Categories: Lifestyle

Step-By-Step Guide To Conducting A DIY Home Energy Assessment

When you think about cutting back on expenses, you may try going out to dinner less often or buying clothes at a discount store rather than in an exclusive shop. Cutting your energy bill is also an excellent way to save money.

It may seem as though cutting back on energy use will be inconvenient and uncomfortable. This does not have to be the case. Cutting back on energy waste can save a lot of money. You will also reduce your carbon footprint. According to Housepro, There are a few simple steps to conducting a DIY home energy assessment.

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Inspect Your Home’s Insulation

If you have an attic, you want to begin your home inspection there and work your way down. You will need a flashlight to inspect your attic’s insulation. Check to see if the insulation is damaged in any way. If insulation is falling apart or missing, your air conditioner and heating system will not be able to work properly. Therefore, you should replace it as soon as possible.

Window And Door Inspection

You may think that your windows will protect you from the elements as long as they are not broken. Windows can get small cracks in them over time. Those cracks cause leaks that will let out cold air in the summer and warm air in the winter.

Windows need caulking around them for proper insulation. Replace any missing or loose caulking. Make sure all the doors in your home can shut completely. Doors wear down after they are opened and shut multiple times, and that can cause leaks.

Perform An HVAC Inspection

Your air conditioning system is one of the most energy-consuming appliances in your home. If an HVAC is not working correctly, a great deal of energy is wasted. Do a basic check of your HVAC system. The first thing you should check is the filters. A heater or air conditioner with dirty filters will not work properly, if at all.

Most professionals will advise you to change air conditioning filters once a month and heating filters every 3 months. Inspect your HVAC unit for leaks. If the refrigerant is leaking, your system may break down. You will need to call a professional to fix leaks in an HVAC system.

Read Your Energy Bills Carefully

Gather your last few months of energy bills and read them very carefully. If you see any spikes in energy usage, figure out what is causing them. For example, If you were home more during one month of the summer than you were in the other months, you may have used your air conditioner more often. If you cook more around the holidays, your electric bill may be higher in November and December.

Performing an energy assessment every six months and correcting any problems will make a marked difference in your energy bills. You work hard for your money, and the electric company should not get to keep it all.