It took some time, but now you have gone through your home and done your audit. So why did you do it? Check out the benefits.
You know the tools you need, the safety equipment you need, what it means to have a building as a system and what the different elements of the mechanical system are. You’ve waled through how to audit your attic, basement, crawl space and how to manage moisture in your home. You’ve done it; we have walked you through the process and you have given your home a basic level home energy audit.
We hope you are thinking about all of the benefits you are going to be able to reap now that you have taken care of the issues you were able to find through this scavenger hunt of a home inspection. So, why did you do it, anyway? Below are some of the benefits and payoffs for doing your own home energy audit.
Was it for your health? Had you found that you were getting sick all of the time because there was some musty smell in the basement or all over your home for that matter? Getting moisture under control in your home will enable you have a healthier indoor air quality which will contribute to your overall health in general. With asthma at an all time high in our country, having the moisture levels in your home in check and more solid surfaces, rather than carpet and rugs for mold, and dust to get trapped in, the healthier you can be inside your home.
Was it for comfort? Had you been finding little pockets of cold in your house where your toesies were not too comfortable, or where you felt like you needed to wear parka in the middle of the winter, in the middle of your house? That wasn’t comfortable was it? Finding those holes and fixing them will give you the comfort that you need to stay warmer in the winter an cooler in the summer. Don’t you want to live in a cozier home?
Was it for the moolah? Did you do the audit because you wanted to have lower operating costs? Had you been noticing your energy bills escalating and could you literally see dollar signs floating out of your non-weather-stripped windows and doors? That isn’t efficient, is it? Finding those holes in your home and sealing them up will give you the higher performance advantage and energy savings that you had been lacking before. Many homes that go through a home energy audit will see upwards of a 30% return on their energy bills. That’s mighty fine.
Was it for the earth? Were you just one of those folks who wanted to make a difference in the environment? We do exist, you know? Using appliances in our homes accounts for 20% of the green house gasses according to the EPA, so trying to reduce your impact is an admirable thing. Look for Energy Star appliances, compact fluorescent or LED lighting and higher performance mechanical systems that are properly sized for your home will reduce your home’s impact on the environment.
Here are 5 quick tips you can do to reduce your impact on the environment, save money in your home and live a healthier indoor air quality lifestyle:
- Keep your thermostat set at or below 68 degrees F.
- Install low flow faucets and shower heads throughout your home.
- Caulk and weatherstrip windows, doors, cracks and holes.
- Change your air filter regularly- use a pleated media filter if possible.
- Use live plants and air filters in your home; they are not only beautiful, but help keep your home healthy.
No matter what the reason behind your choice to go through with the DIY Home Energy Audit program that we put together for you, you have done it now, and no doubt, you have some questions or concerns. We’d love to be able to help. If you think you may have some deeper issues with your home that you need some diagnostic testing for, give us a shout and we’ll see what we can do to help solve your issues.
