Why Get a Home Energy Audit?

When you talk to most HVAC contractors, they try to sell you on a new HVAC system. Or maybe they try to set you up on an annual maintenance plan.

Those things aren’t necessarily bad. They may be exactly the solutions you need.

But they don’t cover every aspect of efficiency your home could benefit from. And when you talk to the right contractor, they know how to make your home as efficient as it can possibly be.

Because, you can do everything in your power right – turning down the heat or AC, using a programmable or smart thermostat, replacing appliances with newer, energy-efficient ones – but you can still be quite inefficient in your energy use.

How?

Your ductwork may have leaks. Your home may have thousands of small cracks and crevices allowing air to flow outdoors. You may not have the right insulation in your walls or attic. Your attic door may not be sealed correctly, which can actually be one of the leading causes of energy loss in your home.

…And that’s where experienced contractors who perform home energy audits come in.

What an Energy-Saving Home Energy Audit Checks

A home energy audit is a basement (if you have one) to attic check of everything in your home that can cause you to lose energy efficiency.

It can include everything mentioned just a couple of paragraphs ago, plus:

• An analysis of your rim joist, which can often have leaks and cracks surrounding it
• The quality of seals around your doors and windows
• Examination of your crawl space, or a room above your garage
• …And even an analysis of your garage itself

When you get right down to it, energy efficiency becomes highly scientific. You can check hundreds of factors that affect your efficiency and comfort.

How Do You Find a Contractor Who Does This?

Google them, or check with your power company. Electric companies want you to save energy because it’s the best way for them to reduce their costs and increase their profitability.

However, don’t skimp on the contractor you choose. You want nothing less than the best you can find.

You’ll want a contractor with at least a decade of experience, and possibly two. Check their references, certifications, Google reviews, Angie’s list, and don’t give them a break.
Their reputation should be nearly impeccable.

When all is said and done, you’ll get a list of everything that you can do to improve your home’s energy efficiency. Then, you can choose which improvements to make in an order that makes the most sense for you and your budget.

And you’ll wind up with comfortable home…and amazing energy savings at the end of each month!