Everyone wants to save on their energy bills. Since utility companies are unlikely to decide to charge less, it’s up to consumers to ensure they do all they can to reduce their energy expenditure.
An energy audit can help you lower your energy costs without spending much at all. While professionals can provide you with precise, expert results and remedies for the issues they find, you can also conduct a basic home energy audit yourself. You may be surprised how small repairs can add up to big savings!
Energy Savings are Big Business
While the energy company does not have much interest in lowering rates, they do have a vested interest in helping you reduce your energy consumption. Local energy companies such as JEA have online resources to help you learn more about how they determine your bill, how energy usage is calculated, and even evaluation kits.
Even the federal government has resources available to help you search out energy inefficiencies in your home. There’s quite a bit of information available on steps you can take to check your home for issues that waste both energy and money.
Easy Steps to Take to Check Your Home’s Energy Usage
There are some simple tests you can do if you want a more comprehensive view of your home’s energy usage. While few homeowners have the proper resources to do a complete audit, they can investigate problem areas in order to make small improvements and prioritize the order for larger ones.
- Check your insulation levels, especially if you have an attic. Insulation tends to settle, meaning it becomes less effective over time. You may need to add more.
- Look around doors and windows, as well as around and behind light switches, and near baseboards for air leaks. These can undermine your HVAC unit and force it to work harder and use more energy. Weatherstripping and caulk can help mend these leaks.
- Examine your ductwork for holes and tears. What is supposed to transport conditioned air ends up stealing it directly from your heating and cooling.
- The place where your walls and ceiling meet can sometimes crack and allow air in. Look for these leaky spots, as they can cost you money.
Repair Carefully and Call a Professional for Big Jobs
The issues you find on your home energy audit may seem simple to fix, and many are. However, ensuring sufficient airflow around appliances can prevent a buildup of dangerous gases. It is also imperative to ensure combustion appliance backdrafts do not occur.
If you have any concerns about repairs and their ramifications, or you would prefer a more thorough energy audit, contact a professional! Snyder Heating & Air Conditioning has the knowledge and equipment to help lower your energy bills. Call us today!
