Home Energy Audit

​When you are winterizing your home, you must think about all of the areas that will be affected.  This is a task that will take some time to complete.  You want to be able to save as much money as possible, so you have to work on finding all of the cracks and air pockets that need to be sealed up in your home.

ENERGY STAR products that can help you save money on your home by getting a hold of this report and reading it, you will be able not only how to stay comfortable in your home, but you will also learn how to save money in the process.

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Conducting A Home Energy Audit

One of the first things that you can do before you start the winterizing process is to conduct a home energy audit.  This can help you to figure out how much energy you are using in your home.  

The results will help you to take measures to make your home more energy-efficient for the winter season.  Even though the season lasts about four to six months, you can still save a substantial amount of money in that time frame.  
With an audit, you will learn if the heating and cooling systems in your home are efficient.  You will also learn how to save on hot water and electricity.  You can do your own home energy audit, or pay a professional to do it for you.  Either way you will find out some things that you probably never knew or thought about.
You need to conduct a walkthrough in your home.  Once you start, you will find things that you probably did not pay attention to in the past.  Make a list of the things that you find such as cracks in the walls, etc. 

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Professional Home Energy Audits

Professionals that conduct home energy audits are very detailed.  They are supposed to examine each room of your home.  They should also take a look of some of your utility bills from the past.  

The auditor will conduct a blower door test and a thermographic scan.  This kind of scan uses a special infrared camera that can detect hot spots in your home.  They are usually combined with a blower door test.  With this test, if there is an air leak, it will show up as a black streak in the viewing area of the camera.

You should list existing problems with your home that are related to your home not being energy efficient.  The auditor will look at the energy bill to determine what he needs to focus on as they are conducting the audit.  

The auditor will look at the outside of your home to see how big or small it is.  They will also need to know if anyone stays home during the day and how many people live in the home.  The auditor will also need to know if every room in the house is being used.  

You will need to let the auditor know what the average temperature is that you set for the winter season.  They may use other equipment to determine where the loss of energy is coming from in your home.

From your answers, the auditor will be able to help you find ways that you can cut back on your energy costs to save money.  As they continue looking around, accompany them and don't be afraid to ask questions.  After all, this is your house and you do want to save money during the winter months.  

If you need to find a home energy auditor, check with your state or local government agency.  They may be able to refer you to someone who is reputable.  Check with your utility company to see if they can recommend someone.  The utility companies also have people who can conduct home energy audits.  

Before you make a decision on an auditor, get some references and make sure they pan out.  Ask about the auditor's work.  Contact the Better Business Bureau to see if they have any complaints against them.