Home Energy Audit 101: What You Should Know

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Whether you've just moved into a new home or you've lived in your current one for several years, there's no better time than now to reach out to a local electrician for a comprehensive home energy audit. In fact, a home energy audit may ultimately save you significantly on your electrical service costs. Here's a look at some of the things that your electrician will look for during this audit process.

Testing For HVAC Efficiency Issues

One of the biggest single sources of energy waste in a home is the HVAC system. If your home is drafty or has air leaks anywhere, you'll waste some of that warm or cool air coming from your HVAC system. The same is true if your air ducts are leaking or poorly connected. Fortunately, your electrician will assess these things as well as the sizing of the unit for your home to ensure that you're getting the most possible benefit from the energy use. They may recommend that you upgrade your HVAC system to a newer, more efficient unit if the existing one is older and less capable.

Assessing Wiring Condition

Another important component of a home energy audit is evaluating the condition of your home's wiring. This means inspecting everything from the wiring in the walls to the connections in your fixtures as well as your breaker panel organization and circuit breaker operation. Any issues with aging or damaged wiring should be addressed right away. Doing so improves efficiency and safety. 

Evaluating Appliance Energy Demand

Your electrician will also take the time to look around your home at all of the appliances that you use on a regular basis. Don't go through and unplug anything that you wouldn't normally have unplugged. The goal of the audit is for the electrician to assess your home's actual energy demand, and anything you do that deviates from that will result in inaccurate evaluations.

Many homeowners don't realize that having fans, computers, and kitchen appliances plugged in even when they aren't on will still consume some energy, much of which is wasted since the device isn't actually powered on. However, your electrician will advise you about which appliances should be unplugged when they aren't in use to minimize your electricity usage.

These are a few of the most important aspects of a home energy audit from your local electrician. Reach out to a local electrician today for more details.


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