home energy audit
A significant part of the energy used in our homes is lost due to air leaks, poor insulation, leaky ducts, inefficient windows and doors, inefficient home appliances, etc. An audit is the first step to identify these energy losses, taking into account what happens in those areas. An energy audit is crucial to reduce energy bills.
Insulation Audit
The insulation installed in most homes is largely insufficient, and their levels can be measured and assessed through simple or professional inspections.
See:
Simple tests involving wall insulation
Professional Thermographic inspections
Simple do-it-yourself energy audits
Air leaks are a common cause of huge heating and cooling losses. Their detection is crucial in any home energy audit.
You can carry yourself a simple home energy audit, using some simple tests or even auxiliary online software to get an energy checkup.
Just take into account the several possible leaky areas, the efficiency of your appliances, the insulation in your rooms and attic, and keep a checklist of the problems you found in those areas. That checklist will help you to choose the upgrades.
See:
Simple tests involving wall insulation
Blower door test
Professional audits
If your home's energy efficiency is low and your energy bills are high, you may hire a professional auditor to perform a complete and detailed energy audit, or contact your utility to see if it performs discounted or free energy audits.
See: Professional home audits and Energy Auditors
Blower Door Test and Thermographic infrared inspections
Professional home energy audits use typical tests, namely blower door tests and thermographic inspections.
See: Blower door test, Thermographic inspections
An energy audit based on software
Some organizations provide free online software, that you may use to assess your home’s energy efficiency.
See, for information on this software: Home Energy Audit Sofware