Electricity bills are an unfortunate reality, and if yours is higher than you would like it to be, you may be looking for ways to be more efficient in your energy use. However, it’s difficult to know where to start without understanding which of your appliances and rooms are consuming the most energy – or if they have issues that prevent them from operating efficiently. During a home energy audit, a certified professional will painstakingly go from room to room in your house. The audit will detail the specifics of each room’s energy consumption and where improvements would help your system run more efficiently, ultimately saving you money on your bill.
What Will The Audit Address?
A sealed home “envelope”: The “envelope” of your house refers to the seals around the doors, windows, and where walls meet the floors. Ideally, these areas are tightly sealed. However, it is common for the seals to loosen and let in a draft over time. Older homes in particular often have this issue, and the auditor will be able to determine where these weak points are.
Functioning HVAC system: The auditor will inspect the aspects of your HVAC system to make sure everything is working correctly. In Sarasota, cooling your home contributes significantly to your electric bill, so if you can maximize this system’s efficiency, you will see your bill go down.
Air leaks in your home: A blower door test is performed to identify air leaks into or out of your home via doors and windows. The auditor will place a special plastic sheet in the doorway; then, a fan will depressurize the air in your house, causing air from outside to rush in through the leaking areas. Infrared scanners can pinpoint where exactly air is entering to know which areas need repairs.
Phantom loads: Sometimes, our appliances and devices use considerable energy even when they aren’t turned on. Your energy audit might include looking for phantom loads and recommendations on how to cut back on these areas of energy use.
Energy-efficient lighting: The odds are that if your auditor notices fluorescent or incandescent bulbs still being used in your house, they will recommend switching to LEDs. Though they cost more upfront, they are well worth the initial investment because of how much money they save throughout their life.
Insulation: Over time, insulation and weather-stripping will break down. The auditor will look at your home’s insulation and recommend replacements if needed.
Thermostat settings: It’s helpful to set a schedule for your thermostat so that you can effortlessly save energy. The audit will assess the temperatures the home thermostat runs at and may suggest altering your settings to decrease how hard your cooling system works.
Breaker panel and wiring: Old or faulty wiring can lead to excess energy use. Auditors will look at your control panel and whatever wires they can access.
The water heater: It takes a lot of energy to heat water, and if you have a large family, there is a good chance it gets a lot of use. The water heater uses a lot of energy. If it is not functioning well, you will be paying for a lot more electricity. Properly repairing and maintaining your water heater will save you a lot of money in the long run.
Be sure to research and find a service provider who offers all the inspections you need for a comprehensive audit. The team of master electricians at Promise Electric is well-qualified to perform an audit for your home (or business.) Call today for more information.
