Overview
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A home energy audit will help you find out how much energy your home consumes and figure out what you can do to make it more energy efficient. The audit will help you identify:
- Where your house is losing energy
- Heating and cooling system efficiency levels
- Ways to conserve hot water
You can conduct your own energy audit by walking around your home and keeping a checklist of the areas you've inspected and problems identified. Here are some things to look for:
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Indoor air leaks
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- Gaps at baseboards and where walls and ceilings join.
- Near electrical outlets, switch plates, window frames and baseboards.
- Gaps or cracks in weather-stripping around doors, fireplace dampers, attic hatches and air conditioners.
- Gaps around pipes and wires.
- Mail slots.
- Windows and doors – leaks occur if you can rattle these or see daylight around door and window frames.
- Storm doors.
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Outdoor air leaks
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- Inspect where two different building materials meet, such as where siding meets the cement foundation.
- Ensure windows, doors, outlets, pipes and faucets are caulked properly.
- Seal any cracks using mortar, foundation or siding.
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Insulation
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- Verify that the insulation levels in attics and walls is up to current standards.
- Ensure there is a vapor barrier (retarder) under the attic insulation.
- Insulate floors located directly above unheated basements.
- Water heaters, hot water pipes and furnace ducts should all be insulated.
- Inspect heating and cooling equipment annually.
Check and regularly replace filters on forced air furnaces. |
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