How to Conduct a Home Energy Audit

Conducting a home energy audit systematically examines various aspects of your home to find areas where energy is potentially being wasted and where improvements can be made to improve energy efficiency.

Here is a basic guide on conducting a basic home energy audit yourself.

Gather your information #

Bring together your energy bills from the past year to understand your energy usage patterns. Note down any changes in energy consumption throughout the year.

Examine your home insulation #

This can include the walls, floors, and ceilings. Look for gaps, cracks, or signs of wear and tear. Common areas where insulation might be lacking include in your loft and around doors and windows.

Inspect Windows and Doors #

Check for drafts around windows and doors. Seal any gaps with weather stripping or caulking to prevent heat loss.

Assess Heating and Cooling Systems #

Evaluate your heating and cooling equipment, including boilers, furnaces, heat pumps, and air conditioning units. Ensure they are properly maintained and functioning efficiently. If you see reason to, upgrade to energy-efficient models if possible.

Check Lighting #

Assess all of your lighting fixtures and bulbs. Replace any traditional incandescent bulbs you may have with LED ones, which are much more energy-efficient and last much longer.

Review Appliances and Electronics #

Review your household appliances and electronics and replace any outdated ones with ENERGY STAR-approved ones. These are made to consume less energy.

Assess your Hot Water Usage #

You could be using a lot of hot water in your home. Installing water-saving fixtures and appliances, such as low-flow showerheads and energy-efficient water heaters will save you energy and money.

Consider renewable energy #

Explore the potential for integrating renewable energy into your home. These can be solar panels, heat pumps, or small wind turbines that generate green energy and reduce reliance on conventional energy sources like fossil fuels.

Change your Habits #

Find ways in which you can change your behaviours which will reduce energy consumption. This can be things like turning off the lights when not in use, unplugging electronics when not being used, and adjusting thermostat settings.

Professional Assistance #

If you think it’s vital, hire a professional energy auditor or consultant to conduct a thorough assessment of your home’s energy consumption and provide recommendations for change.

Make the Improvements #

Once you have your findings from your audit, you can begin to prioritise and implement energy-saving measures. This can include upgrading insulation, replacing inefficient appliances, sealing air leaks, and adopting energy-efficient practices.

Monitor and Adjust #

Monitor your energy usage regularly, tracking the impact of the improvements you implemented. Adjust your habits and invest as required to further reduce energy consumption and maximise efficiency.

With this guide, you can begin to identify areas for improvement in energy consumption and take the appropriate steps to make your home more energy efficient.