7 March What an Energy Audit Can Do for You March 7, 2022 By sma Home Inspection, Home Maintenance appliances, chimney, electrical, foundation, insulation, ventilation, walls, windows 0 WHAT AN ENERGY AUDIT CAN DO FOR YOU March 7, 2022 | Home Maintenance, Home Inspection | foundation, chimney, walls, windows, appliances, electrical, insulation, ventilation The average household spends over $2,000 a year on energy expenses. If you fall into the average, or even find yourself surpassing it), you’re ready to start saving money. One way that you can decrease your usage and spending is by having an energy audit performed. Benefits of an Energy Audit You probably already know the biggest benefit of an energy audit– saving yourself money. But there are other positives you may not have thought of. You’ll also be able to save your appliances, mainly your HVAC system, from wearing out as quickly. You may even find yourself living more comfortably without having to constantly fight your HVAC. What Kinds of Homes Should Get an Audit? It’s a given that most older homes don’t hold up as well as when they were first built, so it’s no surprise they can eventually become an energy sinkhole. Older frames tend to split, and this can allow for a higher amount of intrusion from the outside air. Even if your house is brand new or recently remodeled, there can still be defects within the construction that hinder its efficiency. That’s why it pays to have an energy audit so that you can catch any issues ASAP. What Happens During the Inspection? Prior to the inspection itself, your inspector may ask about problems you currently experience and what you’d like to accomplish afterwards. Then, they’ll take a look at your home’s overall “envelope.” This is the barrier that keeps the air between your home and the outdoors separate and includes insulation and ventilation. To help give you a clearer picture, your inspector will use a blower door and infrared technology. Combined, these tools pinpoint the areas in your home where air is escaping. Blower Doors A blower door test involves using a high-powered fan attached to an adjustable frame that can fit over a doorway. Every exterior door and window is then closed to seal the home as tightly as possible. The fan then will pull the air out of the home and force it outside. The difference in pressure then reveals where the outside air is seeping inside, simulating air infiltration on windy days. The inspector will be able to tell from the readouts on the gauges just how much air is getting in. Infrared In addition to a blower door test, an infrared camera will really let the inspector see what’s going on in your home. Typically, the inspector will use the infrared camera while the blower door is running. As the camera shows the variations in temperature, they’ll be able to pinpoint exact areas of air loss. What to Do After Once your inspector is done, they’ll go over their findings with you. You’ll see just how much energy your home is losing, but also receive suggestions on how to fix it. You may be able to shave hundreds off your monthly expenses just by doing a few simple repairs. Going forward, it’s important that you stay up on your home maintenance to prevent similar issues from returning. Call National Property Inspections Today National Property Inspections has the knowledge and expertise to assess your home’s structure, major systems, and appliances, providing you with a comprehensive report you can use to make the best decision for your family. With more than 200 locations across the U.S. and Canada, it’s easy to find an inspector near you. Comments are closed.