HOME HVAC SERVICES IN NEWBURGH, MIDDLETOWN, PORT JERVIS AND SURROUNDING NY AREAS – ENERGY AUDITS

The “DIY” Home Energy Audit

Having a professional come out and take a look at your home is the best way to determine whether or not your home is losing energy and where you can save. But what many homeowners do not realize is that you can also conduct your own home walk-through to spot problems in your home. This DIY home energy audit will not be as thorough as a professional coming out and looking at your home, but it can help you pinpoint some of the more common areas that may need to be addressed. Below you will find a checklist to help with your very own DIY Energy Audit:

  • Locate air leaks – Check for gaps along the baseboard or edge of the flooring, at junctures of the walls and ceiling, take a look outside of your home, windows, doors, lighting, plumbing fixtures, switches, electrical outlets and your fireplace damper.
  • Seal air leaks – You should fill and caulk holes at all faucets, pipes, electric outlets, and wiring. Seal all cracks and holes in the mortar, foundation, siding, windows and doors.
  • Understand your home’s ventilation system – When sealing any home, you must always be aware of the danger of indoor air pollution and combustion appliance “backdrafts”. Make sure all appliances are properly ventilated.
  • Review your home’s insulation – In the attic, check your insulation coverage and make sure any holes are properly sealed.
  • Inspect your heating and cooling equipment – Check your HVAC system every year. If your system is older, it may be time to have a professional come out and look at replacing your system with a newer more energy efficient system.
  • Review your home’s lighting – Energy for lighting your home accounts for about 10% of your overall electric bill. Take a look at all of your light bulbs in your home and think about replacing any inefficient bulbs with energy-saving LEDs.
  • Appliances and Electronics – The age and types of appliances and electronics in your home and how often you use them affect your energy consumption as well as how much money you spend on energy every month. You should take a long look at the appliances and electronics in your home and come up with a usage strategy. Whether you use these items less often or buy newer, more energy efficient units, your appliance usage plays an important role in your energy bill.

After you have completed a DIY home energy audit and know where your home is losing energy, make a plan to correct these issues. Here are a few questions you can ask yourself:

  • How much money do you spend on energy?
  • Where are your greatest energy losses?
  • How long will it take for an investment in energy efficiency to pay for itself in energy cost savings?
  • Do the energy-saving measures provide additional benefits that are important to you—for example, increased comfort from installing double-paned, efficient windows?
  • How long do you plan to own your current home?
  • Can you do the job yourself or do you need a contractor?
  • What is your budget?
  • How much time do you have for maintenance and repairs?
  • Should I call a professional to perform a Home Energy audit?

PROFESSIONAL HOME ENERGY AUDIT

After completion of your DIY home energy audit, consider calling in a professional to complete a more thorough review of your home and your energy usage. Save your DIY energy audit because this can help the auditor better understand your home and areas of energy usage concern.