4 Important Things to Remember While Carrying Out DIY Home Energy Audit

If the energy bills of the house are increasing and getting out of hand then you need to identify the reason behind high energy consumption of the property. A professional home energy audit is thorough and efficient but if you cannot afford a professional one then you can always carry out a DIY home energy audit. Paying the EICR report cost or getting an electrical safety certificate is the best way to ensure electrical safety and efficiency. But if the energy bills are getting out of control then even a do-it-yourself energy audit will help in identifying the problem for high energy consumption and take measures that will lower the consumption and improve energy efficiency.

Here are a few things you should focus to make sure that you carry out an effective energy audit and improve the energy efficiency of the house.

Look for Air Leaks:

An obvious reason for increasing energy consumption is air leaks. If there are cracks and holes in the house that are constantly allowing air to escape then it will difficult for the thermostat to maintain the set temperature without overworking the HVAC system.

During the DIY home energy audit, you need to look for indoor air leaks like gaps along the edge of the floorboards or the baseboard. You should also check the doors, windows, ceiling, lighting, plumbing fixtures, electrical outlets and the walls for cracks and gaps.

Check Adequacy of Ventilation:

The homes are sealed to improve the energy efficiency of the house but if you seal it off completely then you will have to deal with indoor air pollution. Ventilation is critical for keeping the indoors healthy and also making sure that all the appliances working efficiently. Every house has gas appliances and you need to make sure that there is adequate air supply so that the interior stays fresh and healthy. If you notice soot or burn marks around the appliance or see smoke then it indicates a lack of ventilation.

Add Insulation Check to Home Energy Audit List:

Insulation is supposed to improve the energy efficiency of the property and bring the energy bills down. If the insulation of the property is old and worn out, then it will not be able to achieve energy efficiency. It is important to check the insulation from time to time because you will have to update it. If the insulation is inadequate then it will be difficult to have an energy efficient house.

The attic and the basement are often ignored during the insulation installation. The attic should also have a vapor barrier as it is effective in reducing the amount of water and moisture that can pass through sealing. A vapor barrier will improve the effectiveness of insulation.

You should check the condition of wall and basement insulation as well so that you can bring down the energy consumption of the property.

Maintaining the Appliances and Equipment:

Faulty appliances and equipment can increase the energy consumption of the house. To carry out an effective home energy audit you need to check the efficiency of all the appliances you have in the house like refrigerators, air-conditioning, heating system, etc.