As a homeowner, you know that practicing energy-efficient habits is both eco-conscious and budget-friendly. However, it can be hard to know which parts of your home are wasting energy. A great deal of home energy consumption comes from heating and cooling, which could be addressed by your electrical contractor. But with a professional energy audit, you will receive a detailed report of your home’s energy use. To learn more about this process, consult the information below.

How Does a Home Energy Audit Work?

Indoor and Outdoor Structural Inspection

An electrical contractor reviews how efficiently your home uses energy. They will first examine the outside of the house, which includes windows, walls, and eaves. Next, they will do a room-by-room inspection of the residence to check that your insulation is installed, and applied evenly between walls.

Technical Efficiency Review

The auditor analyzes your HVAC system’s ability to operate, and reviews past utility bills for unusual, sudden cost hikes. Many electrical contractor’s energy assessments include a “blower door test” for air leaks. In this test, a technician blows a fan at a closed-door and measures the air exchange rate. Lastly, an energy audit may include a thermographic scan, which makes infrared energy visible to reveal over- or under-insulated areas. 

How Do I Utilize My Report?

Once your home energy audit is complete, you will have a sense of improvements that you can make to improve energy-efficiency. If your home uses dated equipment, you could update HVAC fixtures like air conditioning. In rooms with a lot of air leakage, you can caulk edges or use triple-panes, add weatherstripping to seal drafty doors, or switch to energy-saving, LED lighting.

 

If you need an electrical contractor for your energy audit, or the changes after, consult an expert at Walter’s - Eaton’s Electric, Plumbing, Heating & AC. Serving residential clients in Pierce County, WI, since 1952, they provide reliable electrical services to keep your home running smoothly. Whether you want to conserve energy or need a new HVAC system, their expert team will find the best solution. Give them a call at (715) 273-5589 to schedule an appointment with an electrician or check out their website for more information.