FAQ - What is an Energy Audit?
An Energy Audit or Energy Assessment is a review of your entire home for energy efficiency and can tell you how much energy your home uses and will list improvements that can be made to improve energy efficiency. DR Wastchak is a good resource of information. in Tempe, Arizona, and can answer questions. Check out this sample report.
Improvements or changes can be as simple as replacing light bulbs or as intricate as updating an HVAC system. Either way, the homeowner has the discretion to spend as little or as much as they want based on their specific budget and home. Check out this video for the basic information.
Improvements can include:
Planting trees outside West or South facing windows, depending on your climate;
Removing shrubs to allow for heat gain in the winter;
Sealing, adding film, or
Replacing windows;
Compact Fluorescent Bulbs or LED’s use less energy and last much longer than traditional bulbs.
Sealing cracks to the exterior spaces or garage to prevent air leakage;
Redistributing or adding additional insulation to the attic or to the lid of the roof;
Adding a mechanical ventilation system;
Sealing canned light fixtures to prevent air leakage;
Replacing outdated appliances with new Energy Star appliances;
Lastly, solar can be considered once the inexpensive options have been explored to reduce your energy usage.
Whatever you decide, wouldn’t it be nice to understand how your electric bill adds up?! Watch for my next installment!
This list is not all inclusive and the author is not an Energy Auditor, so consult the experts for specific answers.
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