Everyone knows that the main way to save money on your energy bills is to make sure your home is energy efficient. Make a home energy audit a weekend project, and you can enjoy long-term benefits. Here is how to go about a do-it-yourself energy audit:
Locate Air Leaks and Seal Them
The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that calking or weather-stripping air leaks can give you 5 to 30 percent energy savings. Where should you check during your energy audit? Indoors look at:
- Gaps by the edges of baseboards, flooring or joints.
- Electrical outlets and switch plates.
- All along window frames and doors.
- Fireplaces and hatches into attics.
- Wall-mounted air conditioners
Outside, look for:
- Gaps around the foundation.
- Exterior corners and where the chimney meets the sides of the house.
- Openings near wires, electrical connections, pipes, wires and mail slots.
Check Insulation Levels
For best energy efficiency, you need to have at least the recommended level of insulation for your home. As part of your energy audit, check the values your home should have at this Department of Energy R-Value Calculator. Along with making sure you have the right amount of insulation for your attic, see if your have a vapor barrier underneath the insulation. Also check to see that these are insulated, weatherstripped and sealed:
- Attic hatch.
- Openings for pipes, ductwork and chimneys (use expandable foam insulation).
- Electrical boxes (use flexible caulk).
- Hot water heater, furnace pipes and ducts.
- Under living floor area (if you have an unheated basement)
Examine Your Heating and Cooling Equipment
Of course, the condition of your HVAC system determines how much energy it uses. Significant savings can be obtained by:
- Keeping filters replaced monthly.
- Having ducts and system inspected and cleaned annually by a technician.
- Insulating ducts with R-value 6 or higher.
- Replacing any system that is 15 years or older.
Replace Lighting with Energy Efficient Bulbs
About 10 percent of your energy costs are lighting, so look at your lighting to see if there are bulbs that could be replaced with lower wattage. Moreover, consider replacing all your bulbs with compact fluorescents for the most energy savings.
While you can find ample energy savings with a do-it-yourself energy aduit, it’s no replacement for a professional inspection for energy savings. For expert advice about how you can make your home more energy efficient and other issues related to home comfort, please feel free contact us at Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning. Our second-generation family business has been serving homeowners in Lorain, Erie and Cuyahoga Counties for more than 33 years.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about energy audits and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
Energy 1 Heating services the Lorain, OH area. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!
Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning
1 (440) 246-5440
Serving the Lorain, OH Area