Five signs it’s time for a Home Energy Audit

A home energy audit can help homeowners identify problem areas and take steps to improve efficiency and reduce their environmental impact, such as installing a heat pump or more efficient appliances.

A home energy audit is a comprehensive process that involves checking for window and door drafts, inspecting HVAC systems, evaluating appliances, examining insulation, checking ductwork, and more. Qualified technicians will use infrared cameras and other tools to carefully examine your home for potential energy waste. When they’re done, technicians will provide homeowners with a report and suggestions concerning how to improve energy efficiency.

If you’re on the fence about whether to schedule a home energy audit, here are a few signs that your home needs one:

• Your energy bills are higher than your neighbors’ bills – Talk to neighbors about their monthly electric bills. If their homes are about the same size as yours and have the same number of occupants, their electric bills shouldn’t be too different from yours. If their bills are significantly lower, it could be a sign that your home has some efficiency issues.
• Inconsistent room temperatures – If you need to wear a parka in your living room but your bedroom is sweltering, it’s a good sign that there are some issues with your HVAC system or that leaks are present in your windows and doors. A home energy audit can isolate the problem.
• You have older appliances – There are many perfectly good older appliances that have decent energy efficiency ratings. That said, appliances manufactured 10 years ago are nowhere near efficient as modern appliances. Older appliances may have their efficiency even further diminished by age and wear and tear.
• Strange smells in the house – If there’s a rotten egg smell in your home, this can indicate a gas leak. If your home smells like the fireplace or garage, this could indicate substantial air leakage. An energy audit can determine the cause of the problem.
• Condensation on your walls or windows – This can indicate a water leak or ventilation problem, both issues that can impact the energy efficiency of your home.

By scheduling an audit and following the recommendations the audit will provide, you can greatly increase the efficiency of your home and head off potential problems from mold, moisture damage, or other home repair issues.

When hiring a contractor to provide a home energy audit, it’s important to find a company with significant experience in providing home energy audits. These audits require special tools and training, so a professional firm with a track record of success is the ideal choice.

Washington Energy Services is a family-owned business providing home energy efficiency solutions to Seattle area clients.  Founded in 1957, Washington Energy Services has generations of experience in providing heating and cooling and other energy-related services, including sales, installation, and service. A member of the Puget Sound Energy Contractor Alliance Network, Washington Energy Services has an excellent local business reputation.

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