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It's usually beneficial to save money and trim the budget and an energy audit will examine your home to see where you might be wasting resources due to inefficiency. Once you have this expert examination of your house, you will then know what areas need renovation to fix the wasteful gaps in your dwelling. Checking the Attic An energy audit will often start in the attic for basic fact finding. The inspector will check the current insulation in the roof, walls, and floor of the attic to ensure that it meets the code for your geographic area. It's possible that leakage issues could be present around ductwork, chimneys, and recessed lighting. The expert will also check the insulation to discover signs of wiring problems or moisture and leakage issues. Inspecting the Basement Your HVAC system will be a central part of the energy audit. The expert will test the furnace for efficiency and leaks. Expect to get a new furnace filter for your furnace. The auditor will also check your air conditioner to ensure that it's working properly. The water heater is also an important appliance to assess, with thermostat settings and insulation present around the tank being major factors in energy efficiency. Any ductwork present in your home for heating, cooling, and dryer ventilation will be part of the inspection also. Other major appliances, such as the washing machine and dryer will be assessed to ensure they are in proper working order. Assessing the Kitchen and Bathrooms Moving into the kitchen and bathrooms, the inspector will evaluate major appliances such as the dishwasher, refrigerator, and oven/stove. While moving through these rooms, the expert will keep an eye out for signs of excess moisture and water in the home. Fans in the kitchen and bathroom will be checked to ensure that they are operating correctly to remove moisture and prevent mildew. Any electrical hazards such as frayed wiring will be flagged for resolution by the homeowner. Testing for Leaks The blower test is a common energy audit diagnostic process used to detect air leaks in a house. To perform this examination, the inspector blows a special fan through the structure and measures the results. Then, the inspector seals the house completely, installing temporary covers over all doors and closing all windows before running the fan a second time to depressurize the house. The two tests are compared to determine how much air leaks out of the house. The average house has air leakage equal to a 24-inch square opening, which is akin to keeping a standard window open all day and all night. Other Inspections In the course of the energy audit, expect to have fireplaces, smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, lighting fixtures, thermostat, windows, and doors analyzed for efficiency. You will receive a report at the conclusion of the process, indicating areas where you might perform renovations or improvements to make your house more energy and cost efficient. Follow the recommendations you receive, and then schedule another inspection in a year to assess the improvements. When considering an energy audit Syracuse, NY residents visit Energy Savers Inc. Learn more at http://www.energysaverscny.com/
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