Energy Audits: What They Are and Why You May Need One

At AC-World, we’ve learned over the years that many people aren’t sure what an energy audit is. Some people who don’t really need one get one, while others who could benefit from one don’t get them. We are here to explain the basics of an energy audit and help you decide if it’s right for you.

The basics of an energy audit

The easiest way to describe an energy audit is as a way to look at how much energy your home uses and where you are using it. It will then identify places that you’re using more energy than you need to be using. For example, many people with an outdated central AC could save significantly on their utilities by installing a more energy efficient system such as a ductless mini split AC.

What a home energy audit typically covers

Depending on who you get your energy audit from, it may cover different things. However, in our experience these are common things included in them:

• A survey of the outside of your home.
• Combustion related appliance testing
• Evaluation of your HVAC system and equipment used to heat water
• Evaluation of your large appliances
• An interview with the homeowner so their needs and usage habits can be understood
• A depressurization of the home that leads to information about air infiltration
• Inspection of the entire airflow system within a home
• Written report with ideas for saving energy
• Recommendations on which renovations could yield the fastest energy payback

Examples of people who can benefit from a home energy audit

Many people can learn a lot through a home energy audit. For example, they may learn how much energy they’re losing to a ducted AC and heating system, or they may discover that they have electrical appliances that are eating up a lot of their energy usage. However, for some homeowners, an energy audit can be a waste of money.

If you know where your home is losing energy – or have a good idea – then it’s likely best to address those issues first. On the other hand, for someone who’s not sure where to start, has a lot of things to be repaired, or doesn’t have the first idea of what’s wrong, an energy audit can provide valuable information. No matter what you decide, remember that AC World is here to provide you with energy efficient air conditioning products.