two most immediate and measurable benefits of a quality home energy audit and subsequent energy-efficiency upgrades are increased home comfort and lower energy bills. You may be surprised what a little caulk and insulation rolls can do to stop the drafts in your home and the drain on your wallet.
More healthful indoor air quality and home safety are positive gains of a home energy audit and efficiency upgrades. Sealing air leaks and installing a nice quality air filter can protect occupants from a host of contaminants, including allergens and common viruses, that would otherwise circulate through the living spaces.
Home safety is another concern for many homeowners with combustion appliances, such as gas furnaces and water heaters. Carbon monoxide testing ensures the CO detectors are working and installed in the right places. A furnace inspection can detect cracks in the heat exchanger, which is a dangerous situation that may leak poisonous gases inside the home.
For more information about a home energy audit, or if you have any other heating, air conditioning or plumbing issues, please contact us at James Lane Air Conditioning & Plumbing Co. today. We have proudly served homeowners in Wichita Falls and the surrounding communities since 1957.
