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By: Arnaldo Lutin

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DO IT YOURSELF ENERGY AUDIT

Probably the best way to begin the process of reducing energy bills and saving money is by doing a home energy audit. An energy audit looks for inefficient uses of energy and ways energy can escape unused from a building. While there are professionals that specialize in home energy audits anyone can perform their own do it yourself energy audit.

The first step is to determine where energy can escape unused. Checking for air leaks is a simple process. Reducing drafts in a home can result in energy savings of 5% to 30%. To begin, check for drafts in the following places:

1. Electrical outlets
2. Switch plates
3. Window frames
4. Baseboards
5. Weather stripping around doors
6. Fireplace dampers
7. Attic hatches
8. Wall- or window-mounted air conditioners.

Check for gaps around pipes, electrical outlets, wires, foundation seals and mail slots. Make sure the caulking and weather stripping are in good shape and do not have any cracks or gaps. Check windows and doors. If a window rattles it could indicate a potential leak. If you can see daylight around a door or window frame that means you have a leak. Gaps around window frames are easily remedied with caulk. Gaps around doors can be sealed with weather stripping made for doors. Both caulk and weather stripping are inexpensive and can be purchased at any hardware store. Be sure to check any storm windows and make sure they fit properly and are not cracked.
How to Conduct a Building Pressurization Test

This easy test make leaks and cracks easy to detect and can sometimes point out leaks and drafts that are not visually apparent.

First, close all exterior doors, windows, fireplace flues or wood stove chimneys.

Second, Turn off all gas appliances such as water heaters and furnaces. If you have an electric furnace turn it off.

Third, Turn on all exhaust fans or use a large fan to suck air out the window. Be sure to turn them off before the next step.

Using ignited incense sticks go room to room. Moving air will cause the smoke to waver indicating a possible leak. You can also use a damp hand. Any draft will cause the hand to feel cold.

Exterior

Checking the exterior of a building is an important part of any energy audit. Be sure to inspect places where two different building materials meet. These include:

1. All exterior corners
2. Where siding and chimneys meet
3. Areas where the foundation and the bottom of brick or siding meet.

Plug and caulk holes where pipes, electrical wiring, and faucets penetrate the foundation. If you burn gas, fuel oil, or have a wood or coal stove make sure there is adequate ventilation.

Checking Insulation

Checking for adequate insulation is an important part of any energy audit. Most older homes have inadequate insulation and were built at a time when energy was very inexpensive. Insulation has what is known as an „R value. This is usually visible in the insulation itself.

Recommended R values vary depending on climate and location. There are many charts showing the recommended value for all areas available online. Should the R value of the insulation in a building be inadequate according to recommendations updating the insulation is a good idea if it is economically feasible.

The attic is a good place to start checking for insulation. Make sure there are no gaps and check for cracks and seal them if found. Be sure to check to see if there is a vapor barrier. A typical vapor barrier may be tarpaper, or Kraft paper attached to fiberglass batts. If there is no vapor barrier then it is recommended that the ceiling be painted with vapor barrier paint which is available at most paint shops and hardware stores. This will reduce the amount of water vapor that can pass through the ceiling and will prevent damage. Make sure the attic vents are not blocked.

Checking for insulation in walls is not that difficult. The best way to check wall insulation requires some basic safety precautions. Select a wall outlet and make sure that the electricity is turned off for that outlet. You can easily check to make sure that no electricity is getting to the outlet by simply plugging in a functioning lamp or radio.

Once you have made sure that the outlet is safe remove the cover plate and use a long screwdriver or stick to probe the wall. If slight resistance is encountered the wall has insulation. Unfortunately this method will not tell if the whole wall is insulated. If it is economically feasible a thermographic inspection is recommended.

If you have an unheated basement check for insulation underneath the flooring. In most areas of the United States an R value of 25 is recommended. If the basement is heated the foundation walls should be insulated to an R value of R 19. Hot water pipes, water heaters, and furnace ducts should all be insulated.

Heating/Cooling Devices

Inspect heating and cooling devices annually and follow the manufacturers recommendations. Check all filters and replace them as needed. During periods of high usage change the filters every month or every other month. Check furnace ductwork for dirt streaks near duct seams. Dirt streaks indicate leaks and should be sealed with duct tape and insulated.

A well planned, thorough and organized home energy audit will show you where valuable energy is being wasted. Develop an annual energy audit that fits your individual needs. Once the problems have been identified and corrected you will probably notice that your utility bills will be noticeably lower.

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