How to Perform a DIY Home Energy Audit

Are you tired of seeing high electricity bills each month? Do you want to do your part in reducing your energy consumption but don’t know where to start? A home energy audit is the perfect solution for you! This process involves a comprehensive assessment of your home’s energy usage, identifying areas where energy is being wasted. A home energy audit can provide valuable insight on what to improve in your home and how to make your abode more energy efficient! And the best part? You can do it at home without professional help! Interested in learning how to do it? Keep reading! 

How do you conduct your own home energy audit? 

 Home energy auditing doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. The first step is to gather all of your household’s energy bills from the past year and take note of any major changes in usage and gather materials for inspecting areas around your home such as infrared cameras, furnace efficiency meters, and surface thermometers. Next, walk around your home and look for areas where air may be escaping, such as cracks around windows and doors, or drafts near outlets or vents. Additionally, make sure to check the efficiency of your appliances and lighting fixtures to ensure everything is working properly. Here’s what we recommend checking while performing your own audit: 

Step 1: Gather the Right Materials  

 During a home energy audit, there are a few tools and materials that can come in handy. A thermal leak detector or infrared thermometer can help identify areas of heat loss, while an energy usage monitor can track the electricity consumption of your appliances and electronics. You may also want to have a notebook and pen on hand to jot down any observations or notes during your audit.  

Home Energy Audit Safety 

 During a home energy assessment, it is crucial to prioritize safety precautions. First and foremost, one should turn off all appliances and equipment that pose a risk, such as stoves, ovens, and space heaters. Additionally, it’s essential to locate and turn off the main electrical circuit breaker to prevent accidents when inspecting electrical systems. Proper insulation and ventilation in the attic and crawl spaces are essential to check on when conducting a home energy audit. To avoid falls and respiratory issues while checking your attic and crawl space, wear a mask, body protection, and gloves. Furthermore, when dealing with gas appliances, checking for leaks is paramount, and it’s advisable to have a professional handle any potentially hazardous situations. 

Step 2: Elevate your Lighting 

Lighting is a major contributor to your home’s energy usage. That’s why it’s important to check the efficiency of your lighting fixtures during a home energy audit. First, take inventory of the types of bulbs in each fixture throughout your home. On average, LED light bulbs use 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs. So, if you have any lingering incandescent bulbs, we recommend switching them to LED bulbs to increase the energy efficiency of your home. Similarly, according to Lamps Plus, adding a dimmer switch and dimming your lights to at least 50 percent can cut your electric use 40 percent over time and can increase the life of your bulbs. Lastly, identify areas where lighting is unnecessary or excessive. Consider removing the lighting from these unused areas or install motion lighting to make these areas in your home more energy efficient. 

Step 3: Find Air Leaks  

 Air leaks can lead to a significant loss of heated or cooled air and can directly impact the energy efficiency and overall comfort of your home. According to EnergyStar.gov, air leakage accounts for between 25 percent and 40 percent of the energy used for heating and cooling in your home if not taken care of. Start by looking for air leaks with a visual inspection of common areas where air leaks occur, such as doors, windows, baseboards, and electrical outlets. 

Next, check for broken or missing weather stripping around doors. If you’re having trouble detecting air leaks, try conducting the blower test or using a candle; if the flame flickers, there’s an air leak. To seal your air leaks, consider caulking and adding weather stripping where you have found air leaks. 

Step 4: Inspect your Insulation  

 Think of your insulation as a cozy blanket for your home, keeping it warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Over time, this blanket can wear out or develop gaps, causing your heating and cooling systems to work harder and your energy bills to rise. When it comes to auditing your insulation during a home energy assessment, the first thing you need to do is examine the condition of your insulation looking for signs of damage, moisture, and mold.  

Next, checking attic vents and HVAC ducts running through your attic or crawl spaces is essential to prevent energy loss. Lastly, measure the depth and thickness of the insulation to ensure accurate protection. If you see some areas in need of insulation replacement, be sure to install more insulation to prevent heat loss. 

Step 5: Check your Home Appliances  

 Checking your home’s appliances during a home energy audit is a fantastic way to be more energy-savvy and budget-conscious. Your appliances, like your trusty refrigerator, washer, dryer, and dishwasher, can be real energy hogs if they’re older or not well-maintained. To start, be sure to inspect the age and efficiency of your appliances. If they’re on the older side, it can be accurate to assume that they might be wasting energy and should be replaced.  

Next, one of the biggest energy wasters comes from your refrigerator. During your home energy assessment, check the temperature settings of your refrigerator and freezer to ensure they are at recommended levels. Adjust as needed to prevent overcooling and check to see if your refrigerator needs to be replaced. Lastly, when it comes to washing machines and dryers, be sure to regularly clean out your dryer vent to improve your appliance’s efficiency. This also prevents fires in your home in the long run! 

Step 6: Inspect Your Space Heaters and Air Conditioners 

 These trusty devices keep you cozy in the winter and cool during the summer, but if they’re not in tip-top shape, they can gobble up energy and inflate your bills. The first thing you should do when inspecting your space heater and air conditioners is to check for cleanliness. If your systems are dirty, this can force your appliances to work harder than they have to. Be sure to clean them out of any dirt or dust to maximize their efficiency. 

Next, take an audit of the temperature settings you’ve been using on your space heaters and air conditioners. Set the thermostat to a comfortable and energy-efficient temperature on both systems to save money on your energy bill. Lastly, consider the placement of your systems to ensure full efficiency and safety! Place the space heater away from curtains, furniture, and other flammable materials to prevent fire hazards. In the same way, placing air conditioners in obscure places can prevent your air conditioners from cooling down the entire room it’s placed in. 

When to Call a Home Energy Audit Professional 

 If this process seems overwhelming, do not fear, calling a home energy audit professional can be the right thing to do in serval situations! First, if you lack the necessary expertise or experience to perform a comprehensive audit, it’s best to bring in a professional. They have the knowledge, tools, and experience to identify hidden energy inefficiencies. Secondly, if you suspect complex issues like insulation problems, ductwork leaks, or HVAC system inefficiencies, an auditor can conduct specialized tests and assessments to pinpoint the exact sources of energy loss. Moreover, if you’re planning major home renovations or looking to make substantial energy-efficiency upgrades, a professional can provide tailored recommendations that align with your goals. 

How to Interpret the Results of Your Home Energy Audit 

 Interpreting the results of your home energy audit is a critical step in making informed decisions about improving your home’s energy efficiency. After conducting the audit, carefully review the findings provided by the auditor or your own observations. Pay attention to areas where energy efficiency can be enhanced, such as air leaks, insulation issues, or inefficient appliances. Prioritize the recommended upgrades or repairs based on their potential impact on energy savings and your budget. Remember that the goal is not only to reduce energy consumption but also to create a more comfortable and environmentally friendly living space! 

Conducting a DIY home energy audit is a valuable endeavor for anyone looking to enhance their energy efficiency, reduce utility bills, and create an eco-friendlier living space. The steps outlined in the audit process, from assessing lighting and insulation to inspecting appliances and HVAC systems, provide a comprehensive roadmap for identifying and addressing areas of energy wastage. It’s an empowering process that allows homeowners to take control of their energy usage and make informed decisions about improvements. 

Santanna Energy Services is a supplier of renewable energy solutions in the United States, providing services to Illinois, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Ohio. We provide a wide range of energy services and products to meet the needs of both residential and small business customers. Our mission is to provide innovative and cost-effective energy solutions that will help our customers achieve their energy goals. With over 35 years of experience, we are committed to creating life-long relationships by providing quality service to customers, communities, and employees.