There are many ways to increase your home’s energy efficiency, but the best first step is to get a home energy audit. An energy inefficient home can cost you in more ways than one. High energy bills, mold, mildew, damp basements and attics, cold floors and drafty rooms are just a few examples of homes not properly sealed and ventilated.
If you are interested in getting specific reccomendations about your home’s energy efficiency, you can hire a professional Home Energy Auditor. Using different techniques, the Auditor can test your home’s efficiency in areas such as insulation and air leakage. But don’t be afraid to do it yourself. Most of the biggest inefficiencies are usually easy to detect, especially if you’ve never tried it before. The most common culprit is loose joints in the ductwork which can result in hundreds of dollar of wasted energy costs per year¹.
Solutions for problems found in an energy audit vary from adding extra insulation to parts of walls to installing attic vent fans. Be mindful that many of these projects can be done on your own without the help of a professional, but always reach out for help when you feel you need it.
Did you know that an energy audit determines that a solar attic fan will save $25 a month in air conditioning
costs¹?
Over a four-month summer period you can save $100, and that's just one solution found from a home energy audit. Using a
solar attic vent fan will not only decrease your AC use, but also decrease your overall electricity use, saving you even more
money.
Did you know that mold and mildew that grow easily in poorly insulated homes can lead to allergies, asthma and
respiratory problems?
If your home has water damage, mold and mildew can grow in as little as 24 hours. You can protect your home by ventilating
and sealing off air leaks to prevent humidity from collecting. Simple home energy audits can detect where these two potential
problems can grow or are already growing.
Did you know that air conditioners release refrigerant gasses into the atmosphere through leakage?
Air conditioners implement the transfer of Freon, a known greenhouse gas, which can leak into the atmosphere through the
air cooling process. The global contribution to climate change of these refrigerant greenhouse gases could match that of
motorized vehicles by 2050². Getting a home energy audit, increasing the efficiency of your home's energy, and decreasing
your dependence on AC is just one more step in helping to save the planet.
SOURCES :
1. DeGunther, Rik. "Energy Efficient Homes for Dummies." Indianapolis, Indiana: Wiley Publishing Inc., 2008.
2. Waldorf, Aaron; Kightley, Eric. "Frequency and Detrimental Effects of Refrigerant Leakage in Apartment Complexes." Columbus, Ohio: Department of Evolution and Ecology, the Ohio State University, 2007. Available from http://www.scribd.com/doc/93251/Detrimental-Effects-and-Leakage-in-Air
