Energy efficiency is something every homeowner wants. But, you might notice that you’re paying more for electricity than you should be. Maybe the power company has sent you a letter about how much energy your appliances are using. Whatever the reason may be, it’s critical to take action and do something about this problem!
A home energy audit is a great way to determine how much energy your home uses and how to cut back on usage. However, you don’t need to pay someone else to do it; you can perform a DIY home energy audit yourself. This article will explain how.
What Is a Home Energy Audit for Energy Efficiency?
A home energy audit is a process of examining your home to determine its energy efficiency and where you can make energy-saving changes. An expert will look at insulation, windows/doors, heating, and cooling systems during a home energy audit.
How To Conduct a DIY Home Energy Audit
However, you don’t have to be an energy expert to perform a simple energy audit of your home. You can do this yourself and get a general idea of your energy usage.
Here are five steps you can take to increase energy efficiency in your home:
Check Your Appliances
One of conducting a DIY home energy audit is checking your energy-using appliances to make sure they are running as efficiently as possible. An audit includes everything like the refrigerator, dishwasher, washer/dryer, and oven. You should also check out their energy labels (if available) to see how much energy each appliance uses; this will help you decide which ones need an upgrade.
Look for Air Leaks
Another energy-saving tip is to check your home for air leaks around doors or windows, especially during the winter months when energy usage can be high due to heating costs. Furthermore, look at pipes locations and if they are near outside walls; if exposed, they could let energy escape your home.
Take a Look at Lighting
One of the biggest energy wasters in most homes is lighting, particularly during the day when you’re not at home. It’s essential to ensure that lights are only on when necessary; replace any incandescent light bulbs with CFLs or LEDs. You can also consider residential solar panels for your home and forget about energy bills.
Consider Ventilation
If there are rooms in your home that aren’t well ventilated, energy usage can go up when you’re trying to maintain a comfortable temperature. Make sure vents and fans operate correctly, but also consider opening up windows or doors when possible; this will allow fresh air to circulate throughout the room.
Check Your Insulation
Insulation is a pivotal factor to consider in achieving energy efficiency in your home. If you have insufficient insulation, it can be challenging to maintain an ideal temperature inside your home during the winter and summer months. For this reason, check out your attic for any exposed beams that could let warm/cool air escape from inside your house. Also, make sure no heat escapes from the basement.
Solar Energy Solutions
At Solar Optimum, we provide solar energy solutions to homeowners in California. Contact us today to learn more about how we can improve your home’s energy efficiency and save you a lot of money.
