Performing a Quick and Easy Home Energy Audit

In recent years most of us have been plagued with rising energy bills. In many cases energy bills have risen to such an extent that they are causing financial hardship. Our dependence on fossil fuels, which are non renewable, will cause energy prices to rise even further in the future. There are many simple common sense actions that can be taken to reduce energy costs and consumption. These can range from replacing the incandescent bulbs with energy efficient fluorescent bulbs to simply turning down the thermostat. Heating and cooling costs account for the greater part of most energy bills. Most new homes are built to be energy efficient but many older homes have not been upgraded for energy efficiency. Many older homes are drafty and lack sufficient insulation. For older homes auditing your homes energy is a must. There are many companies that do these audits but they can be pricey. A home energy audit can be done easily and can be the first step in identifying problem areas that are costing energy and money.

A home energy audit will help to determine the efficiency of your home's heating and cooling systems. It will also reveal how to reduce waste and conserve those valuable energy dollars. The first step in any home energy audit is to determine where energy is escaping unused. Reducing drafts in a typical home can result in energy savings of 5% to 30%.

Checking for drafts is relatively easy. Checking windows, baseboards, electrical sockets, fireplace dampers, doors, and other obvious places will probably reveal several places where simple repairs will solve the problem. Checking the exterior of the building is a very important of any home energy audit. Checking exterior corners, foundation areas, and places where chimneys and siding meet will often reveal gaps that can be easily caulked or repaired.

One of the most important parts of any home energy is checking for adequate insulation. Many older homes are woefully under insulated. Insulation has what is known as an 'R' value. Be sure to check for the recommended 'R' value for your area. Check in all the obvious places like the attic and walls. Look for gaps and make sure there is a vapor barrier. A well planned and thorough home energy audit will show where energy is being wasted. Develop your own annual home energy audit that fits your own needs. Then take the necessary actions and start saving money!

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