Now more than ever, it is imperative that you be proactive about keeping your home energy efficient. If you do not keep an eye on this area, then you might be spending more money than you need be, as well as negatively impacting the environment with unnecessary energy use.
Fortunately, most consumer research shows that even in the face of declining energy prices, most households have committed themselves to reducing their energy usage and footprint. Much of this focus is driven by an increased awareness of climate change and its impact on our environment.
A Focus on the Future
According to the Deloitte Resources 2020 Study, few, if any households plan to take advantage of declining energy prices by using more energy. Most are being driven by their environmental awareness to reduce energy consumption.
The Deloitte study shows that 68% of residential consumers have a strong concern about climate change and that they want to reduce their own carbon footprint. The belief that human actions and carbon emissions are the driving factors behind climate change has stayed relatively steady at 73%.
Many energy conscious consumers see the use of the renewable power as part of the solution. In fact, 44% of consumers view the use of solar power as one of the three most important ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The US has planned that 76% of its capacity will be towards using both wind and solar power, which shows a positive trend towards clean energy.
Of course, one way to reduce carbon emissions is by using renewable energy. The other is to reduce energy usage. About eight in 10 households, according to the Deloitte 2019 study, have taken steps to reduce consumption over the last year.
There are a few ways to reduce carbon emissions in your household. One way is by using renewable energy, such as wind and solar power. Another way is to reduce energy usage overall. Then there is the case for green energy which utilizes natural energy sources, but tends to come with a higher price tag.
If you are not one of those, you might consider taking inventory of your home and looking for ways to lower your energy footprint even further.
Energy Audit Step-by-Step
If you are looking to save money on your home energy bills, it is important to perform a home energy audit.
Step 1: Find air leaks.
One of the biggest causes of energy wastage in your home is air leaks, and they are relatively easy to spot:
- Close all windows, fireplace flues, and exterior doors, leaving interior doors open.
- Turn on all exhaust fans that blow air outside, such as stove vents, bathroom fans, and clothes dryers.
- Light an incense stick, and hold it near common leak sites such as vents, attic hatches, window and door frames, and electrical outlets.
If the smoke from the incense stick wavers, you have a draft and need to seal it.
Step 2: Check your ceiling insulation.
The first thing you need to know regarding your ceiling insulation is the current recommendation for the amount of insulation for homes in your area, as well as how much insulation you already have.
If you do not have enough insulation, you are likely to be losing energy and need to get on top of that.
To check your wall insulation, you can rent an infrared thermometer from a tool rental company.
Step 3: Check your windows.
If your home has many windows, it could be losing heat. If your windows have stickers that say NFRC (National Fenestration Rating Council), you will be easily able to check their energy efficiency, as it will be printed on the sticker.
On the other hand, if you have no stickers on your windows, look at whether the window panes are single or double. Double panes are best as they trap heat more efficiently than single panes, so you might want to consider either fitting double paned windows or installing extra insulation to help retain heat during the winter months.
Step 4: Find where you are hemorrhaging energy.
If you have lots of electronic appliances in your home and keep them on standby, or even plugged in, they may be using excess power. For this reason, it is best practice to switch off and unplug all appliances when you are finished using them.
Keeping Track
Once you have completed the steps above, you should have a good idea of how energy efficient your home is, and be able to pinpoint areas that need improvement. Once you have made your improvements, keep a close eye on your energy bills to see where savings have been made.
Through performing a home energy audit, you can save money, as well as help to save the planet.