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Home Energy Audits: Should You Schedule an Assessment?
4 minute read • Last update August 2024
What is a home energy audit?
A home energy audit, also known as a home energy assessment, is a detailed evaluation of energy use throughout your house. It involves a thorough inspection of elements like insulation, heating and cooling systems (such as AC units and heat pumps), windows and doors, appliances, and lighting.
The goal of an energy audit for your home is to identify problem areas where energy is being wasted and pinpoint the required actions to upgrade systems for maximum efficiency, comfort, and cost savings.
What happens during a home energy audit?
While it’s possible to perform basic assessments yourself, which we’ll cover more in the following sections, opting for professional audits is far more comprehensive and likely to result in significant savings.
When you hire a dedicated audit company to conduct an assessment, they’ll use specialized equipment like infrared cameras, furnace efficiency meters, and surface thermometers. So, in a comprehensive energy audit, home appliances and insulation checks are just the beginning.
- Initial assessment – A home energy auditor conducts a walkthrough of both the exterior and interior of your home to identify potential points of energy loss.
- Lighting and appliance tests – The auditor reviews the energy efficiency of your lighting fixtures and major appliances, including refrigerators, ovens, dishwashers, washing machines, and dryers.
- Insulation and air leakage tests – Insulation levels in the walls, attic, and basement of your residence are checked to ensure they meet current Department of Energy standards. This typically includes a blower door test to measure air leakage and identify areas needing additional sealing.
- Heating and cooling system tests – The efficiency of your HVAC system is evaluated, including the ductwork, filters, and thermostat settings. The condition of your furnace, water heater, heat pump, and other components is also assessed to determine if maintenance is required.
- Data analysis and recommendations – You’ll receive a detailed written report providing objective information and specific recommendations for money-saving energy efficiency upgrades based on your home energy audit. Examples of improvements commonly include switching to ENERGY STAR appliances, installing LED lighting, and smart thermostats.
How much does a home energy audit cost?
The precise cost will vary based on your home’s size, the complexity of your HVAC system, and the type of tests required. However, the average home energy audit cost is around $425, which equates to approximately $0.08 to $0.15 per square foot.
Is the cost of a home energy audit worth it?
Although electricity prices in Texas are lower than in many other states, the larger average house size and the year-round use of AC units mean you typically consume more energy. Home audit costs are generally well worth the investment to ensure improved energy efficiency over the long term. Plus, under the Inflation Reduction Act, you may be eligible to claim tax credits or qualify for other incentives that can significantly reduce or offset the cost of your home energy audit.
How to run a DIY home energy audit
If you’re not quite ready to invest in a professional audit, you can conduct a basic DIY assessment of your home’s energy consumption to identify immediate energy-saving opportunities. However, going beyond the obvious visible areas and exploring lesser visited areas of your home, like the attic, basement, and crawl spaces, requires some pre-planning:
- Research your tax credit and reimbursement options in advance so you can focus on areas that promise the most return on any improvement investments.
- Create a home energy audit checklist so you can work around your home and record observations in a logical order.
- Dress in appropriate clothing. At a minimum, this should comprise overalls, a dust mask, eye protection, and gloves.
- Assemble the tools you’ll need, typically a ruler and tape measure, screwdriver, flashlight, and ladder.
- Gather accessories like chopsticks or a knitting needle to probe for insulation and a candle or incense stick to check for air leaks.
- Put a pen or pencil, notepad, and calculator in an easily reachable pocket to make notes and calculations as you go.
Once you’re ready, start by methodically your home. This should involve checking appliances and insulation and looking for air leaks. Key areas to focus on during your home energy audit checklist should include:
- Overhead areas – Inspect the attic, chimney chase, vent work, and light recesses.
- Underfoot areas – Look at crawl spaces, floor joists, and hot water pipes.
- Heating system elements – Check furnaces, water heaters, and boilers.
- Interior wall hotspots – Examine switches, thermostats, pipes, and wiring penetrations.
- Doors and windows – Review these in every room on every floor.
- Outdoor elements – Inspect window and door flashings, gutters, eaves, and downspouts.
Based on what you find, take corrective measures to optimize energy usage. This may include using weather stripping or caulk to seal leaks, adding extra insulation, replacing incandescent bulbs with energy-efficient LEDs or CFLs, and continually monitoring your household energy patterns to identify further opportunities for optimization.
Save on electricity plans with BKVE
While a home energy audit can lead to substantial cost savings, it’s not the only step you can take to gain more control over your electricity use and utility bills. Choosing the best energy plan is equally important.
At BKVE, we provide tailored homeowner electricity plans designed specifically for homeowners, meeting the unique needs of your family. And the best part? Our approach is straightforward—no jargon, no gimmicks, no usage requirements, and no hidden fees. Just simple, transparent contracts with the option of fee-free cancellation within the first 30 days. Enter your zip code to get started.
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