If Done Correctly, a DIY Energy Evaluation Can Clue You in to Fixable Inefficiencies

If Done Correctly, a DIY Energy Evaluation Can Clue You in to Fixable Inefficiencies

Performing a DIY energy evaluation gives homeowners a clue about inefficiencies around the home. Once you know where air leaks occurs, and where insulation lacks, along with other key considerations, you’ll know just where to target your efforts to solve energy wasting problems around the home. Here’s how to proceed.

Air leaks

Document the areas around your home that leak. You likely know of many already, as drafts from under doors or around windows are easy to feel. Check other places around the home’s exterior where air leaks are likely to occur, such as areas where utilities protrude through the home, around baseboards, behind electrical outlets, and the like.

To close air leaks, use basic home caulking, applying material designed for the interior along the areas where leaks occur, and using exterior caulking to close up leaks around the perimeter of the home’s exterior.

Insulation

If you seal all air leaks in your home, but your energy evaluation neglects to take insulation into account, you may still have large amounts of energy loss. If insulation levels aren’t up to par in the walls, floors, attic and so forth, heat will move through the building. In summer, this means heat will move into the home, causing the interior temperature to rise, and increasing air conditioning costs. Conduct a visual inspection to ensure that the areas you can see are insulated, such as around the attic hatch, on the floors, and around protrusions through the attic flooring. You’ll need to hire an expert to conduct a thorough evaluation of insulation in areas like walls.

Additional steps

Boost home efficiency by considering elements in the home that generate heat, contributing to a higher cooling load. Replace lighting with efficient options like compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) or light-emitting diodes (LEDs), and choose appliances that don’t draw energy when they’re in standby mode. When upgrading, choose Energy Star-qualified equipment that consumes less energy.

If you’d like to get even better results, contact Air-Tro to schedule a professional energy audit. We serve homeowners and businesses in the greater Los Angeles area.

Or, for questions on how you can manage your energy, call the Air-Tro energy experts at 626-357-3535 today.We’ve been helping Californians save money and keep comfortable since 1969.