Is Your Home Energy Efficient? 7 Reasons to Consider an Energy Assessment
Most homeowners know when something is obviously wrong with their home. A leaking roof, broken furnace, or plumbing problem usually gets attention right away.
Energy efficiency can be different. A home can look perfectly fine while quietly losing energy through inadequate insulation, air leaks, outdated equipment, or other areas that aren't immediately visible.
An energy assessment can help homeowners understand how their home is performing and where improvements may be worth considering.
Here are seven reasons you may want to have your home evaluated.
1. Your Heating or Cooling Bills Are Higher Than Expected
Energy costs can change from year to year, but consistently high heating or cooling bills may be a reason to take a closer look at your home.
Poor insulation and air leakage can increase the amount of energy required to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature.
An assessment can help identify areas where energy may be escaping.
2. Some Rooms Are Always Too Hot or Too Cold
Do you have one bedroom that's always freezing in the winter? Or perhaps an upstairs room that becomes extremely hot during the summer?
Uneven temperatures can have several causes, including insulation levels, air leakage, ductwork, windows, or other issues with the home's building envelope.
An energy assessment can help determine whether insulation or air sealing may be contributing to the problem.
3. You Notice Drafts
Drafts around windows and doors are easy to notice, but air can also enter and escape through less obvious locations.
Gaps around plumbing, electrical wiring, attic hatches, recessed lighting, ductwork, and other penetrations can contribute to unwanted air movement.
Identifying and sealing these areas can be an important part of improving a home's energy performance.
4. Your Home Has Older or Uneven Insulation
If your attic insulation is old, compressed, uneven, or appears to be insufficient, it may be worth having it professionally evaluated.
Simply adding more insulation isn't always the right first step. Exist
