Heating And AC Repair Tips: What Is A Home Energy Audit And Why Do You Need One? | Dallas, TX
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According to the US Information Administration, the estimated annual energy consumption of an average US family is about 10,399 hours, depending on location and how each household receives the energy. Homeowners may be doing their best to save energy, such as buying high-efficient appliances or fixtures, but what they don’t know is that their home could be working against them. For example, roofs, windows, doors and cracks in the walls can affect your energy consumption. It will also make your HVAC work harder, which may lead to heating and AC repair in Dallas, TX.
Thankfully, there is something you can do to reduce your annual energy consumption by identifying where you’re wasting power and then where you can save energy in your home through a home energy audit.
Home Energy Audit Defined
A home energy audit is a professional energy inspection that helps homeowners determine how much energy their home uses and where they are wasting or losing energy. Also called home energy assessment or evaluation, energy audits can be an invaluable tool to help you save money each month. You can also make improvements to your efforts with a home energy audit.
There are several things to consider in a home energy evaluation: the number of people in your household, lighting, airflow, and then common HVAC problems. Remember, inefficiency issues with your HVAC can lead to higher energy bills every month, which is why homeowners shouldn’t postpone or ignore heating and AC repairs. When there is a problem with the unit, it’s best to call a licensed technician in Dallas, TX, immediately for an inspection.
Why You Need a Home Energy Audit
Your HVAC system won’t work hard when your home is completely sealed because no heated or cooled air can escape. You can also avoid costly heating and AC repairs when your home is properly insulated, and you have no issues with cracks or drafts. But if you have an inefficient HVAC or a system that keeps acting up, then you must get a home energy audit. Below are some of the benefits of getting a home energy audit for your home.
Understand Energy Usage
One of the biggest benefits of getting a home energy audit is the opportunity to understand how and where you’re using energy. You may have the most high-efficient HVAC system, but it would still be no use when your windows or roofs are old and inefficient. Your system will only work harder, which could result in costly heating and AC repairs in Dallas, TX, or system breakdowns. With a home energy audit, you’ll know exactly where you’re wasting energy, and you can make productive changes to your home. For example, you may consider calling a professional to help you install high-efficient windows or roofs or a professional that can help improve your home’s insulation. You may need to clean your ductwork if it’s already contaminated with debris or dirt. Fixing the problems will make your home more energy-efficient. As a result, you get to save money each month and avoid costly heating and AC repairs.
Increase Comfort
Improving your home’s energy efficiency can improve indoor air quality and make you more comfortable at home. Your HVAV will be in top shape and will efficiently cool or heat your home. You have peace of mind knowing that there’s no need to worry about emergency heating and AC repairs or other issues with your HVAC system.
And remember, an efficient HVAC system doesn’t only avoid costly heating and AC repairs and lowers your bills. It can also extend its lifespan and improve your comfort. An extended lifespan means you won’t have to buy another unit for a good few years. You’ll continue to reap all the benefits so long as you continue maintaining your system properly. Please don’t hesitate to contact a heating and AC repair technician in Dallas, TX, for further assistance.
Increase the Value of Your Home
Are you thinking of selling your home in the future? Improving the energy efficiency of your home is by far one of the best things you can do. It’s a surefire way to increase the resale value of your home and also attract more buyers. If you still didn’t get a home energy audit, consider getting one sooner. For HVAC issues, please reach out to a heating and AC repair technician. Don’t worry; getting an audit isn’t extremely expensive; it just takes up to four hours to complete. You can save up to 30 percent of your monthly bill by getting a home energy audit for your home. And again, you also get to avoid costly heating and AC repairs.
Two Types of Home Energy Audits
You can get a professional and a DIY energy home audit. For a comprehensive and accurate audit, ensure that you get a certified professional to edit the energy consumption in your home. You should be able to identify common causes of energy loss in your household after the home energy audit. As a return, you also get to avoid calling a technician for costly heating and AC repair.
Professional Audit
During the audit, a certified professional will review your home’s past energy bills, how many rooms are used in your home, and how many people are in your household. He will do a room-by-room examination and look for any air leaks that can affect the efficiency of your HVAC system. Cracks and air leaks can lead to more energy usage and will also strain the system. You don’t only end up with higher energy bills, but you’ll also be calling a technician in Dallas, TX, for costly heating and AC repairs.
DIY Audits
You can also perform your home energy audit, but it won’t be as thorough as a professional audit. Should you decide to do your audit, you’ll need to check for air leaks, insulation, ventilation, lighting, and heating and cooling. While a DIY won’t be complete, you should still be able to make some small changes. To maximize the benefits, we recommend that you get a professional home energy audit.
To locate air leaks, you’ll need to look for drafts or cracks in your homes. Then make sure that you do something about it after. You’ll need to check the bathroom and kitchen exhaust for ventilation and if they’re in good working order. Look for any signs of humidity or moisture, as this can affect the efficiency of your HVAC system. You can avoid calling a technician for costly heating and AC repair when these problems are addressed.
It’s also crucial to check if your home is properly insulated, especially the attic. You can lose a lot of heated or cooled air without good ventilation. As a result, your HVAC system will work harder, and it may lead to calling a technician for costly heating and AC repairs. In a worst-case scenario, it may also lead to a system breakdown or a major emergency. If you want to avoid expensive replacements, then ensure that you address problems that affect energy efficiency.
Check at Heating and Cooling
It’s also crucial to regularly maintain your HVAC system to ensure that it stays in excellent shape. You can avoid costly heating and AC repairs with proper maintenance. Some of the things you can do include:
Replacing the filters – Ideally, you should do this every two to three months. If possible, check your filters every month and change them when you see a buildup of dirt or debris. Even if it doesn’t look dirty after three months, it’s best to replace it still. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendation when cleaning or replacing your filters. If you have questions, contact a heating and AC repair technician in Dallas, TX.
Check the components of your system – You need to clean all the system components of your HVAC system, including the outdoor unit. Ensure that there is no buildup of dirt, leaves, or debris that may block airflow. Otherwise, it’s going to affect the efficiency of your system. You can avoid costly heating and AC repairs when you constantly check your system. It also ensures that your system won’t suddenly break down in the middle of a freezing winter.
Annual maintenance – Apart from the maintenance that you need to do by yourself, schedule regular annual maintenance with a licensed heating and AC repair technician in your area. During the tune-up, a technician can check if all components are still working. Problems (if there are any) will also be addressed during the inspection.
If you’re not doing maintenance, chances are your HVAC system is working harder. And what does that mean? It’s consuming more energy. You’ll only be wasting money when you don’t properly maintain your system. You’ll also end up with costly repairs.
How to Find a Home Energy Auditor
For best results, make sure that the auditor is certified. Before signing any contract with an auditor, try to take the following steps below to ensure that you’ve hired the right person.
Check the BBB
Check whether past clients reported complaints on a certain auditor and then find out if he was able to address all complaints. Make sure that you take time to read each complaint as that will help you decide whether or not you should hire the auditor. If he doesn’t sound professional on the phone, consider looking for other auditors in your area.
Ask for References
Reliable auditors should provide you with a list of clients that they have worked within the past. Ask them for a list of references and contact info. Take time to talk to their past clients and ask them about their experience with the auditor. If they have a social media site, then check if there are negative reviews online.
Make Sure the Auditor Uses Thermographic Inspections
Thermographic scans are helpful as they can identify warmth and cool areas in your living spaces. It enables you to determine whether or not your home needs more insulation. Keep in mind that not all auditors use this test, so make sure that the one you choose to work with performs this. Otherwise, you’ll never know for sure if you need more insulation in your home.
Ensure He Uses Calibrated Blower Door
Do you want to maximize the benefit of getting a home energy audit? One of the things you can do is to get accurate results is by asking the auditor if he uses calibrated blower doors. Again, using up-to-date technology or tools can be helpful, and it produces the best results.
Take time to do your research to help you find the best home energy audit to work with. Please follow the auditor’s recommendation to ensure that your home is more energy-efficient as soon as you have the results.
Contact One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Dallas, TX
If you’re getting a home energy audit, you’ll need a technician that can help you with HVAC tune-up. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us anytime — our team is more than happy to help! Our licensed and experienced heating and AC repair technicians can work with all makes and models. We also always go the extra mile. Rest assured; we’ll check all the components of your system to ensure that they are in excellent shape. We’ll also inform you when we find problems that need to be addressed. Don’t worry; we are fully equipped. If something comes up, our team will fix the issue on the same day! There’s no need to schedule another appointment when you choose us.
In addition to HVAC tune-up, don’t forget that we also offer repairs and installations. Call us at your earliest convenience, and we’ll quickly dispatch a technician to your home or office. Contact our One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Dallas team today for an appointment.