You’ve probably received a letter from your home energy provider recommending a home energy inspection. You’ve seen us recommend that you get one. But what makes it so important that you get one?
Let’s start off with what a home energy inspection entails. A home energy inspection essentially measures how much energy your home uses and helps decide what the best measures are for reducing your usage and improving your energy efficiency. There are simple inspections you can do yourself, however, it is usually recommended to use a professional for a more thorough inspection and better results.
Now why do you need the inspection?
Identify Energy Losses
Various things in your home could be raising your energy usage. From drafts, to inefficient appliances. When it comes to drafts, it’s easy to identify the ones coming from windows and doors, however, there may be other drafts in crawl spaces and other places that are harder to identify without the help of a professional. Your home energy inspector will do a thorough search for areas you may be losing out on energy. A blower and infrared tests can be done to locate hard to see draft areas in your home.
Provide Solutions
Once problem areas have been determined in your home, your inspector can provide solutions to those problems. Common solutions include the need for more insulation, replacement windows, or replacement of current appliances for more efficient ones.
Uncovering the problem and applying the solutions will help you increase comfort in your home, save money on your energy bill and also increase marketability of your home[1]. With less draft, it becomes easier and cheaper to heat or cool your home. You use less energy with more efficient appliances.
Overall your wallet will appreciate the home inspection and so will the environment. The less energy you use, the less amount of pollution and greenhouse gasses are created.
Take the first step towards home energy efficiency, get your energy inspection.
Now you know why you need it and where to sign up for one. Here are some tips on how to get your home ready for your inspection.
[1] http://www.resnet.us/professional/home-energy-audit-benefits
