Electricity and gas power your home. They offer heat and air conditioning, providing the energy you need to run your lights, appliances, and outlets. Therefore, you can’t live without energy.
The downside is that many homes lose energy, causing homeowners to spend more than necessary. If you’re afraid you’re spending too much on energy costs, you might want to get an energy audit.
An energy audit helps you determine how to use less energy. Keep reading this guide to learn more about energy audits.
What Is an Energy Audit?
An energy audit assesses a home’s carbon footprint and energy usage. It reveals many essential details about a home’s energy efficiency, and it guides homeowners on ways to reduce their energy usage.
Companies that offer AC repair offer these assessments, and you can hire a company to get one.
An energy audit reveals several vital things, including the following:
Areas of Energy Loss
First, an energy audit determines the areas of energy loss in your home. A loss of energy refers to wasted energy.
For example, if you leave your front door open in the winter, you’ll allow the heat to escape. While this isn’t something that people do, it can help you understand what energy loss means.
Ventilation Issues
Energy audits also probe into a home’s ventilation system. A ventilation system keeps air flowing through a house and prevents stagnant air from damaging a home. Ventilation also affects a homeowner’s energy use.
Air Leaks
Air leaks are a direct source of energy loss. While you might notice some drafts in your home, you likely won’t know how to find all the air leaks. However, a company that performs energy audits can.
Inefficient Equipment
Finally, an energy audit includes an assessment of the home’s equipment. The furnace and air conditioning system are the two main components that affect energy usage, but homes have other equipment that also affects it.
What Do They Check During It?
An energy audit isn’t a fast service. It might take several hours to complete, but this is because it’s thorough. Here are some of the things they’ll check during it:
Home’s Exterior
The inspection might begin on the outside of your house. First, the inspector walks around the home, looking for problematic areas. For example, they look for holes and gaps that allow airflow in and out of the house.
Attic
They will also check the attic to ensure that it’s sealed and insulated properly. The attic is an area that can allow air to enter or escape.
Equipment
The inspector also examines the equipment, including the furnace, AC system, and hot water heater. They look for aging signs or issues. They might even test these devices to ensure that they’re working efficiently.
Lights
An energy audit also includes assessing the lights. For example, what types of bulbs do you use? Are they energy-efficient enough?
During this home energy assessment, the inspector will use various tools to test areas of your home.
One tool is a blower. For the air conditioner repair in Columbia, SC, the inspector might use a blower to test for leaks. This test reveals all the leaks in your home they can’t see with their eyes.
Another tool they may use is an infrared camera. This camera helps the inspector find changes in hot and cold air in your house. As a result, it helps them locate air leaks and problematic areas.
You can hire an inspector by looking up, “air-conditioning services near me.”
What Are the Benefits of an Energy Audit?
You can reap many benefits when you hire an AC repairman to complete an energy audit. So what are the top ones?
First, you’ll learn ways to reduce your energy bills. For example, you might discover that your AC system uses too much energy because of its age. If you replace the system, you’ll instantly reduce your home energy use.
You might also learn that you’re using the wrong types of lightbulbs. Again, switching to a different kind might help you cut back on your energy use.
Secondly, you’ll learn about the energy leaks in your home, allowing you to make the necessary changes. For example, if your front door allows too much air to flow through, replacing it might be a smart move.
Finally, you can benefit by experiencing lower energy bills. When you combine the inspector’s tips with other tips for reducing your energy bills, you’ll see decreases in your utility bills.
When Should You Get an Energy Audit?
So, you can probably see why energy audits are essential for homeowners. However, you might wonder when to get one.
You may want to schedule one each year, as this can help you stay on top of things. However, other people wait until they need AC repair in Columbia, SC, before scheduling their assessments.
Most homeowners need air conditioning repair every couple of years, so you could get an energy audit at the same time. However, a better option is to schedule one each year.
When you get a yearly energy audit, you can continuously find ways to reduce your energy usage. The result will be lower energy bills.
How to Get an Audit of Your Home
The amount of energy you use in your home affects your energy bills. If you feel like you spend too much on your utility costs, you might want to get an energy audit.
After all, you’ll learn a lot about your home’s energy efficiency through this service. You’ll also learn ways to reduce your energy usage, resulting in lower utility bills.
Contact us at Cool Care Heating & Air in Columbia, SC, if you’d like more information about energy audits. We offer these and other HVAC services, and we’d love to hear from you.
