Many homeowners have heard of a home energy audit but might still have questions. How does this type of audit work? How long is a home energy audit good for? Can you do one yourself, or do you need a professional? Keep reading to learn the answers to these questions and how a home energy audit can help you.
How Does It Work?
There are two types of home energy audits performed by a professional: a standard walk-through and a detailed survey. Both are beneficial and can help you understand how to make energy improvements in your home.
A standard walk-through assesses windows, doors, lighting, joists, appliances, electrical outlets, air leaks, sealants, the crawl space/basement/attic, ventilation, and heating and cooling systems. The auditor focuses on problems and solutions that are easily visible without needing special equipment.
A detailed survey examines everything listed in the standard walk-through and uses additional tests with infrared cameras and other types of equipment. This further testing allows an auditor to discover if there are any underlying energy issues.
How Long Is It Good For?
You should schedule a home energy assessment before or soon after purchasing a home to know its energy efficiency from the beginning. After an initial audit, you should schedule additional inspections based on the age of your home.
Older homes will need more audits every few years since they are often more prone to energy issues. Newer homes will need an audit less often since most contemporary builders consider energy efficiency during construction. If you perform any additional construction on your house or notice any problems, schedule an audit immediately. The same rule applies to older homes: if you make changes that will affect energy efficiency or notice energy problems, schedule an audit.
Can I Do It Myself?
You should schedule a professional audit every couple of years to ensure your home is energy efficient. Professionals are better trained and have access to specialized equipment to be more thorough and exact in their audits.
However, it’s a good idea to perform miniature energy assessments yourself every year to make sure no problems have developed during seasonal changes. During this assessment, you can check for air leaks, common at junctures between walls, ceilings, doors, windows, and electrical outlets. Also, check for leaks in your attic’s insulation and around your heating and cooling systems.
Now that you know the answers to these common energy audit questions, you should have a better understanding of the home energy assessment process and how it impacts your home. Greenlink Energy Solutions is happy to help if you have any additional questions.
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