Simple steps to check efficiency
Q: How can I evaluate my home’s energy efficiency to see if I need to make improvements?
A: Although improvements can be made to an already reasonably energy-efficient house, the savings may not always justify the investment. Here are a few things you can do to determine what sort of improvements your home might need.
A good place to start is to check for air leaks. Air leaks are common in most homes, and they will cause your heating and cooling system to work harder than it needs to. Inspect window and door weather stripping and gaps where the wall sill plate rests on the foundation. One of the simplest ways to check for air leaks is to observe the trail of smoke from a stick of incense. Move the lighted stick around any place where there could be air leaks. Caulk or use weather stripping material to seal air leaks.
Next, check for insulation deficits. For about $30, you can buy a thermal energy detector online. These are sometimes called infrared thermometers. Set the temperature differential on the device to 1, 5, or 10 degrees. Shine the beam on a spot where the wall feels like a typical wall temperature and this becomes the reference temperature.
Move the beam around. The screen will change color when the temperature difference from the reference spot is 1, 5, or 10 degrees from the reference spot, depending upon the setting. If there is a room that you keep cooler, the reference temperature will be different for that room. During winter, cold spots may indicate inadequate insulation.
To see if your walls are insulated, switch off the circuit breakers to wall outlets on outside walls. Double-check the outlet with a circuit tester to be sure the power is off. Remove the electrical faceplate. Using a nonconducting plastic knife, poke around the sides of the conduit box to look for signs of insulation.
Since heating and cooling equipment accounts for the majority of your utility bills, have your HVAC system inspected regularly to be sure it is operating at maximum efficiency. If it is old, have your contractor do a payback analysis for installing a new, higher efficiency model. This will save energy and generally improve your comfort level.
And last, ensure your HVAC thermostat is accurate. Tape a bulb thermometer next to it on the wall to compare temperatures. Keeping your house just a couple degrees warmer than you desire can be costly. It is easy to become accustomed to room temperatures and not realize they are needlessly high or low.
Ask your local electric co-op about energy-efficiency rebates, energy audits, and other services it may offer to help make your home more energy efficient.
James Dulley is a freelance writer and a DIY enthusiast who conducts energy audits for homeowners and businesses to help them save money on their utility bills.
