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Common Fixes to Upgrade Your
Home’s Energy Performance
Richardson Home Inspections and "The Home Green Team"
Once your Home Energy Performance Audit is complete, your home energy survey inspector will advise you as to what steps should be taken to retrofit your home and thereby boost its energy performance. One or more of the following improvements may be suggested by your home energy auditor from Richardson Home Inspections and "The Home Green Team"
- Air Leak Sealing
The blower door testing portion of your Home Energy Performance Audit will reveal which areas of your home are responsible for air infiltration. Common sites of air leaks include attics, basements, doors, windows, and even certain light fixtures.
- Appliance and Lighting Upgrades
Appliances and light fixtures use a great deal of energy and are responsible for an amazing percentage of your home’s utility bill. Upgrading to ENERGY STAR® qualified appliances and fixtures is a surefire way to lower your energy bills. Your home energy survey inspector may recommend replacing your appliances or fixtures with the following ENERGY STAR® products
- refrigerators
- dishwashers
- washing machines and dryers
- light fixtures
- fluorescent bulbs
- hot water heating system
- Ductwork Sealing and Insulation
Leaky ductwork compromises the air flow in your home and the effectiveness of your thermostat. To ensure your heated or cooled air flows properly to the rooms in your home, ductwork needs to be balanced, airtight, and insulated. Home improvements to effect optimal air flow and lower energy bills may involve
- duct sealing with foil-backed tape or an aerosol sealant
- duct insulation in such unconditioned areas as attics, basements, and crawlspaces
- whole-system duct balancing
- Heating and Cooling System Upgrades
Timeworn heating and cooling systems contribute to high utility costs. If you’ve had your furnace or air conditioner for longer than 10 years, your home energy auditor may suggest replacing them with new, ENERGY STAR® labeled units. These highly efficient systems can lower energy bills by up to 20 percent.
- Insulation Improvement
As infrared testing will reveal, poorly-insulated homes suffer extensive thermal fluctuation when energy leaks to the outside. Your home may suffer from improperly-installed insulation or areas completely devoid of insulation. Properly-installed insulation in attics, floors, and walls is necessary to effect better overall home energy efficiency. In addition to lowering energy bills, you’ll find a well-insulated home produces a quieter, more temperate environment.
- Renewable Energy Solutions
If applicable, your Home Energy Performance Auditor may suggest the following renewable energy solutions to help lower your energy bills
- photovoltaic electricity (solar)
- solar hot water
- wind turbine
- ground source heat pump
Post-Retrofitting Quality Control
Upon the completion of your energy-saving home improvements, Richardson Home Inspections and "The Home Green Team" will resend a home energy survey inspector to your home to ensure all retrofit work meets your goals for boosting home performance. Contact us to schedule your Home Energy Performance Audit and make your first step toward a more energy-efficient home.
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Schedule Your Home Energy Performance Audit Today
Don’t wait to discover how you can increase your home’s comfort, lower your energy bills, and achieve an energy efficient home.
To schedule your home energy performance survey,
call us at 301-942-4610,
or contact us.
Please contact us for more information about home energy performance
surveys,
blower door testing, how to lower your energy bill, and more.
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