Researchers have proposed that energy conservation, or energy saving, is very important. Even more crucial than efficiency, which can cut costs and increase demand is innovation. While a professional home energy inspection is the best approach to figure out where your home is wasting energy and where you can save money, you can do your own basic but thorough walk-through and find many problems in any home. This article home energy inspection can put you in the right direction for some of the more common issues on your home. Keep a list of areas you’ve inspected and problems you’ve discovered as you move around your house. This list will guide you in prioritizing your energy-saving improvements.
1) Find Air Leaks
Make a list of any obvious air leaks first (drafts). The potential energy savings from decreasing drafts in a home can vary from 10% to 20% per year, and the house will be much more comfortable as a result. Controlling air leakage has the potential to lower electric energy costs. For indoor air leaks inspect for gaps at the baseboard or edge of the flooring, as well as at the junctions of the walls and ceiling. Also look for leaks on the outside of your house, particularly where two different types of building materials meet. Windows, doors, lights and plumbing fixtures, switches, and electrical outlets are all areas to look for leaks. Also, look for dampness from an open fireplace.
2) Check your lighting consumption
Lighting accounts for around 10% of your total electricity bill. Inspect your light bulbs and consider switching to a more energy-efficient option, such as compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), or light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Consider the brightness of the bulbs you want and search for lumens and the Lighting Facts label when shopping for bulbs. For purchasing energy-efficient lamps, your electric utility may give rebates or other incentives. Look for solutions to reduce lighting use by using sensors, dimmers, or timers. For purchasing energy-efficient lamps, luxurious lighting your electric utility may give rebates or other incentives. Being connected to cheap electricity plans that support all your appliances will also save you a lot in electricity bills. Look for solutions to reduce lighting use by using sensors, dimmers, or timers. For example, energy-efficient luxury lightning choices help lower your electricity consumption and cut down bills.
3) Inspect the heating and cooling systems
Annually, or as directed by the manufacturer, inspect heating and cooling equipment. Check your filters and replace them if necessary if you have a forced-air furnace. In general, you should replace them every month or two, especially during peak consumption periods. Once a year, have your equipment inspected and cleaned by a professional. If your system is more than 15 years old, you should replace it with a newer, more energy-efficient model. A new unit might help you save a lot of money on energy, especially if your old one is in bad shape. Look for dirt streaks in the ductwork, particularly along the seams. These are signs of air leaks that should be addressed with duct mastic.
4) Check Insulation
If your home’s insulation levels are less than the necessary minimum, heat leakage through the ceiling and walls could be significant. When your home was built, the builder most likely added the recommended quantity of insulation at the time. Given today’s energy prices (and likely greater future prices), the level of insulation may be insufficient, particularly if you have an older home. Wall insulation can save up to 25.5 percent of space heating energy and 11.9 percent of yearly building energy consumption if walls are adiabatically insulated so that no heat is transferred through them (Note that the space heating contributes to 46.7 percent of the annual home energy consumption).
