Chicago: 773-938-3091Energy Audit
An energy audit is a comprehensive evaluation of your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems to assess their energy efficiency and identify ways to reduce energy consumption and costs.
Why You Need Energy Audit and How To Get One?
A home energy audit is the best way to make informed decisions on how to make your home more energy-efficient, proactively stop things from becoming problems, and improve the comfort of those living in your home. The first thing you should check during a home energy audit is your building envelope and ductwork. Of all electrical demands, HVAC makes up around 40% of it. If you want to reduce your energy consumption, this is the best place to start—especially if you live in an older home.
What’s a Home Energy Audit?
A home energy audit is a detailed evaluation of your home’s energy consumption. During an audit, a professional inspects various aspects of the home, including insulation levels, heating and cooling systems, appliances, windows, and doors1. Here’s what typically happens during a home energy audit:
- Exterior Inspection: The auditor examines components like windows, walls, and eaves to identify any major issues causing energy leaks.
- Attic Assessment: Insulation is checked for proper installation and even distribution between walls. Electrical line holes are inspected for proper sealing.
- Furnace and Water Heater Evaluation: Older systems may be candidates for upgrades. Furnace filters are also checked.
- Duct Inspection: Connections in the basement ducts are examined to locate possible heat and energy leaks.
Making energy efficiency upgrades based on audit findings can save 5-30% on your monthly energy bill while ensuring your home’s health and safety.
What are The Benefits Of Conducting a Home Energy Audit?
Conducting a home energy audit, also known as a home energy assessment, offers several advantages:
- Energy Savings: By identifying inefficiencies, you can make necessary upgrades and save on your monthly energy bill—typically 5-30%.
- Improved Comfort: Addressing problem areas ensures a more comfortable home temperature.
- Health and Safety: Audits help identify potential health risks, such as carbon monoxide from poorly-ventilated heating systems2.
- Environmental Impact: Conserving energy reduces environmental pollution and minimizes natural resource use.
- Better Air Quality: Fixing issues leads to better indoor air quality and less indoor pollen.
- Extended HVAC System Lifespan: Identifying and fixing problems early can prolong the life of your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system.
Overall, a home energy audit provides a comprehensive understanding of your home’s energy use and helps prioritize efficiency improvements.
Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC)
You may qualify for a 30% federal tax credit on both the cost of the PWRcell system and its installation, provided it’s installed alongside solar panels.
The Process Of a Home Energy Audit?
A home energy audit is a crucial step in assessing your home’s energy consumption and identifying areas for improvement. Here’s how the process typically unfolds:
- Homeowner Consultation: The auditor discusses your concerns, reviews your energy bills, and understands your household’s energy usage patterns.
- On-site Inspection: During this phase, the auditor conducts a thorough examination of your home. They assess insulation levels, heating and cooling systems, appliances, windows, and doors. Some audits include a blower door test (to detect air leaks) and a thermographic scan (to identify temperature variations).
- Detailed Report: After the inspection, the auditor provides you with a comprehensive report. This report outlines their findings, suggests energy-saving improvements, and prioritizes cost-effective upgrades.
What Do You Do After Audit?
After a home energy audit, you can take several steps to improve your home’s energy efficiency:
- Prioritize Recommendations: Review the audit report and prioritize the recommended improvements. Focus on cost-effective upgrades that yield significant energy savings.
- Seal Air Leaks: Address gaps around windows, doors, and other openings. Use weatherstripping or caulk to seal leaks and prevent drafts.
- Insulate Properly: Add or upgrade insulation in areas like the attic, walls, and floors. Proper insulation helps maintain consistent indoor temperatures.
- Upgrade Lighting: Replace incandescent bulbs with energy-efficient LED or CFL bulbs. They last longer and use less electricity.
- Upgrade Appliances: Consider replacing old appliances (especially refrigerators, water heaters, and HVAC systems) with ENERGY STAR-rated models.
- Programmable Thermostat: Install a programmable thermostat to regulate heating and cooling based on your schedule.
- Check Ductwork: Seal any leaks in your ductwork to prevent energy loss.
Is a Worth It?
Absolutely! For most homeowners, it’s well worth the investment to have a professional energy audit done. A home energy audit can cut your energy usage in the long run by helping you identify how to make your home more efficient and reduce your monthly utility bill.
Remember, small changes can add up to significant energy savings over time!
Aeroseal Duct Sealing Services
The Aeroseal is a patented method that uses air ducts and a highly innovative sealant to close and seal leaks, cracks, openings, and holes in duct systems.
How Much Does a Home Energy Cost?
We charge only $150 which includes a blower door to depressurize the home, duct leakage test, a thermal image inspection, finding problem areas and making recommendations on how to improve them. Long-term energy savings and comfort improvements can make it a valuable investment. Our audits also come with recommendations for upgrades that may qualify for rebates, further offsetting the cost.
How Do I Get a Home Energy Audit?
Would you like to set up your home energy audit with GSHA Services, LTD? We can assist you with scheduling and answer any additional questions!
Contact GSHA Services, LTD
Reach out to us via phone, email, or through our website to request a home energy audit. Our team will help schedule an initial consultation and provide information about the audit process.
Schedule a Consultation
After your inquiry, we’ll arrange a visit to assess your home and discuss your concerns, such as high energy bills, inconsistent temperatures, or outdated HVAC systems. We’ll explain the type of energy audit that best fits your home’s needs (basic or comprehensive) and what equipment we’ll use, such as blower door tests or infrared thermography.
On-Site Home Energy Audit
Our certified energy professionals will visit your home to conduct a thorough inspection. This includes evaluating insulation, HVAC systems, windows, doors, and any potential energy leaks.
We may use specialized tools like:
- Blower Door Test to measure air leaks.
- Thermal Imaging to find hidden insulation problems.
- Ductwork Analysis to check for air leakage in HVAC ducts.
Receive a Detailed Report
After the audit, we’ll provide you with a detailed report that includes findings on energy inefficiencies and actionable recommendations. These could include upgrading insulation, sealing leaks, or replacing old HVAC systems. The report will also show how much you can potentially save on energy costs by making the recommended improvements.
Post-Audit Follow-Up
After the audit, we continue to provide support for any necessary installations or repairs. We can help implement energy-saving solutions, like upgrading to energy-efficient HVAC systems, improving insulation, or installing smart thermostats.
Ongoing Support
After the audit, we continue to provide support for any necessary installations or repairs. We can help implement energy-saving solutions, like upgrading to energy-efficient HVAC systems, improving insulation, or installing smart thermostats.
Having an energy audit completed on your home is an easy process. You can simply contact us by calling at (224) 258-0510. Alternatively, you can fill out a contact form on our website. Contact us to take the first step in making your home more energy efficient!