If you want a detailed report on your household energy efficiency and what you can do to improve it, a professional home energy audit is a good option. Roughly half of your home's energy consumption goes into heating and cooling. While the tune-ups themselves aren't DIY jobs, there are still a few things you can do to make sure your system is running as best it can: Major appliances like your refrigerator, dishwasher, washing machine and dryer can make a big dent in your monthly energy use. Click your state below to view offers in your area. With the right light bulbs and window treatments, you can get all the light you need for a few bucks per year. Need windows sealed? This is especially important if you converted appliances like your cooktop or your dryer from electricity to natural gas. Keep an eye on your inbox for more information. Attics must be properly ventilated, usually through some combination of soffit vents (at the bottom edge of the roof, near the rain gutters), roof vents (near the top of the roof) and attic fans. Here is how to calculate the R-Value of your existing insulation: TIP: Insulation disintegrates over time.
With this information and checklist, you are well on your way to making your home energy efficient and saving on your electricity bill. Do you unplug devices when they are not in use? There may also be ventilation and exhaust pipes that extend through the attic and roof. If your fireplace flue is leaking air, look into an inflatable chimney balloon. There are multiple utility companies that maintain the electricity poles and wires to your zip code. The final step in the process of conducting a DIY home energy audit is evaluating the way you use electronic devices and appliances. Confused about electricity industry terminology? If you are a Texas resident, we can even help you shop for your electricity with our PlanScan service. That’s why it’s a top focus of your DIY home audit.
The average 60 watt equivalent LED only uses nine watts of electricity, where your average CFL (compact fluorescent light) of the same equivalency uses 13 watts. That might not seem like a lot, but that’s a full 30% reduction in electricity usage per LED bulb. And even if you are in contract, it doesn’t hurt to review current prices and see if you could save by switching (keep in mind there may be an early termination fee!). Are there motion sensors on your outdoor lights? If you are in a deregulated electricity market like Texas, Ohio or Connecticut, you can shop for your electricity rate. A professional home audit is great if you can afford one. The adhesive used in general purpose duct tape is not built to withstand the hot and cold temperatures and moisture of an HVAC system. Plus we have a handy downloadable home energy audit checklist pdf. Air leaks can greatly impact your home’s energy efficiency and increase your electricity or natural gas bill. Check out our FAQ for more information on choosing the right plan for you. The effectiveness of insulation is measured in R-value, and different insulating materials have different R-values per inch. But here’s a tip: most people don’t need a HERS Index unless they are buying or selling a home.
Are there small steps you can take (like caulking windows) while saving for more expensive items (like replacing windows)? But you can’t seal air leaks without locating them first, which is why looking for these leaks is the first step in conducting a home energy audit. Need insulation? Air leaks represent just one threat to the loss of your HVAC-treated air -- poor insulation is another. TIP: You’ll want a tape measure and notebook, to make note of the type of insulation and the thickness in each area of your home. If yours are not insulated, take note of this. Log in to renew or transfer your service, Supply Chain Responsibilities & Disclosure. Energy Star washing machines and dishwashers are also designed to help save water, giving you even bigger benefits over the long term. Air leaks can carry hot humid outdoor air into your house in the summer. Here’s what to check, and where to check. This U.S. Department of Energy R-value map shows the recommended R-values for eight different climate zones throughout the U.S. While that service is often worth the time and expense, you can also conduct a DIY home energy audit in a single afternoon and identify all sorts of ways to make your home more energy-efficient. In cutting a hole in your wall to run the line, the service person may have left a gap.
Even if a device is turned off, it may still be drawing power in “quick power up” mode. Ductwork and pipes in unheated spaces need to be insulated. How long do you plan to own your current home? Energy.gov has a helpful appliance and electronics calculator to estimate how much energy specific devices use. These fit below your fireplace flue when not in use. The HERS Index compares and scores your home vs. an ideal energy efficient home. Heating and cooling accounts for about 42% of your annual energy costs. There are two ways to conduct a home energy audit. How much money do you spend on electricity? Here are three ways to find air leaks: Caulking and weatherstripping are the most common ways to cut air leaks in windows and doors. First up, we’ll tell you what you get with a professional home energy audit … The HERS Index (and professional energy audit) covers: Once the auditor completes their inspection they will generate a detailed report and HERS Index Score. The Department of Energy reports that lighting accounts for 10 percent of a home’s electric bill. Use power strips for your television, gaming system and computer so you can easily flip the switch when they are not in use. The colder the climate, the more insulation you need. Replacing incandescent lighting with energy-efficient LED or CFL lights lowers your electric bill while also reducing the amount of heat emitted by light bulbs.
Check. There are dozens of factors at play when it comes to the size of your monthly energy bills. Look for cracks, holes, and gaps that could allow air to escape from inside your home in these areas: Make a note of cracks, holes, and gaps in these areas so you remember where you need to seal air leaks in your home.
To properly maintain your HVAC system you should also make sure to keep the condensate drain clean, clean your evaporator coil, remove obstructions around the exterior system and have an HVAC tune-up regularly. Answering these questions might help you identify these opportunities: If you aren’t using timers, motion sensors, or dimmers, consider making these energy efficient upgrades. The HomeSelfe app will guide you through the process of conducting a home energy audit by asking you simple questions about the way you use energy at home. To show you the right plan, please enter your ZIP code below, helpful appliance and electronics calculator, City Inspections & Permits for Texas Business Electricity, Bulb Energy – Month to Month Electricity with Fixed Summer Rates, How to Shop Business Electricity in New York, Floors over unconditioned spaces (like garages or cellars), HVAC systems, water heating system, and your thermostat. The total R-value of insulation you should have in your attic depends on where you live.
(Learn more on HVAC maintenance and how to keep your A/C running cold in these additional ElectricityPlans.com articles.).
After checking for drafts where there shouldn’t be, and ensuring air flow where it should be, next you will want to check your insulation. Your home also has exhaust fans that must be clear of debris. A home that’s energy efficient is less expensive to maintain and makes your home environment more comfortable. Even if your home was properly insulated at one time, you may need to add more insulation as your home ages. Your HERS Report outlines the energy features of the home, the estimated cost of utility bills, and how you can improve your score (and thus improve the energy efficiency of your home).
If they are dirty or old, they may need to be replaced to improve the energy efficiency of your heating and cooling system. Your electronics can also be a drain on your electricity bill. Or use a Smart Power Strip that includes circuitry designed to prevent household electronics from wasting power. Examine the light fixtures in your home to determine whether or not you are using energy efficient light bulbs. So if you've fallen behind on your maintenance schedule, your first action item should be to schedule a tune-up and set a reminder for next year. How to Conduct A DIY Home Energy Audit. A DIY Home Energy Audit helps identify how you can save money and energy around your home. Below we tell you more about the HERS Index. If your home is like most, your central heating and cooling system drive 50% of your electricity bill. You’ll receive a detailed report on your home, including a list of exactly what you need to fix and how much it will cost.
If you are still using traditional light bulbs, consider replacing them with compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) or light-emitting diodes (LEDs). While that service is often worth the time and expense, you can also conduct a DIY home energy audit in a single afternoon and identify all sorts of ways to make your home more energy-efficient. Who knows, they may even offer a free home energy audit! Make sure these vents are clear of insulation on the inside and free of debris on the outside.
If you see dirt streaks, this could indicate that there is an air leak that needs to be sealed by a professional. Done. Insulation is especially important on your attic floor, where it can block out superheated air in the summer and seal in the warmth in the winter. You can get one with a professional home energy auditor that is licensed to perform a HERS inspection. So don’t overlook a review of your electricity bill! Select your state to get started: Read our blog to learn more about finding the best electricity plan for your needs: Questions about shopping for electricity plans? Then we tell you how to perform a DIY Home Energy Audit. Can you lower the brightness on your computers, laptops, and TVs to save energy? This means you won’t have to interpret the results of your home energy audit to determine what you should do to make your home more energy efficient—the app will do all the work for you! ElectricityPlans, the ElectricityPlans logo, and "Power Your Life" are registered trademarks and/or service marks of Cypress Capital Ventures, LLC. TIP: Never use regular duct tape to repair holes in your HVAC duct work.
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