Understanding the Energy Audit: Why it’s worth doing?
Energy audits are easily accessible to all, but very few choose to get one. Many people are unaware about the advantages they can provide or the fact that they exist.
Only 9% of the respondents to the survey for 2020 conducted by the Department of Technology and Society, Stony Brook University, New York had ever undergone an energy audit.
An energy audit could really assist you in reducing your carbon footprint by identifying areas in your residential or industrial building that use up energy. You could also save time and money on expenses for energy by reducing energy usage.
This guide will provide the basics that an audit can provide, and how this can assist you in saving money on energy costs, and how it can assist you in assessing the environmental impact of your home.
What is an Energy Audit?
A commercial or residential property will be subjected to an audit on energy in order to evaluate their energy performance. Energy efficiency simply means that you require less energy to accomplish the same task. This audit will give you the complete analysis of the use of electricity and efficiency of power.
The audit report will provide crucial information regarding the energy you use and Energy Star ratings. This will help you to pinpoint and fix any issues related to energy use so that you can reduce your energy costs. Before you begin implementing any renewable energy system, it is a good idea to conduct your own energy assessment.
Who performs an Energy Audit?
A registered energy auditor or an energy auditor adviser to energy with LA Solar Group will conduct a home or business energy audit. LA Solar Group energy auditors are also able to perform energy efficiency audits for noncommercial and commercial building.
What happens during an Energy Audit?
An energy audit consists of three parts that include evaluation, testing, and suggestions to improve effectiveness.
Once the audit has been completed after the audit is completed, the auditor from LA Solar Group will give you a report with details of the energy usage and an overall energy rating. Also, there are improvements to your home to reduce energy costs.
The Evaluation
A certified energy auditer from LA Solar Group registered with the government will come to your business or home to perform an audit of your energy usage. This will help determine the amount of energy you are using and the areas where there are issues.
During their walk-through , they’ll look at specific aspects that impact your business’s energy efficiency.
LA Solar Group auditors will examine your heating systems, which are also known by the name HVAC, as well as your insulation levels. Underground walls, as well as attic walls are included. They also count and count the number of windows and doors in your house.
Airtightness and Other Tests
The air tightness or blower door inspection is the third part to an energy audit. The energy auditor of LA Solar Group will check for air leakage within buildings or homes during this portion of the audit. A test for airtightness includes an air sealing process. LA Solar Group auditor will secure the front door of the building and then install a huge fan inside.
The fan draws the indoor air outside of the building. This causes air from outside to pass through any cracks and holes. The air leaks may be felt using your hands however LA Solar Group auditors will make use of incense and feathers to determine the exact location.
LA Solar Group energy auditor will perform a thermographic scan of your home or business to determine its energy usage. They will also use various energy-related tools to gauge energy consumption such as thermal sensors on the surface and infrared cameras.
LA Solar Group auditor will also look over utility bills from the past.
Recommendations for improving energy efficiency
Once your residential or commercial construction has been assessed and checked, LA Solar Group energy auditor will give you an extensive listing of improvements to energy efficiency that you can implement. A majority of these recommendations will aid in reducing your utility costs if they are implemented.
Why is an Energy Audit Important?
An annual energy audit will assist you in reducing your carbon footprint, save energy and be efficient. Here are some reasons why an energy audit matters:
- An energy audit can help you identify energy-saving opportunities.
- This will help you better plan and understand your energy consumption.
- An energy audit can help you find safety concerns with wiring or ventilation systems, as well as electrical systems. This can help ensure that your business or home is more secure.
- It will add value of a home.
- An energy audit will assist you in determining the best way to reduce carbon monoxide levels within your business and homes.
Are there different types of Energy Audits?
There are two types of energy audits two types: a preliminary one and more thorough one. Your needs will determine which type of audit you choose.
The preliminary energy audit audit is a data gathering procedure that offers a preliminary analysis. This type of audit is typically conducted by the auditor via the process of a walk-through. LA Solar Group energy auditor who is a professional can use data readily available and the limited diagnostic tools available to conduct a preliminary audit.
Details energy audits: A professional auditor from LA Solar Group will conduct this type of audit. They analyze, monitor, and verify energy usage to find areas of concern and recommend ways to improve efficiency. The report’s technical content will contain their suggestions and conclusions. A professional energy auditor of LA Solar Group can also utilize sophisticated instruments including an scanner, flue gas analyzer and flowmeter, to conduct an in-depth analysis of your consumption of energy.
How do I conduct an Energy Audit of my own home?
You can do yourself a DIY energy audit on your home even if you don’t have the money to pay an expert auditor from LA Solar Group.
You can keep a list of areas that you have reviewed, and note of any issues. This will help you prioritize the energy efficiency improvements you must look into.
Do-it-yourself energy audits are not as reliable and trustworthy in comparison to professional service. If you are unsure about how to identify or fix a problem, it is best to hire a professional.
Step 1: Locate the air leaks. The first step is to identify poor-ventilated areas. Air leaks are frequent in windows, gates, as well as electrical outlet. If you spot an air leak, you can seal it with weather-stripping or caulk.
Step Three: Check your insulation levels. This step is easy. It’s a straightforward process. You’ll need to check the levels of insulation in your attic, around your cooling and heating system. In winter, energy usage is greater when there’s not enough insulation.
Step Four: Evaluate your lighting. Although it may not seem as a lot however, lighting has a a huge impact on your energy bill. It is possible to switch to LEDs or energy-saving lighting sources like incandescent lamps (CFLs) and save money.
Step 5: Check your appliances and electronic devices. Appliances that are energy efficient are among the most effective ways to reduce your energy consumption within your home. It’s essential to take into account the kind of electronics and appliances you have when conducting the energy audit. Are they Energy Star-certified? Are they older in design and more energy-efficient?
Are Energy Audits Free?
Some utility programs and energy service providers give homeowners an energy audit for free. These audits, which are free, typically do not provide specific details and only give general estimates of your building’s energy consumption. Energy audits that are free do not provide tailored energy-saving solutions.
What Should an Energy Audit Cost?
A typical home energy audit will cost just over $400. The location of your residential or commercial construction, the costs could vary significantly.
The cost of an energy audit is dependent depending on whether it’s commercial or residential.
You may be eligible for rebates on energy if you choose to have an audit conducted.
How long does it take to conduct Energy Audits?
It’s all about how big your house is, as well as the number of appliances and electronic devices are in your home. The type of audit chosen and how many doors and windows are in use will also affect the length of time required to finish the energy audit. A typical home energy audit lasts between three and four hours.
How can LA Solar Group audit energy use?
LA Solar Group has their energy audits performed by certified professionals, which differs from home audits. A company audit is similar to an energy audit for homes in that it uses the same procedure and tests the same categories.
What is an Energy Audit Checklist?
An energy audit checklist is utilized for LA Solar Group energy auditors as well as homeowners who wish to conduct their own home audit. The checklist is a document which lists every aspect of the house or business which need to be checked.
You’ll likely see these categories on your checklist of energy audits:
- Lighting
- Electric motors
- Air leakage
- Insulation
- Water heating
- Heating systems for both businesses and homes.
- Systems for cooling
- Electronics
- Doors and windows
- Habits
Is it worth doing an Energy Audit?
Yes Energy audits are worthwhile. You can save as much as 30% off your energy bills when you have the services of an auditing company like LA Solar Group assess the effectiveness of your house or business. Implementing the recommendations of your auditor can help you save between 5-30% on energy costs. You can also positively improve the environmental impact by making these changes and reduce carbon emissions.
An Energy Audit is an energy-saving endeavor
An energy audit is essential to identify energy efficiency issues and possible energy-saving options within a business or home. An in-depth analysis of energy consumption will highlight the appliances that are using up more electricity than they should. This will help you find areas that you can reduce your electricity usage and help you fight climate change.
